Page 83 of Black Willow Witch
Emberlyn ran her gaze along the benches of witches. ‘Were any of you forced to raise your hand?’
None responded, averting their gazes.
‘They’re afraid of you,’ Sera bit out.
‘Because they’re smart, unlike you,’ Ripper cut in. ‘Now pipe down.’
Sera’s nostrils flared. ‘If you weren’t sleeping with her, you wouldn’t be so blinded by her. I’m telling you, there’s somethingwrongwith Emberlyn. Always has been. Her own parents knew it. Look how easily her dad skipped town and left her behind. Her mother didn’t even fight her heartbreak to live for her daughter. Michael all but abandoned her. Millicent didn’t give much of a crap about her, either, and the twins only befriended her for protection. There’s a reason Emberlyn has no one, you’re just not seeing it.’
A growl vibrating in his chest, Ripper leaned—
Emberlyn let out a dark, flat, drawn-out laugh that somehow rang with power.
Many witches cringed away from the sound. Those sitting near Sera edged along the bench, creating distance from her – even Tyra.
Cocking her head, Emberlyn raised an index finger. ‘Can anyone else hear that? A little tinkling sound?’
Actually, Ripper could. It made him think of a small bell.
Emberlyn lifted her purse onto her lap, opened it up . . . and a ginger tabby feline head popped out. ‘Hey, pretty girl,’ she cooed as the cat climbed out of the purse, leaning into her strokes. ‘You sensed I needed a cuddle, didn’t you? Look at her, Logan. Isn’t she just adorable?’
His lips twitching, Logan read the tag on the collar. ‘Bessie. Nice name.’
Sera pushed to her feet, her brow creased, her eyes narrowed. ‘Bessie?MyBessie?’ She gawked at Emberlyn. ‘You – I – that’s – Bessie, get over here!’
The cat spared her owner an aloof glance, rubbing herself against Emberlyn.
Sera fisted her hands. ‘What have you done?’
‘The same thing I could do to the familiar of every witch in this hall if I so pleased. Familiars aren’t mere animals,’ Emberlyn told Kerr, her tone conversational. ‘They are guardian spirits in animal form. They come to serve, guide and protect the descendants of the first coven. Descendants of Lilith are their particular favorites. If called on by who they believe to be her strongest living progeny, they’ll go to that witch’s aid.’
In other words, Emberlyn could call every familiar to her and keep them up in her manor should she so wish. As the truth of that hit the hall, a hush fell over the coven; their expressions ranging from shock and alarm to displeasure and apprehension.
As for Ripper’s clan, they were grinning in amusement, looking quite impressed. Aside from CeCe, her friends and Neal – they were all stone-faced.
Reena pressed a finger to her temple, clearly stressed. ‘Sera, leave. Do not say anything else, justleave.’
Her niece gaped. Spluttered. Scoffed. She looked to Tyra, as if for backup, but the redhead didn’t meet her gaze. None of the other witches did either, not even Penelope. Realizing she had no support here, Sera cursed and scooted to the end of the bench. Sparing Emberlyn a withering look, she then indignantly marched out of the hall.
Emberlyn carefully placed Bessie in her purse, upon which point the feline disappeared.
‘So many outbursts here tonight, Reena,’ Shane remarked. ‘No wonder there’s a rebellious faction within your coven. You have little control over your witches.’
‘Agreed,’ said Ripper. ‘I doubt we’d otherwise be having this meeting.’
Reena shifted in her seat. ‘As I said before, Iwillidentify and deal with whoever is responsible for these crimes.’
‘And as we made clear before,’ Carver put in, ‘the clans will also be looking into this.’
Reena stiffened. ‘It is my right to punish my own.’
‘Only if you find them first,’ said Shane. ‘So you had better hope that you do.’
Ripper let his gaze touch on every witch in the crowd. ‘No Rabid will again be used, and no further moves will be made against Emberlyn Vautier,’ he asserted, menace heavy in his voice once again. ‘By all means hold onto whatever grudge you bear, but keep it at that. Or risk my clan coming down on your head. Though I’d imagine that what we do to you will be nothing compared to what she’ll do.’
Shane stood. ‘This meeting is now over.’
CHAPTER TWENTY
