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We all felt the absence of Zephyr keenly as Aveta got to her feet and assumed control.
‘It’s been an incredibly difficult time,’ she said sadly. ‘Really, it feels impossible to believe that we’re standing here without our beloved leader. Zephyr Ambrose was an example to us all, loved and respected by the entire witch community. His loss will be felt deeply by us all for many years to come.’
‘So what are you going to do about it?’ Castor asked.
Aveta blinked. ‘I’m sorry?’
‘What are you doing about his murder? Cos I’m telling you now, you’d better do summat. People are making their own plans, and you wouldn’t want that now, would you?’
‘What people?’ Amlodd asked nervously.
‘There’s mutterings. The Crossleys and the Golightlys for a start. They’re telling folk we should start preparing for battle. Woden Crossley is adamant the Pendragons can’t be allowed to get away with it, and he’s stoking up bad feeling among the ranks.’
‘Really, Castor,’ Iliana said in amazement, ‘how do you discover these things? No one ever tells me anything.’
‘You ought to zap to The Pig and Whistle now and then,’ he said blithely. ‘You’d be surprised what you can hear when you keep your lugholes open.’
‘Where on earth is The Pig and Whistle?’ she asked, but Aveta had evidently decided the conversation had gone off on a tangent and she needed to reclaim control.
‘We’ll have no talk of retribution,’ she said sternly. ‘If what you’re saying is true we’ll be speaking to the Golightlys and the Crossleys as soon as we leave here. The last thing we need are vigilante groups springing into action and making things ten times worse.’
‘Could they be much worse?’ Sirius asked coolly. ‘I mean, Zephyr’s dead and my wife is still missing. When exactly should we act? When they’ve murdered the lot of us? Bit late then.’
‘I assure you, Sirius, investigations are underway into Zephyr’s death, and as for Trinity—please believe me when I tell you that we have witches scouring the country for her. We will find her.’
‘But will you find her alive?’ he asked, and I saw the gleam of tears in his eyes and heard the wobble in his voice. I hung my head in shame. She was my sister, and I was worse than useless. I should never have let her go off to Whitby on her own. I should have insisted on going with her. No, I should have gone instead of her. I’d let my sister do my dirty work, and I’d never forgive myself for that.
‘Can we get back to the reason we’re here?’ Kendrew pleaded. ‘I know feelings are running high but let’s take things one step at a time. As Aveta said, we have agents in place. Our task today is to inform people of the arrangements for Zephyr’s funeral, and that’s been hard enough to sort out as it is, what with one thing and another.’
‘I heardTitaniaAmbrose wants a grand ceremony in Glastonbury,’ Castor said slyly, emphasising the word Titania, probably to remind us that she was really called Susie.
‘How did you—?’ Iliana shook her head. ‘Never mind.’
‘Well,’ Aveta said uncomfortably, ‘that’s true.’
The four members of the High Council looked at each other, and I thought they’d probably love to say a great deal more on that subject but were determined to be discreet.
‘So is that what’s happening?’ Hector said, frowning. ‘I wouldn’t have thought that was such a good idea.’
There was a stony silence as the Council members stared at him. It occurred to me suddenly that, as far as they were concerned, Hector was nothing more than Celeste’s non-magical husband, and had no right to contribute to this discussion. They probably didn’t even think he should be at the meeting. Although they’d met him in his capacity as Guardian before, they had no memory of that. Witches weren’t supposed to know who Guardians were. It was odd, then, that they all knew I was destined to be the Great Guardian. I wondered if that knowledge would be removed from them when I found the Sword of Feidhlim. If I found it.
Hector evidently realised his mistake. He gave them an appeasing smile and said, ‘Sorry. Just my thoughts, but hey, what do I know?’
‘Exactly,’ Kendrew said coldly. ‘I don’t even know why you’re here.’
‘Should I leave?’ Hector asked politely, half getting to his feet.
Aveta waved a hand. ‘Oh, sit down. It doesn’t matter. Just keep quiet and refrain from further interruptions please.’
If they only knew!
‘We’ve had a right palaver,’ Bob said angrily. ‘It’s been proper undignified if you ask me. Zephyr deserves the best. Westminster Abbey wouldn’t be too good for him. You’d think his own family would have a bit of dignity and stop arguing about it.’
‘His family?’ Raiden frowned. ‘As far as I’m aware, Aurora hasn’t even been consulted.’
‘No, well…’ Aveta looked uncomfortable. ‘The way things are…’
‘Makes no odds anyway,’ Amlodd said. ‘We’ve had to overrule them.’
