I licked my lips and stared at Andrea. Her frame sagged against the leather cords that bound her to the tree and blood still dripped from her chest.
It was a horrifying sight.
“What are you going to do with her now?” I walked closer. “She’s… she’s barely alive,” I added softly. “Should we just kill her and be done with it?”
Ligeia didn’t reply. “Henrik!” she called, her voice radiating with joy. “Tonight, we shall feast. Bring the others,” she added. “We’ll celebrate.”
Henrik laughed and nodded.
I blinked. It felt very odd to be standing there, celebrating as Andrea bled out. When Henrik saw me, he frowned.
“Child, you’re upset,” he said. “Tell me—what’s bothering you?”
I bit my lip. “What are you going to do with Andrea?”
Henrik laughed. “Child, don’t worry yourself with such matters. Come, Ligeia has spoken and we all must sup. There will be mead, perhaps even some venison if we’re lucky.” He rubbed his stomach. “I must speak to the pledges about keeping the larder stocked,” he added. “We don’t even have adequate provisions for such a celebration.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What are we celebrating, exactly?” I asked softly, crossing the clearing at Henrik’s side. He walked faster than usual, and I found myself trotting to keep up.
Henrik didn’t reply. We reached the larder and I stood at the door, anxiously grabbing handfuls of my shirt and tugging at the material.
“Tell me,” I said, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. “Come on, Henrik. Don’t do this.”
“Child, hush,” Henrik said. “You’ll learn the truth, and soon.”
I frowned. Soon, the other witches in the coven danced and sang, chanting as they moved around the clearing. Ligeia passed a tumbler of mead around, handing it to me and congratulating me once again.
“I still don’t understand,” I said. “I thought you wanted to imprison her soul, not kill her. How are we going to do that? And wouldn’t we have to do it before she dies?”
Ligeia sighed. She rubbed her hand across her brow.
“Yes, child,” she said. “You’re correct.”
“But she’s dying, now,” I said. My heart thudded in alarm. When I’d stabbed her, I’d only meant it as a means to subdue her. I hadn’t worried that she would actually die. But Elizabeth’s histrionics were finally getting to me and I wondered if perhaps my best friend hadn’t been right.
“Yes.” Ligeia and Henrik exchanged a glance. “She is. She is losing power, rapidly. Right now, she is as weak as a newborn kitten.”
“So, do something about it,” I said quickly. “We can save her. Ligeia, I know you’re a gifted healer. Come on!”
Ligeia stared coldly. “No, child. We won’t rescue her.”
“What?” My jaw dropped. “If we were just going to kill her all along, why did you make me do this? Why not someone else?”
Ligeia and Henrik glanced at each other again.
“Dismiss,” Henrik called to the rest of the coven. “Ligeia and I must speak with the child. Alone,” he added firmly when no one moved. “I’ll call you all back as soon as we’re done.”
My stomach twisted. The mead had given me acrid heartburn and I swallowed, wincing as the pain flamed up and down my throat.
“Come, child,” Ligeia said. She caught me staring at Andrea’s body. “Come with me, by the hearth.”
I followed Ligeia into her hut and sat on a large, flat rock as she gathered herbs and set them to the side. She moved unusually fast—I wondered if she was nervous. Or Prudence’s dying spirit is giving her energy, I realized. What have I done?
"Forgive me, but I haven’t been entirely truthful with you,” Ligeia said softly. “Henrik, come!”
Henrik entered the hut, his body blocking the open door.
“Tis true, child,” Henrik said. “We’ve deceived you.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What? Why?” My palms began to sweat and I wiped them on my jeans. “Tell me,” I added, glaring at Ligeia.
Henrik chuckled. “I have to say, child, I’m rather surprised. You’ve always struck me as quite intelligent.”
“Don’t toy with me,” I snapped. “What’s going on? Why are you letting Andrea die?”
Henrik raised an eyebrow.
The realization hit me like a cold punch to the gut.
“You don’t want to subdue her at all,” I said slowly. “You wanted me to bring her to you because you want her power for yourselves!”
Henrik smiled slightly. He nodded. “Yes,” he said. “That is, at least, partially true.”
“You’re… you’re a monster,” I said, backing away. My back hit the wall of the hut and I shrieked in surprise, jumping into the air.
“I am not,” Henrik said. “Please, you must understand it from my point of view.”
“You had to watch her die in the coven,” I said hotly. “You knew! You knew we would fail when we tried to kill her! You knew it would happen!”
“Aye,” Henrik said. He nodded. “Of that, I’m not proud,” he said. He shook his head and a twinkle came back to his eye. “But ‘tis over, now. And some of that power will be yours, too.”
“I don’t want it!” I yelled. “You’re not being rational! You killed an innocent girl, just for the power of her soul!”
Henrik shook his head. “Nay, child,” he said. “You killed her. You’re the one who stabbed her, did you not?”
My heart sank and I fell to my knees, knowing that Henrik was absolutely right.
“Please,” I whimpered. “Please, you have to understand that what you’re doing is wrong! Please, please don’t let her die!”
Henrik shook his head. “No,” he said. There was a sudden, new edge of anger in his voice. “Tell me, this, child—I’ve spent my whole life in hiding, because of what I am. And with this new power, we no longer have to hide.”
I shuddered at the implication of his words. “You… you wanted things to break into chaos,” I whispered. “You wanted it to happen because you’re going to be doing the same thing!”
“You spend your whole life in hiding, in the woods, eating berries, and tell me you wouldn’t wish for change!” Henrik thundered. “It’s natural!”
Tears streamed down my face as I turned to Ligeia. To my shock, she nodded in agreement.
“Aye,” she said softly. “Henrik is correct. The coven—our coven, child!—can return to a life of normalcy. We may live among whomever we choose! We’ll no longer have to hide, just to survive!”
I stared at her. “I can’t believe you,” I whispered. “I thought you were good! I thought you cared about the earth and the people!”
Ligeia smiled slightly. “I do,” she said. “But that becomes very hard upon realizing the earth no longer cares for me.”
I closed my eyes, feeling utterly defeated.
“Child, in time, you’ll come to see that this decision was for the good of the coven,” Ligeia said gently. “You, too, will benefit from the power of Prudence Arrowsmith, and you’ll be pleased that you were instrumental in her demise.”
“No,” I said. I shook my head. “You can tell yourself that, but I know I won’t ever feel that way.”
“In time, I believe you will,” Ligeia said. “But I know you’re upset right now.”
“No.” I shook my head. “That’s it, I’m leaving.”
“Child, stay and feast with us,” Henrik said. “You deserve it. You’ve truly pleased us, and you deserve a celebration.”
“No.” My mind spun as I walked to the door. For a moment, I didn’t think Henrik would let me pass. But he did, and I walked out into the clearing.
“Come back to us when you’re feeling better,” Henrik said, a touch of mockery in his voice. “I understand—you likely need to rest.”
I shook my head. “That’s not it,” I said. “I’m not coming back.”
“Child, of course you are. You’re a sworn member of the coven.”
“Fuck that,” I said. I shook my head and glared at Henrik. “I’m never coming back, no matter what happens. You get that?”
“Child, I must ask you to reconsider.”
“Tough shit. I can’t believe you,” I said. “I trusted you! And you lied to me!”
“I had to,” Henrik said. “Don’t you understand? This is for the best, child.”
“Nothing about this is for the best,” I said bitterly. “I killed a girl who used to be my friend! I stabbed her, Henrik!”
“So you did, all for our benefit,” Henrik said. “I’m proud of you, child.”
“Fuck you,” I snarled. “I’m never coming back.”
Turning on my heel, I ran into the woods and away from the hateful coven.
It took me longer than usual to find my way out of the enchanted woods. By the time I got back to Jaffrey, it was dark… but not quiet. The streets were filled with people screaming for Andrea. A lump of sadness and guilt formed in my throat and I shivered.
I didn’t know where to go. I didn’t feel like facing Jamie and Brian. I knew Elizabeth was angry with me… and it was likely that she’d be angrier still when I told her the truth. But I also knew that I couldn’t lie to her. She’d participated in this, just like me, and she deserved to know the truth.
Elizabeth’s house was dark. She can’t possibly be out looking for Andrea, I thought as I knocked on the door. After only a few seconds, I heard someone thumping down the stairs. When Elizabeth opened the door, her face was swollen and puffy. She wore pajama pants and a hoodie, with her hair in a mess of brown tangles hanging around her shoulders.
“Can I come in?”
Elizabeth didn’t look at me as she stepped aside.
“What’s wrong?”
Elizabeth shrugged. She led me into the kitchen and flopped down at the table.
“What happened to Andrea?” Elizabeth asked tonelessly. “Everyone is still looking for her,” she added quietly. “So, I guess she’s still alive, right? Because she’s still controlling everyone in Jaffrey?”
I nodded. “Yeah,” I said. “She’s still alive.”
Elizabeth swallowed. She glanced down at her hands in her lap, twiddling her thumbs and picking at her cuticles.
“Are you gonna tell me what’s bothering you?”
When Elizabeth glanced up, I saw the guilt written on her face as clear as day. I had a sudden vision of her and David, naked and tumbling over each other.
I stared. “Come on,” I said sharply. “Tell me.”
Elizabeth shrugged. “I’m sick,” she said. “That’s all. I’ve just been ill lately.”
“I don’t think that’s the whole truth,” I said. “Elizabeth, you can’t lie to me. We’re best friends.”
Elizabeth nodded slowly. “I know we are,” she said softly. “I know we are.”
Anger, confusion, and betrayal soared through my heart. Getting to my feet, I shrugged.
“I’m going home,” I said. “I’ll see you around, okay?”
Elizabeth didn’t reply.
Why, I thought as I let myself out of her house and into the street. It was more crowded than I’d seen in a long time. Parties of searchers, screaming Andrea’s name, passed by. They all clutched flashlights and Bibles.
I did this, I thought as I walked slowly through town. This is my fault.
“Monica!”
I looked up and saw Steven, rushing towards me. His face was streaked with tears. Like everyone else outside, he carried a Bible.
“What?” I looked at him dully. “What do you want, Steven?”
“We’re looking for Andrea,” Steven said. “She’s missing.” He sniffled and sobbed, wiping his nose on a damp tissue before stuffing it back in his pocket. “She’s been gone for days.”
“Oh.” Guilt stung me like a brand. “Yeah. Um, I was looking for her,” I lied.
“Let’s look together,” Steven said. “I can’t find Elizabeth anywhere. Her parents and brother are out, but she told me she was sick. She didn’t look sick,” he added in an accusing tone. “I think she’s faking because she’s lazy.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I’ve never heard you say anything so critical of Elizabeth,” I said slowly. “I’m sure she’s just overwhelmed.” And maybe, yeah, a little tired. Because she fucked my boyfriend. I imagine that would tire someone out really fast.
“She’s not helping,” Steven said angrily. “The whole town is helping but Elizabeth doesn’t even care!”
Suddenly, an idea popped into my mind. “Steven,” I said slowly. “Let’s go over here, I bet no one has checked the alleys downtown.”
“Good idea,” Steven said. “You’re smart, Monica.”
I rolled my eyes, grateful for the darkness so he wouldn’t be able to see. “Sometimes I am.”
A plan formed in my brain. A plan to get Elizabeth back… and restore life to its rightful balance around Jaffrey. I won’t use my powers after this, I decided firmly. This will be the last time. And then that’s it. Everything will be back to normal.
“Hey, Steven,” I said. “I think I have something in my eye. Could you look?”
“Sure. We should hurry, though. If Andrea is in one of the alleys, we want to find her as soon as possible.”
You idiot, I thought. This will be too easy.
Steven shone his flashlight in my eyes and leaned in close. His brown eyes oozed with sincerity as he stared at me, locking his gaze with mine.
“Forget about Andrea,” I said. “She doesn’t exist. You don’t have a sister.”
“What?” Steven narrowed his eyes. “Monica, what’re you—”
“Shut up,” I growled. You’ve never had a sister, I thought. Andrea was a figment of the town’s imagination, like a myth. Like a legend. She was a folktale, a fantasy—no more real than Beauty and the Beast.
Steven’s brown eyes glazed over and rolled back in his head. “I never had a sister,” he mumbled.
“Yes,” I hissed. “You never had a sister. You have Elizabeth.”
“Elizabeth…”
“Yes, Elizabeth.” I leaned in close, staring at Steven’s slack face. His jaw was open and he drooled slightly. “Elizabeth is meant for you, Steven.”
“Meant… for… me…”
“Yes, Steven,” I growled. “Meant for you.”
Steven’s lids fluttered closed and he collapsed to the ground. I rolled my eyes, then reached down for his flashlight and stuffed it in my bag. Cries of “Andrea! Andrea!” were all around me, but I didn’t care.
Anger boiled inside of me. A hot, new anger unlike anything I’d ever experienced. Anger at Elizabeth, for fucking David. Anger at Henrik and Ligia, for lying to me and treating me like I was a stupid little kid.
But most of all, anger with myself. I’d become the kind of person I hated—a naïve pawn, always being used for the benefit of others.
And the worst part?
I hadn’t even known it until Henrik had cruelly pointed it out to me. The whole time, they’d only been keeping me around for my close proximity to Andrea. They’d known that I’d do it, they’d known that I’d stab her.
I wanted to die.
Chapter Eight
Elizabeth
After Monica left, I was sure she knew. I was just waiting for the angry phone call—the one where Monica told me to kiss her friendship goodbye, and forget all about the coven. But then something very strange happened—something I’m still not sure about.
I felt like a piece of shit. My life had turned from horror movie into stupid teen comedy where the slutty girl sleeps with her best friend’s boyfriend. And I hated myself. I hated myself for not standing up to Monica, for participating in the coven.
The whole town still desperately searched for Andrea. That’s why I was so surprised to hear a knock at the door the next morning. What, I wondered irrit
ably as I walked downstairs, still in my pajama pants and hoodie from the night before. I bet someone’s going to yell at me for not helping with the search. Hell, I can’t believe I’ve gotten away with staying home for so long, anyway.
When I opened the door, I was shocked. Monica and David stood there, grinning happily at each other with their arms around each other’s waist.
“Hey, can we come in? David drove into town and Jamie and Brian don’t have anything to eat. But I told him your mom always has stuff for sandwiches.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Uh, yeah,” I said, stepping back to let them both inside. “Are you okay?”
Monica smiled. “Of course I am,” she said. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
Because I slept with your boyfriend, you know—the one standing right in front of me. And we both know it. And we both know that we both know. I struggled to smile as David and Monica walked into the kitchen. David didn’t even look at me—his eyes were glued to Monica. I bet she got really mad or something; maybe she threatened to hurt herself. When I remembered his words from that night in the car, about being done with her anyway, I felt angry and bitter. I bet he lied, I thought, following Monica. I bet he just lied so he could have a chance with me.
David sat down at the kitchen table, his eyes hanging off Monica like fur on a dog.
“Hey,” I said. “How are you?”
David didn’t look up.
The phone rang. Glad for a distraction, I grabbed the receiver and held it to my ear.
“Hello?”
“Oh, Elizabeth! I’m so glad it’s you!”
“…Steven?”
“It’s me!” I could tell by the tone of his voice that Steven was grinning. “Oh my God, it’s so good to hear your voice. I missed you, Elizabeth. I missed you so much.”
“Um, yeah,” I said slowly. “Did something happen? What’s wrong?”
“I’m fine, I just miss you.”
I bit my lip.
“Elizabeth? Elizabeth, are you still there?”
“Yeah,” I said. “I’m here.”
“I need you, Elizabeth. I need to see you. I need you,” Steven repeated. The intensity of his voice frightened me.
Touch of Fire (Into the Darkness Book 1) Page 47
