Page 83 of Sweeter than Honey
“I’m sure it’s nothing, but I’ll send Merlin to scout for her.” Amara nods to the bird on her shoulder, who bends his feathered head, and then alights, flying down the hallway toward the hotel’s exit.
“I’ll try her cellphone,” Renata says, tapping on her smartwatch to call her sister.
I can see robed witches, silent vampires, and bare-footed shifters (the ones who can turn into animals!) heading into the east hall. I pull on the sleeve of Renata’s dress.
“Can we watch Amrita’s keynote?” I ask.
“Yes, you go ahead,” she says, looking a little distracted. “I’ll meet you in there.”
With a squeal of glee, I join the throngs of magical people entering the hall.
When I step into the room, I feel like I’ve entered another world. The east hall is already an imposing space, with ornate wall sconces, a massive stage with plush, scarlet curtains, and recently veneered hardwood floors. But I’m not prepared for the magical sight that awaits me. The sconces are unlit tonight. Instead, hundreds of floating candles cast a soft, magical light across the rows of chairs that face the stage. My eyes adjust as I gaze at them, not able to believe it’s really possible. Amrita stands on the stage, wearing a thick, violet robe, an owl perched on the podium beside her.
“Lily, over here!” shouts Xia. She’s got a seat at the back, by the exit. Hallie, Lilith, Arun and the other interns are seated in the rows beside her. I wave as I find my way over to them. “You can join us, if you don’t mind being by the exit,” she says. “I’ve got to be close to the back just in case something happens. Damien’s Night Guard was supposed to be security for this event, but I can’t find him anywhere.”
“Celine’s missing too,” I tell her. “Renata and Amara are looking for them.”
“They were keeping tabs on Xavian,” Xia replies. “They probably just couldn’t make it back in time. It’s too bad, they’ll be sorry they missed this. Amrita mentioned fireworks.”
“I’m sure Renata will love that,” I chuckle, taking a seat beside her.
“I’m glad you could make it,” she says. “I thought Renata said that you quit, but I couldn’t really believe it.”
I can hardly believe it myself. So much has changed in the past hour. “It’s a bit complicated, but everything’s all right now.”
Xia lowers her voice. “Was it…something between you and Renata? I suspected as much, when I ran into you both in the boardroom.”
I can’t stop myself from grinning shyly at her, but I don’t know how much I should share yet. Luckily, I’m interrupted by the flickering of all of the candles in the hall simultaneously. Immediately, the conversations cease, and everyone finds their seats.
There’s an anticipatory hush over the crowd as Amrita pulls herself up to her full height to address the room.
“Good evening and blessed be to you all,” she says, grandly. Her presence fills the entire space. I’ve met Amrita Vyas a few times, to consult on vampire business, and to discuss organizing theconference. But it’s nothing like seeing her on stage. She’s incredibly charismatic. I feel like I’m in a movie, or something. “It’s truly a pleasure to see all of you here. I hope you all got to enjoy the feast earlier, and participate in the broomstick-riding tournament. What an incredible night so far! Before I continue, I’d like to thank the wonderful staff of the Respite hotel for hosting us.”
Despite the hundred others in the room, Amrita manages to find my eyes in the crowd, and she bows her head slightly. I blush, pleased that she appreciates our efforts. I look around for Renata, but she’s nowhere to be found. I’ll have to remember to tell her that Amrita specifically thanked us.
“I think it’s important to acknowledge that although this is awitch’sconference, we were supported generously by the vampires of the northern vampire alliance, including Celine Côté, Damien Cross, Renata Espina…”
There’s an interruption on the stage as another woman, wearing a golden robe similar to Amara’s, enters from behind the curtain. She has a severe, lined face, and silver hair pinned up on her head in a complicated arrangement of thick braids. She wears golden jewelry and a small white terrier trots by her feet.
I poke Xia. “Who’s that?”
“Lavinia Nox,” Xia whispers back, arms crossed. “She’s the High Priestess of the good witches, the coven Amara belongs to. She pretends to support all of Amrita’s schemes, like Elmwood Academy and this conference, but she really just wants power for herself and her own coven. She’s the one who threw Tudor in the Cave, the witch prison. She’s not a big fan of vampires.”
“Oh,” I whisper. This is all so much more complicated than I realized. Maybe I should make a chart.
“Good evening, blessed be,” Lavinia Nox says, shooting Amrita a sharp glance. “I’m sure we don’t need to nameallof the vampires who,” she coughs primly, “were requisitioned by the Triple Council to participate in the conference.”
Amrita’s nose twitches. “High Priestess Nox, how lovely of you to join me.”
“I wanted to address our audience, and to bestow upon this conference all of the blessings of the Hecate coven,” she simpers.
“Well, thank you, Lavinia, we feel veryblessed,” Amrita says curtly.Then she turns back to the crowd. “As I was saying, I think it’s important to acknowledge that although we may come from different traditions and backgrounds, itispossible to band together to create something important, like this conference.”
Lavinia Nox remains on the stage, her hands folded, her eyes watching Amrita with an expression of condescension. Amrita looks a little irritated that she’s stealing her spotlight, but she continues nonetheless.
“I know that it’s been a difficult year, for witches, vampires, and shifters alike. But that’s why it’s so important for us all to have hope. Hope that relations between the magical groups will improve…”
Sharply, Xia’s head turns, toward the back door of the conference. It distracts me, but when I look over, I don’t see anything.