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Her thoughts whirled. This had to be about her magic. How could they have learned about it so soon?
“You are to be trialed in front of the Supremes. Come willingly, or I will take you.”
Rage brewed inside her. She eyed Katerine with venom as she chucked her apron on the floor. Arms crossed, Thessa marched right past the wicked chef.
The soldier was on her tail, continuing his orders. “Get your cloak. Leave all your belongings and bring nothing else with you.”
Thessa almost laughed on her way upstairs, if only he knew she had nothing.
He’d waited by her door while she retrieved her cloak then followed her back downstairs. A slew of witches happened to find work to do in the foyer. Emberly pretended to dust the molding, Hyacinth was sweeping non-existent dirt on the floors, and Magdalene was wiping a rag against thin air.
Thessa hissed at them.
The soldier grunted, pushed her out of the townhouse and into the carriage before slamming the door shut.
“Leora! What are you doing in here?”
“Tess! What’s happening, what’s going to happen to us? They just took me. I didn’t have a choice.”
The horses whinnied, likely from the whipping they’d received to move the carriage onward.
Thessa whispered, “Did you say anything about my magic?”
“Of course not. What’s happening?”
Thessa shook her head. “Listen to me. If you submit,they’re harmless enough. It’s the Supremes who make the decisions, the soldiers are just their pawns."
A thump sounded through the carriage wall, “Quiet, that’s an order!”
Thessa stuck her tongue out, managing a laugh from Leora. “Only you would find amusement right now.”
“It’s just that, this is reminiscent. You stuck your tongue out on the way here, you’re sticking it out on the way back.” Leora’s smile faded quickly. “Do you really think this is about your?—”
Thessa just shook her head and mouthed the words,“stop talking.” It was best they didn’t say anything else.
Seated side by side, they rested their heads on each other. Thessa didn’t remember her eyes closing, but at some point between Mabelton and Gravenport, she’d drifted to sleep.
In her dream, she was sitting on a cliff, overlooking the sea.
That majestic voice boomed across the shoreline. “They mustn’t take you, my child.”
Thessa spoke toward the horizon as a delicate wind swept across her cheekbones. “So it’s true then, you’re my mother?”
“Not quite, but also yes.”
Thessa sighed. She wasn’t in the mood for riddles. “How’d you find me inhere?”
“I’m always with you, and all those who share my blood. I’m sorry to come to you like this, but our time before was cut short. More blood next time, dear. I thought you’d cast the spell again, and I wanted to give you time, but now there are things youmustunderstand.”
Thessa remained quiet, listening.
The voice went on, “My remaining bloodline was diluted after the so-called UnResting. Eighteen years ago I conjured enough strength to plant a new seed—a kernel of my darkestenergy—to restrengthen our line. It’s the type of power to end the culling, once and for all.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Conception by possession, my Thessa.You.”
Thessa shot awake.