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“Then I need to move quicker,” I grind out the words. Chasin presses a hand to my back, and his energy pulsates through me, shoving the power back down and giving me a moment to fucking breathe. “Thanks,” I say easily, as he removes his hand.
“Don’t mention it.”
“You want to replace councils who refused to step up while the dark witches were present, and yet you are well on your way to becoming one.”
“I will step down before it gets that far. My main mission is to make sure the city is safe and run by those who will not use power to rule again.”Foolish witch.
“Why would you do that?”
“As you mentioned, I have people here who have suffered more than they ever should have. My sister was slaughtered by a dark witch. A man I’d once cared for deeply died soon after that.” At the mention of his brother, Chasin stiffens. “And most recently, a friend of mine lost his life due to the infestation. I want the risk over—gone.”
“And when it is? What then? Will you leave the city? Allow yourself to be executed?”
“The latter,” I tell her. “If it comes to that.”
She’s silent a moment. “You believe you can control it.”
“I do.”
She shakes her head. “I’ve seen dark magic plenty of times in my life, witch. It corrupts absolutely, you are attempting to tow a tree uphill.”
“Sever the roots, and it’s entirely possible,” I retort. “I will find a way to save myself, but for me to get to where I need to be, this magic is necessary.”
She studies me curiously, but I see the moment I’ve won her over. She extends a hand. “I am Elanora.”
Reaching forward, I grip her slender hand and shake once before releasing her. “Bronywyn. Though it seems you already knew that.”
“I did. What is it you need from me? I can’t imagine this visit is coincidental.”
“You have a reputation for being well-trusted and respected through the witch community. I want an audience with them, that’s all.”
“I can’t promise they’ll come.”
“Please, just try.”
She bows her head. “That I will do, Bronywyn. Meanwhile—” she trails off and reaches into her pocket. After withdrawing a pendant, she offers it to me. “This should help slow the effects of the shadows.”
The moment the small lunar pendant is pressed against my palm, a rush of energy washes over me, a breeze that penetrates my skin and eases the darkness that’s been hovering over me ever since I saved Elijah.
I stare down at it, eyes wide. For the first time since I saved him, I actually feel like myself. “What is this?”
“Light,” she replies simply. “There is a rumor that only a dark witch can defeat a dark witch. But the truth is that while they are matched in power, if one is pure enough, powerful enough, the light willalwaysbeat out the dark. Remember that in the coming days, Bronywyn. Come back here tomorrow afternoon, and I will have those who are willing to listen here.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet.” She turns to leave, so Chasin and I do the same, moving through the empty space and stepping out onto the bright street.
“Does that pendant work?” he asks, as we head for my car.
“Yes. I feel more like myself than I have in months.”
“Hmm.”
“What is that for?”
He pauses for a moment, biting down on his bottom lip before finally turning to me. “You have so much power, Bronywyn. You don’t need any of them to allow you to do shit. Go in and make them see who’s in charge.”
His words so closely mirror the shadow’s that my stomach churns. “Fear is not loyalty. And if I am to make this city safe, I need loyalty.”
