Page 6 of The Rowan's Stone
Maybe it’s not him, though. After my last visit to Witchwood, I’m not exactly eager to return, and I’m certainly on edge. Pulling up to Witchwood, I turn to the door, startled to see Henry standing there.
“Good morning, Henry,” I greet him when I step out of the car. “How on earth did you know we were here?”
“Good morning, Miss Arden,” he replies warmly. “There’s an alarm by the gates to alert me when we have visitors. Mrs. Pennington likes to be sure her guests are greeted promptly.”
I hand him my phone. “I see. Well, I think you have enough on your plate without having to greet me at the door. Why don’t you give me your cell number, and I’ll call you when I’m coming?”
With a mischievous grin, he agrees, enters his number, and hands it back to me. “Would you like me to announce you?”
“If you must,” I tell him. “I don’t want you to get in trouble.”
“True,” he says, clearing his throat. “Let’s head inside, and I’ll find Mrs. Pennington.”
When we step into the foyer, Henry heads off to find Caro. Standing with Theron, I can’t help but think of past visits. None have been truly welcoming or pleasant. Even my first visit was more like an interrogation instead of a happy occasion, something else that needs to change in the future. New witches need to feel welcome from the beginning, not judged and accepted only after proving their worth.
Cassandra strides slowly down the stairs on our right. Stopping on the last step, she sneers in my direction. “Arden, what are you doing here? You should leave before my mother returns.” She tosses her hair over her shoulder. “You know, it doesn’t matter what the magic did in the ceremony, hybrids are not welcome in the coven. It would lead to chaos and an inability to predict or control new powers.”
Anger burns through me at the exclusive rhetoric spewing from her mouth. I tamp down my reaction, knowing she’s repeating Caro’s bullshit, but I can’t let it go without a warning. “My patience with you is almost nil, Cassandra, so quit while you’re ahead. I’m already pissed at the stunt you pulled with Reyna, for which you still owe me an apology.” My magic skates across hers lightly, and I find pretty powerful shields in place. Although I expect nothing less from Caro’s daughter.
Her eyes narrow at my threat. “As if I’d ever apologize to you. And cut the threats, there’s no way you’re more powerful than me,” she spits out, her resentment apparent in her tone. “My mother combed the archives for a long time to find any indication Santiago’s bloodline mixed with the other bloodlines, and she found nothing. There’s no way you have an affinity for all six bloodlines. We think it’s an elaborate scheme you’ve devised with Santiago.”
“You’re right,” I reply softly. Her face fills with satisfaction. “I’m a witch from all seven bloodlines.” I turn to Theron and gesture to the hallway. “Let’s go.”
Fury fills her face for an instant before she attacks. Magic buzzes around my skin, searching for the tiniest opening, but my shields are impenetrable to the level of magic she’s wielding. Her face hardens when she realizes her attack isn’t working.
She clenches her fists and turns back to me. “It’s not possible,” she snarls, desperation in her voice. “I’m the most powerful witch. Pure. Not tinged with the blood of others.” Magic spills out from her in every direction as she tries spell after spell, desperate to prove her statement.
I step forward and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. Shocked, she stops bombarding me with spells. I decide to try and make her see clearer. “Getting past your shield is easy for me. Do you hear me? Easy. As a hybrid, not only do I have powers and strengths you lack, but my immortality boosts my magic in a way your ‘purity’ never can. You have a lot of magic, but if you don’t rid yourself of the outdated exclusivity spouted by the coven, then you, your children, and children’s children will continue to get weaker and weaker until their magic is gone.”
“Get your hands off my daughter,” Caro demands as she strides across the hall. Walking up to Cassandra, she pulls her chin up to check her face. “What did you do?”
“Excuse me?” I ask derisively. “As you know, your daughter drugged me and tried to bespell me into accepting a vampire’s Mate Kiss. She also attacked me today. She’s lucky I only gave her a dose of the truth,” I bite out, irritation rising with Caro’s threat. “A little humility and an apology would go a long way with me.” I’m half joking when I say it, but acknowledging her mistakes will only help her recognize them in the future.
“My daughter doesn’t have to apologize to you. You have no authority here,” she snaps before turning to Cassandra. “Darling, why don’t you go upstairs and get cleaned up? I’ll send Henry up with some snacks, okay?”
Cassandra throws a smug look in my direction.
Frustrated with what Caro is teaching her, I step forward, deciding to push the issue. I step in front and block Cassandra’s path. “Before you go upstairs, I’d like an apology.” I stare at Caro and square my shoulders. “You’re lucky I’m the one dealing with the situation and not the cadre, as they’re within their rights to demand reparation. Cassandra broke the rules of sanctuary, which is something they don’t take lightly. My toll is easy. I’m only asking for an apology.” I glance at her speculatively. “But maybe the apology should come from you, Caro? If you gave her the order…”
Caro looks at Theron and frowns, then turns to Cassandra and huffs angrily. “Apologize, Cassandra.”
Incredulity and fury flash across Cassandra’s face. “But…you—” She stops speaking when Caro raises her hand and cuts her off. They stare at each other for several seconds until Cassandra turns to me, betrayal shining on her face. “Fine. I apologize for my behavior. Believe me, I won’t do it again.” She throws a nasty look Caro’s way and steps around me to stomp back up the stairs.
I snort at Caro’s stupidity.
“Excuse me?” Caro returns, her voice hard.
“We all know Cassandra takes her orders from you. You stood there and demanded she apologize for taking an action you ordered her to do instead of apologizing yourself. She will never forgive you, and any respect she had for you is at the very least damaged, and quite possibly gone entirely. It might be the best thing that ever happened to her. But you?” I shake my head. “You will regret this day forever.”
Caro looks up the stairs, her eyes narrowed in thought, before turning back to me. “Why are you here?”
“To attend the council meeting, of course,” I answer.
4
ARDEN
Caro marches down the hallway toward the room where the council meets, her heels clicking hard on the marble flooring as anger pours out of her.
