Witch's Pyre by Josephine Angelini

Author:Josephine Angelini
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781250105318
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

CHAPTER

10

At some point in the night, Lily became aware of the fact that she was thrashing about in a big, white bed.

She felt hands soothing her and smelled the grassy scent of Rowan’s ointment cooling her charred skin. No matter how many times Lily went to the pyre, burning on it never got easier. The trauma was not something the body could ever allow to become commonplace, and if she couldn’t—or, in this case, wouldn’t—transmute the heat fast enough, agony was the sacrifice she had to make.

When it became too much, Lily found Lillian waiting for her in the Mist. They sat on the raft, facing each other, their feet pulled in and their chins resting on their knees.

But you didn’t go to the pyre, Lily said in confusion. Why are you here?

I am here every night now, Lillian replied.

Your cancer is that bad?

Lillian smiled at Lily as they bobbed on top of the dark water. It won’t be for much longer, she replied after a quiet spell.

Lily thought of Toshi’s deep red willstone, and regretted not claiming him, if only for Lillian’s sake.

Can I help you in any way?

Yes. You can help me destroy Bower City.

Lily didn’t reply. She thought of all the people in Bower City who had no idea what Grace had done. They didn’t deserve to die. Lily had no idea how to keep them safe, though, once the war began in earnest. While she was thinking about this, Lillian asked her another question.

How did you get your coven from the sand dunes to Salem?

I can’t tell you that yet.

Why not?

I need you to wait for me and hear what I have to say.

I can’t wait. I’m dying.

Hold on, Lillian. I’m coming.

* * *

Lily woke with the sun. Her stinging eyes peeled open to see stone walls, wide windows, and on the far side of the room, a fireplace large enough for her to stand in.

She knew this room. She was in Lillian’s bedroom in the Citadel.

Lily sat up and saw that she wasn’t alone in the bed. Rowan lay next to her, a bare arm thrown over his eyes to block out the light. Tristan was there, too, down by her feet. Juliet, Breakfast, Una, and Samantha were draped uncomfortably over various pieces of furniture. The only person missing was Caleb.

She felt Tristan twitch as he shook himself awake. His blue eyes opened and he sighed with relief when he saw her.

Hi there, he said. You’re looking much better.

I still feel like hammered garbage. Lily smiled at him. Where’s Caleb?

Tristan’s eyes unfocused as he searched for his stone kin. Off somewhere with a friend. He’s still angry, Tristan answered.

Have I lost him? The thought tightened her throat.

He hasn’t decided yet. He had to smash his first willstone when he was still a kid to get away from his first witch, and he has no desire to repeat the experience.

Lily remembered Caleb telling her about his brief time training at the Citadel. He’s been claimed by a cruel witch who used to possess him for fun.

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