by Alicia Rades
I knelt beside the marker and ran my fingers over the engraved letters. Something about the name seemed… off. According to coven records, this grave shouldn’t even be here. In fact, there were no Peppertrines listed anywhere within the coven records. So where had this guy come from?
“Who are you, and what are you doing with a Reaper’s Apprentice scroll?” I said under my breath.
That’s when it hit me. As my eyes roamed over the letters, my brain started to notice a pattern. I quickly conjured one of my notebooks and scribbled his name down on the paper, then started crossing off letters. When I finished, it became very clear.
Caesar Peppertrine wasn’t a man at all.
It was an anagram for Reaper’s Apprentice.
This grave marker was nothing more than a message. A message for me.
Heart pounding, I got to my feet.
Well, there’s only one way to find out what that message is.
I conjured the sledgehammer I’d brought along and started smashing it into the stone. I expected the stone to resist, but it cracked on the first swing. I put all my strength behind the hammer and swung as hard as I could.
Smash!
The stone gave way just a little more.
Smash, smash, smash!
With every swing, a little more of the marker crumbled away. Even though it was cold out, I started to sweat.
Smash!
I swung again.
Finally, I broke through. My heart lurched, and I stepped back and set my hammer aside. I stared into an open hole in the wall, trying to catch my breath.
There was no casket inside like there should have been—just utter darkness.
I stepped forward and knelt down next to the opening. An orb formed in my hand lighting the cavity in the wall. Utter relief flooded through me when my light touched an ancient scroll sitting in the center. It looked as if it’d gone untouched for years.
“It’s here…” I whispered.
I reached into the cavity and pulled out the scroll. It felt really old and fragile. My pulse quickened as I unrolled the scroll, but my stomach dropped the further I read.
I was naïve to think this was going to be simple.
I’d be lucky if I managed to pull this off at all.
Chapter 20
Nadine
I couldn’t believe my Evoking Ceremony had arrived so quickly. I shook as I thought of what the night would bring. After tonight, I would either be welcomed into the coven, or banished. I would cement my life here with Grammy, Lucas, and my friends, or I would be forced to leave.
Part of me worried that Chloe had won—that she’d sabotaged enough of my lessons that I wasn’t prepared enough.
I forcefully pushed the thought from my mind. She hadn’t won yet. I couldn’t start getting down on myself before I even began.
“Where’s Lucas?” I demanded of Grant. “Why isn’t he here yet?”
I sat in Grammy’s living room, with Isa purring softly on my lap. The coffee table had been removed, and in its place were five candles set in a circle on the floor. I was surrounded by three of the people I loved most in the world—Grammy, Talia, and Grant.
But the one person I really wanted to be here wasn’t. I was really worried about him, because I didn’t think he’d bail on me. I brought his number up on my phone again, but before I could call him, Grant reached out and took my hand.
“It’s not going to help,” he said with a frown.
“We should check on him,” I insisted.
“Yeah, it’s really weird he’s not here yet,” Talia agreed.
“There’s no time,” Grammy argued. “The witching hour is approaching. This is Nadine’s one chance to contact Mother Miriam. We must go through with the ceremony, no matter what.”
“What about Chloe?” I asked, my guts twisting.
Grammy cocked an eyebrow. “What about her?”
“She sabotaged all my training lessons,” I pointed out. “I wouldn’t put it past her to sabotage this as well.”
Grammy shook her head. “She can’t touch you tonight, Nadine.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Mother Miriam protects you on the night of your ceremony, so you can go through with it in peace,” Grammy explained. “That’s why Chloe tried to hurt you during your training—because she knew she couldn’t get to you tonight.”
I dropped my gaze and muttered, “Well, she might’ve had the right idea.”
I wasn’t ready for this.
“Don’t say that,” Grammy demanded. “You must not let Chloe get to you, especially tonight.”
She was right. I had to go into this with a clear head.
“Maybe I need more of that calming tea,” I suggested.
I set Isa aside and started to get up, but Grammy stood at the same time. “Let me get it for you, Nadine.”
She was coddling me again, which was unnecessary. I’d napped most of the day so I’d have enough energy for tonight. I could get my own tea.
She started for the kitchen, but I didn’t sit back down. I followed behind her. Grant and Talia immediately started whispering, and I didn’t miss the look of concern in their eyes before I left the room. It was almost like one of them knew something was up.
Grammy poured me a cup of tea. When she turned, she looked surprised to see me there. “Here you go.”
She handed me the cup, and I began sipping on it. Neither of us moved from where we stood.
“How’s that feel?” Grammy asked.
I didn’t feel any change, to be honest. “Getting better,” I said, mostly because I wanted it to be true.
Grammy sighed. “Whatever happens tonight, Nadine, you will complete your Evoking Ceremony.”
I furrowed my brow. What was she getting at? “I know.”
She tilted her head to the side. “Then why are you letting yourself get so nervous about it?”
“Um… because it’s nerve-racking?”
Grammy reached out and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Tonight is a special night. You only get one chance at this. Embrace it.”
A lump formed in my throat, and even the tea didn’t help wash it down. “Grammy, I don’t know how,” I admitted.
“I’ll show you,” she said kindly. She reached out for my tea and set it on the counter beside her, then she wrapped her arms around me. I melted into the hug. “See? Embraced.”
I chuckled lightly under my breath, but I didn’t move to pull away. Her hug was so comforting, and it instantly helped wash away some of my worry. “What do you think is going to happen?”
“I don’t know,” she said quietly. “It’s different for everyone.”
I finally drew away, but as soon as I did, a knot in my chest tightened. “I know. How do you think Mother Miriam will test me?”
Grammy’s features softened. “Well, Nadine… you’re very curious. Why don’t we wait and find out?”
I frowned, but a smile twitched at the corners of my lips. “Grammy, that’s not helpful.”
She smiled back. “The truth is, there is no magic formula, Nadine. Sometimes, people who seem to be the best among us end up banished, and others are accepted. It’s not the actions you let others see that makes you a part of the Miriamic family. It’s the intention that’s in your heart.”
The knot in my chest eased ever so slightly. I’d said something similar to Lucas at the abandoned house in the woods. He’d acted like such a jerk to me when all he wanted to do was protect me. Were my own intentions enough to get me into the coven?
“Headmistress Verla seems to think Mother Miriam will try to address my grief,” I told Grammy. “I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”
Grammy’s gaze dropped, like she was really contemplating what I said. Finally, she sighed. “Nadine, do you think Mother Miriam only accepts perfect souls into her family?”
I hesitated. Of course not. There were people like Ryan and Gwen who’d already gotten their powers. Obviously Mother Miriam cho
se them for a purpose.
“No,” I admitted.
“She will not banish you for the grief that’s in your heart,” Grammy promised. “She’s there to help you with that.”
I swallowed. “How did you get over Grampy’s death?”
Grammy took a few breaths before answering. “That’s not something you get over.”
“Oh,” I said flatly. That wasn’t at all the answer I expected.
Grammy reached out and guided my chin upward to look her in the eye. “It’s something you accept, but not forget.”
“I don’t understand,” I admitted.
“Death is not an end for us, Nadine,” Grammy reminded me.
“I know,” I said. “We go on to live in Alora.”
She shook her head, like that wasn’t what she meant. “Your parents live on in your heart. Every hug, every kiss, every moment they supported you—it filled your heart with love, Nadine. And every action you’ve had from the moment they died has been a chance to spread that love they showed you. Your parents left you with a gift. You must not wrap it up and try to give it back. You must open it and let your love pour out to the world.”
I got so choked up I could hardly get the words out. “Thank you, Grammy.”
She smiled. “Anytime. The witching hour is almost here. Shall we get started?”
“But what about Lucas?” I asked. “He’s coming. He promised me he’d be here.”
Grammy frowned. “I’m afraid we’ll have to start without him.”
I couldn’t do that. Lucas would make it. He’d be at my side while I went through my trials. He had to be.
I narrowed my eyes at Grammy. “Is this one of my tests? To see what I’d do without him?”
Grammy threw her head back and laughed. “This is not a test, Nadine. This is real.”
“Well, how am I supposed to know that?” I asked.
“You can’t,” she admitted. “But here’s what you need to remember…”
Grammy got a really serious look on her face. “Don’t live your life like it’s a test, Nadine. Live your test like it’s your life.”
Grammy started back toward the living room, but I just stood there, contemplating what she said. It took me repeating it several times in my mind to realize what she meant.
This test wasn’t about doing the right things to get into the coven. It was about showing Mother Miriam who I was on a deeply spiritual level. All I could do was strive to make her proud.
“Nadine?” Grammy called from the living room.
“Coming,” I called back.
I took another sip of calming tea, before leaving it on the counter and returning to the living room. I was disappointed to see that Lucas still wasn’t there.
Grant must’ve noticed my unease, because he quickly stood and grabbed my shoulders. He looked me straight in the eye and said, “It’s going to be okay, Nadine. Focus on the ceremony.”
I searched his eyes. “You know something, don’t you?”
Grant pressed his lips together. “I know that if Lucas can’t make it, he has a good reason.”
“Or something bad happened to him,” I pointed out.
“Worry about your ceremony,” he insisted, “then we’ll worry about Lucas.”
I sighed. I didn’t have any other choice, did I?
Grant stepped aside, and Talia stood to pull me into a hug. “You’re going to do great, Nadine,” she encouraged. “You’ve got this.”
I squeezed her back. “Thanks, Tal. I’m really glad you’re here.”
She smiled brightly. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
At my feet, Isa purred and rubbed herself against my leg. I bent to pick her up, then pressed my nose into her fur.
“I’ll be all right,” I whispered to her. “I’m ready, Mom.”
Deep down, I didn’t feel like it was true, but I couldn’t back out now.
“It’s time, Nadine,” Grammy said.
I handed Isa to Talia, then stepped into the middle of the room. The candles weren’t even lit yet, but I swore I could feel a heightened sense of energy inside the circle. I lay on my back on the carpet and closed my eyes. No sooner had I laid my head down did I hear the sound of Grammy’s clock striking midnight from the hall.
“The witching hour has arrived,” Grammy said in a grave tone. “We can begin.”
I heard the sound of Grant striking a lighter, but I kept my eyes closed. My whole body quaked in anticipation. Isa meowed from Talia’s lap, but I shut out all external stimuli and focused on keeping my body relaxed.
Grammy began to recite an incantation. “The clock has struck the witching hour. It’s time to wake this witch’s power.”
A shiver traveled down my spine. Grammy spoke in a voice I’d never heard her use before. It was so full of finite clarity. At first, it was strange, but her voice began to soothe me the longer she spoke.
“We call our goddess down to earth. To bear witness to this new rebirth,” she continued. “A series of tests she shall partake. And join the coven before day breaks.”
I felt my body begin to rise from the floor, and then—
Darkness enveloped me. I didn’t know where I was or how I’d gotten there. I lay on a warm, hard surface. When I tried to move, I went nowhere. I was paralyzed.
“Hello?” I called, my voice wavering. “Is anyone there?”
As I spoke, I realized the weight of a blindfold around my eyes. I started to struggle even more, and I found that I could move my feet, but my arms were bound to my sides. I began to panic.
“Help!” I cried. “Somebody help me!”
A million questions raced through my head all at once. Where was I? What had happened to me? Who had done this?
The sound of echoing voices met my ears. Three girls giggled in unison, and a knot in my stomach twisted so tight I could swear the ropes around my arms tightened as well.
The Lucky Three.
“Chloe!?” I demanded. “Let me go! This isn’t funny anymore.”
I heard the sound of footsteps approach. They were soft, as if she walked on the carpet.
“Oh, Nadine,” Chloe scoffed. “But it is funny.”
“Chloe!” I screamed as I listened to the sound of her footsteps retreat. “What did you do to me? Let me go!”
She chuckled again. “I didn’t do this to you, Nadine. You did this.”
Suddenly, I stopped struggling. I tried flipping back through my memory to figure out how I’d gotten here, but I couldn’t remember. Though I had every reason to believe Chloe had done this to me—given her track record and complete and utter disdain for me—I had no proof. I couldn’t say with certainty that she was wrong, either. But how could I tie myself up and blindfold myself?
I wracked my brain, trying to come up with an answer. What bothered me more than being tied up was that I couldn’t recall the events leading up to it.
“Hello?” I cried. “Can anyone hear me?”
Chloe cleared her throat. I gave a start—as I hadn’t realized she was still there.
“No one’s coming to your rescue,” Chloe said.
“You could help,” I bit at her.
“Why would I do that when you can just untie yourself?” she asked.
I scoffed. “Untie myself? How am I supposed to do that?”
“I don’t know,” Chloe said, like she didn’t care one way or another. “Get creative.”
It was in that moment that I realized I didn’t have a single idea. I’d been here for several minutes already, and all I could do was question how I got here. I needed to look for the solution. Once this blindfold was off, maybe then I’d find my answer.
I began to struggle more, but the more I struggled, the tighter the rope held on me. My whole body ached, and I thought the circulation in my arms might stop dead at any moment.
“I can’t move,” I sobbed. “Please, somebody help.”
Chloe chuckled. “Stop playing the victim, Nadine.”
M
y whole body stilled. I’d heard Chloe say that before. It was in Introduction to Tarot, when I drew the Eight of Swords card.
“Her feet are unbound. She has the ability to go in any direction she chooses. The woman in this card is bound by her own doing. All she has to do is stop playing the victim,” I recalled Chloe saying.
And that’s the moment it became clear to me. My feet were unbound. I could go anywhere I wanted.
“I. Am. Not. A. Victim,” I stated with every ounce of conviction I had in me.
Once I realized that, the solution was simple. I pulled my knees to my chest and rolled over. All I had to do was get to my knees, then stand on my own two feet. The moment I stood upright, the rope that bound me loosened and fell away. I reached up and tugged the blindfold off my eyes.
I glanced around to see that I was standing in the middle of the Main Foyer. It was really dark, except for a small fire that burned in the fireplace. I looked around for Chloe, but she was gone.
Before I could take another breath, an earth-shattering scream tore through the night. I whirled around and saw that the front doors of the school were wide open. A strong breeze swept past the doors, blowing leaves all over the place. I could barely see anything through the darkness of the night.
I ran outside in the direction of the scream, but I stopped dead when the scene came into view.
I stared up at a tall oak tree. Chloe’s feet hovered just above the ground, kicking frantically and searching for a foothold to save herself. Her hands grasped her neck, where a tight noose had been slung around her throat.
For a moment, a pang of satisfaction hit me. I didn’t dare admit to anyone, but watching Chloe hang like that made me feel a bit… triumphant.
I knew immediately it was the devil on my shoulder talking, because I felt the sudden urge to punch that sucker out. I didn’t care what Chloe had done to me in the past. She didn’t deserve a death like this.
Chloe clawed at the rope around her neck. “Help!” she gasped, though I could barely understand the word.
Screw the dark side of me that enjoyed watching her hang. The real Nadine found it sickening.
I raced over to her and got beneath her, my heart racing in panic. I lifted her onto my shoulders, though it took every ounce of my strength to keep my aching knees from collapsing beneath me.
