AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“They don’t even realize the priestesses are the ones oppressing them,” Grant added. “They don’t know where to assign blame.”
Chloe frowned. “I’m not on those kinds of terms with my grandmother anymore. More or less, she didn’t want something on my record that would look bad for the Olsons. She’s not going to change something that’s serving her, and clearly, this is. These people will take the priestesses’ side, because they think we’re the enemy.”
“We’re trying to help them!” Talia insisted.
“We can’t help people who don’t want to be helped,” Chloe said.
“But we can still help those who need us,” Everly said. “I’ve been in touch with your professor, Angela Wykoff. She was released from custody this morning, but she’s quite shaken up about what happened.”
Thank the Goddess. I thought for sure they would hang her. Either Chloe’s protest had scared them or Verla had been quite persuasive.
“I’ve cast a protection spell on her home, and I’ve offered her a job here,” Everly said. “She’ll be all right. In the meantime, I’d like you to meet a friend of mine. This is Mister Connor.”
“Please,” the man said as he stood. “Call me William.”
He reached out a hand, and we all shook it in turn.
“William Connor,” Grant mused. “You own the Gingerbread House, don’t you?”
“Yes, along with Connor’s Funeral Home and several other businesses. I bought the candy shop after…” He trailed off. “Well, after the unfortunate incidents with the previous owners. I just couldn’t bear to see it shut down. The kids love it so much. What’s happening outside these doors isn’t right, and Everly says I may be able to help.”
“I know exactly what we need,” Verla suggested. “A safe house. Is that something you can put together?”
William nodded, looking happy to help. “Yes, absolutely. I already have a property outside town that would serve well as a safe house.”
“Outside town?” Nadine asked. “No, we’re not leaving. If anything, we need a safe house here, where we can continue our work.”
“It’s merely a precaution,” Verla said.
“It’s giving ourselves the option to give up,” Nadine insisted. “I don’t care how hard things get. We can’t leave.”
“Nadine’s right,” I agreed. “A safe house is a good idea, but it’s got to be easily accessible in case we need it in a pinch. We can use the abandoned mansion behind the school. It’s already enchanted with protection spells.”
Verla shook her head firmly. “Too many people know about that place. The priestesses could easily find us there. I say we take William’s offer. We don’t have to use it, but at least the option will be there.”
“All right,” Nadine reluctantly agreed. “But I’m not leaving the coven unless I have to.”
Verla turned to William. “Can you stock the safe house with supplies and ensure the wards are undetectable?”
He nodded. “I can. There’s one other way I can help, too. Claudia Sinclair has offered me an investment opportunity, and if I take it, I may learn more about the priestesses’ intentions.”
“You should take it and let us know what you learn,” Nadine said. “Thank you for your help.”
“I just want to see the coven heal,” he replied.
The banging on the door grew louder, and Talia jumped from beside me. She shot a nervous glance at the door. “We should probably get going.”
“There’s a back door you can use,” Everly offered. “Get back to school safely, okay?”
“We will,” Nadine said. “Thank you for all your help.”
Everly smiled. “Of course.”
The four of us left out the back door, and we circled around the block. We were passing by a liquor store when a man rushed out, head down so that he didn’t see us. It was like he expected everyone to just move out of his way. I didn’t see him in time, and he rammed straight into me.
“Watch it!” he growled.
I felt the blood drain from my face. I knew that voice all too well. I felt like I was eight years old again, being screamed at for Goddess knew what. I wanted to hide away in a corner and become invisible.
