Page 44 of The Witch’s Daughter

“Midnight,” the pretty witch said in passing. One word. I didn’t even know her name. She didn’t stick around to offer it. The crowd swallowed her up, leaving me frowning as I stared into my cup of mead.

If Tisiphone noticed the witch’s attentions, she didn’t make any mention of it. Why should she?

You’re wrong. He started to pace.

“What do you think we’ll be missing tomorrow during this Vincent guy’s trials?” Amir asked the table.

“None of us have to miss anything…” Gentry started. I knew he was anxious to get back to his mate, not that I blamed him. And I also knew he was staying here because of me. Gentry was a good wolf. He’d always been that way.

“I’ll miss the festival,” Ahmad said proudly. “Seeing how Trish is going to do tomorrow with Vincent’s testing should be more fun.”

My wolf growled at the teasing tone her cousin took, but Tisiphone just rolled her eyes.

Calla shocked me by kicking his foot under the table, causing the wolves sleeping at her feet to raise their snouts and growl. She turned to Trish. “When are we expecting Kera to arrive?”

“A few more days.” Tisiphone rested her elbow on the table and her chin sank into her hand. “I’ll be surprised if she doesn’t put an end to the whole festival when she gets here.”

Calla chuckled. “I could see that.”

“Wait.” Trish’s eyes widened. “Can you?”

“Not literally.” Calla waved her hand in the air. “My visions still don’t work like that.”

“Oh.” Trish chewed her lip. “But they are still… working… right?”

Calla nodded. Silence descended around the table. I would’ve filled it, but Tisiphone didn’t need me to come to her rescue anymore.

It was dumbass Ahmad who spoke next. His tongue moved faster than his brain. “What happened with your magic, anyway?”

Tisiphone’s cheeks reddened, but she played off her embarrassment with a shrug. “No one can explain it. Right after Gram died, I tried to help Mom in the café, but I started a magical explosion. Things kept getting weirder from there. My sisters and I were training, and I was using defensive magic, but I almost hurt Meg when my shield began to choke her. I just… I don’t know.”

“We heard about it,” Gentry said. “You can’t use your innate powers now at all?”

“I still can use basic magic sometimes. But no. I can’t access anything deeper and I don’t dare try it anymore.” Tisiphone twisted a lock of teal hair between her fingers, studying it in the dying light of the bonfire, and I cursed myself for hanging onto her every word.

I poured a refill.

“That’s got to suck,” Amir blurted out.

She smiled, but tears misted her eyes. “Agreed.”

“Is that why you ditched us?” Calla asked.

Trish’s smile dropped. “I guess so. Figured I’d spare you all the trainwreck that is my life.”

“We would’ve helped,” Gentry spoke softly.

Tisiphone suddenly faked a yawn and stretched her hands above her head. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m beat from today.”

“Me too,” Gentry said. The others nodded.

I glanced around the tables, seeing a few familiar faces from Vincent’s tests. They too had tired eyes, but still they lingered among their more animated companions, watching as the fire burned out.

Vincent—it seemed—would not be regaling us with another speech tonight. I shook my head. He was no true leader. An Alpha wouldn’t abandon his pack after a trying first day. But he wasn’t an Alpha either. And this wasn’t a pack.

“I’m calling it a night. See you all tomorrow?” Trish stood from the table. Her eyes met mine, and I hated the look in them. “Since we’re a coven and have to stick together like you said.”

“Sounds good.” Gentry rose too. “I think I’m going to hit the sack.”