Things She's Seen by Pat Esden

Author:Pat Esden
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Published: 2019-05-27T15:16:32+00:00

Chapter 18

I bear no reflection

only rippled waters disturbed and unsettled.

—Journal of Emily Adams

Week two. New Dawn House. Albany, New York.

Chloe jumped to her feet and beelined for the door. Devlin lunged after her, seizing her arm and holding her back. “No, Chloe. We have to wait for Gar.”

She wrenched from his grip. “Why do you think the Vice-Chancellor’s wife is in a room next to the meeting? In the same room as the crystal.”

Em looked from one to the other. Logic said waiting for Gar was smarter. Her heart told her Chloe was right.

“Quiet.” Devlin put a finger to his lips. “They’ll hear you.”

Her voice lowered to a growl. “The Vice-Chancellor’s wife is here to bear witness against the coven. That’s the only explanation that makes sense.”

Em shook her head. “But Rhianna put her blood on the crystal. Presenting it as evidence would only prove she was involved with us.”

“I don’t think we can afford to wait.” Chloe whipped out her phone. “If Rhianna’s in that room with the Vice-Chancellor’s wife and the crystal, I’ll record it. Then they can’t accuse us of lying about their connection. This might be our only chance, while there still are Council members who aren’t corrupt.”

She stormed toward the door the Vice-Chancellor’s wife had vanished through, Devlin an inch behind her. Em raced to catch up. If Rhianna was in there, proof of her presence in conjunction with the crystal could solve everything. If she wasn’t there…well, it wasn’t like they hadn’t embarrassed themselves before.

Chloe flung the door open and they rushed inside.

The room was dark and tiny. Oil paintings of robed Council members covered the walls, leaving only enough space for one narrow window, a fireplace, and a second door that most likely led out into the main corridor. A ring of candles flickered on a desk, illuminating the silhouette of a tall, bleached blonde, who stood with her head bowed. In her cupped hands, an amethyst crystal the size of a peach sparkled, brighter than the purple jewels that encrusted the etched ring on her middle finger.

Though the woman’s hair screened her face, Em recognized her in an instant. She wasn’t the Vice-Chancellor’s wife—she stood in the shadows behind the blonde.

The woman raised her head, her papery skin stretching tight across high cheekbones as a sneer lifted her lips. “Isn’t this a pleasant surprise.”

“Rhianna,” Devlin snarled.

Her sneer widened into a jackal-like grin. “It’s about time you crawled out from your hole.” She licked her lips. “But it’s too late to save your vile coven. The Northern Circle’s time has run out.” Her gaze sliced to a clock on the fireplace mantel. “Just about now.”

The Vice-Chancellor’s wife tilted her head toward the door and cupped a hand to her ear. “Are those cheers I hear coming from the Council Chamber?”

“Shut up,” Chloe screeched. “The meeting isn’t even over yet.” She flung her phone back into her pocket, every muscle tense, as if ready to draw up her magic and attack.

Devlin clamped his hand on her arm.

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