Page 14 of Black Willow Witch
‘It wasn’t manipulation, it was common decency,’ Emberlyn corrected. ‘You all threw yourselves at the spell not only physically but magickly. Which is a lot like trying to kick down a person’s front door. And yet, youexpectedentry; intended to claim ownership of the place. You can’t own sentient magick. Really, you should know this stuff.’
Snickering, Paisley scurried past her and into the manor with her brother in tow.
Emberlyn was about to follow them, but Gill notched up her chin and said, ‘There was no need for courteousness on our part. We’re Vautier witches. The manor belongs to our line. It is ourrightto take it.’
‘The manor won’t accept a Vautier witch just because of their ancestry.’ Emberlyn looked at Reena, who, her face pinched, her hands fisted, her body wooden, stared back at her. ‘Let me be clear that I won’t be relinquishing it to you. It’s my home now. I intend to keep it that way.’
Reena’s eyelids lowered. ‘It should not have chosen you; should not have skipped a generation.’
‘This manor is deserving of someone with status,’ Ward declared. ‘A High Priestess, just like Lilith.’
‘You did something other than give it a gift,’ Ames accused.
Emberlyn smiled. ‘Oh, you mean the part where I promised it my first born?’
Gasps sounded.
She rolled her eyes. ‘Kidding, kidding. I didn’tneedto do anything else. The manor could have rejected my offering. Or kept it but rejectedme. It did neither. But that’s not because I did anything dark.’
‘I will not stand for this,’ Gill bit off, magick crackling around her hands.
Oh, she thought to take Emberlyn on? Novel.
‘You’ve got this, Mom,’ said Mari. ‘Those on the benevolent path always win.’
The benevolent path?Dear Lord.
Reena strode forward. ‘Stand aside, Gill. I will deal with this.’
Emberlyn couldn’t help but smile. ‘You want to come at me? Really?’ Laughing, she whipped up her arm and shot a stream of magick high. A black cloud ominously roiled in the sky like a swirling dark bruise. A lightning fork stabbed downward, sharp and bright.
With curses and alarmed squeaks, the other witches backpedaled.
Thunder boomed, loud and aggressive. A wind rapidly built up, whipping the willow branches back and forth, making her dress flap and her hair flutter.
Then Emberlyn brought her arm back down, and it all stopped. She waited a few seconds before speaking. ‘You’re strong, Reena, but trying to “deal with this” won’t end well for you.’
Licking his lips, Ward backed away even further. ‘You’re just like her. Millicent.’
Emberlyn felt her mouth curve. ‘Hmm, maybe a little. Just a smidgeon.’
‘She made you into her,’ said Reena, a slight shake to her voice.
Emberlyn waved a hand. ‘No, silly. Millicentlikedbeing a singular being. She was never going to want a mini-me. But she had wanted me to join her in embracing the darkness – that much is true.’
‘And you did,’ snarked Gill.
‘Nope. What I embraced is reality. You all use terms like “the benevolent path” and “the malevolent path”. They don’t exist.No onealways uses magick for good, just as no one always uses it for bad. I follow my own path using my own moral compass – we all do. I’m willing to own it aloud, unlike any of you.’
Feeling eyes on her, Emberlyn looked to see Ripper watching her somewhat speculatively. Turning away, she stepped onto the porch and advanced into the house, which kindly closed the door behind her.
CHAPTER THREE
‘Nowthatwas impressive,’ said Kerr.
‘It was,’ Ripper conceded. Reluctantly. Because he quite frankly begrudged thatanywitch would have the ability to make him feel impressed.
He had no personal beef with Emberlyn Vautier. He barely knew her. She’d never done harm to him or his clan. But he’d known a witch like her once – one who’d used magick to exact revenge. And she’d fucked with the lives of so many, including his.
