The Harvest, page 33
“And Tayten moved like an expert in martial arts,” she continued, fishing for information.
“He specializes in muscle memory. He is also very intelligent, though that has nothing to do with the magic he possesses.”
“It’s a miracle I survived then.”
“No,” Annalise said, walking over to her and sitting down on the bed beside her. Madeline felt uneasy. “You defeated them. You. And the other one.”
Madeline found it a little funny that Annalise couldn’t even say Dinah’s name. Was it because of her low rank, or her distasteful specialty in dreams?
“I will send a medic to tend to your wounds,” Annalise said, looking her over. “You don’t have to worry about that. But...we do have something to discuss. Now that the murders are over, have you considered working with us?”
Madeline couldn’t just say yes. She could be placing herself in a bind, but there was no way she could decline if she wanted to remain safe. “To be honest,” Madeline said. “I’m scared. I nearly died over the weekend, and though I would like to work with you, I’m barely able to focus on the trials coming up. If it’s okay...if you allow it...can I pass the trials first? I already failed one. And if...if I make it to the end, I promise to work with you.”
“That will do,” Annalise said. Madeline nearly collapsed in relief, but she tensed back up when she felt the bony hand of Annalise on her shoulder. “I must say, I am proud of you. I believe that you will make it through the trials, and then we will accomplish great things together. After all I’ve seen, it would be foolish to underestimate you. You have earned my respect.”
“Thank you?” Madeline gulped.
“I used to have a daughter,” Annalise said. “I would like to think that she would have been like you.”
“What—how,” Madeline stammered over her words. “What was she like?”
“She was so cute,” Annalise said, her face relaxing as she stared at the ground. “I would smell the crown of her little head and it reminded me of pine wood and chestnuts. Her cries were like a kitten’s. When I would hold her—” she stopped to wipe a tear welling up in her eye. “She’d...she would...”
“It’s okay,” Madeline said, putting a hand on Annalise’s shoulder. “It’s okay.”
“I hadn’t thought about her in—” Annalise’s face tightened, and she grit her teeth as if she was overcome with unbearable pain. Annalise slapped Madeline’s hand away and immediately put her hand around her throat. “KNOW YOUR PLACE!” she spat in Madeline’s face.
Madeline broke out in tears and Annalise’s face softened. She let go and shot up to her feet as Madeline coughed and rubbed her throat.
“I...apologize,” Annalise said. “Emotions are not my strength. It would be well if we refrain from such topics in the future.”
“Okay,” Madeline rasped. She was done being choked.
“Do well in the third trial...farewell.” Annalise walked out of the bedroom and Madeline followed her to the front door. The High Witch rode the winds upwards and Madeline shook her head. Dinah came rushing out of her bedroom as soon as the door to their dorm room closed.
“I heard Annalise talking,” Dinah said softly, walking slowly towards Madeline. “Are you okay?”
“I will be,” Madeline said, rubbing her throat. “Ready to prepare for the third trial?”
“Nope,” Dinah said, crossing her arms. “Amias is waiting for you in the campus square. You’ve got a date.”
“What?” Madeline laughed. “But I’m not even presentable.”
“That will never happen,” Dinah muttered. “Just like asking him if you two could go out. That’s why I went and did it.”
“I don’t deserve you,” Madeline said, brushing herself off.
“Don’t forget it...but seriously, everything okay? You’re not in trouble or anything? Annalise has been visiting you a lot lately.”
“Not in trouble,” Madeline said. “But...I did learn a few things. Annalise nearly opened up to me.”
“Yeah?”
“About...I shouldn’t tell you yet, but...she showed me a side of her I never saw before.”
“What do you think it means?” Dinah asked.
“I think...I think deep down she’s just like the rest of us. She wants to be loved. The Ostara are so powerful, it’s hard to think that they feel like we do, but they must. Right?”
“Do you think that could be used against her?”
“I don’t know,” Madeline frowned. “Even if it was...I’m not sure if I’d want to. I have to see where this goes.”
“As long as you think about it later, and not on your date. Have some fun.”
“Okay,” Madeline said. She walked past Dinah and reached the entrance. She ordered the door to open and she nearly took a step out when she stopped.
“What’s wrong?” Dinah asked.
“If Leandra can be turned around,” Madeline said, “And she barely feels emotion...I...never thought of this before, but...do you think it’s possible that we could get an Ostara on our side?”
“You’re thinking that Annalise and Leandra may be the same?”
“They’re not exactly the same,” Madeline said. “Leandra seems colder...but that’s a good thing, because she showed remorse, and you say that she loves you. You’re sure about that?”
“I am,” Dinah said. “As screwed up as it sounds, I think her killing me saved her.”
“Then perhaps Annalise can be saved too.”
“What are you going to do?” Dinah chuckled.
Madeline turned her head around and smiled mischievously. “I’ll let you know.”
“Oh no,” Dinah laughed.
Madeline leapt out with eyes closed and let the winds catch her. She bobbed for a moment, and then she willed the winds to carry her upwards as fast as possible. With her eyes closed while still lying on her belly, it felt like she was flying.
Human.
Witch.
They were inherently the same.
Annalise was an Ostara, but it did not mean she was invincible. It didn’t mean she couldn’t feel. This was the key to defeating them. Not with weapons and specialties, but a good old-fashioned dose of humanity. There was more than one way to get someone to acquiesce.
Alexander Tate had died.
But Jedrek and Tayten didn’t. They had been defeated, sure, but there was a chance they would seek revenge.
What if...she had been able to reach their hearts? How would the outcome have been different? Annalise would certainly be the true test—to determine if everything she had learned could produce the most favorable outcome.
“Before the end of the trials,” Madeline said under her breath. This was the best time to implement a plan against Annalise—when she was in good spirits, and not seeking an audience with her. Annalise wanted her compliance, which meant she would be left alone for the rest of the Harvest.
Little did she know that Madeline would be now be actively seeking her.
It had been decided...it was time to remove one of the seven Ostara.
Annalise Torres...
I’m coming for you...and it will be sooner than you think.
Epilogue:
Trisha Chase set the green yarn and her knitting needles aside as Annalise shoved back the plastic curtains separating the makeshift rooms. Trisha raised her head and smiled warmly as Annalise walked over to the black sofa chair next to her and sat down. Annalise kicked off her heels and sighed.
“Everything well, Mistress?” Trisha asked.
“Yes,” Annalise said. “It will all work out.”
“I am glad that Madeline has decided to join us then.”
“Not yet,” Annalise said. “She wants to prepare for the trials first. She has promised to join us afterwards.”
“Oh,” Trisha took a deep breath. “Is that what she said?”
“I’m not worried about it. She will join us in time.”
“Why?”
“Why what?” Annalise said.
“Why are you not worried?”
“Is there reason to be? She has proven herself to be somewhat trustworthy. She hasn’t gotten involved with the other Ostara since we’ve talked, and I’m willing to wait, given her great potential. What she did to Jedrek and Tayten was impressive.”
“Hmm,” Trisha said, placing her hands in her lap. “She used her hexes to stop them?”
“No. Her cleverness. She tricked them and used spell circles.”
“Spell circles,” Trisha nodded. “Interesting. She used spell circles?”
“The friend who was with her created the circles.”
“Then what did Madeline do?”
“I’m confused,” Annalise frowned. “What are you saying? You didn’t listen to the audio yet, did you?”
“Nothing,” Trisha said, shaking her head. “Nothing. My mind wandered.”
“Is something wrong?”
“I have to check on something,” Trisha said, giving Annalise a smile. “With your permission, I would like to make an appearance at Madeline’s dorm room. I will be careful not to be seen.”
“Of course, if that is what you want,” Annalise said. “You rarely ask me for anything, but...what is wrong? Don’t you believe in your granddaughter?”
“Oh, I do. I believe that she will accomplish whatever she sets her mind to, and that is why I would like to see her—to ensure that her mind is on the track we have designated, and not her own.”
“I know that voice,” Annalise said. “You aim to hurt her.”
“No, to test her,” Trisha said. “I fear that she will ask for an extension after the trials, and so on, and so forth, leading us along while time grows short. Allow me to do whatever I want with her, and I promise that she will either be immaculately sculpted in our image...or discarded.”
“By discarded, you mean killed. You would kill her if she doesn’t pass your test.”
“She knows too much about us. If she fails my test or the trials, would you dare keep her alive? With Reina lurking?”
“You’re right,” Annalise said with a curt nod. “You have my permission.”
“Thank you, Mistress,” Trisha said as she stood up. “I will head out immediately.”
Witchfall Continues in:
Witchfall Book III – The Blood Witch
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Did you love The Harvest? Then you should read The Blood Witch by J Clair and Julius St. Clair!
As Madeline's love life heats up, so does her master plans. She has discovered the secret to the Ostara's defeat – an imprisoned witch whose blood can negate magic in others. Now all she must do is find the opportunity to strike with this knowledge.The trials of the Harvest are reaching their conclusion and the Ostara is watching her rising performance vigilantly. A jealous suitor has decided to destroy Madeline if his love is to remain unrequited, and her own powerful grandmother, Trisha Chase, sees right through her agenda and plans to sabotage it.Worst of all, Madeline has begun to see the humanity in not only witches, but the Ostara themselves. She knows that she must make a final decision especially since her friends and foes are also about to implement their best-laid plans.With all the conflicts found within Beltane Castle, it is inevitable that before the end of the Harvest, someone will burn at the stake…
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