Page 110 of Love's a Witch
Except for one Mandy Meadows.
“It’s not like Mandy to be late,” Felicity looked around.
“She’s not. I wanted to make sure you were all up to speed on coven code of conduct prior to her arrival,” Broca spoke and all eyes turned to her.
“Oh boy.” Raven sucked in a breath.
“Not only did Mandy refuse to participate in a ritual meant to benefit a coven member, as well as the entire town of Briarhaven, but she also universally rejected an ordinance vote yesterday. Despite her insistence that covens are not democratic, that is untrue. We are allowed to put any matter to vote, and the winning choice is the path forward.”
“I see someone’s been reading up on the coven rules.” Mandy Meadows stood at the door, resplendent in a blush-pink pantsuit and pearls.
“I didn’t have to read up on them,” Broca said. “Won’t you come in, Mandy?”
“Of course I’ll come in.I’mpresident of the Charms.” Mandy strode inside, slamming the door behind her, and Blue jumped up from where he’d been snoring lightly on the couch. He was worn out from his playtime with Haggis, and he gave Mandy a grumpy look before burrowing his head back in his blankets and tucking his wings around him.
“This is an unsanctioned meeting of the Charms, and thus anything here does not go on public record.” Mandy put her Chanel handbag on the table and sat, her body stiff.
“There is no public record,” Tam said, taking a slug from her water bottle. “Not sure what you’re talking about, but if you’re trying to sound fancy or something, it’s not landing.”
I could have hugged Tam.
“Either way, as president of the Charms, I will be the one to call the meetings. Is this about the ordinance, Broca? I already told you that it is too time-consuming. There is no way you can ask us to dedicate our lives to making sure the curse doesn’t hurt Briarhaven when it would be much easier if you all would simply leave.”
My mouth dropped open. She’d finally come out and said it. As welcoming as Mandy Meadows had pretended to be when we’d first arrived, the sheen had worn off her glamour.
Broca raised her chin, her eyes steely.
“As is my right as a standing member of the Charms, I am invoking Ordinance Thirteen, a forced vote to elect a new president of the Charms.”
A gasp went up around the room, and everyone sat back in their chairs, Mandy included.
“You… you… you can’t,” Mandy said, her hand fluttering in front of her face.
“I can and I will.” Broca’s voice was like steel. “You’ve shown that you don’t hold goodwill toward all members of the coven, you’re willing for harm to befall them, and you’ve acted against the wishes of the group as a whole.”
“But—”
“I nominate Sloane MacGregor as coven president of the Charms.”
A second gasp filled the room, mine the loudest of the bunch.
“But, Broca, I don’t know the first thing about running a coven.” I whirled on Broca, my hand on her arm. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
“Sloane. I’ve watched you take care of everyone else around you since you were far too young to do so. You’re a natural leader, yougenuinely care about others, and you’re good at thinking long-term. All elements of what is needed by a coven leader. The history of magick can be taught.”
“She can’t even control her magick,” Mandy protested, two red spots appearing on her cheeks. “This is ludicrous. You’ll turn this coven into a joke.”
“Actually, she can,” Lyra said, her expression fierce. “She’s a Fireheart witch. And that’s pretty badass, in my opinion.”
A third gasp went around the room, and I was pretty sure I’d have to get smelling salts soon if we kept it up at this rate.
“A… a…” Mandy stammered, her hands clutching the handles of her purse. “But we haven’t seen one in—”
“Centuries. Since Bonelle MacGregor was cursed in this very village by one very dark witch.” Broca’s eyes sharpened as she looked around the table. “Now I will repeat myself. I nominate Sloane MacGregor for coven president. I will now call the vote.”
“You can’t… without a majority…” Mandy hissed, her face contorting.
“What makes you think Sloane won’t get a majority?” Broca asked, and the room went silent. I looked around the table and realized everyone was looking anywhere but at Mandy. “All those in favor of Sloane as president, say aye.”
