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“To the best of my understanding, she has a condition called lupus.” She spoke in a way that made it sound dirty, or like I was lying.
“Are you aware that there is no cure for lupus, as you have claimed in your testimony?” Verla asked.
Margaret furrowed her brow. “I don’t believe I said that.”
Verla checked her notes. “You said, and I quote: she threatened to expose sensitive coven information if we did not help her cure her disease through a kidney transplant. End quote.”
The smallest bit of color drained from Priestess Margaret’s face, but she leaned toward the microphone to say, “I misspoke when I said cure. I meant to say treatment.”
Verla looked pleased by her answer. She was trying to discredit her as a witness, though I wasn’t sure yet if it was working. The jury was difficult to read.
Verla continued. “Priestess Margaret, you mentioned that the police found evidence of secretly coded messages in The Coven’s Shield headquarters, which detailed plans to infiltrate the Imperium Council. Can we please bring up evidence file two-six-two?”
The coded article shone on the screen again.
“Can you please read out loud the decoded message that the Miriamic Police Department claims is contained within this article?” Verla asked.
“The message reads: Meet at The Epitaph on Saturday if you wish to save the coven.”
“Where, in this message, does it state that Nadine and Lucas planned to overthrow the Imperium Council, as you stated in your testimony?” Verla asked.
“It’s right there,” Margaret insisted. “If you wish to save the coven. It’s a threat.”
“Is it possible this message held another meaning—that students were simply gathering to help each other with their magic amidst the Waning?” Verla asked.
Margaret pursed her lips. She’d entered this courtroom thinking Verla was on her side. Surely, she was getting fed up with her by now. “Considering the other evidence we found, it’s unlikely.”
“But possible?” Verla pressed.
Margaret wore a confident look, not giving anything away. “I suppose.”
“Please answer the question with a simple yes or no,” Verla insisted. “Is it possible this message held another meaning?”
Margaret took a breath. “Yes.”
Verla moved on. “You mentioned that Nadine’s grandfather was executed for stealing from the coven four decades ago, implying that Nadine’s connection to him may have caused controversy on the council. Nicholas Tucker was executed by the use of battle magic, correct?”
“Yes,” Margaret said.
“Jebediah Olson was the executioner?” Verla asked.
“Objection!” Olivia cried. “Relevance?”
“Overruled,” the judge said.
Margaret sat straighter in her chair. “Yes.”
“Let the record show that Priestess Margaret has identified the late husband of Priestess Lilian Olson as Nicholas Tucker’s executioner,” Verla said, before continuing. “Was this execution sanctioned by the Imperium Council?”
“Yes, due to his crimes against the coven,” Margaret answered.
“This execution was sanctioned before or after his death?” Verla asked.
Margaret hesitated. “I’m not sure I understand the question.”
“You just testified that the execution was sanctioned by the Imperium Council,” Verla said in a firm tone. “If his murder was, in fact, sanctioned by the Imperium Council, why did Jebediah Olson serve a life in prison for first-degree murder?"
All the color drained from Priestess Margaret’s face. She sat on the stand looking dumbstruck. Finally, she leaned forward and said, “I don’t believe I’m qualified to answer that question. I was not on the Imperium Council at the time.”
