Bound

by Christina Garner

  Her words settled into Eden’s consciousness, and the knot in her belly unwound. Tears wet her cheeks, but they were born of release, not grief. Davida was doing something. It was so subtle Eden barely noticed it, but her skin tingled, and the relief was palpable. Around her, sisters exhaled. They, too, were letting go. The pain was still there, but not quite as raw, not as unbearable. She stilled the urge to fight off Davida’s weave. She deserved the pain and more, but the relief was too great, and Eden clung to it.

  The ritual had a profound effect on Sarah—more so than she’d anticipated. She felt lighter, and the pain had muted enough she could breathe. Still, she gasped when stepping inside Coventry House.

  It was perfect.

  She gawked up at the beam that had come crashing down, pinning her to the floor. Except it was no longer in burned pieces, but whole, stretched across the ceiling, supporting the floor above. Smoke damaged paint and scaffolding stood in the corner, but with soft eyes, Sarah saw through the glamour. Magic had restored Coventry House to its former glory, but the townspeople couldn’t know that. There had to be enough damage to explain the panic that had caused Nicole to flee the smoke with such haste she’d slipped and broken her neck.

  How much magic had it taken to convince the fire department that this made any kind of sense?

  “Hey.”

  Kai’s voice cut through Sarah’s thoughts, and she turned. Long sleeves covered the bruises on her arms. Thick makeup masked those on her face.

  Sarah smiled. It was tentative, but also the first genuine smile she’d given in two days. “I didn’t realize you were already here.”

  She still wasn’t sure it was a good idea for Kai to be hanging around Coventry House while the Council was there, but Kai hadn’t been swayed.

  “I texted, but you didn’t answer.”

  “Sorry. I turned the ringer off.” Sarah slid her phone from her pocket and as she reengaged the sound saw Kai’s text.

  “No problem.” Kai might have insisted on coming, but the way her eyes took in the room told Sarah she wasn’t comfortable.

  Sarah slipped her arm around Kai’s waist and pulled her close. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  Kai winced, and Sarah released her. “Crap. Sorry.” She pitched her voice low. “Why won’t you let Alex heal you?”

  Eden had texted Sarah soon after Alex had helped Quinn. Sarah hoped Alex would agree to help Kai, too, but Kai was having none of it.

  Now she gave Sarah an exasperated glance. “Because it’s nothing. I can handle it.”

  “If you need to handle it, it’s not nothing.”

  Why is she being so stubborn about this?

  “I’m fine.” Kai’s tone took on an edge. “Or, I will be if you’d stop mothering me.” Mothers were a touchy subject with Sarah, and Kai’s dark eyes filled with regret. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…” She placed a gentle hand on Sarah’s arm. “I didn’t mean to snap at you, especially today. But you have to trust me. I’m fine.”

  Kai seemed anything but fine, but she needed Sarah to believe, so she nodded.

  Kai cut her eyes toward Paige, huddled in the corner with Brianne and some other sisters. “Have you talked to her?”

  Kai had been there when the two of them had accused Eden of bringing Bes’tal on purpose. Paige had gone so far as to slap her.

  “Not yet.” Sarah sighed. “But we’re all moving back, so she can’t avoid Eden and me forever.”

  If she could get her away from Brianne, Sarah knew Paige would understand Eden wasn’t responsible for Rebecca’s death. She hoped what Davida had said would help. Sarah had gone into the ritual wondering how Coventry House would ever be whole again, but now she was convinced it could be. That it had to be.

  Sarah turned her gaze from Paige back to Kai. “I’m worried about Eden. I don’t think she’s slept.”

  “Can you blame her? The last time she was unconscious, a monster took over, and she almost killed us all.”

  Sarah’s eyes darted up, terrified someone might have heard, then widened when she noticed Eden approaching with Quinn. The stricken look on Eden’s face and the grim set to Quinn’s told Sarah they’d overheard.

  “She didn’t mean anything by it,” Sarah blurted.

  But one glance at Kai and it was obvious she had.

  “It’s okay.” Eden forced a tight smile. “She’s not wrong.”

  Quinn appeared less forgiving. “It doesn’t matter now. I hear you found something.”

  “I think so.” Sarah hoped so. She couldn’t imagine how it felt to have a demon lying in wait, and she didn’t want to let Eden down. “We should try tonight.”

  “Tonight?” Kai’s eyes narrowed. “I thought you were still recovering your strength—magically speaking.”

  “We’ll need help.” Sarah still felt drained and knew she’d never manage on her own. Eden had plenty of power, but most of it was under magical lock and key.

  “Then we’ll get it.” Eden squeezed Sarah’s shoulder. “Thank you.”

  “Look, it’s the Scooby gang.” Whatever softness Alex had displayed at the ritual had disappeared. “Why does it always seem like you’re plotting something?”

  “Simple minds come up with the simplest explanations for what lies before them.” Kai tilted her head and made no effort to hide her disdain.

  “Aw, lighten up. I’m just kidding around.” Alex gave Kai a playful shove, except it wasn’t all that playful, and Kai stumbled on her injured leg.

  Kai righted herself and stood toe to toe with Alex. “Do that again.”

  “I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize you were hurt.” Alex’s eyes widened in mock innocence. “What happened?”

  Sarah wanted to lash out but didn’t. Kai would want to fight her own battles.

  “I chose the wrong sparring partner.” Kai bit off the words. “Like you’re doing right now.”

  “Weird how that’s going around.” A smirk spread across Alex’s face. She turned to Quinn. “Glad to see you aren’t as accident-prone as Bruce Lee over here.”

  “I’m sorry to see tragedy hasn’t inspired you to be any more pleasant.” Quinn’s jaw tightened. He was mild-mannered, but he was no pushover.

  Alex’s nostrils flared, but she fixed her gaze on Eden and Sarah. “I’ve spoken with the dean, and your professors won’t expect you back to class this week, but I do. Basement. Tomorrow morning. It’s mandatory.”

  Alex stalked off and on one hand, Sarah was grateful. Hating Alex was something the four of them would never argue about. On the other, the thought of Eden practicing magic in front of other sisters made her more than a little queasy.

  Chapter 6

  “What do you want?”

  Sarah glanced up to find Paige in her doorway, arms crossed. She’d disappeared after the ritual, so Sarah had sent a text asking if they could talk.

  “I didn’t mean to pull you away from anything, I was just hoping—”

  “I had to say goodbye to Brianne.”

  “Oh.” Sarah gestured for her to come in, but Paige stayed in the doorway. “Is she not coming back yet?”

  It was no surprise many of the sisters weren’t ready to move back into Coventry House. A few had gotten permission to stay elsewhere until the weekend, though Alex made it clear they were expected at rituals and training sessions. She seemed to think discipline and routine would solve everything.

  “She’s not coming back at all.”

  Sarah was taken aback. “What do you mean?”

  Paige’s eyes were flat. “I mean we saw Haley get sliced in half. It’s not something you just get over.”

  “Of course not.” Sarah stood. If Paige wouldn’t bridge the distance between them, she would. “I just didn’t know Brianne was leaving.”

  Paige’s shrug was barely visible. “She’s graduating in the spring. She’d been on the fence about whether she would stay a practicing witch or chalk it up to college experimentation. After the other night, there wasn’t much to deci
de.”

  Sarah stepped forward. “But you’re staying?” They’d lost so many sisters. Sarah couldn’t blame anyone for leaving, but that didn’t mean she liked it.

  Paige’s expression turned wry. “Where else am I going to go?”

  Eden entered through the bathroom that adjoined her room with Sarah’s, her gaze dropping when she saw Paige. “Sorry. I didn’t know—”

  “It’s okay,” Sarah said. “Paige is going to help us with the spell.”

  “She is?” Eden’s eyes doubled in size.

  “I am?” Paige’s eyes narrowed.

  “You are.” Sarah hoped she sounded more convinced than she felt. She pulled Paige into the room, grateful when she didn’t resist and closed the door. “We can clear the air first, but then you’re going to help us because we’re sisters. You heard what Davida said.”

  “I heard her,” Paige said, “but that doesn’t mean I agree with her.”

  “You miss Rebecca.” Eden sat at the end of Sarah’s bed. “Me too.” Paige’s eyes flashed with anger, and Eden added, “Not the way you do, of course. I can’t even imagine what I’d do if something happened to Sarah.” The two friends shared a look. “But I do wish she was still here—with all my heart. I hate myself that she isn’t.”

  For a second, it seemed as if Paige might answer that she hated Eden too. Finally, she just shook her head. “None of this makes any sense.”

  “None of it,” Sarah said. “So what do you want to do about it?”

  “Do?” Paige glanced from Sarah to Eden. “She killed the demon that killed everyone. What is there to do?”

  “That’s kind of my point.” Sarah hoped she didn’t sound flippant. “Bes’tal being brought here was an accident, and there’s plenty of blame to go around. Eden risked her life to kill him. He’s not coming back, but we’re still here. Given that…what do you want to do?”

  Paige’s eyes got wet, and she put her face in her hands. “I don’t know,” she muttered. Then she wiped her tears and met Sarah’s eye. “I guess I want to help you with whatever spell you two probably aren’t supposed to be doing.”

  Eden watched as Sarah poured the salt. Paige twisted a lock of her hair as she looked on, clearly ambivalent about having agreed to participate.

  Sarah finished the clockwise circle on her desk and set the salt aside. She gestured, and Paige passed her a black pillar candle.

  “It’s better if you light it.” Sarah handed it to Eden.

  Eden paused, then passed her hand over the wick, her stomach flipping with both excitement and fear when it sparked to life. Magic was inexorably tied to danger now, and Eden felt the loss of what had once been so pure.

  It was never pure, and neither were you. That was a lie you told yourself.

  Eden stared into the flame, willing it to burn away the darkness but knowing it never would.

  Sarah placed a piece of polished tiger’s eye, a large chunk of orange carnelian, and a shard of black tourmaline inside the circle of salt.

  “All that for bad dreams?” Paige seemed skeptical.

  “Better safe than sorry,” Sarah said, and for the second time that day, Eden stifled inappropriate laughter.

  Safe. Sure…

  Sarah was getting better at lying, and Eden regretted being the cause.

  Next Sarah used her ornate dagger—the one she’d picked instead of the rose, sealing her choice to become a witch—to slice a sheet of paper from her notebook. She handed it to Eden along with a pen.

  “What’s that for?” Paige craned her neck to see what Eden was writing.

  “Writing her intention to sleep peacefully,” Sarah said.

  Another lie. Sarah had told her beforehand that as part of the ritual, Eden would write the names of those she wished to bind. Of all the souls crowded inside of her, the only name she knew was Bes’tal, but before she folded the paper, she added the names John, Edward, and Mary because why not? Centuries of soul-sucking, odds were Bes’tal had consumed a few.

  Eden picked up a length of black embroidery thread and wrapped it around the folded paper, securing it with knots. The tighter she tied, the smaller the paper became. They weren’t yet channeling magic, but Eden already felt more in control.

  Eden glanced at Sarah, who nodded and laid a hand on Paige’s arm.

  Paige’s gasped when Sarah linked with her, siphoning her power and channeling it into the piece of paper.

  One after the other, Eden picked up additional pieces of thread, tying more and more knots, until the number of threads totaled eight. As she did, she focused on binding Bes’tal while Sarah focused on providing the power.

  You hold no power to harm me or anyone else.

  Eden placed the now crumpled and tied paper in the center of the circle.

  Sarah gave her an encouraging smile. “It is done.”

  Paige pulled her arm away from Sarah but wobbled as she stood.

  “I’ll walk you back to your room,” Sarah said.

  Paige waved her off. “I’m fine. Just remember this when I come to you in a few days asking for help with bad dreams. Not that you asked, but I’m not sleeping all that well either.”

  She shuffled out, and Eden took a seat.

  “We’re going to have to find an actual spell for bad dreams now.” Sarah slumped into a chair.

  “It’s the least I can do.” Eden wondered if the charm Carolyn had given her for bad dreams was transferable but just as quickly knew she’d never part with it.

  “How do you feel?” Sarah asked.

  “Better. I think it may have worked.”

  She did feel different, but it was hard to tell how effective the spell had been. The voices had receded since they’d surged through her and taken a fraction of Davida’s essence. She wasn’t complaining, she just wasn’t foolish enough to think that meant they’d gone anywhere or had become less powerful, Bes’tal especially.

  Eden knew she should go to her own room. Sarah appeared exhausted, but Eden couldn’t make herself leave. She hadn’t been alone since before, and the notion terrified her.

  “They fixed the hole.” Eden stared at the spot on the wall that had blown apart when Bes’tal had hurled a fireball. Kai had narrowly missed being hit.

  “They fixed the wall.” Sarah’s expression was sad. “The hole is still here.”

  Later, after she and Sarah had finally succumbed to their exhaustion and agreed they needed sleep, Eden lay staring at the ceiling. It was the same bed in the same room in the same house, but it now felt empty. Tainted.

  Maybe Brianne has the right idea. Maybe we should all leave this place. Maybe I should let the Council strip me and be done with it.

  But Eden knew she’d never give up magic without a fight. Carolyn had been right—people needed something to believe in, and Eden had to believe she would not stay a prison for the dead. She owed it to her sisters and to herself to atone for her part in all of this loss.

  Her eyelids drooped, but she pulled up the witchcraft app on her phone and renewed her search. It wasn’t because despite Sarah’s spell, she was terrified of losing herself and becoming a monster. It just made sense to keep looking.

  A chorus of mocking laughter echoed in her mind. Eden scrolled faster.

  Chapter 7

  Eden woke, hollowed out by hunger and feeling unsettled, unsure whose appetite it was.

  The echo of a dream slipped from her notice, replaced by a skin-crawling sensation of eyes upon her. If only shutting the drapes would help against the intruders in her mind.

  She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and peered out the window where the thinnest slivers of light cut the sky. It had only been four hours, but she’d slept. More importantly, she’d woken as herself.

  Eden gave into a yawn but didn’t try going back to sleep. She crawled from the bed and pulled on a thick sweater, lamenting the old house’s lack of proper insulation. The chill would only get worse when winter began.

  She padded down the hall, intent on the kitch
en but found herself standing frozen at the door to Carolyn’s study. How many hours had she spent with Carolyn inside those walls? Even outside, she remembered every square inch, where each object was placed and the earthy incense that had seeped into the room’s pores.

  Her hand trembled as she placed it on the knob, her stomach flipping when she found it unlocked.

  The room was as she’d remembered, but it was no longer Carolyn’s study. Now it was the place where Rebecca had died. Eden’s feet itched to move, but she forced herself to stay for a long moment.

  Jules’s room was exactly as she’d left it—as if she would walk in any moment. Unlike the others who had died, no one was coming for her things. Eden wanted to sob at the idea that what remained of her friend’s life would be rummaged over at a thrift store…or worse, tossed out like garbage. She sat on the bed for as long as she could stand it.

  Next, she crept up the stairs, flooded with memories of Nicole. The sound of her neck snapping took Eden’s breath away, but she kept climbing.

  Carolyn’s bedroom made her gasp. Half-filled boxes littered the floor; clothes still on hangers lay across the bed. Was Alex that eager to take Carolyn’s place? The idea was sickening.

  A thought occurred to her, and Eden’s heart skipped a beat. She raced to the bookshelf and pressed the wall sconces in the center until she heard a click. As expected, the secret panel slid open. Her heart sank when she saw the books once hidden there had been removed.

  The witch app Jules had downloaded for them was a wealth of information but required serious weeding with no guarantees a spell would work. If she’d had access to the books on dark magic and demonology that belonged to Carolyn…

  They belong to the Council now. Maybe they always did.

  Eden completed her circuit outside. A cold breeze bit her face as she made her way to the greenhouse where Quinn had come so close to ending Bes’tal’s killing spree. She peered into the distance, where Bes’tal’s barrier had cut short Haley’s life.