The building itself was three stories, including the basement. We kept the largest room for community-wide rituals, usually held on the High Holy days during winter and the rainy season. The smaller rooms were divided into administrative rooms, private practice rooms, and one member of the coven—Jonquil—lived here. She cleaned the school and kept an eye on the temple in exchange for rent.
The parking lot was full. It looked like everybody was here tonight. Which made sense, given we had to discuss Rose’s death. I eased into one of the spots as close to the temple as possible. Still angry at Sandy’s revelation, I also realized that we had to talk before ritual. Never enter sacred space without clearing out anger. If two members of the coven were angry at one another, they were required to either make peace before entering ritual space, or they were barred from participating.
Stray anger all too often took on form and manifested in scary-assed ways. Like the time I was pissed at Rodger—who had been glomming all over me—and forgot to clear it up before ritual. He had developed a raging erection that wouldn’t go away, and he had ended up in the hospital for priapism. It had been embarrassing to admit that I had been at fault, but I confessed because one thing that was continually driven home among magical families was the necessity to accept responsibility for our actions.
As I stepped out of the car, Sandy eased into the spot next to me. She slammed her door and marched over to me, hands on her hips. “I have something to say and you’re going to listen to me, Maudlin Gallowglass.”
I glanced up at the gathering clouds. “Make it quick because it looks like we’re in for another round of snow and it’s coming on quick.”
She licked her lips. “I should have told you. I know that. I screwed up big time, but after all these years, I wasn’t sure how to approach it. I was scared, Maddy, that you’d think I was in on it with the Erris. But she threatened me. She told me if I ever mentioned what I had found out that she would strip our powers if Fata and I told you anything.”
I stared at her. The Erris had been more than capable of carrying out her threats. And we had bent our will to hers without question. We trusted her, even though we seldom got to see her. Tom had adored her like a mother. When he was turned, it hit her almost as hard as it had hit me. But where I ran wild, she focused on gathering more power.
“What? She actually did that?”
Sandy shrugged. “Yeah. She did. After she died, I thought about telling you a thousand times. Every time I’d start, something would still my tongue. Until tonight. Tonight, it felt like the right time.”
Still in shock, but no longer furious, I let out a long, slow breath. “Then I guess it’s the right time for me to know. All right. I trust that you wouldn’t deliberately keep something this important from me without good reason. And truth is, I don’t know how it would have changed me. It would have been nice to live without the shame she piled on me. But it’s too late to know what changes it would have made.”
Sandy held out her hand just as the snow began to fall. The flakes melted against her skin. “Friends? I can’t stand it when we’re mad at each other.”
I pressed my lips together. We had been through thick and thin. Through centuries. And always, Sandy had been there for me. My best friend. My blood-oath sister.
I slowly took her hand. “Friends. Always.”
After all the years, that was all we needed to say. I took her hand and we ran toward the building, trying not to slip on the ice and snow.
Chapter 12
LINDA AND THE others were gathered in the preparation room, sitting in a semi circle. The Moonrise Coven consisted of twenty-one members. Thirteen of us were in the Inner Court, seven were Outer Court. Only now that number stood at six with Rose’s death.
Among the Inner Court, five of us—Linda, Sandy, Terrance, Angus, and me—formed the council. We were responsible for the final decisions of the coven. Everybody was present, except for Rose, of course. And by the looks on their faces, they had all heard the news.
“Sorry we’re late.” I slid into my place, with the other council members. Sandy sat next to me. I glanced over at Linda who shot me a puzzled look, but when I shook my head, she turned back to the rest of the coven.
She held up her wand. “If we’re all here, then, I declare the December Esbat meeting of the Moonrise Coven under way. Before we go any further, I have made a decision that tonight we will forgo ritual. With all that’s happened this week, the energy would be far too volatile to practice any magic. But we have several issues to discuss.”
Shauna, a member of the Inner Court, raised her hand. “What happened? We know Rose is dead but I’ve been out of town and have no clue what went on.”
Linda let out a long breath, then glanced over at me. “Are you comfortable taking questions? I don’t have the answers to a lot of them and, considering the circumstances, you might.”
I wasn’t, but sometimes we all had to step up and take on uncomfortable roles.
“I’ll tell you all that I can, but with the case under investigation, it’s limited. I found Rose in my backyard. She was murdered. Ralph Greyhoof is in jail for questioning on the matter. As to anything else, I can’t discuss it, so please don’t ask any other questions about it.” I turned to Linda. “Sandy and I really need to talk to you in private.”
Looking confused, she led us into her office while the others broke out the post-ritual snacks. Given we weren’t working magic, the food promised an early comfort.
As she shut the door behind her, Linda cast a quick Silence spell to keep what we said within the confines of the room. Nobody would be able to listen at the door to hear what we were saying. While theoretically that shouldn’t even be a worry, the others were curious and it was better to avoid the possibility.
Linda motioned to the sofa near her desk and we sat. I leaned forward, elbows resting on my knees as I entwined my fingers together.
“Linda, we need to talk about Rachel and Essie. You do know who Rachel is, don’t you?”
She slowly nodded. “Yeah, I remember Lena having issues with her.”
“Then we need to know if you’re aware that the vamps may be trying for a coup.”
She pinched the top of her nose, between her brows, and let out a sigh. After a long while, she nodded. “A coup? What are you talking about?”
Linda was lying—it rang in her voice. I glanced at Sandy, who shot me a “WTF” look. “Surely you know or heard what Delia had to say? She and I talked today.”
Linda’s shoulders sank. “All right. Yes, I know that Essie and Rachel are vying for control of the throne. And yes, Essie assassinated Lena, although nobody will ever be able to prove it.”
“And you never said a word to us because—?” Sandy’s eyes narrowed.
“Because it’s ancient history. Lena’s dust. Essie agreed to abide by the treaty. End of story.” Linda frowned. “As High Priestess of this coven, it’s up to me what information to disseminate to the group.”
“The full coven, yes, but the Inner Court Council? No.” Sandy scowled. “What gives you the right to keep an assassination silent? I remember when that happened. You never said a word about Essie being responsible for Lena’s death.”
“You’re questioning my authority?”
I broke in before Sandy could respond. “Enough. Linda, this is personal. Delia thinks that Rose was killed by mistake. That whoever murdered her was after me instead.”
Linda paused, breathing deeply as she straightened her shoulders. “I’m sorry about that, Maddy.”
“So, you know they’re vying for the throne. That means you knew Rachel was back in town even though Lena had barred her from returning?” I asked, trying to piece together the puzzle. There were still several gaping holes and Linda seemed to know some of the answers, but she was resisting and that made me terribly suspicious.
Linda inclined her head, but said nothing. The pinched look on her face was growing stronger.