I take in another breath and take my seat, keeping Binx on my lap. Tabatha is tense, and I can sense it even from where I’m sitting. Leaving the coven hurts me, and I know it hurts her, too.
She was like a mother to me.
She saved me. Brought me here. Taught me how to be the witch I am today.
I don’t want to lose her.
Grand Master Albert clears his throat and opens a file. “I was most disappointed when this came across my desk,” he starts, pulling out my petition. “You are a witch of high talents, Miss Martin,” he says, refusing to acknowledge my married name. “High talents that are a shame to waste.”
I open my mouth to say I’m not wasting my talents, but Tabatha flashes me a keep your mouth shut look. I snap my teeth together and lean back, waiting for him to go on.
“I had thought I’d made myself clear before when I spoke on behalf of the Grand Coven. You were forbidden to associate with vampires.”
“I’m aware,” I say, feeling his gaze seer into me. “And I knew that was something I didn’t want to do, which is why I left the coven. I didn’t want to break rules or put anyone in a precarious situation.”
“And what about yourself? Aren’t you in a precarious situation living with a vampire?”
“I do not believe I am,” I say slowly. “Nor do I think being with a vampire puts anyone else in our coven in one.”
“You trust this vampire?” Albert asks, and Ruby and Sister Selena both stiffen. Never trust a vampire is Witch 101. Vampires hate witches. Witches hate vampires.
But things can change.
“I do.” Binx jumps off my lap, trotting across the room to greet Tabatha’s familiar, a snowy white fox named Artemis.
“And you filed this petition out of your own free will?”
“I did.”
“If you are being threatened, know we are more than capable of dealing with vampires.”
“I’m aware.” I cross my legs. “I am, too.”
Albert pulls another paper out of the file. “According to your records, you’ve escaped a traumatic past that could influence your judgement.”
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. “I am in love with the vampire,” I say, careful not to mention Lucas’s name, though I’m sure he’s already been identified to the Grand Coven. “And that has nothing to do with my past.”
Albert looks at Selena. “You treated the girl in her youth. What are your thoughts on her mental state?”
I shoot Tabatha a look, and she responds with a slight shake of her head. There’s nothing she can do.
“Callie is a unique case,” Sister Selena starts. “She struggled with nightmares and flashbacks regularly, as expected, but within just a year’s time, she improved tremendously.”
“Look,” I interrupt. “If I had daddy issues, I would have gone for someone tall, dark, and balding who has an interest in politics and a pedigree in racism. Not a vampire who treats me better than any human boyfriend I’ve ever had.”
Albert looks at me, almost as if he’s considering my words, but goes back to questioning Sister Selena over my mental state. After fifteen long minutes, with Ruby looking way too interested in my jaded past, it’s determined that I’m not a basket case anymore, and I’ve shown no recent signs of PTSD or impaired thinking—other than marrying a vampire, of course.
“Do you understand the implications of leaving the coven?” Albert asks, folding his hands together.
“Yes.” I part my lips and take in a shaky breath. “I understand completely, and I hope someday we can get rid of these stupid rules. Don’t you think maybe vampires and witches keep on hating each other because we’re taught to hate each other? I’m not saying we need to all become BFFs, but we can coexist without the constant threats of killing each other. We are always at risk of persecution, but isn’t it time to move forward and stop spreading hate?”
Tabatha leans back in her chair, looking at Albert with a smug smile.
“Did you forget the vampires once tried to wipe us out of existence?”
“Germany and the U.S. weren’t on good terms for a while either, and now they’re allies.” I think. Maybe? I’m not that good on U.S. history. No one corrects me, so I assume I’m right.
“The vampires coming out put all supernaturals at risk.”
“They didn’t do it to spite us,” I counter, unable to help myself. “They just wanted to be able to own property and get jobs. Things we can do. They fought us out of jealousy before. Now that they’ve mainstreamed, that’s one less thing we have that they don’t.”
Albert looks at me curiously. “It’s a shame you’re leaving the coven, Miss Martin. You seem to have a knack for politics. A witch of your talent could do wonders on the Grand Council.”