Page 96 of The Witch’s Daughter

I had to touch him. But the wind was relentless, and somehow he’d channeled it just to hold me down. The breeze blew through the pews of onlookers, but I was the only one punished by it.

I scrambled for purchase, looking for something to grab hold of, when Vincent’s shiny black shoes filled my field of vision.

I lay still. Come on, step closer.

Pain sliced through my arm as the knife bit into it, and then my blood flowed with Calla’s running through the trough at the foot of the stage.

The wind died down. But my heart pounded in my ears. Calla’s screams echoed through the tent, still muffled by the cloth. The chanting grew louder as our blood flowed. I cradled my arm to my chest, rolling over as Vincent held the knife in the air, chanting louder than the rest and then…

Nothing happened.

The chants died down. My front was soaked with my own blood as I climbed to shaky legs. Warlocks in black rushed the stage as Vincent spit a chain of curses.

“Take them away.” He wiped the blood off the knife with a cloth, turning his back to us.

As if we were nothing. Like he hadn’t just sliced us open, and spilled our blood. I let the guards manhandle me, making sure they released Calla and also dragged her away.

We went out the back of the tent, hidden by the surrounding canvas structures, and were quickly led into a utility room in another tent.

To a waiting cage.

Too late, I realized my mistake in not fighting harder to get free. I was so worried about them hurting Calla, that I didn’t realize the cage was made of silver until we were locked inside.

The essence of it burned, and my wolf whined, as I slumped to the floor, lifting Calla into my heavy arms.

Weakly, she turned to glare at me. “What took you so damn long?”

34

Jaxon

Rumor was today would be the final day of trials and that was why they’d changed the format. We did calisthenics as a group in the morning, but it felt more like busy work until they announced that we’d have physical assessments alone.

I almost wished we’d done something more intense to burn off the anxious energy of my beast. It was just past noon, and the heat of the day was brutal as it beat down on us while we waited our turn to be called back into the medical area set up near the far side of the field. Most of us had found places in the shade, passing the time by chatting amongst ourselves.

Tisiphone still hadn’t showed.

She’s not coming.

I clenched my jaw as I listened to the frustration of my wolf. Ever since we’d left her this morning, he’d been worked up and pacing. He got like this sometimes—pretty much every time we were forced to leave Tisiphone and carry on with our lives like she wasn’t the central part of it.

She’ll be here, I tried to soothe him. But even I had my doubts. How many times had she been skittish and run? Every time things got too tough.

She hadn’t always been this way, though.

I thought back to when we were pups. That day Lisa had us learn to fight with our magic. Until then, I’d only coaxed it to life in helpful ways. A shock of new growth. A boost to a wilted flower. Healing decayed tree roots from the inside out.

Lisa told us to draw on our anger. To reach inside and discover where our darker nature lay. I’d only been there a month, and though I’m sure they had their suspicions since I was the only one who never had visitors, I didn’t want anyone to know the pain I carried.

Or to discover the vast emptiness in me.

But that first touch of my true power, and the anger that I could use to fuel it, was terrifying. I didn’t hurt anyone. But I could’ve. Easily.

That day wasn’t one of my proudest. An alpha wolf who ran. And it was Tisiphone who chased me. Right up into the trees, even though she was scared of heights. Even though she should’ve been frightened of me and what I could do. Of who I could be. The villain I could easily become.

“Aren’t you scared?” I’d asked.

“Never when I’m with you.” I could still see her soft smile. Still feel her hand as she laced her fingers through mine, and wrapped them around my heart.