Shadow and Tide by Rachel Greenlaw

Author:Rachel Greenlaw
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers
Published: 2025-02-04T11:00:00+00:00

in another life, this vast room may have been a ballroom, a place of waltzes and polkas, courtship and scandal. Now, once a week, the young hunters and casters of Coven Septern gather for a formal lecture, and Brielle tries to remind herself it’s not a total waste of her time.

‘Who can tell me the uses of charms in the different countries across the continent?’ the witch apparent, Theine, says in a nasal voice that always leaves Brielle on edge and irritated, like one damp sock squelching in a boot on a long walk, or a hangnail she’s yet to cut away.

Peony’s hand shoots up and she answers (with that ever-present sneer that she apparently can’t help because it’s, as Lowri says, ‘just her face’): ‘Arnhem uses charms mainly for power, Leicena for beauty, Skylan for persuasion, and The Spines for protection.’

‘Excellent,’ Theine says, scanning the audience of seated witches. She turns to the board and begins discussing the process of creating a charm, from the hunted creature blood to its application by casters.

Brielle takes the opportunity to lean across to Lowri, who is sitting next to her, and whisper, ‘What’s she like then?’

Lowri’s mouth twists as she flicks her eyes to Brielle, then back to the board, where Theine is still droning on in her nasal tone. Ever since Brielle confided in Lowri who or what she had been assigned to hunt, the human name on that scrap of paper and the reason she had been summoned before the ruling council, Lowri had been ominously quiet. ‘She’s completely ordinary. Dresses and looks like Eli and Caden. Nothing monstrous about her.’

‘I wouldn’t be so sure,’ Brielle says with a snort. ‘Did you notice a weapon?’

‘A small blade slung at her waist. Mother didn’t seem concerned—’

‘Lowri and Brielle Tresillian, are we disturbing your afternoon?’ Theine says with no small amount of smug triumph. She clasps her fingers in front of her, ash-blonde hair framing her watery-blue eyes and colourless skin. ‘Lowri, what was I just saying?’

Lowri sighs as Brielle winces, knowing what’s coming. No one picks on Lowri. She may seem diminutive, but she is the Malefant’s daughter. Even the senior hunters don’t cross her. ‘You were discussing charms, specifically the evolution of charms across the continent, the application and revenue they bring in to the coven. You just used the example of the royal court in Morgana, and how we send three witches there at the beginning of the season to work with the most discerning families, who wish to see their offspring well matched. These charms usually include thimble-sized bottles of potions or powders locked in a ring or locket, dusted at a pulse point to make the wearer seem, temporarily, more alluring. Funny. Kind. Charming. These charms are developed by witches, not apothecaries, because the subtlety can only be wrought by a being with magical aptitude. They are an important source of income for the coven.’ Lowri takes a breath, allowing herself a small, knowing smile. ‘Would you like me to go on?’

Brielle shrinks in her chair as Theine’s eyes bore into Lowri’s.

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