Hiding from the Coven (Daughters of the Warlock Book 2)

by Amelia Shaw

  “Yes, High Warlock?” he said, tilting his chin close to his chest as a sign of respect.

  “I assume you’ve found something useful, or you wouldn’t have brought Ava back here,” he said.

  “Well...” Tavlor squared his shoulders towards me. “Ava had decided she wanted to come back irrespective of my feelings. I thought she would be safer where she was. However, as luck would have it, yes, we have found something.”

  I stuck my tongue out at him, happiness bubbling up in my chest. We could do this. Hope filled me, something I hadn’t thought I would feel for a long time. In response to my childish gesture, Tavlor made me sound like some sort of errant child. I suppressed a giggle by biting the inside of my bottom lip.

  I glanced across at my father who was looked at us strangely but didn’t ask anything.

  My cheeks flamed with heat. Damn. I’d forgotten that he didn’t know how I felt about Tavlor. It was hard for me to control myself around him, hard for me to contain these feelings that seemed to permeate for him across my body, my mind, and my heart.

  “Ah... yes,” I said, nodding. “Well, it wasn’t us, technically. It was Bella.”

  My father’s eyebrows flicked up. “Your sister?”

  “Yes, the middle one,” I said. “She’s the bookworm of the family and has an incredible eye for detail.”

  My father’s face softened. It seemed he enjoyed hearing about us, hearing about the two daughters he hadn’t met yet. He opened his mouth and I could tell he wanted to know more. However, he stopped himself and cleared his throat.

  “Tell me what you found,” he said, and I could hear the excitement in his voice. He tapped his knee.

  “You explain,” I said to Tavlor, pulling my hessian bag into my lap, opening it up, and handing him the ancient book Bella had found. It was strange to see something that had been magicked so small reclaim its normal girth.

  Tavlor took it and put it on the table in front of us. “This is an ancient book on the history and the beginnings of the Council,” he explained. “It was in their library, kept safely away by their mother. I’ve studied it myself. It explains that not only was the Council originally made up of Fae, Shifters, and Warlocks...”

  My father’s eyes bugged out of his head. “What?”

  I suppressed a small grin. The High Warlock didn’t know everything.

  “The original High Warlock was elected to make decisions when the Council was conflicted,” Tavlor continued. He didn’t seem to notice that I was trying to contain the range of emotions flickering across my face. “He was elected every ten years, and there were no stipulations on heir, or marriage, or anything that was brought in later once the Warlocks took over the whole Council.”

  Matlock’s reached over and picked up the book.

  His brow furrowed. But by the time he reached the correct page, his face lit up.

  “So, you think we can apply to get the re-instatement of those original laws that have been over written?” he asked, his eyes narrowed at Tavlor.

  “It’s the only chance we have at the moment,” Tavlor said. I couldn’t tell if he was hopeful if it would work or not.

  A though occurred to me. “You can always use it as leverage to blackmail them. Tell the truth about how, once upon a time, the Fae and the Shifters were considered equal members of society. That everyone actually lived together and worked together and socialized together.”

  I looked between the two men, who were both staring at me blankly.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  My father turned to me. “That could work... incredibly well.”

  Tavlor nodded, though he sat ramrod straight. I knew he wasn’t sure how Matlock was going to handle this new type of information. Tavlor’s entire life, as a hybrid, he had been subjected to discrimination and prejudice. But now, this information about how important the Fae had been in the past would say otherwise.

  The Fae were not lesser than Warlocks—quite the opposite in fact—so how they’d allowed the Warlocks to overrun them and kick them out of the Council, I would never know.

  “So, the plan is to get the Council to accept me as your heir?” I asked, making sure I understood where we were all going with this.

  “Yes. And appealing to the laws is the only way to beat them,” Tavlor said. He turned to Matlock. “We may need some help.”

  “Do you think you could get some of your Fae brethren to stand beside us?” my father asked.

  “Hang on.” I put both hands out, sliding to the front of the couch. “You mean, in case there’s a war?”

  They couldn’t possibly think this was going to turn into another fight, could they?

  “Yes, that’s exactly what I mean, Ava,” my father said, focusing his attention on me. “The Council are under the impression that they can conduct business as they always have. Without consulting anyone. Not in our community, nor in any others. But now they want to execute my only child...”

  I opened my mouth to correct him, but he put his hand up to stop me.

  “As far as they are concerned, you are my only child, and I will not allow them such autonomy any longer. Irrespective of what happens to me.”

  I narrowed my gaze at him. “What do you mean by that?”

  “I mean...” He glanced at Tavlor with a helpless expression.

  Tavlor turned towards me. “Your father means that when he steps forward to defend you, it is possible that the Council will turn their attack on him. If he can’t prove that he didn’t know about you, that he willfully committed treason against the Council, then he could be hung for the same crimes they tried to pin on you.”

  “But... there’s no reason!” I cried, throwing my arms out. “It’s bloody ridiculous that they think they have the right to choose who you marry... who you breed with... it’s...”

  Tavlor smiled. “Yes, I agree. But this is how it’s been done for hundreds of years and the Council will not just roll over and accept an illegitimate, and as far as they are concerned, volatile heir as their queen. And without the Council’s backing, the people might not want to change anyway.”

  My father snorted and I looked his way. “Sorry, it’s just that... I know that is one of the other things they hate about the situation.”

  “What?” I asked. What else could I have possibly done to annoy them?

  Tavlor’s lips quirked up. “You’re a female,” he said. At least Tavlor controlled his tone so it didn’t come out as obvious, even though I should have known this. “There hasn’t been a daughter born to a Warlock in almost a thousand years.”

  I looked between them and shrugged. “Well... tough. Lucky, they don’t know there’s three.”

  My father’s expression grew serious. “And they can’t know, Ava,” he said, his voice grave. “Not yet, perhaps not ever.”

  “I know,” I said. “I would never endanger my sisters.”

  Tavlor chuckled a little. “They are exceptional women, High Warlock. You will be very proud when you meet them.”

  My mouth dropped open slightly. I was surprised by Tavlor saying something about them. He always seemed so wary of Bella and Courtney.

  My father’s eyes shimmered for a moment before he blinked the moisture away. “I’m sure I will be.”

  The door to my father’s office burst open. The solid wood of the once ornate door, scattered everywhere.

  I threw my hands up, but Tavlor conjured a temporary shield over us all to protect us from the debris.

  Then he dropped it again.

  “Matlock!” Charity yelled as she barged into the room.

  My father grimaced.

  “How is she here?” I asked, eyeing Charity with hesitation. “Don’t you have protection wards?”

  “Yes,” he said. “Except, as my wife, I gave her the power to get through my wards.”

  Oh no... that woman was evil, I’d known it from the very first moment I’d seen her. I just knew that she’d stop at nothing to end me.

  And i
f she ever found out about my sisters... then God help us all.

  “What are you...” I began to ask her, but then her back up arrived.

  Three other Council members, all men charged in after her.

  Chapter 20.

  Tavlor threw out his Fae powers so fast I was stunned to see the shimmer of a protective shield moving in front of us. I flew back against the couch with the sheer force of his magic but managed not to fall off anything. I didn’t want Charity to think I was weak.

  Then again, I probably shouldn’t care what she thought of me, not when she and three other Council members were on the other side of the shield, scowls on their faces. They prowled like zoo animals before it, back and forth, waiting for the opportune moment to strike.

  Charity’s face was red and pinched, brows furrowed low over her eyes, nostrils flaring like a bull about to charge. Her hands were on her hips and if it was possible, smoke would have billowed from ears.

  “Charity,” Matlock said, his tone low and dismissive, as though we hadn’t been doing anything wrong before they interrupted us. “Leave. I am in the middle of a discussion.”

  I glanced over at my father, surprised to hear him standing up to the Council already. He’d told me he’d stand by me, but to see it was a different thing all together. Relief tickled my shoulders but the tension didn’t leave. Things weren’t going to be that easy.

  Regardless, I couldn’t help but feel good about my father’s reaction to being at odds with the Council, and his wife. My heart sung at the sight of his support.

  The locket at my neck burned, but I couldn’t afford to lose concentration for a single moment.

  “A discussion?” Charity scoffed, wrinkling her nose. “With a known criminal? You should have turned her over the moment you found her in here with that... animal you have working for you.” She gestured at Tavlor, regarding him with a curled lip and a sneer.

  I narrowed my eyes at the bitch, got to my feet and took a step forward. I was nearly pressed against the shield, but I didn’t care. No one insulted my man and got away with it.

  “Green isn’t a good color on you, Stepmother,” I retorted. “Stop being jealous of Tavlor’s powers and back the hell up.”

  Charity’s mouth dropped open and for a moment I thought she was going to be rendered speechless.

  No such luck.

  “Oh, look at this,” she said, her sneer only more pronounced as she turned her attention to me. “The daughter of a whore is in love with the son of a traitor. What a pair!”

  The Council laughed. I didn’t think they realized how much danger they were in. The thought of Tavlor being with anyone was such a surprise.

  Really?

  A growl ripped through my throat and I twisted my fingers into a tight fist. “At least my mother could get pregnant to the High Warlock,” I spat out. “Proves the problem isn’t with him, doesn’t it!”

  Normally, I didn’t like to insult a woman who didn’t have the ability to produce a child, even if they were a terrible person. Regardless of everything, there was a small part of me that did feel sorry for her. Even with all her magic, she still couldn’t have a child.

  But insulting my mother? Who the hell did this woman think she was?

  “And at least she wasn’t made to marry someone she didn’t love, like you were,” I added. “How does it feel to be matched to a man from birth who would never pick you to be his wife, except that he was forced to?”

  Her magic shot out at us with a blast of force that rocked the room. It ricocheted off Tavlor’s shield and went flying into the walls., I couldn’t help but step back. I nearly stepped into Tavlor’s chest.

  I looked at my father. “You gave her the ability to perform magic in the room too?”

  He shrugged. “Thought it was a good idea at the time.”

  I rolled my eyes and took a breath, trying to keep my patience. Now was not the time for me to turn on my father. I forced myself to address the group in front of us.

  Tavlor’s magic was holding steady. The warlocks and witches in the room eyed him begrudgingly. I wanted to stand in front of him, protect him for their obvious hostility. But Tavlor could stand on his own. I wouldn’t baby him. I wouldn’t protect him. Not when he was strong enough without me.

  “Alright,” I said slowly. “The reason I came back here with Tavlor is because I want another trial. A fair one. Where I can defend myself and impartial members of the community can judge me, not just the Council who want me buried for their own nefarious reasons.”

  An older, tall, rotund man I recognized from my trial stepped forward.

  “And what reasons are they, young lady?” He raised a brow, daring me to challenge him.

  “You want me out because you can’t control me, and can’t count on my bloodlines to do what the High Warlock’s have always done, and that’s to go along with whatever you want,” I said, the words coming out in a rush.

  “That’s not the reason,” he said flatly, though his gaze narrowed.

  “Oh, then what is it?” I spread my arms out, trying to be innocent. “Because I’m a woman? Because you already have a new High Warlock chosen from your own children?”

  The three Council members looked at one another with guilt written over their faces. They didn’t even bother to hide it.

  I My body shook with fury. I clenched my teeth together to keep myself from yelling. I needed to be calm. I needed to not let my emotions get the better of me.

  “Yep, thought so,” I said, only when I felt comfortable to speak at all. “So, let’s see what we can do to change this. You can either let me go to live my life where I am not in constant danger. Where bounty hunters aren’t after me. Where I don’t have to constantly look over my shoulder every second of every day. Or you can allow me to fight for the right to be my father’s heir.”

  Charity scoffed, loudly. She placed her hands on her hips, cocking her head to the side as though she couldn’t believe I would even suggest such a thing.

  “You’ll never win a trial,” she said.

  “I would if you made it fair,” I pointed out. I didn’t want to come across as defensive. It would only play into the fact that she still thought I was some sort of child. “If you gave me my own representative and made the ruling impartial, I’m sure I would have won.”

  I glanced at my father for help. He only nodded. At first, I was upset that he wouldn’t come forward and speak for me until I realized what his silence meant. He trusted me to do this on my own. I was obviously doing well enough or else he would step in. For some reason, this gave me more confidence.

  Charity stepped back. After one last withering glare, she turned around and stormed over to the other Council members. Though I couldn’t hear what they had to say, I realized they were discussing something.

  I stepped closer to my father. “Is it even possible?” I asked him, trying to keep my voice low. “To find a jury that isn’t going to convict me on the spot?”

  My father narrowed his gaze. “The only way to build a court of impartial members, is to include the Fae and Shifter elders,” he said. “We need representation from all realms, not just the magic realms. Unfortunately, our realm embraces its tradition, no matter what that tradition is. Sometimes, it helps to turn to other perspectives in order to realize why something we do, something we think is normal, is a mistake.”

  “Charity turned from her group, crossing her arms over her chest. “That will never happen.”

  Matlock clenched his teeth, his eyes narrowing. I didn’t think he liked someone ordering hm around, especially not someone he used to trust.

  “Then we need a group of Witches and Warlocks outside the Council,” he spat out. Saliva hit the tile and I frowned, wrinkling my nose. “Regular people who will not be influenced by the sway of the Council’s will. I will not let Ava die because of corruption, not when she came to me for help. I will not leave my daughter wanting.”

  Charity stalked forward, though she couldn’t g
et too close with the Fae shield in place. I didn’t want to flinch. I didn’t want to step back. I didn’t want her to know that I was, in fact, intimidated by her.

  “How long have you known about her, Matlock?” Charity asked. She wasn’t even looking at me. Her gaze was focused solely on my father.

  My lips curved up into a smirk. If this was going to turn personal, it meant there was a chance for her to slip up and make a mistake.

  “Since her birth? Before?”

  He lifted his chin. “If I had known of Ava’s existence, I would not have married you, Charity.”

  Charity screamed as though that would have an impact on us. “You are the one that should be on trial for treason, Matlock! You knew! All along you knew, and you lied.”

  I stepped closer to the shield, and she snapped her gaze at me, eyes narrowed. My father didn’t need me to defend him, but that didn’t mean he had to deal with this on his own. I wanted him to know that I was there for him the same way he was there for me.

  “He didn’t know a thing, and you’ll never prove otherwise,” I snarled.

  I put all my anger into my glare and didn’t let go of it. I wasn’t going to back down, not from her.

  Charity hissed at me, and for a moment, I worried there was something she did know. After what felt like forever, though, she backed away.

  Triumph filled me.

  I lifted my chin. “So, what is your decision?” I asked. Inside, my knees shook. My stomach fluttered. My palms sweated. Outside, I needed to project a confidence I didn’t actually feel. I needed the Council to know I was serious about what was going on, that I came here with a purpose and I wasn’t going to go quietly if they rejected me. “Are you going to reverse the sentence and let me live in peace?”

  “Never,” Charity hissed, eyes narrowed. She was a snake, ready to fill me with her venom.

  “Then another, fair trial it is,” I declared, nodding once as though everyone agreed with me.

  “You’ll never win,” Charity said, balling her hands into fists.

  I shrugged. As much as I wanted to say otherwise, I held my tongue. She didn’t need to know that we had an ace up our sleeve. Two, once I knew what my sister had given me with that other journal.