Page 15

AMbrOSE

“ N o, no, no,” Piper hisses through clenched teeth and backs into my side.

I’m still focused on the red sparks over Piper’s head, so I don’t know what prompted this response.

I throw an arm around her shoulder and tuck her against my side.

She melts into me, and I’ll admit, I’m not sure anything has ever felt so good.

“What is it?” I murmur, but she doesn’t need to respond. I follow her unblinking stare to the entrance of the room, where her piece of shit uncle is walking in like he owns the place.

Tucker Beaumont is the kind of dickhead who thought he ruled the halls in high school, but was actually only popular because of his money.

As he grew up, he held on to that false sense of superiority, but he never aged out of being an eighteen-year-old wannabe prince.

These days he’s a middle-aged bully. He still has muscle on him, but it’s hidden behind a layer of too many greasy burgers and beers.

He walks to the front of the hall, grinning at people as he passes them.

“How did he get out of his house?” I ask. That’s when I realize that Josephine’s mother has also been freed from her house arrest and is looking equally smug.

Lucida holds up her hands, trying to calm the crowd once again. Her eyes dart from one entrance to the next as if she’s waiting for more surprises to show up. I really hope not.

Was this her intention? Did she want these people back on the council?

In the past, I've stayed out of council business. My mother was always a council member, and I wanted nothing to do with her. That included learning anything about the council. The red sparks above my head tell me that’s no longer an option.

Whether I want it or not, I’m going to be involved in the hunt for our new coven council.

I wonder what happens if I try to abstain?

Except Piper has also been selected. She’s fully capable of handling her own business, but I don’t want her to have to face some of these assholes on her own.

“Our subjects have been selected,” Lucida calls out, not sounding happy at all.

“I will let you all know when the first trial will be held. If those of you who have been selected could please see me. I have a few things that we need to go over. The rest of you, thank you for coming tonight.” The crowd reluctantly drifts toward the exit, chattering noisily about the spell’s selection.

More than a few interested gazes turn in our direction.

“I doubt this will take long. We’ll go to the Hollows Lounge afterwards. We’ve got a few things we need to talk about.” Roman presses a kiss to Josephine’s forehead and leaves her with Stellan, Bram, and Ava.

Odie, Piper, and I follow Roman up to the front. It’s a press getting through the crowd that’s heading in the opposite direction. I hear more grumbling than anything else. Whatever Lucida is trying to achieve, I don’t think very many people are happy with tonight's outcome.

Lucida takes the steps off the stage and meets us on the main level. We’re an eclectic group. Besides me, Odie, Piper, and Roman, there’s my mother, Francesca, Tucker, Anastasia, that accountant that Bram knows, and three other individuals that I don’t recognize.

Lucida is glaring at Tucker and Francesca as she comes to a stop in front of us. “I don’t know how the two of you managed to work around this potion, but the trials will weed you out.”

“Lucida.” Tucker chuckles, as if this is all some big joke. “You always make up stories in your head. We were chosen because we’re rightfully owed seats on this council.”

Francesca stands slightly apart from everyone else.

A few months back, she tried to do a ritual that would pass along her daughter’s curse to the next generation.

It ended up rebounding and pushing Josephine’s curse back on her family.

Francesca can no longer be touched without feeling intense pain. It’s the least she deserves.

“I’ll find out what you did,” Lucida states, and then looks at the rest of us. Her eyes linger on my mother, her mouth tightening before she takes in everyone else. I suppose in the scheme of old council members, my mother is less horrible than the others.

“We couldn’t have tampered with anything.” Tucker smirks. “That would mean this whole trial is tainted, and your magic wasn’t strong enough to withstand interference. That wouldn’t make you a very good leader, would it?”

Piper inhales sharply, and Tucker cuts his gaze in her direction. He glares at her, but doesn’t say anything else.

“There are a few things you should know about this potion.” Lucida ignores Tucker’s goading and waves her hand at the red sparkles that are still glittering over our heads. “This is considered a binding agreement.”

“Even if we never agreed to be a part of this competition.” It’s hard to keep the irritation out of my voice.

“Always avoiding responsibility,” my mother hums disapprovingly.

Lucida ignores her as well and keeps her attention focused on me. “Yes, because this is truly what’s best for our coven. We need a council that represents the community and will do the best for the witches here, regardless of whether they used to be Tenebris or Lumen coven members.

“Now that the candidates have been selected, the first trial will be in a week's time. I can’t give you any more information than that at this time. I want you to be aware that I’m trying to move as quickly as possible, but there are certain limitations with the magic.

I’ll be in touch with more information as soon as possible. ”

She turns her stare to Francesca and Tucker. “As for you two, this magic temporarily allowed you out of your house arrest spell, but it will be fully back in place within the hour. I suggest you get home before you have to pay the price of being outside of your house.”

I take that as our cue to leave.

“Oh Piper, come here,” Tucker Beaumont commands behind me. Piper stiffens beside me, keeping her head facing forward.

“Didn’t you hear me?” Tucker’s voice gets louder. “I said come,” he barks, as though she’s a dog he’s beckoning to his side.

I whip around and glare at the man, striding forward until we’re face-to-face.

“You don’t get to talk to her that way. In fact, I want you to forget that she even exists.

Don’t look at her, don't say her name. Do not call her. You’re the last living member of the Beaumont family as far as I’m concerned. ”

Tucker laughs and shoves my shoulders, but I don’t budge. The amusement on his face snaps off like a switch has been flipped. “You know nothing about my niece. She needs me to take care of her. She’s family. Piper, you're going to come home with me.”

“No.” Piper’s voice cracks, but it’s loud and rings with finality.

Tucker’s eyes widen ,and then his face transforms into a snarl. “Excuse me.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” I laugh and punch Tucker on the shoulder hard enough that there will definitely be a bruise there tomorrow.

I walk back to Piper's side and lace our fingers together. “Silly me, I forgot to introduce my new wife, Piper Roth. She owns me now. I guess I own her too. Marriage can be so old-fashioned, don’t you think?”

The rage builds on Tucker’s features the longer I speak. I love every second of the bulging vein in his forehead.

“Feel free to send a gift.” I wave and get Piper the hell away from her uncle.