Page 31 of The Witch’s Daughter

The crowd broke out in fevered whispers.

I glanced over my shoulder, wishing I wasn’t so far out of telepathic range of my sisters so they could also be hearing this.

When I faced forward again, the warlock was staring straight at me. Our gazes locked, and the wind rushed by my ears. A heartbeat passed as I felt the truth of his anger. The pulse of his power. It awakened something in me, tugging and pulling lightly at my skin.

This isn’t good.

“What are you asking us to do about it?” Jaxon’s deep voice broke the spell the warlock was casting.

Vincent’s smile had a cruel edge. “With the help of the most powerful among you, I plan to tear down their walls and remake the land as it once was, giving magic free rein again.”

Sarah Ossory was the first to start clapping, and slowly, others joined in. A fist pounded against a table. Someone yelled their agreement. Until the whole crowd was worked up. An eagerness to fight rippled around us.

They don’t know what they’re saying.

The others at my table were quiet. A stone had lodged itself in my stomach after that strange meeting of eyes with the warlock and my wolf was anxious to get out of here. Jaxon sat with his arms folded over his chest, watching the warlock as if trying to solve a puzzle.

Vincent bestowed his smile on the crowd before addressing Jaxon once more. “Is something wrong, Alpha?”

A hush fell over the festival as all eyes turned our way. To Jaxon’s credit, he didn’t flinch under the weighted stares. I’d have peed myself in his seat.

“I’m trying to figure out why only a select few are invited to this war you’re proposing.” Jaxon shrugged with one shoulder. “Wouldn’t it make more sense to bring this matter to all the wolf pack leaders and open the enrollment in your army to anyone who wants to join?”

If Vincent felt the division start in the whispers, he didn’t acknowledge it. His disarming smile never faltered. “While it’s not the time to discuss war strategy, I’ll humor you with this. I’d never risk the life of those not strong enough to—or inclined to—fight. Something I would hope you’d understand as an Alpha.”

Jaxon held in the growl I knew he wanted to give as Vincent turned, showing him his back and dismissing him.

That’s not how you do things. My wolf started growling at the obvious disrespect.

Jaxon’s hand landed on my shoulder, silencing my beast with the simple touch.

“For those who received my invitation and wish to join me in righting the wrongs of this world, the trials begin tomorrow morning after breakfast in the eastern adjoining field,” Vincent said, walking away.

The bonfire grew higher as Halley’s Comet made its way through the night sky above us. War cries from the crowd raised the fur on my wolf’s spine.

Vincent stopped, giving our table one final challenging smile. “Not all of you will make it, but you’re welcome to try and prove your worth.”

12

Jaxon

Who does this guy think he is?

We should put him in his place.

As much as I agreed with my wolf, now wasn’t the time. We were guests on Ossory territory and this Vincent character was obviously respected here. If the rumors were true, he was wielding some unheard-of magic and I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was curious to figure out what it was.

Sarah seemed to think the warlock hung the moon. She followed along behind him like a puppy as he left, leaving the two other Ossory witches and the rest of us here to enjoy the bonfire.

“Where are you going?” I asked as Tisiphone jumped to her feet and hurried to gather her used dishes.

Her eyes darted around as her wolf paced within. “I need to talk to my sisters.”

Of course she wanted to speak with them. This was the exact thing Alpha Kera wanted to know about. Add in the fact that Vincent’s whole speech hit close to home for Tisiphone and her tight-knit family…

I stood. “I’ll go with you.”

“You don’t have to.” Trish shook her head. “Stay. Enjoy the party.”