A Tasty Bone

A TASTY BONE

T he tribunal witches lean close together, whispering for a few tense moments. Although I strain my ears, I can’t make out their hushed words.

Finally, they straighten and face me.

“Rowena Rothaven,” Bramble intones, her voice ringing through the chamber. “This tribunal finds you innocent of all charges. You are free to go.”

With a shout of relief, Aspen steps forward and pulls me into a fierce hug.

I freeze, stunned by the uncharacteristic display of emotion from my rigid mentor. Then I relax into his embrace, wrapping my arms around his lean frame .

“Fine, I won’t fire you this time ,” I whisper into the crisp fabric of his shirt.

“Let’s promise to communicate better?” He hugs me tighter. “I never want to be the reason you’re put in this position again.”

“I promise to try .”

As we separate, Owen swoops in, sweeping me off my feet and spinning in a dizzying circle.

“My turn!” Tris crashes into us, grappling for me. “Stop hogging her, Alpha. You’ve had her all week!”

“I was locked in a separate cell the entire time,” Owen grumbles, but relinquishes me into Tris’s arms.

I laugh as Tris peppers my face with kisses, the tag on his collar jingling. Ros joins the throng, his arms encircling all of us, squishing us together.

Taking each of my mates’ faces in my hands, I plant a firm kiss on their lips, first Tris, then Owen, then Ros. Magic sparks between us, as tangible as the relief and joy shining in their eyes.

At last, I’m back where I belong. With my heart. My home. My family.

I search the crowd. “Where’s Haut?”

Tris nuzzles against me. “Still holding down the fort, so we should hurry and get home. It’s a long drive.”

Understanding dawns, and I turn to Aspen. “Is that why you demanded the trials be open to the public?”

He lifts one shoulder. “It was the only way to stall them until everyone could get here.”

“You’re devious.” I point at him. “I’m keeping my eye on you.”

As he laughs, the rest of my coven descends upon me in a whirlwind of embraces, laughter, and chatter.

“Thank goodness you’re okay!” Delilah squeezes me tight, the scent of lavender enfolding me with a sense of comfort and home.

Harper pats my back. “We were so worried.”

Amidst the chaos, I glimpse Ros slipping away to join Zane, who still stands with the other vampires. He clasps Zane’s shoulder, their heads bowed together in urgent conversation.

Then the two men embrace, and tears prick at my eyes. Ros was so hurt when Zane left. I’m glad they made up.

A fist pounding on the podium silences the celebration, and everyone turns to face Granny Hutchen .

Her shrewd eyes sweep over us, lingering on me. “Settle down, everyone. We’re not quite finished here. There’s still the matter of Ms. Rothaven’s training to address.”

Owen’s hand finds mine, his blue eyes darkening. “Here we go.”

She can’t seriously intend to push forward with her scheme after all of this, can she?

Across the room, the Hutchen brothers exchange glances. Aven leans back in his chair, crossing his arms with a scowl. Waylon strokes his scruffy chin, assessing me. Gael drums his long fingers on his knee, for once not appearing amused.

Granny Hutchen clears her throat, commanding the room’s silence. “It has come to our attention that Ms. Rothaven’s ethereal magic has grown exponentially in recent months, far outpacing the skills of her current mentor. Her demonstration with lightning is proof of that.”

Her steely eyes cut to Aspen, who stiffens with indignation.

“As such,” Granny continues smoothly, “it has been determined that Rowe requires a new, more advanced magical guide going forward. Someone uniquely qualified to help her harness and control her gifts. ”

Her gaze settles on Gael. “My grandson has entered the second ring in the ethereal arts. Rowe will relocate to the Northern Fortress to continue her training.”

Shouts of protest erupt around the room, but I stand there gaping. How dare she try to force this stupid agenda of hers.

“Over my dead body!” I snap, shoving forward. “If you think for one second I’m letting you lock me up and marry me off to one of your grandsons, you’re crazy, old lady!”

A vein pulses in Granny’s forehead. “Sit down, girl. We will decide what is best for your training?—”

“I’ll train her,” Crow interjects, rising from her seat. “I’m of the first ring, and I first discovered her gifts. If Aspen cannot continue as her mentor, then I will take his place.”

“I never said I was unable,” Aspen protests.

“Yeah, he’s a great mentor!” I shout.

Granny Hutchen scoffs. “You coddle the girl. Letting her run wild, picking and choosing what she wants to learn. She needs a firm hand to reach her potential.”

Crow’s hands ball into fists. “Not all witches learn best under your style of dictatorship?—”

“She’s a Rothaven,” Granny cuts her off. “The Rothaven line originated in the north, and their ancestral magics are tied to our lands. Gael will guide her to mastery as only a northern witch can.”

Indignant rage bubbles up my throat. They’re talking about me like I’m not even here. Like I’m a tasty bone to be fought over. I open my mouth to tell them exactly where they can shove their northern magics, but a voice beats me to it.

Gael surges to his feet. “Enough!”

Stunned silence falls as every eye swivels to him.

“Just let her go, Grandmother,” he says through gritted teeth. “This farce has gone on long enough.”

Granny stares at him over the rim of her glasses as if he just grew a second head. “Gael Markus Hutchen, you forget yourself! You know not what is at stake?—”

“I know our history,” he snaps, hazel eyes hardening. “I know the crimes our family committed against the Rothavens. And by the gods, we will not inflict further suffering in some misguided attempt to control Rowe’s power for our own gain.”

Holy hell. I gape at Gael, my anger forgotten. I never thought, when I asked him to bear witness, that he’d defend me, let alone speak out against his tyrannical grandmother.

Granny’s face mottles an alarming shade of purple as she jabs a wrinkled finger at Gael. “You insolent child! I should cast you out for such treachery! You’re no grandson of mine!”

“Then I denounce the Hutchen name!” Gael roars.

Gasps echo all around, and I turn to Aspen in confusion.

“Denouncing one’s coven name severs the familial bonds,” he whispers. “He’s giving up a lot of power here.”

Gael breathes heavily, his shoulders heaving. “I cannot abide by this a moment longer. The cycle of hatred and vengeance ends now. With me.”

He turns to me, his eyes shining with unshed tears. “Rowe…I am so sorry. For everything my family has done. You deserve to walk your own path, unburdened by the sins of the past. Your power is a gift, not a weapon to be wielded.”

Stunned speechless, I stare at the man who is risking everything to set me free. To break the chains of a blood feud that’s spanned generations.

“Well, shit.” Aven rises to his feet. “I also denounce the Hutchen name.”

“I expect an explanation about why we’re doing this later.” Waylon whispers to his brother before he also stands and declares, “I, too, denounce the Hutchen name.”

For a long moment, no one says a word. It’s like we’re all holding our collective breath, waiting for the world to start turning again.

Granny Hutchen sputters into the silence. “You ungrateful children! After all I’ve done for you, this is how you repay me?”

Gael meets her furious gaze unflinching. “No, Grandmother. This is how we make amends for the sins of our family. It’s time to let the past rest.”

He turns to me, his expression softening. “Rowe, it’s your choice. But I believe this needs to be done. The ghosts of the Northern Fortress have lingered far too long.”

I search his face, looking for any hint of doubt. But all I see is a bone-deep weariness and a quiet resolve. He truly believes this is the right thing to do.

I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of centuries pressing down on my shoulders. “Are you sure about this? There’s no going back.”

He nods, his jaw set. “I’m sure. It’s time to lay old wounds to rest.”

With a deep breath, I reach out to the magic woven through the stones of the Northern Fortress, the ancient magic of the Rothaven line pulsing in time with my heartbeat.

With a nudge here and a prod there, I unravel the threads of the barrier that hold everything together. As I work, the last of Rowena’s magic settles into me like a sigh of relief, a final blessing from beyond the grave.

The barrier shimmers and fades, dissolving into nothingness, and for a moment, everything remains still and silent.

Then the fortress trembles beneath our feet, ancient stones groaning in protest. Dust sifts down from the ceiling, coating our hair and clothes in a fine layer of grit.

Panicked murmurs fill the air as people stumble around in alarm, but all I feel is relief.

It’s over. The ghosts of the past have been laid to rest at last. And now, it’s time to look to the future.

Granny Hutchen’s eyes widen in alarm, and her voice turns shrill with panic. “What’s happening?”

I turn to face her. “Without the Rothaven barrier, the Northern Fortress will crumble to dust within a month. Your coven needs to find somewhere else to squat. You’re no longer welcome in the Rothaven home. ”

Her face twists with rage, but before she can retort, another tremor rocks the building.

I turn to Owen. “I’m done being fine. Can we go home now?”

“Of course.” He takes my hand, his grip firm. “Let’s get out of here before this place comes down.”

As we hurry towards the exit, I catch sight of Crow watching me with a knowing smile, unfazed by the chaos erupting around us.

I pause, turning back to her. “I’m not moving to be your apprentice. My place is with my mates, in Hartford Cove.”

To my surprise, Crow’s smile only widens. “Of course it is. Which is why we are moving to Hartford Cove. Tell our daughter we’re excited to be close to her again.”

I blink, taken aback. “Say what now?”

She nods, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Did you think we’d let you have all the fun? Besides, someone needs to keep an eye on you.”

A laugh bubbles up in my throat, even as another tremor shakes the fortress. “Mel is going to be so pissed at me.”

“Enough chatting.” Owen lifts me and tosses me over his shoulder. “Running now.”

As we emerge into the cold winter sunlight, a sense of lightness washes over me. I don't need to hide my black squiggle, and Esme and Zane can be free to start their family.

I pat Owen’s firm ass. “Onward to home, trusty steed!”

“Our cars are right over there?—”

Tris cuts off in dismay as a tower wall falls away from the fortress, crushing the minivan and SUVs parked beneath it.

“Not again!” Tris throws up his hands. “Barron will never loan us his van again!”

I giggle. “We’ll have to get him the luxury package this time.”

Owen swings me off his shoulder, but doesn’t set me down in the snow, for which my sock-covered feet are thankful. “How will we get home now?”

Crow materializes at our side. “I think we can help with that.”

Bramble and Hawthorn appear at her side, and the three women raise their wands.

The air shimmers before us, the snow-covered rocks fading away to reveal the slightly less snow-covered streets of Hartford Cove.

“Off you go now,” Hawthorn murmurs. “Tell our daughter we look forward to seeing her soon.”

I point my arm forward and kick my heels against Owen’s thigh. “To home!”