Wicked Deal (Shadow Guild: The Rebel 2)

“You’ve got this,” Mac repeated, and squeezed my hand.

I squeezed hers back and walked toward Grey. “Let’s get this over with.”

“You’ll have no trouble,” he said, holding the door open for me.

He followed me inside, and we walked toward the main part of the church. The paint had been scrubbed from the floor and the place returned to normal, but I’d never forget the dark stain of Ivan’s magic.

Walking toward the Council beside Grey was a big improvement from being dragged in wearing Magicuffs. Several of the Council members smiled at me. Most of them, in fact. They didn’t know the exact role I’d played in saving us all, but they knew I’d been there and appreciated it. Even Ubhan didn’t scowl quite as deeply as he had before, though he gave Grey a good, hard stare. The vampire and the sorcerers weren’t friendly, but they were on better terms now that the sorcerers knew why we’d broken into their tower.

Ubhan stood. “You are here to demonstrate that you have control of your magic.”

“Yes.” I stopped in front of them, raising my arms. I drew in a steady breath and made sure I had my signature on tight lockdown, using the tricks that Grey had taught me. “As you can see, you can’t sense it at all.”

The Council members leaned forward, brows creased, as they tried to detect my magic. I stood perfectly still, keeping a tight rein on it by visualizing it as a monster trapped in a cage within my chest.

“Well, I’m impressed,” Mateo said. “Not a hint of it.”

“And I think we owe her a debt of thanks for her role in saving Guild City,” said Cartimandua, the Witches’ Guild leader.

“Of course.” Ubhan nodded graciously. “We owe both of you our thanks.”

The words were only slightly begrudging, and his eyes gleamed with sincerity. He’d been trapped in the cell while the whole thing had happened, able to feel the magic going out of control. He knew firsthand how close we’d all been to dying.

“You may approach the star now so that you can be assigned to your guild.” Cartimandua smiled at me.

I stiffened, going a bit cold. “I didn’t realize I’d be joining a guild now.”

“Everyone joins a guild.” Ubhan’s voice hardened. “You’ve controlled your magic. Now the ceremony will know where to place you.”

“Okay.” I looked at Grey, who stood stiff and still.

“All will be well,” he murmured.

I had the distinct feeling he didn’t mean, “No problem, you’ll be chosen by a guild.” He meant, “This will be fine, even if I have to kill them all.”

I gave him a weak smile and nodded, turning to walk toward the metal star inlaid in the floor. Visions of Ivan flashed in my head, and I shook them away.

I needed to think witchy thoughts. That was the guild I’d choose, given a choice, though I wasn’t keen on joining a guild at all.

When I reached the bronze star, I stopped, standing right beneath the window in the ceiling. Tension tightened my skin as I waited for the ceremony to begin.

Please don’t knock me out.

I was getting damned sick of being knocked unconscious.

As one, the Council members leaned forward, watching me intently. I felt Grey’s gaze on me, and I focused on his rather than the others’.

As it had the last time, a low chant began to echo around the room. It echoed, flowing through the space like water. Magic filled the air, pressing in on me. I looked up at a noise from above.

The star-shaped window in the ceiling was opening, and a shaft of light beamed down on me.

I braced myself, remembering the last time I’d stood in this light.

But this time, it glowed warmly on me. No pain.

I shifted, looking around the room. Was something supposed to happen?

The Council members looked at me, confusion flickering on their faces. Ubhan looked at the floor, then at me. “The magic isn’t pointing to a guild.”