Night Witch (Weatherstone College, #2)(18)

His pause was brief. “We did though. We did, Paisley.”

My chest grew tighter, the pain sharp and direct. “How could you know this about us and then reject the bond so many times at school?” My voice rose until I was in danger of waking Sara.

He breathed deeply, and that low sound weirdly settled into my energy. “I had to keep you safe, Precious. I’ve been trying to keep you safe for years, which meant staying away until I was strong enough to protect you.”

“Are you strong enough now?” I whispered, broken but not ready to give up yet. “I don’t think I can do this hot and cold any longer, Logan.”

His reply was soothing. “I know, Precious. We won’t have to hide much longer. I promise. Now get some sleep so you’re not tired tomorrow for the trial.”

I closed my eyes once more, and with Logan whispering soothing words, I found myself drifting off, phone still clutched in my hand.





Chapter 8




“It’s starting,” Sara murmured, holding my hand tighter. “I’m so fucking nervous.”

I was beyond nervous, but thanks to Logan I’d had enough sleep to keep exhaustion at bay.

We were seated across a row in the small chambers, waiting for the proceedings to get underway.

A warlock with thinning gray hair and a hard face walked to the front of the stand. “There’s been a change in the elder schedule,” he said to Dad and his lawyer, who were in the front row. “Elder Monroe will not be able to make it. In his place, we’ve brought in Elder Catherine.”

With those words, six elders entered the room and climbed the steps to take their seats on the raised platform.

Sara and I exchanged a long, worried stare. What the fuck is happening? I silently asked her.

She shrugged and mouthed, Do you think Belle is okay?

I shook my head, having no idea, but not feeling great about it.

The trial got started quickly. The same warlock laid out the charges, giving facts about the night in question. The night when witch wine had Weatherstone students acting like idiots, resulting in a building being burned down. There were photos of the fire and witness accounts of Dad knowing about the wine and ignoring it.

“Can we call these witnesses?” a female elder on the end asked. She looked to be in her sixties with a stern face and steel-gray hair. All the elders were dressed in dark robes, and none of them looked particularly happy to be here. “We need to question them directly.”

The warlock reading the information checked his notes again. “They were supposed to arrive this morning but have now declined to attend.”

The elders stared as if he’d slipped into speaking a dialect they weren’t familiar with. “Okay, so you have no actual evidence to show us, and no witnesses?” a Black man near the middle said. “Why are we even being called for such a minor triviality? We’re busy. This is a Weatherstone issue to deal with.”

I was glad I wasn’t the only one who thought so.

“Elder Monroe believed it was prudent,” the gray-haired warlock said with a shrug.

“So prudent he didn’t even show up,” the first witch stated, annoyance tingeing her tone. “This case is dismissed. Professor Hallistar, you’re free to go. And while we’d normally leave this up to Headmaster Gregor to decide your fate at Weatherstone, he’s already informed us that in the event of a not-guilty verdict, your job is to be reinstated. Thank you.”

Noise erupted in the room, and I jumped to my feet with Mom and Sara, the three of us hugging. “Holy goddess,” I burst out, tears spilling down my cheeks. “Did that just happen?”

Mom’s eyes were glassy as she sniffled. “I can’t believe it. After all the stress and drama, Tom won’t lose his job.”

She released me to head for Dad, who was already moving our way. He lifted her smaller frame off the ground, whispering into her ear. “Your parents are freaking adorable,” Sara said, sounding sniffly herself. “It’s about time we had some luck.”

It felt like more than just luck. Of all the scenarios I imagined today, a complete dismissal wasn’t even on the list. Yesterday, Dad said it was all going ahead, but everything had changed with the absence of Elder Monroe and their two witnesses. What were the odds that none of them would show up today . . . ?

I would bet my measly bank account that Logan fucking Kingston had something to do with this. He’d told me last night he’d make sure it was fine, but how in the Hel had he pulled it off?

Sara walked over to my parents, giving Dad a hug too, and I took a second to pull out my phone and check for a message.

Stalkcaster: I’ve got your back.





My tears flowed with abandon, and I shot back a quick reply thanking him before I stumbled toward Dad. I found myself wrapped in his strong arms. “Little Gem,” he crowed, “we need to go out and celebrate.”

“I’m so freaking happy, Dad,” I said, staring up at him. “Best news ever.”

Mom, who was snuggled into his side, said, “The girls might want a night out without us oldies before we leave. We’ll head home tomorrow now.”

Dad’s eyes softened as he stared down at her. “The elders offered me theater tickets if you want to see a show, my love.”