Page 93 of Wicked Chains

"His attachment to me?" I repeat, remembering Ash's visit this morning, the way his eyes lingered on me.

Ollie nods. "Helena said it was time for a change in leadership. That she had enough support within the coven to challenge him directly." He looks up at me, his eyes wide with fear. "Miss Smith, if she takes over the Blood Moon Coven, it will be very bad for you."

"Because she takes over control of the Accord," I say, my blood running cold. "She becomes the one who controls my magic, and me."

"Yes." Ollie's voice is barely audible. "And I don't think she plans to be as restrained as Mr. Ash has been."

I stifle a hysterical laugh. If Ash's idea of restraint includes forcing me to kneel in the snow and treating me like his property, I don't even want to imagine Helena's version.

"How many supporters does she have?" I ask.

"Most of the coven, from what I could tell." Ollie's shoulders slump. "They're worried about Mr. Ash's actions yesterday, forcing Helena to kneel like that. They think he's lost focus on their goals."

I start pacing, mind racing. "Why are you telling me this, Ollie? Why risk yourself like this?"

He hesitates, then straightens his shoulders, his normally timid eyes steady. "Because I know where Jasmine Wickersly is."

I stop mid-stride. "What?"

"Jasmine. The third sister." Ollie steps closer. "Helena mentioned it, when she thought no one was listening."

"And you think we should, what? Meet her for coffee?" I stare at him like he's grown a second head. "Ollie, according to everything I've heard, Jasmine makes Helena look like a cuddly teddy bear."

"I know what they say about her," Ollie says. "But she's the only person Helena fears. The only one who might be able to stop her."

"Or make things a thousand times worse!" I throw up my hands. "We're talking about a witch who was locked up for literally consuming other witches for their power!"

"There's no time to find another solution," Ollie insists, his voice rising slightly. "Helena is moving tonight. I heard her talking about the preparations." He takes a breath, calming himself. "You have natural magic, untainted by spells or rituals. The kind that can disrupt other magic temporarily. Like the wards." Ollie's eyes are pleading. "I know how to contact her, how totell her when the wards are down. She's been waiting for an opportunity for centuries."

I shake my head, backing away. "This is insane. We need to go to Ash, tell him what Helena's planning."

"There's no time!" Ollie grabs my arm, surprising me with the strength in his thin fingers. "By the time you convince him, by the time he rallies his supporters, it will be too late. Helena is moving tonight."

I pull free of his grip. "I'm sorry, Ollie. I appreciate the warning, but releasing Jasmine Wickersly sounds like jumping from the frying pan into a nuclear reactor. I need to warn Ash."

I grab my jacket from the back of my chair and move toward the door. "You should go before someone sees you here. I'll handle this."

"Miss Smith, please! Listen to me!"

I push past him, turning to look back one last time. “I have to go.”

But I don’t go far.

Helena stands in the doorway, her tall frame blocking the light from the hall. Behind her stand several Blood Moon Coven members, their faces hidden beneath their hoods.

“You won't be going anywhere, Rose Smith."

The door bangs shut behind her with the finality of a coffin lid closing.

Epilogue

“Helena moved faster than we anticipated.”

“Yes. The confrontation accelerated everything. She was humiliated.”

“Humiliation is a powerful motivator. And now she has the Smith witch.”

“I am sorry, Mistress. I will not fail you again.”

The violet glow emanating from the scrying bowl dims. Ollie sits back, his narrow shoulders slumping. He rubs his eyes and then stands.

He will not fail. He will not disappoint Mistress again.