I physically recoil. Anything associated with politics has been tainted, instantly reminding me of my asshole “father.” Albert spends a minute or two writing something down, and silence falls over the room.
“Am I, uh, free to go?” I ask.
“You are once you sign here.” Albert opens a wooden box and takes out a silver quill. I know how this pen works, and the moment I put it to paper, it will prick my finger and I’ll sign my name in blood. He taps a yellowed page in an old leather book. The book keeps records of every witch and warlock in—or out—of the covens the Grand Coven oversees. I signed this book when I was eleven, officially joining Grim Gate Coven. And now I’m signing that I am no longer a part of the same coven.
“I assume you’ll want to say your goodbyes before you’re escorted out of the Covenstead.”
“Yes,” I say, hit with emotion again. I’m holding onto the hope this won’t keep me away from my friends. Being on probation didn’t before, and it’s not going to stop us now. Though if I have time to walk the halls once more, I’m doing it.
Binx winds around my feet as I cross the room, going to the desk. I take the quill and put it to the book, feeling the prick immediately. I sign my name and put the quill back in the box, bringing my bleeding finger to my mouth.
“Very curious,” Albert mutters, leaning down toward the paper. Callie sunk into the paper like it was supposed to, but King isn’t, and my blood is pooling into a little puddle on the page.
Fuck.
The last time I signed this book, none of my angel power had been unlocked. I was more witch than Nephilim in a sense, and I didn’t even think about it this time around.
My heart skips a beat, and I flick my eyes to Tabatha out of panic—a bad move on my part. Ruby notices and stands, pulling the book to her.
“What kind of trick is this?” she demands.
“I didn’t do anything,” I say and see Tabatha turn to Artemis out of the corner of my eye. The white fox gets up and shadows out of the room.
“Then how do you explain this?” She motions to the book. Albert puts on his glasses, studying my blood on the page. My heart is pounding now and nerves are prickling along my spine.
What if he’s able to figure out what I am? He has my blood.
“I couldn’t even step foot inside the Covenstead,” I remind her. “And I assume the book has been in the Grand Master’s possession this whole time.”
“It has,” Albert says distantly. He picks up the quill, turning it over in his hands. “There are spells put in place—complicated spells—that prevent this book from being tampered with.” He dips the tip of the quill into a little pool of my blood. “But this…this has only happened a few times before.” He looks up at me. “And it was because the witch trying to sign wasn’t a witch at all.”Chapter 18“That’s ridiculous,” Tabatha says with a laugh. “Of course Callie is a witch. She’s already signed the book once.”
“I have,” I rush out. “Like twenty years ago, and there weren’t any issues then.”
Albert looks back at the book. “Then there must be…be something wrong with the enchantment,” he mumbles as he runs his finger along the page, slowly shaking his head. “Or perhaps the book doesn’t want you leaving.” He turns his head back up to mine. “You’re meant to remain in the coven.”
“She’s the one who wants to leave. Don’t forget she’s the one who turned her back on us and married a vampire!” Ruby storms over and takes my hand. “She did something, I know. Got nonmagical blood to sign in or…or…” She holds my finger up, looking at the little pinprick. Still not satisfied, she squeezes my finger and makes another bead of blood pool on my skin.
“Ouch,” I say and snatch my hand back.
“That’s enough.” Tabatha’s voice echoes through the study. She stands and strides over. “Clearly there is something wrong with the enchantments on the book, and they will be looked into at once. I’ll do it myself just to be sure.” Tabatha picks up the book, staring at my blood on the page.
My heart is hammering away in my chest, and the fire in the fireplace is suddenly too hot. Sweat breaks out between my breasts and along my brow.
“Miss Martin’s petition has been filed and reviewed according to Witch Law,” Tabatha goes on, remaining calm. “She is no longer part of this coven and needs to be escorted out.”
“But the blood,” Ruby presses, looking at Albert, whose eyes are darting back and forth between me and the book. I want to know what he’s thinking as much as I don’t. I can live in ignorant bliss…until it gets me killed.