Page 13 of Innocent Until Proven Witch

His expression flickers. "Requires."

Of course. I take the folded notice from him and scan the contents—emergency council meeting, attendance mandatory, no explanation provided. Not that I need one. The timing tells me everything. The Sea Sparrow, the storm, the rumors spreading through Moonhaven like fire through dry grass.

The messenger shifts awkwardly. "Will you come?"

I fold the notice. "If I don't, they'll only talk without me."

The young man looks relieved. "Thank you."

I watch him hurry away before gathering my tools, the knot in my stomach growing tighter with every step toward town. When I pass through Lisa's clinic, I already know what waits inside those council chambers. Not curiosity nor fairness, but fear dressed up as both.

Lisa takes one look at my face and sighs. "The council finally decided to embarrass themselves publicly?"

I hold up the summons. Her eyes narrow. "I'm coming with you."

"You don't need to."

"I know," she replies, reaching for her coat. "I'm still coming."

Despite everything, a small smile reaches my mouth. "Thank you."

Lisa loops her arm through mine. "Someone has to stop you from being polite when people deserve a shovel to the head."

I laugh despite myself, though the sound fades long before we reach the council hall. The building stands near the harbor, overlooking the docks, and people linger outside, watching and waiting. Several conversations stop when they see me approaching. Others only grow quieter. Lisa notices, her jaw tightening. I pretend not to.

The council chamber is already crowded when we enter. Harbor leaders sit along the raised platform at the front, residents filling the remaining seats, the atmosphere heavy and expectant, as though everyone arrived hoping for a spectacle.

Aldric Yurich sits at the center of the council table, his expression composed, almost welcoming—the image of a concerned leader. The room falls quiet when I step inside, every eye turning toward me. I keep my shoulders straight and walk toward the front, Lisa beside me, a quiet reminder that not everyone in Moonhaven stands against me.

Aldric folds his hands neatly. "Miss Quinn."

I incline my head. "Elder Yurich."

"Thank you for attending." The courtesy sounds practiced, polished, empty. I say nothing.

Aldric surveys the room. "As everyone knows, recent events have left our community frightened." Murmurs ripple through the crowd. "A fishing vessel has been lost. The weather grows increasingly unpredictable. The harbor wards have experienced unusual failures."

A woman rises from her seat, her eyes red from crying. "My husband was aboard that boat." The pain in her voice cuts through the chamber, and my heart aches for her. Truly.

"I am sorry for your loss."

She points at me. "I don't want your sympathy." The room grows still. "My husband is dead." Tears spill down her cheeks. "And ever since you inherited that lighthouse, strange things keep happening."

Lisa stiffens immediately. I remain still. The woman isn't speaking from reason—she's speaking from grief, and grief rarely listens to reason.

Another resident stands. "We all know what she is." Several others nod. A fisherman points toward me. "Storm witches bring disaster." "I've heard stories all my life." "My grandmother warned us."

The accusations build on one another, each voice louder than the last. "You cursed the harbor." "You brought those storms." "You've always brought trouble."

"Witch."

The word strikes harder than it should, not because I've never heard it but because I have, too many times.

Lisa steps forward. "That's enough." Nobody listens. A woman near the back rises. "How many more people have to die before somebody does something?"

"I haven't harmed anyone," I say calmly, and the room erupts immediately. "Liar." "Witch." "Monster."

Lisa looks ready to start throwing chairs. I place a hand on her arm, slowly, deliberately, and the gesture keeps her beside me. Barely.