Page 139 of Black Willow Witch
‘Hear, hear,’ said Ward.
Other members echoed his sentiment.
Reena fluidly rose to her feet. ‘I declare the meeting over – there’s nothing else that can be said.’
With that, the townsfolk stood and talked amongst themselves as they made to leave.
When Reena went to step down from the platform, Carver spoke. ‘Reena . . . I hadn’t expected that of you. It can’t have been an easy concession to make. Know that it is appreciated.’
‘This isn’t a coven issue, or a clan issue, it’s atownissue,’ she stated. ‘We should be working together, not apart, or the faction will win. So if I have to leave the punishments in this case to you and the other Alphas, it’s exactly what I’ll do.’ She then walked off.
‘She isn’t wrong,’ said Ripper, rising to his feet.
‘No, she isn’t,’ agreed Shane as he also stood. ‘It’s a shame she didn’t do this years ago, though, isn’t it?’
Knowing the Alpha was referring to what had happened with Rosemary, Ripper shrugged. ‘No sense in me forever being bitter about it. What’s done is done.’
Shane spared Emberlyn a slight look. ‘I wouldn’t have ever thought you’d end up so entangled with a witch, but I can see how it’s happened. She’s . . . extraordinary.’
Ripper narrowed his eyes. ‘Not sure I like the amount of admiration in your voice as you speak of her. In fact, I definitely don’t fucking like it.’
Shane laughed. ‘You’re gone, Rip. Completely gone.’
Yeah, so he’d heard.
Ripper descended the platform and stalked straight to his witch, who was chatting with his aunt. He looked down at the magazine she still held. ‘Interesting read?’
‘Oh yeah, riveting,’ Emberlyn deadpanned.
‘It proved to be an effective prop.’
‘It did indeed.’ She twisted her mouth. ‘Do you think Reena really won’t demand the right to punish the faction herself?’
‘I think she’d be a fool to do anything but, and Reena’s no fool.’
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
‘Why are you pouting?’
‘No reason.’
Emberlyn sighed at her friend, easily guessing . . . ‘You wanted a pony ride but were told you’re too old. Am I right?’
Paisley sniffed. ‘Perhaps.’
Logan snorted from his seat beside Emberlyn – one that Ripper had recently vacated, needing to relieve his bladder. He’d asked his brother to stay with her, not wanting her to work her market stall alone, even though she needed no help.
All stalls were narrow, only featuring a table to display your for-sale items. Emberlyn offered things such as potions, homemade candles, herbal tea balls, healing salves and packs of oracle cards.
‘What happened?’ Logan asked Paisley, tipping his chin at the Band-Aid on the back of her hand.
She only pulled a face.
Beside his sister, Kage sighed. ‘She got bit by a goat.’
Emberlyn lifted a brow. ‘She went to the kids’ petting zoo, I take it?’
Paisley inched up her chin, belligerent. ‘I reserve the right to regress during county fairs.’
