Page 43

PIPER

I shiver as we walk over to the Tenebris coven house.

It’s only a few blocks from the theater, so it doesn’t make sense to drive.

The temperatures are slowly dropping now that the sun has set, but that’s not why my body is reacting this way.

I confronted Tucker. In front of the entire coven. I’m shaky and sweating.

At least it’s a distraction from everything that happened with Ambrose the night before.

How have things turned upside down so quickly?

We kissed, and now, apparently, I’m suffering from his curse.

Doomed to love him forever while he moves on from me like a used tissue.

Although I’m feeling a lot more pissed off than blindly in love with him.

I want to throttle him for freaking out yesterday.

I’m no expert in relationships, but communication seems pretty central to any good partnership. Ambrose didn’t even give me a chance to talk to him about what happened. He blew up, told me I was fucked, and then walked away. Now I’m pissed, heartbroken, and so fucking in love it hurts.

“That was really incredible.”

I startle at Ambrose’s words. I didn’t even hear him come up behind me. I need to get my head on straight if I’m going to compete in another trial tonight.

“What was?”

He’s close enough that his warm, woodsy cologne reaches me, and I want to bury my face in his chest and drag in a lungful.

“You calling out Tucker.”

I snort. “Doing it in a room full of people offers a lot of witnesses.”

“It was brave.” Ambrose squeezes my arm, and I melt. Looking at him like I haven’t seen him in weeks when we’ve barely been apart. Sure, I holed up in my room at the chateau, but we were just right next to each other at the Orpheum.

He shakes his head. “Don’t look at me like that, Pipes.”

“Like what?” My heart sinks.

“Like I fucking hung the moon for you.” His voice is rough with emotion.

I step back from his hold, frowning at him. “I can’t help it.”

“Fuck, I know.” Ambrose drags a hand through his hair, pacing with frustration. “Fuck.”

“Let’s just get through this challenge, and then we’ll figure out the other stuff. Okay?”

Ambrose’s eyes are sad when he looks at me. I know he wants to say there’s nothing to figure out. I’m just another victim of his curse, but he nods instead.

Lucida is waiting for us in the library.

Dark wood shelves match the hardwood floors.

The room is large but feels cozy, with so many books within reach.

There’s a haze in the air, as if someone just blew out a candle, and the scent of paper, ink, and leather permeates the space.

We still have a grimoire from this coven house that we stole.

It’s at Ambrose’s place. Maybe if Lucida can get the coven council back in shape, we can give the books to her for safekeeping.

Before now, they didn’t deserve to have the Briar Witch’s grimoires.

I guess we’ll see how things turn out tonight.

“First, I want to thank you all for your participation in these trials. Things have not been right in our coven for sometime.” Her eyes pause on Tucker, then Francesca, and finally Bianca.

They were all members of the old council who nearly destroyed the entire coven.

And yet here they are, with their feet still jammed in the door, unwilling to let go of the power that their position afforded them.

“Tonight is the final trial. One by one, you will all walk through that door and face one last challenge.”

“What is it?” Tucker demands.

Lucida shakes her head. “That’s for you to find out. Hannah, you’re up first.” Lucida steps over to the door and swings it open. I can’t see into the room from here, so I’m not even sure what it is. A closet? What kind of trial are we going to go through inside of a tiny room?

We scatter throughout the library. Bianca is running her fingers over things as though checking for dust. Francesca has holed up in a corner away from everyone. Lucida stands by the door, acting as a guard. I can’t hear anything from inside. What is Hannah going through in there?

I sit down on an overstuffed chair and rub my eyes.

I’m tired from lack of sleep last night and the truth potion.

It’s notorious for sapping the energy out of you.

Especially if you try to fight the effects, which I didn’t.

My words were spoken from the heart. I’m sure Tucker is flagging right now.

He fought hard against speaking the truth.

Odie sits in the chair next to me. “Are you hanging in there?”

I nod. Her eyes dart over to where Ambrose and Roman are standing near a staircase that leads to the second floor of the library. This coven house is so similar to the Lumen coven house that it’s like they built a reflection across the river.

Ambrose lifts his head and stares at me, his brow furrowed.

Odie sets her hand on my arm before signing. “He’s in love with you.”

“What? No,” I protest, my eyes moving back to Ambrose without my permission.

Odie pats my arm, but then grabs hold of my wrist. Her eyes widen.

“What?” My question trails off when Tucker sits on the leather sofa across from us.

“Did you enjoy your moment in front of the coven?” He leans back, lacing his fingers behind his head and stretching his salmon-colored polo shirt tight across his belly.

“What moment?” I’m still feeling brave, with a roomful of others here with us, but I don’t doubt for a moment that Tucker would strangle me if he could.

“Trying to paint me as the villain?”

“I don’t have to try. Your actions speak loud enough for everyone to know your true character.”

Tucker sits forward, steepling his hands together as he rests his elbows on his thighs. “When I’m done with this ridiculous set of trials, am back on the council, and freed from my house arrest, you’re going to beg me for mercy. You should have never fought back.”

“Tucker Beaumont. You’re up next,” Lucida calls out. Hannah slips out of the library before I get a chance to look at her. What did she do in there? She’s in one piece, and awake, so I guess that’s a positive.

“Good luck, Niece. You’re going to need all the magic in the world to get through this, because you’re not powerful enough, clever enough, oh hell, let’s just say, you’re not enough.” He pushes off the couch with a groan and swaggers over to the door.

“What an asshole. Don’t believe a word he says,” Odie signs.

I offer her a sad smile. “I won’t.” I wish that were the truth, but I’ve had a lifetime of those words. It’s hard to shake off the feelings of inadequacy that have plagued me as far back as my memory goes.

“Piper.” Lucida’s voice pulls me out of my dark thoughts.

“You’ve got this, Pipes,” Ambrose says as I walk past him. My steps slow, and I’m so tempted to throw myself into his arms. To ask for a hug or the smallest gesture of comfort, but I can’t rely on him. I can only rely on myself.

“You too.” I drag in a deep breath as Lucida opens the door, and I step inside the room.