Night Witch (Weatherstone College, #2)(83)

Heat buffeted me, and I had no idea who it came from, but there was a fire elemental about to lose their shit nearby. Which all made sense when Dad popped into view, hurrying in from a side entrance. He was one of the first to arrive, and I had to assume his friend on the council had filled him in. His face was flushed, but he managed to reel his magic in when he saw I was alive and unharmed. For now.

Before he could say a word, students started to pour through the doorway of the hall. Confused faces flashed toward the stage as they filed in and took their seats much faster than I’d ever seen before.

Looked like this trial was about to get started.

The trial for my life.





Chapter 39




While Dad was held back from where I sat by spellcasters blocking his way, no one stopped Logan from joining me on the stage. When his hand landed on my shoulder, the magic holding me in place vanished completely, as if he’d cut through their ties.

“Baby,” he rumbled, burying his hands in my hair and pulling me close. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here when they first arrived.”

Letting myself fall against him, I breathed him in for a few seconds. “I love you,” I whispered. I’d been scared that they would kill me before I had a chance to tell him that one more time.

“Don’t you give up, Precious,” he growled softly into my ear. “This is far from over.”

I knew that. Neither of us were going to just sit here and let them kill me, but that didn’t mean we’d win the battle. “I’ll never give up,” I promised him.

His kiss stole the air from my lungs as the council tittered around us, annoyed that no one could stop Logan. They knew he’d turn this hall into a battlefield, and apparently they were still hoping to murder me without a fuss. Apparently, they’d decided to let Logan remain at my side until judgment was passed.

The hall was almost full by now, and when Headmaster Gregor hurried in, most of the other professors joined him. Dad moved to follow his boss, finally able to get closer.

“Welcome, Council,” Headmaster Gregor said, approaching the main group of robe-covered assholes. “To what do I owe the pleasure of you taking over my college?”

Elder Monroe, the spokes-warlock of the moment, stepped forward. “I hope you were unaware of what you housed, Gregor,” he said with a snarl. “You didn’t keep your students safe, and if you were aware of this abomination in your school, I’ll make sure you pay as well.”

The headmaster shot me a quick glance, and he looked very confused. He’d had no idea. “Are you referring to Ms. Hallistar? She’s a fledgling spellcaster. Her magic has only registered with most of the professors in the last few days. I’d hardly call that anything to worry about.”

Monroe studied him closely. “You’re about to find out how wrong you are, Gregor. Take your seat.”

The headmaster’s expression tightened, but he didn’t argue at the order, settling into a chair beside a professor I didn’t know. Dad didn’t follow this time, moving to the other side of me, his hand gently gripping my shoulder. He didn’t say a word, but his support said everything.

My friends and family wouldn’t leave me. They’d fight and die for me.

I couldn’t let that happen.

“Step forward, demon.” Elder Monroe had run out of patience.

“Who are you referring to?” I asked quietly. “Demons don’t exist on this plane, and I’m clearly standing right here.”

The warlock scowled at me and then waved me on. “You know the abomination you are. And it’s time for everyone else in our world to find out too.”

Knowing that it was in my best interest to show the world how unthreatening I was, I didn’t fight again, stepping forward. Dad and Logan remained near my back as I moved closer to the edge of the stage. Most of the elders and their hired muscle stood behind us, while Jacob and Elder Monroe stepped in on either side of me—they wanted me front and center, so no one could miss who was on trial here.

“Quiet, students,” Elder Monroe shouted into the hall, magically amplifying his voice. “The High Council stands before you today, bringing a live and public trial to the magical community. You all will bear witness to this historic event, as for the first time in decades we’re faced with the threat of an affinity that was destroyed decades ago.”

I didn’t know most of the students. There were hundreds across the four years of Weatherstone College, and I’d only met a small number. The most important of whom were in the front row, tense as they stared up at me.

I shook my head when Sara half rose to her feet; Tobias put a hand on her arm to keep her from drawing attention. He kept his gaze over my shoulder on Logan, no doubt waiting for the signal to make a move. Not that I knew what any of them could do, except die with me.

“Paisley Hallistar, a student here at Weatherstone—” my attention returned to Elder Monroe’s theatrics “—is not a spellcaster as you all believed but is in fact . . . a night witch. Also known as a reaper of Purgatory.”

His voice lowered over my affinity, but he didn’t quite get the reaction he must have expected. Most of the students—and professors—simply looked confused. I’d have enjoyed the frustration on the elder’s face if I wasn’t in such a fucked-up position. “Our education system needs a major overhaul,” he groused, waving his hand. At first I thought he was performing magic, but he was indicating that he needed another of the elders. A small ancient-looking woman stepped forward with a black square device in her hand. Monroe turned to take it and used his energy to power the box as light filled the front of the stage.