The Promise (The Coven Series)

by Baker, Apryl

  Kay told me the theme for our party was past traditional Coven attire. Maybe now I’d get to see the robes I’d always imagined them wearing when they worked their mumbo jumbo. I chose to wear the induction dress my sister had given me. Considering it belonged to a Coven leader, and I was apparently supposed to be a Coven leader, I though it rather fitting.

  Emily had said the dress was mine. It felt like mine. It molded to my body, stopping just above my knees. The material glittered and shimmered with every movement I made. More than anything, though, when I’d slipped it on, I’d felt a surge of electricity hum through me. She’d told me it was magical. I believed her now.

  I smoothed the dress into place and piled my hair up on my head just as Emily had done that night long ago. My Max Kibardin Rosette sandals cushioned my feet. The locket dangled above my heart, a piece of both of us. I refused to look in the mirror. I was nervous enough as it was just wearing this and imagining the different ways they could try and kill me.

  My mind drifted back to the night I’d spent in Ethan’s arms. He had been my first and hopefully my last if we survived tonight. My toes still curled thinking about it. The feel of his fingers had branded my skin. I blushed at the memory. It was the only thing that managed to block out the fear and dread of what I knew was coming. The need to see him again pulsed through me. He said he’d pick me up, that he had a few things to do at home first. I didn’t want to wait. I’d go to him. My parents weren’t home yet, so I didn’t have to worry about getting past them.

  Downstairs I grabbed a jacket, but put it back. What was the point if I’d still freeze my ass off in the dress and stilettos? I smiled. There was one way I’d stay warm.

  “Fire, I summon thee and ask for thy help to keep me warm.”

  Heat blazed through me. I stepped out into the cold October night. “Thank you,” I whispered as the cold air melted into the heat of a summer’s day.

  I stumbled going down the steps. My first thought was for my shoes. They were new. If I ruined them, I’d be seriously pissed at myself. The silver locket hanging from my neck settled back into place and it burned me. Ice. It was icy cold against my chest. The startled gasp slipped out and I clutched it in my hand to pull it from my skin.

  It moved.

  I wanted to tear it from me. Instead, I carefully took it off and held it out before me by the chain while I waited for the gentle sway of the heavy silver heart to stop moving.

  It didn’t. It kept moving.

  Okay, I thought, so what is the damned thing doing? Tonight was not the night to deal with anymore weirdness. I knew I should put it back in my jewelry box, but couldn’t bring myself to do it. It held a part of Emily inside and I wanted to keep it close, especially tonight.

  Oh, damn. It held a piece of Emily inside! A physical part of her. I could use it to find her Book of Shadows. Why hadn’t I thought of that before?

  I didn’t have time to cast a circle. Blind luck it was then.

  “I call upon the guardian of the watchtower of the east to guide me this night.

  To find the truth that is hidden from the light,

  Tonight, Samhain, I summon thee to guide me upon my quest.

  I seek my sister’s soul.

  Bind it to me so that I may see

  That which is lost unto me.”

  The locket came alive in my hand. It twisted left. I turned and started walking. It led me into the woods. I walked for twenty minutes heading deeper and deeper into the trees. Whenever the locket swayed in a different direction, I turned. The clearing soon came into view. It led me to the one place we’d both loved and had felt at home in. It hummed and vibrated, swaying steadily west. It fell motionless when I reached the outer ring of trees and came to a stop under the oldest oak tree standing.

  Emily’s tree. She’d sat under it for hours on end just drawing. Her book had been here all along. Why had I never thought of this? She’d always told me the best hiding place was in plain sight. The Coven used this spot on a regular basis. Of course she would have put it here where they’d never have thought to look for it. Hell, even I hadn’t. I was such an idiot. Some Coven leader I’d be, I thought wryly.

  There wasn’t any obvious hiding place. Emily would have made sure no one could find it even if they stumbled upon it. What would she have done? Earth magic. Earth was her element. I pictured what her book might look like in my mind and came up with a quick rhyme.

  “Earth, I summon thee

  To help me find that which is hidden from me.”

  The ground gave a soft shudder beneath my feet and I beat a hasty retreat back a few steps. The black soil turned and erupted upward, carrying with it Emily’s Book of Shadows. The black, leather bound book came to a rest at my feet.

  My hands shook as I reached for it. All the answers I needed were in here. Or at least I hoped so. I brushed the dirt away from the cover and stared at her name embossed in gold letters across the front. The soft leather was intact and unharmed. It was beautiful.

  I made my way over to the log I usually sat on and opened the book. The moon was full, but there still wasn’t enough light to see by. I hadn’t brought my purse which held a mini pen light. “I need light,” I groaned out loud.

  The same lights I’d seen buzz around Megan the night of her initiation materialized in front of me. They surrounded me and I could see as clearly as if I were sitting under a lamp at home. “Thank you,” I murmured, not knowing which Element to thank, but offered my gratitude anyway.

  Emily’s handwriting scrawled across the pages. They were filled with countless spells she’d written and potions she’d crafted. I came upon one to find a lost object and laughed. If only she’d known how desperately I’d have needed that particular one. I flipped to the end and found what I was looking for.

  October 13, 2007

  I did it. I broke the wards. They’ll know, of course, but we’ll be gone before they figure out who it was. The book confirmed it all. A curse. I still can’t believe it. Everything we are has been about revenge. He’s there. It’s all true. Only thing is they miscalculated. They think it’s Susan, but it’s not. They were counting the miscarriage Ms. McDonald had. He counted it. The curse only takes into account the living. It’s either CJ or Kay. I need to get them away from here before they figure it out.

  There was a blood promise made, a sacrifice promised, and the burning re-enacted. They’re going to burn her. Revenge? How does killing one of our own make us any better than those who betrayed our ancestors? It doesn’t. What they’re planning is evil.

  I can’t let them find out they’re wrong. I have to get CJ and Kay away from here.

  October 14, 2007

  I knew Ghost Boy couldn’t be on the up and up. He was set in place by those who betrayed us to make sure we didn’t succeed. I met Matthew today. I’m not sure if he’s the same as Ghost Boy or something different, but he told me everything. He also exposed Ghost Boy for who he was and sent him back into the veil. They know now they’re wrong in their calculations. It won’t take them long to figure out the truth.

  I need to get them and leave today.

  October 15, 2007

  It’s too late, little sister. Mr. Martin knew I was up to something and cast a truth spell on me. I couldn’t stop myself. I told him everything. Everything. He knows about both of you. He won’t let me leave. He’ll kill me first. They all will. Revenge burns in their souls. They’ll destroy anything that gets in their way. This is the only way I can warn you. I pray to the Fates you find this.

  On that night in 1692, George Howe invoked the aide of the god and goddess of vengeance. He cast a curse that would set loose a terrible evil upon the members of their Coven who had betrayed them. It will seek out their descendants and cause them to suffer a horrible death. It’s dark magic, CJ. I know dark magic is a part of witchcraft, but I never thought anyone in our Coven would use it.

  I did something I know I shouldn’t have, but I can’t let them ever use that dreadful cur
se again. I destroyed the pages it was written on and everything about it. I will not write it down here either, but I will tell you about it. You need to know.

  The 13th daughter signifies the 13 who were betrayed. She will invoke the curse. Her blood must be spilt upon the ashes of our ancestors. This will give them substance again and her soul will be bound to theirs. She must burn as they did. I’m not sure if this is to release the curse or not, but it must be done. Together, their essence will fan out and find the descendants of those who betrayed us in Salem Village all those centuries ago. The souls of those people were promised to the god Arwan as compensation for his assistance. They’ll burn for an eternity, never knowing any relief from the feel of flames eating away at their skin. It’s the most horrible fate I can imagine.

  ‘The book says ‘The 13th bearer of life shall be born on the night between shadow and light.’ It’s an old reference. It refers to All Hallows Eve – the night when shadows are free to break through the veil into the light. You and Kay were born on the day that signifies the shadows representing the dead and the light representing the living. One of you is the thirteenth girl to be born on Halloween. Problem is, little sister, no one knows who came first. You were born within the same minute and no one recorded the second. It could be either of you.

  The curse will be invoked on your eighteenth birthday. Sara Bishop cast a spell herself before she died. She made sure that the 13th daughter would have some sort of life, could be prepared to fight for herself. Otherwise the Coven could have killed you when you were born.

  If I can find Matthew, maybe he will help us. He has an agenda of his own. I don’t know what it is. His appearance will signify the beginning of the curse. He’s here to see it through so I won’t count on his help. He may be as driven by revenge as the rest of them.

  Cassie Jayne, you have to find this. I’m running out of time. Dad won’t answer his cell and Mama just smiles. She knows who you are, CJ. I’m not sure if she is so wrapped up in all of this she’d let you die. I have to believe that she won’t. She loves you. I’m going to go home now and try one last time to reason with her. Maybe she’ll help us instead of telling me to calm down or that I’m overreacting.

  They followed me all day. I managed to slip out earlier, but I must hurry. I don’t want them to see where I’m hiding this. It’s yours now, Cassie Jayne. Keep it hidden.

  Be safe, little sister.

  The book fell from my hands. I had to burn? Images from the dream invaded my mind. Sensory memories let me again feel the heat of the flames as they burned and blackened my skin, smell my hair and fingernails burning. I twisted to the side and threw up. They weren’t just going to kill me. They were going to burn me at the stake. Shit. I was going to burn…

  I could run, leave and never come back. But I couldn’t go without Kay. I couldn’t leave her here to face them. No. I would not let them do that to me or Kay. She might know a lot more than me, but I doubt she knew she had to die. She wouldn’t let me die and neither would I her. I’d get us out. Ethan and Jeff. I’d call…

  Ethan.

  Ethan Matthew Warren.

  Matthew.

  It couldn’t be. There was no way. Matthew was a ghost. Maybe. Emily didn’t know. Ethan was flesh and blood. Solid. He couldn’t be the same person. My stomach rolled violently and cramped up. Instincts. No. I wouldn’t believe it.

  I stood up on shaky knees, bit back the bile that rose in my throat and picked up Emily’s Book of Shadows. Placing back on the ground it had come from, I stepped back.

  “Earth I thank thee for showing me that which I sought.

  Now I ask thee to please return it and keep it safe.”

  It didn’t rhyme, but I was too upset to make up something. The Earth didn’t take offense. It swallowed the book whole.

  I turned back toward town.

  To Ethan.

  Or was he Matthew?

  Chapter Twenty Five

  The Warren Estate, as it was called, stood just off McKelter Avenue. It took me only a few minutes to reach the house. In all the time I’d known Ethan, I’d never been to his house. It was an old colonial mansion that rivaled the beauty of the meeting hall. Tall white pillars and dark red brick shouted at the passerby to stand and stare in homage. The old structure had weathered the years and the Warrens had preserved the history of the house beautifully.

  The door opened before I could knock. Old Man Warren, ninety if he was a day, stared down at me from under bushy eyebrows. He scowled, not at all pleased to see me on his doorstep. His wizened features were carved into a perpetual mask of grumpiness. His eyes, however, were the same steely shade of gray as Ethan’s. The sparkle in them belied his grumpy exterior. Maybe he wasn’t as upset as I thought.

  “Hi, Mr. Warren.” I gave him my best smile. “I’m…”

  “I know who you are.” He turned away and left the door open.

  I frowned. Was that an invitation to come in?

  “Well, git yourself in here, girl. You’re lettin’ out all the heat.”

  Okay, so it was an invitation. I stepped in and closed the door. He’d disappeared into the room off the entryway. With no other choice, I followed him. We were in a study or maybe a library. Books lined every wall and took up residence on any space that wasn’t occupied. The furniture was all done in a deep mahogany wood and the couch and chairs were a light cream color. They looked softer than anything I’d ever seen. There was an ancient feeling to the room, like I’d stumbled into a gentleman’s retreat from the olden days. I loved it.

  As fascinated as I was, I didn’t have time to admire the room. I needed to see Ethan.

  “Is…” The photo on the mantle stopped me. I hurried over to look at it more closely. “Great Aunt Susan?” Shock sizzled through me. Why was there a picture of my aunt here?

  The old man grinned and walked over to me. “Aye, ‘tis her. She was a looker, Susan.”

  “But why do you have a picture of her?”

  “I almost married her.”

  “What?”

  “Don’t sound so shocked girl,” he laughed and settled himself onto the couch with a grunt. “We Warren men have been trying to capture a Bishop woman for ages.”

  “Why didn’t you marry her?” Curiosity blazed through me.

  He sighed heavily. “She and I didn’t see eye to eye on the Coven. She was caught up in the foolishness of the past and I wanted to look forward into the future. We couldn’t get past it and in the end she ended up marrying Ben McKay. She died a few months later.”

  “You sound like you loved her a great deal.” I took a seat beside him. His eyes looked very sad as he remembered her.

  “I knew I loved my Suzie the first time I laid eyes on her.” He closed his eyes. “She meant everything to me.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Nothing you can do, girlie.” He sat up. “I suppose you’re here for the book.”

  “The book?”

  His eyes turned sharper. “Your book, girl.”

  My eyes narrowed and a wave of rage swelled up again. It overpowered me. I got lost in it for a second. “YOU! YOU STOLE MY BOOK?”

  He grinned. “You bet your ass I did, girlie. Did you want me to leave it there for those idiots to use against you?”

  Use my own Book against me? No. That’s not right. It wasn’t my Book. I’d never even seen it. Why did I think it was mine? Why was I so possessive and where had this rage come from?

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Warren,” I told him. “I didn’t mean to yell at you. I don’t know what came over me.”

  “Perfectly normal reaction, girlie,” he assured me. “It is your book. You know that deep down. The book chose you. It became a part of you when it did. That’s why you’re so angry about someone stealing it.”

  “It chose me?” I frowned. “How could it choose me? I’ve never even seen it.”

  His smile widened. “Course you have.”

  “I have?”

  “Your Daddy, he broug
ht you down to the meeting hall when you were round three or so. One of the Coven members had been looking something up and left it just lying there on the table. You wandered in and walked over to the book. I tried to grab you before you touched it, but I wasn’t fast enough. As soon as you laid a hand on it, it grew. It held about four hundred and fifty pages or so, but it tripled in size. Damndest thing I ever saw.”

  “Tripled in size?” How was that possible?

  “The book has secrets that she doesn’t reveal to everyone. Only a few have been able to learn its secrets since we stole it from the bastards in Salem. I don’t think anyone’s ever been able to read all of it, except maybe Sara Bishop. She was the last true Coven leader we had.”

  Sara Bishop. I’d looked into her eyes, saw her lips move as she cried out her own spell. She was the last true Coven leader. Had she cursed the Book as well that night? Did she make sure no one could use it for purposes it wasn’t meant for?

  Jeff said I was born to be a true Coven leader. Is that why I felt like the Book was mine?

  “But how did you steal it? Mr. Martin said no one but him or my dad could get past the wards.”

  “Them fools never suspected me,” he laughed. “They think I’m just some grumpy old man that’ll snap their heads off if they look at me wrong.”

  Well, I’d thought the same thing too. The thought of Old Man Warren stealing my Book had never occurred to me either. I really needed to pay more attention to detail.

  “Can I see it?” I asked hesitantly. I wasn’t sure I wanted to, but I needed to.

  “Course, girlie. I kept it safe for you. I knew eventually the book would pull you here.”

  But it hadn’t. I’d come looking for Ethan.

  He went over to one of the bookshelves lining the walls and pulled out an old leather bound book. It was small and fragile and could have fit in my purse. This was the Book everyone was flipping out over? Including me? Ridiculous. The old man dropped the book into my hand and I very nearly threw it across the room.