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We continue to my family’s crypt, its marble exterior glowing softly in the moonlight. The door is adorned with intricate carvings of protective symbols and family crests—guardians in their own right.
I press my palm against the family crest. When my bloodline is acknowledged, I step inside.
Inside, the air is cool and still, filled with the faint scent of lavender and myrrh, herbs I used in abundance last time when I created the fake moonstone.
“I’m glad I came back tonight. I need the strength of the Dumont witches behind me, and I was worried they’d be angry with me about what happened.”
“Who could stay mad at you, babe? Nobody.”
I laugh at Rune’s reassurance, thankful for his—and Finn’s—company.
“Aye, he’s right,” Finn says. “Blood ties bind.”
The boys wait off to the side while I light the candles. Flickering flames cast dancing shadows against the stone walls, and I feel the last of my fears ebbing away.
A flap and a flutter bring a swooping black shadow through the door and toward me. Phi lets off a throaty caw and lands on the stone prayer table in the middle of the space.
“Thank Gaia, you’re all right.” She stands tall and proud in front of me, just over two feet, and wider than that from wing to wing. Phi’s feathers are truly incredible. Up close, the flash of purple and blue in her wings shifts with her every movement.
My relief at seeing her transforms into anger now that I know for sure she isn’t dead.
“Where in Gaia’s name have you been? Do you know how worried I was?” I stop myself before I risk sounding any more like Grand-Mère.
I was trapped in stone for twenty-five years. I had some important things to check up on.
“Right,” I say, heavy on the sarcasm, “And how are your nest and various stashes of shiny things?”
You can’t tell, but I’m rolling my eyes at you.
Actually, I can tell. Not so much from her black beady eyes—but a feeling through our connection.
“Well, I’m glad you’re not dead. Also, since you tossed me into the witch trials, it’s only fair that you’re with me when I face them again in a few hours.”
Why do you think I’m here?
“Really? It’s why you came back?”
Your thoughts were blasting at me. You really need to quit with all the doubts and believe in yourself.
“I didn’t know that was a part of a familiar bond.”
Surprise!
“And just like that, I forget why I was worried about you.”
Rune chuckles. “Having a familiar is very amusing. It’s usually me saying dumb stuff and pissing people off.”
Phi clacks her beak at him. Mind your business, Viking.
“Okay, that was funny.”
And to be clear. We don’t share a brain—you just haven’t been shielding yours from mine.
“Perfect,” I groan. “One more person I need to worry about keeping out of my mind. It’s getting seriously crowded up there.”
The raven ruffles her feathers and lifts her beak at me. Are you going to keep stalling or get over your anxiety and talk to Claudette? Tick-tock the trials await.
Right. Whatever.
