Sisters of the Coven (Daughters of the Warlock 1)

“I told you she wouldn’t drink anything you gave her,” Abigail said to the nurse. “She’s much smarter than she looks.”

The nurse shrugged and left, closing the door behind her. I glanced around the room. There were no windows, and the whole place had a sterile, constricting feel about it that told me not to even try to use my magic to escape.

“Are they watching?” I asked Abigail in a low voice.

Abigail shrugged. “Probably.”

“What are you doing in here?”

She sat up and swung her legs over the edge of the gurney. “I told them I’d come in and keep you company. Explain what was going to happen next. The whole Council is in a tizzy.”

“A tizzy?” I repeated. What a small word for such a crazy time.

“Yes. Charity is throwing a tantrum unlike one I have seen in centuries, and your father has all but disappeared.”

I leaned forward. “He’s what?”

Matlock had run off? What a coward!

Pain stabbed at my heart. I lost my mother recently and only now discovered my father. To hear that he had left me as well made me feel abandoned. Would anyone stand by me?

Even Abigail didn’t seem to be here on my behalf. She was just continuing her role to guide me after the test. “Why... yes. He’ll come back for the trial though, don’t worry.”

“The... trial?” I frowned. “Haven’t I had one of those already?”

She nodded. “Kind of. Today was simply an interrogation, but the Council will want their decision to look fair, even if it isn’t.”

Fair? How was any of this fair?

“So, you think they’re going to want to... what? Punish me for my mother’s mistake?”

Abigail stared at me with pity in her eyes. “I’m afraid so.”

I sighed, defeat beating at me like waves on the shore. I didn’t want to know anymore.

I drank the rest of my water, my throat parched and my stomach gurgling in hunger. “I need something to eat...”

Abigail lifted her hand, palm side up, and a plate of strange breads appeared.

They looked like things from Mallory’s shop and my stomach twisted. I shook my head. “No thank you.”

Abigail smiled and waved her hand, and a tray appeared in my lap.

I stared down at the pretty colored cupcakes and things. “What are they?”

“Delicacies of Faerie,” Abigail said. “But in your tongue... dessert. Cake.”

“Oh... I don’t have much of a sweet tooth but thank...” Before I’d even finished the sentence, the food transformed into a platter of hot meat and bread.

My mouth watered as the delicious smells wafted up to me. “Thank you!”

I wasn’t sure I had the energy to conjure myself a proper meal. I’d done the water to make a point, but food was a different story.

I picked up a piece of bread and chewed on it, the buttery softness making me moan. “This is great.”

I didn’t know why I trusted Abigail when I didn’t trust anyone else.

“How come I trust you?” I asked bluntly. I didn’t care if it was rude.