Page 126 of A Time of Witches

“The magistrate,” Lilith replied. “Anne is pregnant.”

“That bastard,” Kat growled. “I’ve a mind to curse him so his—”

“He threatened Anne?” Jacinda asked, expression hard.

Lilith nodded. “The child is his. He refused to help her unless she betrayed Sybil. He implied she would lose her job once they found out she was pregnant. I…I don’t think she had a choice.”

“Apparently people in the future are soft,” Kat said without sympathy. “There is always a choice.”

“Mayhap she did not consider Sybil’s mercy well enough.” Jacinda tapped her fingers to her lips. “Desperation can alter a person’s reasoning.”

Unease twisted in Lilith’s gut. “Do you think knowing Anne denounced Sybil is enough? Will this mean you can save her?”

“The truth will lie in Anne’s response,” Jacinda replied solemnly.

“And how we manage the situation.” There was fight in Kat’s words, enough that Lilith hoped she could find a way to use the information to save Sybil.

Jacinda looked at Lilith, her face softening with a look of apology. “Sybil’s fate, your fate, and every woman born between me and your birth hangs in the balance.”

Lilith bit at the inside of her cheek. “That’s not very reassuring.”

Jacinda drew in a pained breath. “No. But I vow to do all that is possible. For Sybil. For you. For the legacy that will follow you.”

Jacinda’s words cut deep. “What if…” Lilith swallowed. “What if I’m not worthy of this line?”

Jacinda tilted her head in quiet contemplation before replying, “That isn’t for you to decide. You were born into this line because the earth deemed it so. There is no question of your worth.”

“But I don’t want children.” The words were raw as they left Lilith’s throat, rendering her hollow with a fear she had not dared voice.

That she was a failure as a woman for not wanting to have children, yet another way she did not fit into the world.

“I’ve been trying to be okay with accepting our legacy, but… I’ve never wanted children,” she offered meekly. “Not after how my mother treated me.” Under the bandage, her palm throbbed in time with her pulse.

“Women are more than the children they bear.” Jacinda smiled softly, revealing how very young she truly was. “I am indebted to you for what you have done for me.” She stepped closer to Lilith. “I give you the gift of choice. That you may decide to pass on the legacy.” She swept her hands over Lilith’s face, down her neck and over her collarbones.

Warmth followed the motion and the tension eased from Lilith’s muscles, draining away beneath the graceful sweep of Jacinda’s fingertips.

A patter of something wet sounded by Lilith’s feet. She glanced down to find the bandage stained bright red, blood dripping from her hand.

“Should we see to that?” Kat asked.

Jacinda shook her head. “We’ve tarried for too long. Lilith must hasten back.”

A jolt of terror struck Lilith. “I don’t know how to go back.” The trickle of blood at her hand ran hot and steady now, pouring from her as time slipped away.

Was this the cost of the spell?

“I might be able to offer aid,” Jacinda said. “You must trust me.”

Lilith gave a sardonic laugh. “As if I actually have a choice.”

Kat tsked. “There’s always a choice.”

Jacinda frowned at Lilith. “I’m sorry.”

“Just save Sybil.”

Jacinda nodded. “Close your eyes and let yourself fall back.”