25

Tracey

I would do anything for Bevin.

Anything.

Including give my life for her. People said that, but few meant it. Not really.

I did.

From the first time I’d seen that sweet little girl with a swollen cheek because her mother had slapped her and she’d asked me what she could do so her family liked her, I knew I’d protect her if it would cost my life. Then I’d learned how special she was.

Then once she told me she was a goddess witch, I knew this could be a war I’d signed up for because we had a lot of teachings that a goddess witch could not be allowed to fall into the top-tier families after they had abused their power. Jasmine understood that the stakes were high, and she was willing to fight as hard as she could, but she was doing it for all witches too.

I was doing it for Bevin so that abused little girl could finally have some real joy and love in her life. She deserved it when all she wanted was to make people and familiars happy.

She was shaken after her win and hearing how her father reacted. I didn’t blame her, but she was inconsolable that something she’d done had put me in the line of fire.

I’d already been there.

I wasn’t going to lie that hearing Charles Shaw scream that he’d kill me didn’t shake me up. It did. I wasn’t a fool, and I knew the man could more than make it happen and it shook me.

Which was why I took the night to drink a bit too much before I came out ready to throw down the next day.

I let Jasmine handle the legal side, but I was better behind the scenes and being sneaky. So that was what I did. I contacted Mrs. Oliveria and told her what happened and what I needed.

She was hesitant but willing to do what was needed to protect Bevin as well. She was amazing to throw together a luncheon so fast, and I was glad she was.

I arrived after everyone was settled, and I ignored the frowns when some of the women saw me.

“I didn’t realize you invited someone to come speak with us, Marilyn,” one of the councilmen’s wives said, her tone frosty.

“You wouldn’t have come if she had and this conversation needs to happen and it needs to happen between the women before we do what women tend to and shoot ourselves in the foot,” I said bluntly as I took the seat next to Mrs. Oliveria.

“I don’t think that’s for you to say or lecture us—” the woman started to say.

“Charles Shaw threatened my life and the life of the owner of Familiar Treasures when he found out the owner is working with the High Council to help them get stronger,” I stated firmly.

Well… I lied firmly.

But they didn’t need to know that.

It shut her up fast and several people there went pale.

“There is a war brewing between the council and the top-tier families. You know this. You know this better than I do.” I gave them a moment to settle with that. “I’m sure as women there is something important you’ve already figured out.”

“The owner of Familiar Treasures is a woman,” Mrs. Reid said easily, snickering when several people gave her shocked looks. She gestured to me. “No one but a woman would name a female president in our sexist society. I figured that out a while ago.”

I smirked at her and decided to take a page from Bevin at the subterfuge. “Yes, they are. Siblings even.”

She nodded. “That’s how the toys are so much more powerful. Families can easily combine magic. Someone supposed twins once I believe, but that’s ridiculously rare.”

I didn’t say anything to that, leaving them to stew on it. I stared down every woman there in turn. “If the top-tier families could, they would return us women to the dark ages or worse. If they get control of the council—you know how bad things could get. More than that, the owner is focused on making progress for us witches.”

I swallowed a sigh when several seemed bored with the topic.

I took off my charm that muted my power. “I’m more powerful than some of your husbands, and I will never have a chance to become a council member. Aren’t you tired of that being the answer? I’m not talking about stealing their seats. They have limits on how many years they can be a council member. But as it is, there will never be a female member.

“Some of you are more powerful than your husbands. Better educated, and your only role in this world is kissing babies and shaking hands while on their arms. Don’t you want better for your daughters? Your granddaughters? I do. I want my daughter to have a shot one day for the top, not this bullshit that we’re just witches.”

“You have our attention, Ms. Anderson,” Mrs. Reid said. “What do you want?”

“I want everyone here to get on board with what’s happening,” I answered honestly. “I don’t want to hear gossip that the sessions your husbands are going through aren’t really anything special nor is the owner.”

“I’m uncomfortable with him having sessions I don’t understand knowing the owner is a woman now,” one of them interjected, her tone tight.

“Because you can’t even trust a woman to…” I trailed off when I saw what was in her aura.

It wasn’t the owner she didn’t trust.

Ouch.

I nodded. “Neither of them will ever be alone. Some of the council members have made them uncomfortable.” I realized my mistake and hurried on. “Nothing remotely sexual or flirting. More feeling like a prize than a person. Men let power go to their head sometimes and obtaining assets to add as theirs instead of people.”

One of the wives snorted and I would bet anything she knew it was her husband. Well, at least she was honest with herself and what she saw of him.

“But I promise you that none of the sessions will be just the two of them. I can also explain to you what the sessions are. The only thing they really have to do is hold hands as one of them guides the councilmen through an exercise that helps them build on their relationship with their familiar. And it’s not easy.” I snorted.

“What did you think of?” Mrs. Oliveria asked.

“I was thinking of trying to flirt or be naughty while being connected to my familiar like that. It would feel—uncomfortable isn’t a strong enough word. It’s like being locked in a spiritual connection with your familiar that one of the owners guides. I would be less uncomfortable flirting at a funeral.”

“That’s rather crass,” someone muttered.

“Exactly my point,” I chuckled darkly.

She nodded, so that was something.

“I agree that the top-tier families are becoming overly brazen, Charles Shaw especially,” Mrs. Reid said firmly. “He has repeatedly stormed to the High Council and demanded to speak with them immediately to give him his daughter back. And he threatened my husband’s life and my life as well.”

I didn’t know that, and I couldn’t hide my shock.

She nodded when several people gasped or hissed. “So whatever you are proposing to help our husbands and our side of this battle, Ms. Anderson, I’m in. The world is dangerous, and my children understand that their father’s work is important, but—I’m a mother more than a councilman’s wife. I want to make sure we survive this war coming as you’re right that it’s coming.”

“And if we can improve the state and lives of witches, all the better,” another woman added.

That was the general consensus even if a few of them didn’t like the idea of holding hands with me or it coming from me. I didn’t care about that and neither should they.

Not when the stakes were so fucking high.

Because if Bevin’s father had seriously lost his mind to the point he was openly threatening the life of the head of the High Council, he was going to make a move.

And soon.

The End

PLEASE READ THIS!!!

THANK YOU for reading this book!!

I appreciate all of you starting a journey with me to a new series. I hope you’re as excited about it as I am. If you want more, PLEASE REVIEW. We need them as authors to keep being able to do what we do. They are vital to the algorithms and our livelihood. So if you want more of a series, any series—mine or other authors—please, please always review it.

Most of you have been incredible lovely about Artemis ending and this series starting. The vast majority.

However, some people have to always ruin it and there has been some incredibly toxic comments and messages sent to me. It’s very disheartening so I will be tuned out a bit for my own mental health. I work very, very hard to make these books for people that I want bring fun and give people a night off. I hope people keep that in mind going forward and remember to be kind.

I also do hope that people don’t compare this to Artemis. I APPRECIATE how much people love that series, but it puts incredible pressure on me that so many are upset it’s ending, others are annoyed it lasted so long, too many doubt this series can hold a candle to Artemis, and on, and on. I hope everyone loves Bevin and wants to see her journey. Please just remember that I am a person and this is my hard work as we talk about it. I have feelings… Probably sensitive ones as an artist, lol.

On the note of Artemis, the final book is coming next month. I figured it was best to finish the year with finishing the series and give you guys lots to read around the stressful holidays.

I hope you all enjoy your holidays, whatever you celebrate, and much love!

Erin & Vader