A Turn of Tides (A Shade of Vampire #13)(29)

Although it was the last thing I wanted, I nodded.

I couldn’t refuse this request after all their hospitality.

“When?” I croaked.

“After breakfast.” I nodded.

“Do you remember where the meeting hall is?” she asked.

I nodded again, dark memories washing over me.

How could I forget that place? It was the room where I’d been sentenced to banishment from The Sanctuary.

The place where all these familiar people who looked on me now with warmth had once glared daggers and hurled insults at me.

“Very well.

I’ll meet you there in half an hour.” With that, she stood up and vanished from the spot.

I cast my eyes toward the breakfast tray.

I couldn’t even think about eating.

I headed straight for the bathroom to shower and get dressed.

Once I was ready, I vanished myself downstairs to the meeting hall.

Thalia sat at the head of a long table, with Hermia and Brisalia on either side, while the rest of the chairs were taken by over a dozen other witches and warlocks.

All members of The Sanctuary’s council.

Shivers ran along my spine as I felt their gaze on me.

It was unsettling the way they were looking at me now, as if the past had never happened.

“Take a seat, Mona.” Thalia’s smooth voice echoed around the hall.

She gestured to an empty chair next to Brisalia.

I walked up to the table, curtsied and sat down.

“To begin with, I just want to repeat how happy we are that you have returned home.” I clasped my hands together on the table and fixed my eyes on them, avoiding her eyes.

Of course, as if there weren’t already enough uncomfortable things about this situation, all of them were still unaware that I’d murdered Odelia in her sleep.

“Thank you,” I murmured.

“You might have already guessed why I’ve called this meeting.

As I’m sure you’re aware, the black witches are gaining power by the day.

We have managed to gain inside information on some of their intentions, but much of their plans we are still unaware of.

You spent many years with them.

I would like to start this meeting by having you explain what you learnt about them while staying there, and what you believe their plans are.” My mind felt so distracted, it was a herculean effort just to focus on her words.

I cleared my throat and ran my tongue over my lower lip.

“I… What do you know already?” Thalia exchanged glances with her sisters.

It was Brisalia who answered me.

“Do you know Efren Hansard?” she asked.

Efren.

Of course I knew Efren.

His sister had made my life a living hell when I’d been under Rhys’ wing.

“Yes,” I replied.

“Well, we managed to catch him.

He’s now a prisoner here.

Most of the information we’ve gained is from him, though it seems that he wasn’t high enough in rank to know everything.

What he has told us is that there is an Ancient still living.

And she is the key to their power.

We don’t know where she is—even our spells couldn’t force this information from Efren.

Right now, we are still large enough in number to overpower them, but their strength is growing each day.

Once they are strong enough, they will take over The Sanctuary.” Brisalia paused, looking at me expectantly.

“I’m afraid there’s really not much more that I know,” I said.

“Rhys and his aunt didn’t trust me as much as you might have thought…” My voice trailed off.

I did know one thing, of course: I knew where Lilith was.

I knew the link she had with The Sanctuary.

But if I revealed that, I was just one step closer to them finding out that I had slit Odelia’s throat.

I ought to admit this to them, but right now, I was drowning enough as it was.

I didn’t think I could handle it.

So I fell silent.

Thalia let out a sigh.

“That is a shame,” she said.

“We’d all hoped that you’d be able to assist with this.” “I’m sorry,” I said, looking at her apologetically.

“You’re a Channeler,” Hermia said.

“Correct?” “Yes.” “Then you must have met with this Ancient in order to gain such powers?” “Indeed I did.

But I don’t remember the location.

Rhys didn’t trust me enough to reveal that to me.

I was blindfolded and escorted by him there and back.

I don’t even know whether she’s being kept on earth or in the supernatural realm.” An awkward silence descended on the hall.

I kept my eyes fixed on my hands.

“Well,” Thalia said eventually, “if you really don’t have any more information to offer us, then, at least you can help us to secure our realm.” “Certainly.

I can do that.” “We already have protection around the island, of course, but since you’re a Channeler, your magic is stronger than ours.

We’d like you to put a protective spell around this place, similar in strength to that which you put around The Shade.” The Shade.