Pledge (Witches of Coventry House Book 1)

by Christina Garner

  “I did,” Eden said. “I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to.”

  “Way to read the manual,” Alex said. “Well, it’s out. You can clean it up now.”

  “I’ll take care of it,” Eden said. “Thank you.”

  Alex paused at the door. “Next time maybe don’t throw organic cotton on a fire.” It might have been her imagination, but Eden would have sworn Alex muttered, “Pledges.”

  “You guys okay?” Jules asked.

  “Yeah.” Eden looked over the mess.

  “You didn’t have to cover for me,” Sarah said when the others had left. “I’m the one who plugged it into the power strip—the fire is my fault.”

  “Yeah, but she already hates me,” Eden said. “What’s one more reason?”

  Sarah smiled appreciatively, but it only intensified Eden’s guilt. Next to Sarah’s candle lay a pack of matches that Eden hadn’t noticed before bed. Although her old therapist would say that subconsciously she had seen them.

  Sarah was wrong—the fire was Eden’s fault, not hers.

  She’d been having the dream.

  Chapter 19

  Since Hannah’s death, Sarah had been doing some thinking. First of all, she needed to buy pepper spray. She didn’t know if having it would have saved Hannah’s life, but it sure as hell wouldn’t have hurt.

  Also, she needed to spend more time with Jules. They were all upset about Hannah, but Jules was clearly devastated, and her refusal to show any emotion was making others uncomfortable. More importantly, it wasn’t healthy. If she wouldn’t let herself grieve she wouldn’t be able to move on, and as callous as it sounded, someday they were all going to have to.

  Lastly, life was short—sometimes too short—and she didn’t want to have any regrets.

  “Hey,” she said. “Fancy seeing you here.”

  Kai had just finished her tai chi class and was gathering her things, but now she looked up, a smiled playing at her lips. “Well, hey, stranger. What have you been up to?”

  When Sarah filled her in the events of the past several days, Kai’s smile vanished, and her eyes widened. “I’m so sorry.” Her eyes filled with compassion. “I heard about what happened, but I didn’t know she was a friend of yours.”

  “Yeah,” Sarah said. “It’s been a tough week.”

  “I’m sure,” Kai said. “Is there anything I can do?”

  “Actually, there is,” Sarah said, working up her nerve. “I could really use some social interaction that doesn’t revolve around sadness and death. I was hoping you might be free tonight.”

  Kai smiled, her onyx eyes flashing. “How about seven?”

  “Perfect.”

  Sarah needed a non-witchy, non-tragedy-associated friend right now. She’d had an instant connection with Kai and didn’t want to wait any longer to get to know her better. Life was too short to keep putting things off.

  Sarah caught a glimpse of her reflection in the glass door as she entered Tony’s Pizza. She’d changed clothes three times, finally settling on black jeans and her favorite sweater. She couldn’t remember the last time she obsessed so much over what she wore. Maybe when Jimmy Richmond took her to the movies right before graduation? Her friends had persuaded her to finally say yes to a date with him—“He’s such a catch!”—but she never thought of him that way, so she’d worn baggy clothes from her hamper.

  She spotted Kai at a table in the corner, and Sarah’s breath caught. She looked gorgeous. Her long, dark hair—usually tied back—cascaded down past her shoulders, framing her high cheekbones and dark eyes. Sarah couldn’t believe there weren’t ten guys crowding the table where she sat—if she were a guy, that’s where she’d be.

  Kai smiled as Sarah approached, and it seemed to light up her whole face.

  “Hey,” she said, getting up. “You look great.”

  “Thanks,” Sarah said, her cheeks feeling warm. “You too.”

  A jolt of electricity shot through Sarah when Kai gave her a hug and quick kiss on the cheek.

  Kai retook her seat, and Sarah followed suit.

  “The pizza is greasy.” She slid a menu across the table. “Which is exactly why I like it.”

  Sarah smiled. “As long as it’s a thick crust. Thin crust is for amateurs.”

  “I knew I liked you.” Kai’s grin bordered on sly.

  Am I really going through with this?

  Eden looked down at the small sachet in her hand. It contained herbs, a totem, and two tiny crystals—she’d checked its contents a half dozen times since it had arrived in the mail.

  “Why are you getting a package from the Salem Witch Emporium?” Alex had said, her eyes narrowing.

  “It’s a gag gift for Sarah.” Eden had snatched the box from her greedy grasp and immediately taken it to her room to explore the contents.

  The instructions were simple enough, and she knew the company was reputable—she’d seen their tag on herbs in the pantry. It was the spell itself, and the fact that she was risking her place at Coventry House, that made her hands tremble.

  It had been three days since she’d started the fire in her sleep. Three days without sleep except dozing off in class. She knew how dangerous it was to live on caffeine and diet pills, but she had to stay awake—she couldn’t risk hurting anyone.

  That’s why she’d placed the order in the first place—it was the solution to all of her problems. The witches’ version of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. All Eden had to do was follow the instructions.

  So what was she waiting for?

  It was the perfect night—the sisters were being tested on something, so her magic would get lost in the soup, and Sarah was out with her friend, Kai.

  So what was she waiting for?

  Eden was ready to forget—she knew that for sure. She was just terrified that something would go kablooey and she’d end up caught, forgetting her own name, or both.

  It was Jules who had given her the idea, back when Hannah had been kicked out. But with the dream charm still working, she’d had no reason to press the button on the nuclear option. Until now.

  Eden ripped some blank pages from her journal. The first step was jotting down exactly what she wanted to forget. She wrote in great detail all she remembered about what happened when she was six.

  Altering the root memory would cause any subsequent memories to fade in significance, according to the instructions. They would become foggy and hold little meaning to her. She would know something had happened to her; it just wouldn’t be important enough to remember too clearly. Or dream about. Or light fires because of.

  When she finished writing, Eden folded the pieces of paper up tightly and tucked them inside the sachet. Then she pulled out a match and struck it, the flame hissing to life.

  This is it, she thought, holding the flame to the sachet. Say goodbye to the boogeyman.

  The sachet caught fire, the paper burning and the herbs sending off a sweet smoke. She spoke the incantation, putting as much of herself into it as she could. She watched as the flames consumed all but the crystals, leaving nothing but ash.

  A wave of dizziness washed over her, and then everything went black.

  Chapter 20

  As she and Kai scarfed down pizza, Sarah found herself saying things she hadn’t thought of in ages—stories about her past, theories on life and happiness—they all came spilling out of her.

  She and Kai had gotten coffee a few times but always on the fly. This was the first time Sarah felt like she was really getting to know her. She found herself fascinated and feeling like she’d known Kai much longer than she actually had.

  “I never wanted to be a boy.” Kai traced a finger along the rim of her mug. She’d been explaining what it was like to have four older brothers. “But I saw the way they got treated—with respect. No one ever called my brothers bossy or gave them shit for going after what they wanted. That’s what got me interested in martial arts—it’s all about power. Not just force but real power. It gave me confid
ence to go after what I want and not apologize for it.”

  Sarah couldn’t imagine Kai apologizing for anything—it was like she couldn’t help but just be herself. There was a lot Sarah could learn from being friends with her.

  They smiled at each other over their mugs, and Sarah felt warm and tingly inside—the way she sometimes did when she met a girl she really wanted to be friends with. It was a surprise that she hadn’t felt it when she’d met Eden, even though they’d hit it off right away.

  Sarah noticed a clock on the wall, and it snapped her out of the moment. “Oh, wow, is that the time? I’ve got to go.”

  “So soon?” Kai said.

  She’d promised Jules they could watch a late movie together. With the sisters all doing some big-time ritual, the common room would be free.

  “Sorry.” Sarah pulled out her wallet. “This was so great. I just have this thing with Jules, and she was Hannah’s roommate so I can’t let her down.”

  Kai laid a hand on Sarah’s wrist, sending a shiver down her spine. “My treat.”

  “Oh, thanks,” Sarah said. “I’ll get the next time.”

  Kai fished out a few bills from her wallet and placed them on the check.

  “I’ll walk you out.” She gathered her things.

  The coolness of the air outside felt good to Sarah, who felt flushed.

  “See you Monday?” she asked. They often got coffee on Mondays.

  “Sounds good.” Kai’s gaze held steady.

  “I’m late,” Sarah said weakly. Jules was waiting. Why wasn’t she moving?

  “Yes.” Kai closed the distance between them.

  Kai brushed a strand of Sarah’s hair from her face, and before she could react, Kai’s lips were on hers. The kiss was everything it hadn’t been with Cam at the bonfire—soft, warm, delicious. Something broke lose in Sarah, and she gasped, pushing Kai away from her.

  “What was—?” Sarah fought to catch her breath, to still her pounding heart. “What are you doing?”

  “I...thought I was kissing you goodnight after an amazing date.” Confusion painted Kai’s face.

  “Date? What?” Sarah was breathless and her mind was reeling. “This was not a date.”

  “Okay, wow. I’m sorry,” Kai said. “I guess I misread the signals.”

  “There were no signals.” Sarah’s heart thrummed. “That’s... that’s disgusting.”

  Kai’s face darkened, first with hurt then anger.

  Sarah couldn’t stand to look at her, couldn’t stand any of this. She spun on her heel and ran as fast as she could.

  Shame set her insides aflame. How could Kai have thought...? Was Kai a...? She wouldn’t even think the word.

  Sarah’s mother had caught Sarah kissing a friend when she was twelve. It had been nothing—Janie had said they needed to practice if they wanted to be any good for boys.

  Her mother had shaken Sarah—hard—and told her God was watching and that God didn’t tolerate gay people. Being anything other than one hundred percent heterosexual was an affront to God and would bring shame to Sarah and her entire family. And then she said that if Sarah told her mother she’d decided to be gay, it would be the last thing she ever told her, because she’d disown her.

  The next day Sarah had told everyone what a “lezzie” Janie was and had refused to sit with her at lunch.

  Shame kept Sarah running, and soon she reached Coventry House, panting and spent.

  “Hey,” Jules said when Sarah stepped inside and sagged against the door. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah.” Sarah swallowed hard around the lump in her throat. “I just felt bad that I was late.”

  “That’s okay” Jules said. “I was just about to start the popcorn. How was dinner? You were meeting that girl, right? Kai?”

  Sarah nodded. “Yeah, but it turns out she isn’t who I thought she was. I don’t want to be her friend.”

  “I hate it when that happens.” Jules headed toward the kitchen.

  “Yeah,” Sarah agreed. “Me too.”

  She called out that she wanted to change clothes and would be back in a minute. She trudged down the hall, still haunted by the hurt look on Kai’s face.

  Sarah opened the door to find Eden slumped over the desk, her dark hair fanned out around her. It was no wonder—she hardly seemed to sleep at all lately.

  “Eden.” She gave her shoulder a gentle shake. “Wake up. If you sleep like this your back is going to kill—”

  Eden slipped from the chair and fell in a heap on the floor.

  “Eden!” Sarah shook her harder, but she wouldn’t wake up.

  “Hey,” came Jules’s voice down the hall. “Do you want butter or olive—?”

  Her eyes widened when she took in Sarah crouching over an unconscious Eden.

  “Get Carolyn,” Sarah said. “Now!”

  Jules ran.

  Sarah pulled Eden so she lay flat and wracked her brain for what she remembered of CPR.

  She checked Eden’s pulse, relieved when she found one. Then she bent low, turning her head so she felt Eden’s breath on her cheek, saw her chest rising and falling.

  Why wouldn’t she wake up?

  Sarah ran to the bathroom and filled a glass with water then raced back to Eden, splashing it on her face.

  “Step back,” Carolyn commanded as she swept into the room.

  She still wore her ritual garb, robe brushing the floor. Sarah scrambled to her feet.

  “She’s breathing, but she won’t wake up.”

  “Leave us.” Carolyn knelt beside Eden.

  “Should I call 9-1—?”

  An invisible force sent Sarah sliding across the floor until she was in the hallway, the door slamming in her face.

  She raised her fists and pounded on the door. “What are you doing? What are you doing to—?”

  An invisible gag formed in Sarah’s mouth. Angry tears spilled down her cheeks.

  What was happening to Eden?

  Eden blinked open her eyes and took in the frightening face looming above her.

  Shit.

  “You foolish, foolish girl,” Carolyn hissed.

  Eden lay on the floor of her room, the back of her head throbbing. “I must have blacked out.”

  She propped herself up on her elbows, causing her head to spin.

  “Memory spells are powerful,” Carolyn said, and Eden’s heart dropped. “Performing one on yourself... You’re lucky it wasn’t worse.”

  Eden stayed silent. If she was caught, nothing she said would make it better.

  “You have the potential to be one of the strongest witches in generations, and you threw it away—for what? What are you so desperate to forget?”

  Eden searched her throbbing brain, trying to think of an answer that would satisfy Carolyn, but all she could come up with was the truth.

  “I have no idea.”

  After what felt like an eternity, the door opened, and Sarah exhaled when she saw Eden standing upright.

  “Thank God.” Sarah rushed to throw her arms around her. “I was so worried.”

  Slowly and with care, Eden unwound herself from the embrace.

  “I have to go,” she said. “I-I don’t belong here.”

  “What?” Sarah said. “What are you talking about?”

  “I... I can’t take being here anymore.” Her voice was cold—completely unlike the Eden she knew. “I quit.”

  “You can’t quit. You—”

  But then Sarah understood. Carolyn had done the blank slate spell. Eden was being kicked out.

  “Carolyn, please,” Sarah said. “Please don’t do this.”

  Carolyn led Eden down the hallway.

  Sarah followed, still pleading. “Whatever you think she did, she didn’t. Eden wants to be a witch more than—”

  “Silence,” Carolyn said, and once again Sarah found herself unable to speak.

  Her eyes bulged with indignation.

  Pledges and sisters filled the common room, all trying to figure out
what the commotion was about.

  “She’s contacted someone named Quinn to pick her up,” Carolyn said. “Courtney, wait with her out front.”

  Courtney looked sad, but she handed Eden her coat and purse and herded her outside. Sarah’s mind worked, even if her mouth couldn’t, trying to think of some way to stop this.

  “What a shame.” Rebecca looked like the cat that ate the canary.

  Sarah didn’t think; she just slapped. Rebecca let out a yelp and sprang to her feet. She towered over Sarah, her cheek bright red.

  “Do that again,” she said, eyes glittering.

  “Enough,” Carolyn said. “Everyone, go back to your rooms. Now.”

  Sarah found her feet obeying, however much her mind rebelled. She’d never realized the extent of Carolyn’s power and hated being at its mercy.

  Back in her room she found Alex, yanking clothes from Eden’s side of the closet.

  “What are you doing?” Sarah moved to stop her. At least her voice worked again.

  “My job,” Alex said.

  “Alex, please. I know you don’t like Eden, but this is a mistake. Once it’s sorted out, she’ll be back. Please don’t do this.”

  Alex paused her packing. “Instead of being mad at me, maybe you should place the blame where it really belongs—on Eden. Who apparently doesn’t care enough about you or her place in this house to follow the rules.”

  Sarah crumbled inside and sank onto her bed, wrapping her arms around her knees.

  While Alex piled Eden’s things into bags, Sarah came to grips with the fact that in the space of an hour she’d lost the two people she felt closest to in the world.

  “Cheer up.” Alex dragged the last of Eden’s things out the door. “At least you’ve got your own room now.”

  “Thanks for coming,” Eden said as Quinn navigated away from Coventry House. “I’m sorry it’s so late.”

  “I don’t mind,” he said. “But I can’t believe they wouldn’t let you stay the night just because you don’t want to be a pledge anymore.”