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CHAPTER 17

NOVA

“I ’ll be back,” John assured me. I looked up from my book with a small nod, a bit confused on why he was telling me that but accepting it nonetheless. When he stepped outside, I felt slightly annoyed because that meant I was left on my own in John’s house, and the place had always given me the creeps. Mostly because his father made me so uncomfortable.

I watched John talk to him outside, and when the tone grew more serious, his father looking angry, I looked back down at my book. I’d never understood John’s relationship with his parents, but it also was none of my business.

I was absorbed in my studying for at least five minutes…until a cup of tea was set down on the table in front of me. My gaze shot up to see John’s mom watching the two of them outside with concern. Her brow dipped as father and son moved off the porch and toward a nearby car.

“It appears John will be gone for a while,” she said quietly, slowly sitting on the chair he’d occupied as they drove off. “You’re more than welcome to stay, though.”

I frowned momentarily and closed my book. “I should probably be getting back for dinner soon anyway. How have you been?”

At age fifteen, I still felt like I didn’t know John’s mom well at all. For all intents and purposes, I should have. After all, I’d known her my entire life.

Her eyes went round. “How am I ?”

“Yeah.” I nodded, offering her a soft smile. “John told me you were under the weather last week.”

His exact words had been something regarding her having bruises on her leg and arm, but that she’d had some other physical symptoms as well. It had been like this most of my life, though—John’s mom often didn’t feel well enough to leave the house or even to come downstairs while I was over. It worried me, but it was also possible it was normal—I felt like I didn’t see a lot of my friends’ moms.

“Oh.” Her eyes dimmed. “I fell and hurt myself, so I was in bed. That’s sweet of you to ask though.”

“I hope you’re okay,” I told her sincerely. “Once you’re feeling better, we should go work together in the coven garden. That was really fun last year.”

Her eyes warmed with affection. “I would love that, Nova.”

W hile I didn’t have details, I had a feeling that the many times she was hurt or not feeling well were for more nefarious reasons than a fall. Still, the one thing I could absolutely not deny is that John’s mom had always been kind to me. Even when my own father wasn’t kind, and even after I’d broken away from the covenant, she had gone out of her way to come here to warn us of the attack on Halloween.

“Well, you are the last person I expected to see.” I stated bluntly. I wouldn’t immediately kick her out, but that didn’t mean I was thrilled to see her. I was soaked to the bone from the storm, which was more than mildly uncomfortable, and while I’d been excited about Earth realm’s increased magic, now those feelings were muddled with emotions I wasn’t sure how to process.

Seeing her reminded me of my old coven, and it made me worry about what they’d been going through in my absence.

“I wasn’t sure why I came here either. I was on a walk, and when I came to your property, I saw that the back door was open…” She hesitated, her brows dipping. “Lots of odd things have been happening lately. The magic in our coven exploded, and we’re trying to sort it all out.”

I could hear the rambling panic underlying her voice, and I realized that her problems were mostly likely my fault, releasing the Earth’s magic and all. Deciding we needed to talk, which meant we didn’t really have time to change, I tried something out that I’d been meaning to for a while.

I imagined all of us dry and completely restored from the storm?—

“Shit,” August cursed. My little trick had actually worked! Seriously, we looked exactly like we had when we’d left the Egyptian Sector. How cool was that?

“Let’s talk in the kitchen,” I suggested to her before turning toward the boys. “If the back door was open, we may want to look around.”

“On it.” Fox was gone in a snap, and Cassian followed after him up the stairs. I had a feeling my blood mage was going to check on his attic space. Fox would be more than a little upset if anything had been shifted out of place—even if he didn’t admit to it out loud.

Turning back toward Claudia, I took a long moment to examine the woman.

She’d always been frail yet the personification of ‘picture perfect.’ Delicate. Ladylike. Quiet. Those were very important in our coven’s culture and pretty much the opposite of me. I mean, I could be ladylike…but not like they wanted. Claudia’s magic had always had a floral scent to it, but there was something different about it now. Her aura was a soft petal purple, pulsating with energy.

“Do you want tea or something?” I asked, leading her to the kitchen as she looked around the gothic estate with curiosity and maybe even fear.

The estate was old and had an air of eeriness that came with so much history. The elaborate and bold gothic architecture harbored shadows in the best way possible, and the muted light that shone through elaborate stained glass windows cast gray panels of light on the dark parquet floors. As we stepped through an archway into the kitchen, I waited for her answer as I motioned for her to sit at the breakfast table.

“I would love some,” she responded politely. The sound of the back door creaking open drew my attention, and August shut it quickly to block the cool, mist-filled wind from the storm. I had no idea how Claudia had gotten through the wards—those things were no joke. The only thing I could figure was that my magic had drawn her here and protected her somehow. I could tell it bothered Rowan, who stood near August, his brows dipped in frustration. Protective to a fault, all of them .

Even now, despite my powers and abilities, they were spread throughout the first floor of the house. I knew they were trying to give us space while still keeping watch, and I found it beyond sweet and endearing. My gaze moved to Everett, who didn’t even bother acting like he wasn’t paying attention, sitting at the island and watching me like a hawk. I didn’t care if I was essentially immortal, I loved how they watched me. And to be fair, it was very much the same on my end.

That’s what you did for people you loved—you protected them, and they protected you.

Putting on an electric kettle for tea, I turned toward her and offered her a questioning look. “So, how did you end up here?”

“I was on a walk…and I found myself here. I’d been trapped in thought. I had no idea you were going to be here; it’s been months since I even heard anything about you…” Claudia paused for a long moment, her eyes filling with realization. “Something big has changed with our magic, and it has to do with you. Doesn’t it?”

“You’re right,” I said, grabbing two cups and selecting our tea. “What I’m about to tell you is going to be hard to hear. But something called you here, and I think that you’re meant to help us.”

I couldn’t believe I was saying that, but my gut was telling me it was true. I went to sit down on a chair facing her and examined her determined expression, which said she wanted answers. Which is why I was going to trust her with information that I was comfortable getting out to Earnest if she somehow didn’t end up being the aid that we were looking for.

“Help you?” She looked baffled.

“Yes,” I said, quickly summarizing the situation with the dark ones for her. “So I released the Earth’s magic to share it with those who can help. I’m sure some of that extra magic filtered into the rest of the earth, and that is the change you are feeling.”

Her eyes went wide in shock as she leaned forward and spoke in a whisper. “The Titans? World eaters? Why are you involved in any of this?”

“Because I’m a god,” I stated simply. “I am the descendant of Set, Isis, and Venus.”

Claudia stared at me blankly for a long moment before her eyes began to glitter with tears, a deep sadness carved into her expression. “Of course you are. I see it now. How foolish any of us were to believe someone like us—a simple witch—could have power like you possessed. How silly we were to even try to group you in with us, to believe we were nearly the same as you, an equal to you.”

That…that wasn’t the reaction I’d expected at all.

“Why are you crying?” I asked in utter confusion.

Claudia’s eyes shut as a single tear leaked down her face. “Because I stayed idle as Earnest conducted experiments on you. I’d heard whispers, overheard conversations…but I didn’t want to believe it. I wanted to believe that I’d misheard, that you were just a very powerful witch, and what reason would Earnest have to hurt you then? I should have known. I should have realized…you were always so vibrant and different, Nova.

“I think it’s why I supported the union between you and John. I hoped you’d be able to save my son, to stop him from being the horrible monster his father was. It was too late, though. There was nothing you could have done to stop that.”

And I didn’t feel guilty about killing him. I did feel sympathy for her, though. I could tell that Claudia had buried her emotions for years, and they were now coming to the surface as tears streamed down her cheeks and anger flashed in her gaze.

“John was good to me for most of the time we were friends,” I offered after a long stretch of silence.

Ramsey placed the teacups down on the table in front of us, and I gave him a gratitude-filled smile. Even more of my men had joined us in the kitchen, and I couldn’t blame them—this was objectively a fascinating discussion.

Claudia shook her head, her hair falling from its neat french twist. “I appreciate that, but he wasn’t good. I can admit that. My son wasn’t good, and Edmund is worse. John had as much blood on his hands as his dad.”

Shit.

“I should have stopped them somehow…” Claudia zoned out for a long moment before straightening herself up, seeming to try to collect herself. “I don’t know how to handle the news about the world eaters, but I can tell you the release of magic was felt by our coven. Everyone has grown stronger, and while many of the wives have been maintaining the status quo, almost all the men within our community have disappeared. Went underground, including my husband. I haven’t heard from him since Thanksgiving.”

“Have you heard anything about Earnest?” Volkan had already told me he knew where he was, but I was curious what she had to say.

“Small things here and there, but not much since Edmund left.” She shook her head before a light of determination filled her gaze. “I’d like to help you, Nova. I’d like to do whatever I can to support you in this. To make amends for turning a blind eye before. The people who were supposed to lead us have fled—probably scared of you—so I need guidance on how to handle this. How to provide what you need to ensure we don’t die.”

Her immediate and unquestioning acceptance of my story was humbling. When I’d left the coven, I still hadn’t known Claudia well, but somehow in the past ten minutes, I felt as though I understood her better than ever.

“I need as many witches as possible that feel comfortable helping—people we can trust with more magic,” I said, reaching across to touch her hand. “Can I trust you, Claudia?”

“I hope you see that you can, but I understand if you feel like I’m too tied to this situation,” she whispered. “I’ll give you any information I have on Earnest and my husband, but more so, I will go into Earnest’s office and use his formal letterhead to call an emergency meeting of all witches within our jurisdiction. Hopefully that will aid in proving that you can trust me.”

“I want to trust you,” I said, seeing only truth in her expression. Even my magic seemed relaxed around her, watching the woman with curiosity and sympathy.

What the heck? Since when did my magic get so empathetic?

“What are we going to say once you’ve gathered everyone? They’re probably not going to want to listen to me, after the rumors they’ve heard.”

“I’ll help. I’ll tell them what you’ve told me,” she assured me. “They will pledge their help; I just know it. All of them will have felt something has changed, and frankly, no one could be around you and deny it. You glow with magic.”

My magic burst into flames as she offered me a sassy smile. It was so unnecessary and over the top in such a serious situation.

“Let’s do it,” I agreed with a sharp nod. “How many days?”

“If I send word now…we need at least a full day for everyone to gather. Will that work? I can try for sooner?—”

“That works perfectly.” I shot a glance to Volkan. “Besides, I think it’s officially time to pay Earnest a visit.”

Volkan’s metaphorical ears perked up. The man was so incredibly grounded, but the hints of bloodlust and violence that peeked out—especially in reference to revenge on my father—were something I very much wanted to explore.

Claudia nodded in understanding and spoke softly. “If you can manage it, keep my husband and maybe even Earnest alive.” I arched a curious brow as she sat up fully and held my gaze. “If we’re creating a pledge of trust and loyalty—if we’re creating a blood bond—then we’re going to need a sacrifice.”

Was she …I mean…it really, really sounded like she was suggesting that we sacrifice her husband.

I absolutely loved that idea.

Also, a blood bond? I didn’t disagree with her that it could be necessary. Unlike the other magical beings I’d dealt with, they may not be as compatable to the influx of power I wanted to give them. Having a blood bond would not only ensure loyalty but also strength.

“You think we should sacrifice Earnest and Edmund?”

“I understand if Earnest has other fates,” she said. “But my husband? Yes. I think he would do perfectly. It’s the least he deserves after the monster he turned my son into.”

I was not about to argue.

“Alright.” I smiled in anticipation. “We think we know where Earnest is. Can I assume Edmund would be with him?”

“As far as I’m aware, they’ve been together since they left. If you already know where he is, that’s amazing, because I haven’t been able to locate them. I can try to ask around, though.”

“Not necessary,” Volkan said, far too relaxed as he smoothed a hand over my shoulder. “He’s within fifty miles of here. I’m guessing he wanted to keep his fingers in everything while hiding away.”

Claudia’s expression morphed with disgust. “The coven will be better without them.”

“Thank you,” I said seriously, watching as she took a long sip of her tea. “I’m not sure what it was that brought you here—although I suspect it was my magic—but I’m happy to have your help, Claudia.”

“And I will prove you can trust me,” she vowed, her gaze holding mine. “I am going to go contact everyone that I need to—tomorrow evening, come to the coven lands. We’ll be ready.”

When Claudia left a few minutes later, I watched her retreating figure disappear into the forest toward the coven lands. The rain didn’t seem to bother her in the least, and her magic pulsed with vitality and excitement. It was odd being able to read people so damn well now, but helpful. I needed to thank Venus for that.

“I suppose all of this could be a trap…” I said as my men gathered closer now that she was gone.

“I don’t like that she got through the wards,” Rowan said.

“She did seem sincere enough,” River noted, “but we should aim for caution.”

“Although, I’m not too worried—the coven isn’t exactly powerful,” Everett said. “We could overpower them if need be.”

Cassian took a sip of my tea. “She did warn us again—she didn’t have to do that. I think she cares about you—I’m usually suspicious about that shit, but her concern appears to be authentic.”

“If I have any visions that suggest otherwise, I’ll let you know,” Nour offered. “I don’t see her being able to successfully pull off a betrayal on that scale.”

A dark smile crept onto my face. “Well then, we need to keep our end of the deal. Let’s find that slimy bastard, Earnest—kill him—and bring back Edmund so he can be part of a blood bond sacrifice.”

Earnest’s clock had officially run out .