Her pink lips curved into a perfect grin, and she nodded towards the waning multitude. “Come on, let’s get our butts in there before they start without us.”
A large orangey-golden flame erupted from her hands effortlessly, accompanying her words. The portal was born from the fire-touched lifeforce running through her veins, opening directly to the first row of chairs inside the domed hall—in front of the main center stage. Her amber eyes sparkled as she crossed over; we followed.
Tightening my gut, I steeled myself for what was about to happen. Whatever the punishment was, for what my evil-loving mother had done, was sure to affect me too. I was her only daughter after all. I just hoped it didn’t completely ruin my night. The last thing I—and humanity—needed right now was a pissed off, powerful Witch throwing a revenge-infused tantrum.
We were seated long before the rest of our kin finished entering the vast hall. That was the Amber Witch for you. The woman loved a shortcut. Then again, when you were one of the few Goddess Blessed in the world able to create portals, was there ever a good reason not to use one?
No. The answer was always no. I used portals just to enter my shower.
Alysah and Sariah sat at either side of me, pretending this was no big deal. Against all odds, they had somehow become my best friends—scratch that—they were my only friends. We were known as the Wicked Ones, a nickname Alysah had given our trio, and as Sariah so elegantly put it, they could only stand me about half the time. No, she hadn’t been kidding.
Grimoire note: Let’s just say I am kind of an acquired taste.
We all stood the second the Sapphire Witch made her way to the center of the vaulted hall—leaving the private chamber where she usually prepared before addressing us all. Her steps were unhurried, the regal blue gown she wore gently swaying along the way, but her heels struck the marble floors with purpose.
I didn’t think there was a doubtful bone in that woman’s body. She was the first most powerful Goddess Blessed among us, our leader, and the mere mention of her name commanded reverence.
2
As though she were a deity among mortals, she sat on the vast, white and silver throne—which surely belonged in a European castle somewhere back in the 12th Century. Her bright blue eyes roamed the space, highlighted by the golden strands of her blond hair arranged into a beautiful updo.
Energy instantly exuded from her in waves of blue shimmering mist, lifting her seat from the ground. My eyes fell onto her sophisticated dress that cascaded down the sides of her Gothic throne, resembling flowing magickal waters.
“Goddess Blessed sisters, welcome to the Magistrate of Witches!” Elearah announced boldly, spreading her arms to the sides as the melody of applause filled the room. Her seat graciously turned in the air as it levitated, allowing her to address each and every one of us. From the ground rows and along the balconies that surrounded the space, resembling an opera house, all the way to the fifth floor.
Faces filled with awe and reverence spread through the pavilion, and we all sat down once again. The smile, however, was missing from my face while the stress awoke in my gut, sparking like a live wire until my hands became cold.
“It’s all going to be okay,” Alysah offered reassuringly.
“Yes, it will,” Sariah echoed. “Elearah is strict but also fair. I’m sure the Crimson Witch’s transgression will be met with a suitable penance.”
“Do you know my mother?” I snorted. That was exactly what I was worried about at that moment. “Whatever happens, I’ll handle it. But let’s be frank, we are not here because she stole candy from a baby. Things don’t exactly look good for her right now.”
“Since when do you worry so much?”
“I’m not!” I all but snapped at Sariah, giving her a nasty glare.
She rolled her eyes knowingly. “Elearah is cool. I’m telling you; it will be fine.”
Of course she’d say that. Not only was she Elearah Whyte’s closest minion, but practically the daughter she never had. Whenever the Sapphire Witch needed anything done right, she asked Sariah to take care of it. In fact, just three years ago, the feisty brunette had been on a special mission to help the Wolf Shifter Queen in Germany. Though technically, I wasn’t supposed to know that.
Lifting my chin, I straightened my posture on the chair and sent a surge of cooling, calming energy through my body, feeling its steadying effect instantly. It wasn’t exactly Mother I was concerned about, but the state of her magick with whatever punishment she was about to receive.
While the entire population of women in the room gushed about Connhor Whyte—the only Wizard ever allowed to attend the Magistrate’s assemblies—his penetrating gaze was focused on me. He sat in the first row directly across from us, which didn’t help the tension knotting my stomach.
Focus, Amorah. Focus.
“Let us begin,” the Sapphire Witch announced, bringing everyone’s attention up to her. “Please escort our… guest into the chamber.” A slight nod of her head accompanied the words as she addressed the guards.
We stood again the moment the side doors opened, offering our respects to the Crimson Witch, AKA Mother, as she entered the vaulted hall. The gauzy fabric of her wine-colored dress gently dragged behind her while she walked with a mysterious presence and undeniable hauteur—intimidating everyone who looked at her without a single word. Her silky, nearly black hair fell softly over the pale skin of her shoulders in the strapless dress, framing her face and making her burgundy lips stand out even more.
There was something about powerful Witches in regal gowns that seemed to assert their dominance over everyone else. I couldn’t remember ever seeing Mother, or the Sapphire Witch for that matter, wearing pants.
Finally taking her place in the large seat at the center of the stage, Mother allowed her crimson eyes to connect with mine and offered me a self-assured smirk. She seemed entertained by the assembly like it was nothing more than a charade.
Just like our leader had done, waves of mist flowed from Mother. Except hers, came from the ancient jasper sphere in her hand that aided her magick. The amulet was made specifically for Mother, bound to her fire-touched essence. It glowed, throbbing with energy as the green mist lifted her from the marble floors.
“Devirah,” the Sapphire Witch greeted, her stern tone filled with reproach spoke louder than a thousand words.
“Elearah,” Mother responded, raising a challenging brow. If they weren’t so ridiculously polite to each other, it would be easy to see they were the closest thing to mortal enemies that ever existed.
“I have called this assembly due to a rather distressing discovery,” the Sapphire Witch explained. “It was brought to my attention that several years ago, Devirah Blahk broke one of our most crucial rules…” She paused, taking a calming breath, which she evidently needed.
Mother’s lips curved into a wicked grin as though she knew exactly what her enemy had finally uncovered, and she didn’t care one bit for the consequences. “I didn’t do it,” she defended half-heartedly, sweeping a strand of hair off her shoulder. “I can assure you, it wasn’t me.”
A heavy sigh came from our right, and once again, my attention travelled to Elearah. “Must we do this every single time, Devirah?”