Page 97 of Pirate Witch

“What do you mean the Goddess commands the Shadow?”

Reva shrugs. “The Goddess manifests through her high priestess in a ritual which is performed on the new moon. The contract with the name of the next target is given then.”

“None of this will matter unless the Eagle dies.” Sophie tries to soothe over the situation, but the damage is done.

My trust in high priestesses—already shaky—is gone. I turn on my heel and stride away.

I expect my men to follow me, but a round of mutters and curses erupts at my departure, and I’m left alone.

When someone does catch up with me, it’s not who I expect. Danika reaches me just as I round the edge of the wall, grabbing my hand in hers and pulling me to a stop.

“They want to apologise,” she insists.

I sigh, looking at my oldest friend.

It’s so tempting to say something dramatic, to deny their apology and swear to never speak to them again.

But I can’t.

“They want to, or you’re going to make them?” I reply.

“A little bit of both,” she admits. “Rachel and I didn’t know, I swear. Sophie and Elodie…”

“Are utter bitches.” I’m convinced Elodie still secretly blames me for Felicity’s death.

Danika snorts, pulling me closer. “I agree. But after this, they’ll go back to their stuck up Solar temples, and with any luck, you’ll never have to see them again.”

Or, if I’m lucky, the Goddess will call for their heads.

I sigh and shake away my own bitterness. “Fine. But it better be a good fucking apology.”

“Agreed.” Danika links her arm with mine and turns us both back to the group.

It’s odd, seeing the two older high priestesses look so suitably chastened, surrounded by their angry younger counterparts. Reva, Elsie, and Rachel are scowling almost as hard as my men, and I’m silently grateful for the show of support.

Mother Lunar Agatha stands between the two sides, seemingly confused as to how she got there.

“I apologise if I upset you,” she begins, as soon as she sees me. “I had no idea you didn’t know, so I said nothing.” She walks forward. “You have my full support, whatever you decide to do. Know that the Meliad coven—however small we may be—will always welcome you among us.”

I nod. “I expected as much. Thank you.”

Agatha nods and strides away from the group without another glance. Leaving Sophie and Elodie.

They open their mouths to speak, but I cut them off before they get a chance.

“I have been manipulated, used, and downright lied to by high priestesses ateveryopportunity. Glenna was the most blatant, but you”—I point at Sophie—“withheld information which could’ve helped me kill the Eagle thefirsttime and spared all of this bloodshed.” I turn to Elodie. “You, for all that you claim to worship a Goddess of forgiveness and gratitude, have blamed me for your daughter’s death—which was ordered by your own Goddess—”

“Because of your actions! If you hadn’t been running rampant in Coveton—”

“I had no clue what was really going on. I was achildwhen Glenna started training me to kill her enemies. Barelynineyears old. Your daughter was theonlyperson in a position to stand up to Glenna. She chose to turn a blind eye, and you willnotlay her sins at my feet.”

My rage is palpable, filling the air with icy cold magic. My men are no better. Cas and Rysen’s eyes have shifted, and the grass around Kier’s feet is brushed with glittering frost.

Elodie’s nostrils flare as she struggles to keep her cool, her hands clench by her sides.

Sophie shakes her head. “I have made many mistakes in my life,” she whispers. “I should not have shunned Elsie, and you were right to condemn me for that back at Sanctum. I should have given you the knowledge you asked for in the beginning, but I felt it was not my place, given that you were Petra’s student. I regret that now. But this—in my view at least—was the best way to save more lives.” She stops, looking at the salt wall. “I am tired of all of this death. I hoped, with the wraiths on our side, I would not have to bury any more witches.” Her shoulders slump in defeat. “The world is moving into a new age, and I will not stand in the way. When this is decided, and the Eagle is dead, I will stand down as high priestess.”

Thank Goddess for that, I think to myself.