Page 69 of An Oath at Midnight

“No one’s forgotten how Willow used that spell during her trial,” he added.

These were all things I’d considered but hoped had slipped by everyone else. “Do you think she did it?” We needed Trotman on our side because the rest of the council seemed to have already made up their minds.

“I can’t talk about this with you—”

“Do you?” I asked again more forcefully.

He sat back. “She told me she was working for us during Rose’s trial, helping us when the demonology department was robbed and that guard went missing. She lied to me, putting her own interests, and that of Coven Thornheart above everything else. She’s changed—”

“You think she did it, don’t you?”

“I think she’s lost her way. I think being mated to a hellhound hasn’t helped the situation,” Trotman said.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I nodded, fury firing through me. “You actually think she did it.” I folded my arms so I didn’t flip his damn desk. “I will find whoever’s responsible for these murders and clear my sister’s name. You’re wrong about her. So fucking wrong.”

He stood. “I want to help her. If you know where she is—”

“I wouldn’t tell you. And I promise you, the council’s enforcers don’t have a chance in hell of getting anywhere near her. No one can, not even me.” I ground my teeth. “There’s someone else you should be looking at, someone who hates Willow and would love to see her ruined.”

Trotman frowned. “Who?”

Was he serious? “Isaac. You know their history. He’d love nothing more than to take Willow down. I honestly think he’s involved in this somehow and using his position at the council to his own advantage.”

“That’s a serious accusation.”

He didn’t look convinced, like at all. “And I don’t make it lightly.”

He said nothing for several seconds, his gaze devoid of all its usual warmth. “If that’s all, Magnolia, I need to get back to work.”

I wasn’t getting through to him, and I wasn’t going to.

We walked out and I struggled to control the fire burning in my gut.

“Not so sure he’s such a good guy anymore,” Asher said. “Seems to me he’s sold his soul to this place and the rest of the power-hungry assholes here.”

I didn’t want to believe it, but Asher might be right.

A door opened ahead of us and Asuka walked out. Her gaze darted our way, and as soon as she saw me, her already pale skin, grew even more so, and she reversed so fast I was surprised she didn’t leave skid marks as she shut her office door. The sounds of the lock clicking into place was loud in the quiet hall.

“I guess we know where she stands as well,” Ash said.

I guess we did. “Nothing’s making sense. Trotman, Asuka, they know Willow. That they both think she’s capable of this…I feel like I’m in the fucking twilight zone.”

* * *

We spent the rest of the day chasing our tails. Nothing new, nothing that could help me or Willow. We drove by the Hazarks’ place, then the Golden mansion after that, then Maria’s. They were all locked down, not surprising after the discovery of Calvin’s body.

My phone chimed and I snatched it from my pocket so fast I almost dropped it.

Brutal disappointment quickly followed.

Not Bram.

Tears instantly sprang to my eyes. You’d think I’d be all cried out, but apparently not. I swallowed them down, and Asher arched a brow at me when I glanced her way. “Mom wants to know if we’ll be there for dinner.” Goddess, this was killing me. What was I going to do? How could I make this right?

Ash gave me a hopeful look.

“I’ll tell her to save us a plate.”