Page 93 of A Curse in Darkness

You dare question me? Her voice roared through my mind.

“Apologies, Mother,” I said quickly. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

She hissed again, but the snake seemed to calm. I stayed quiet and waited for her to tell me why she’d summoned me.

That wasn’t the final task for coven Thornheart, Keeper.

What? I’d done two, there were always two. “But I’ve done both—”

Silence.

I shut my mouth.

A Keeper’s power comes from not one but many. Your ancestors proved their worth time and again. Your coven thrived and grew in power because of those who came before you. That line was severed when Joshua Thornheart died. This is a new line, untested. You are but one of worth, daughter, and there must be many for a new line to secure their position.

My heart pounded hard in my chest because I knew what she was going to say next.

Each of your sisters must pass one task and one trial to retain your gifts and your Keeper status.

No. “Mother,” I rasped. “One of my sisters is unwell and another is only eighteen years old—”

She hissed, and I pressed my lips together.

If they are weak, they will fail. That is the purpose of the trials. As for your youngest sister, she will be given the time she needs.

“When?” I dared to ask.

The next in line will be given time to prepare before she is summoned.

Iris.

“Months?”

Perhaps. Are you ready to receive your gifts?

My heart was pounding, and my head was spinning. I wanted to argue, but angering her would be a terrible mistake. “Yes, Mother.”

Remember, you must also win your trial to keep the gifts I bestow upon you today.

This I knew. If I lost my trial, the mother took the gifts back that she’d given to us, and all the past gifts my ancestors had received as well.

The serpent rose up. She didn’t strike this time, something flashed in her eyes, then she spun and slithered into the woods without another word. I stood there, naked, shivering, mind racing. God, Mags had foreseen this, hadn’t she? After the last time I was here, and she’d been mostly right. Except it wasn’t me the mother had plans for, it was them. I shook my head in denial. This wasn’t meant to happen. I was supposed to keep them safe. The thought of any of my sisters coming here, enduring this, the dangers they would face…

Rose…oh god, she wouldn’t survive it—

I cried out as pain sliced down my spine. I fell to my knees, my legs knocked out from under me and my mouth opened on a silent scream. Power swelled inside me, then again, the next surging even higher.

The gifts the mother had promised for passing my task were solidifying, strengthening.

It was ours.

My sisters, my mom, Else. Our entire coven. And it would stay ours as long as I passed the combat trial ahead.

“Willow?” Warrick called and dropped down in front of me. “Dove, what’s happening?”

I couldn’t talk, my back bowing as another surge pulsed through me. I blinked up at him as the pain throbbed and grew.

I screamed, positive I couldn’t take another moment—