Wake Up, Witch

Chapter 23

It all happened fast after that. Like that time my cousin Georgina took me up a hill—it wasn't, more like a slope, but for a six-year-old, it was a great climb. She told me we'd just see more flowers on the other side. Georgina was thirteen, exploring her dark side, I guess. She held me by the hand up to the top of the hill. But there were no flowers. Just a sloping dirt path that taught me never to trust a cousin again.

She pushed me. I dove face first to the ground. There seemed to be a brief moment where the front of my body attached to earth. Then physics did the rest. I started rolling. Faster and faster. But as my body uncontrollably tumbled down the slope, my head had one thought: revenge. It took me years to get my vengeance, but it was perfect.

The moment Bellatrix was captured, everything came in a rush. I was that girl again, tumbling down the dirt path. Before I could think of a plan, I found out that Katz had been captured, and that Corey was requesting an audience with me.

"Why?"

"We cannot say," the Bishop told me. "Please consider this a Council order."

"I'll be there," I said, already thinking of an escape. "I need a moment."

"We'll escort you."

"I'm not dressed to go out," I gritted out. My three apostles stood silently on one side. That might have been the perfect time for the four of us to band together and incapacitate the two Bishops. We could have done it, but we didn't because they were apostles and it wasn't their job to make an enemy of the Council.

I didn't bother changing and stiffly followed. I could feel my apostles staring at me, probably curious. Maybe they wondered if this was about the sleeping potion. I hoped it was.

"Stay here," one Bishop ordered.

Corey's room was far up. The top of the hotel. While I knew I was in trouble, no one could have imagined the relief when I discovered that Mertha Krall was not in the room. He was alone, sitting by the fire.

He turned his head when I entered. In his hand was the note.

"Search her," his clear voice echoed in the room. One Bishop held my arms, the other searched my pocket. I gritted my teeth when he pulled my crux out and quietly delivered it to Corey. These peopled now owed me my familiar and my crux.

He studied it, turning it around his fingers. Then he set it aside on the table. "I hope you can give me a good explanation, Aster," he said, motioning to the seat across from his. My eyes locked on the note still in his hand as I sat, aware of the two Bishops by the door. "I don't really have time to deal with internal conflict while we're here, so please tell me the truth."

Where's my familiar? That's what I intended to ask. Delay the confrontation to think of a better lie. But that's not what came out of my mouth. "Katz has been hired to help me cross the border." My eyes widened as I heard my voice. I shot Corey a look, and he was smiling, nodding slowly at the truth he prodded out of me. "You're a truth caster."

He chuckled. "Like Del and Rom here, and of course, Katz, I was a Bishop, Aster. And not because of my mother. I was one because I, too, am very good with magic. Why do you think Salwey had that stupid outburst the other night? I only stopped him because I didn't like where his words were heading." He stood while I sat frozen. "I only use my gift in moments like this. When the truth is really necessary. It takes away the fun of life, you know. Everyone lies, and in most days, they're harmless." He took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Looking down at me, his face fell. "It's utterly disappointing. I thought I could trust you."

"I couldn't either. Not that I've ever truly trusted anyone." I gritted my teeth, but the words flowed like gentle music through my tongue.

He nodded. "I understand." Frowning, he tilted his head. "Why do you want to get out of here?"