Chapter 15

Madeline blinked in shock at how Tabitha had responded to her. Her chest began to hurt. Madeline didn’t think they would try anything on the younger generation so soon, especially with Madeline being with them. She didn’t know how to answer the accusation exactly. “Tabitha, that is not how you talk to Madeline,” Ruby scolded. Tabitha wanted to defend herself, but instead, she closed her mouth and crossed her arms over her chest. “No, Tabitha’s right. I should have warned you before and allowed you to decide whether or not you still wanted to come. I’m sorry for not telling you upfront,” Madeline confessed. Tabitha snorted with attitude. She disagreed with what Madeline said about Silver City. Maybe that was how the place was when Madeline had come here, but Tabitha didn’t see it that way. It couldn’t be as horrible as she had described it to be, could it? “So, how do you think they did it?” Tabitha asked with a shrug. They could all see she was not happy about this. Madeline shook her head. “I’m not sure exactly. It could be the food; Colson mentioned that they made him feel like he was being rude for not taking what they were offering. It might be how they suck people in.” “If they promise everyone to live forever, then this place would be overcrowded with people, and what about the people who decide not to stay? What happens to them? It’s not like they kill them. I don’t think we have enough information to truly judge them for what you say they do?” Tabitha retorted. Marco tried to calm his mate by touching her back, but he could feel her anger radiating off her. “Did you ever hear from your friends again after you left?” he asked. Madeline shook her head. “Did you tell anyone what had happened?” Tabitha questioned. “I mean, it’s not like people are disappearing from that place every day. And if they were so hungry for people, why wouldn’t it be a free for all and let anyone come through?” Tabitha ranted. “Because they only can feed off other factions, not humans.” Tabitha quieted after hearing that. “I didn’t mean to upset you and cause tension between us. That wasn’t my intention. You are old enough to make decisions for yourself. I have told you all what happened when I was here and have warned you. What you choose to do after that is your choice and your choice alone,” Madeline said. Tabitha stood up. “Great, can Marco and I leave now? We promised Esha to have brunch with her.” Madeline stayed quiet and simply nodded her head. Tabitha headed for the door and turned to see if Marco was following behind her. Marco gave Madeline a soft smile before he got up and followed his mate out of the room. There was an awkward silence that filled the room after they left. Vita broke the silence. “Madeline, I don’t think you did anything wrong. I appreciate you sharing your story with us. I’m just confused; why are we reacting to it differently from Tabitha and Marco?” “Our lineage and power within our coven are stronger than other covens; it’s why Persephone wanted you. She saw the amount of power that you had and wanted it to help the coven. I believe our magic causes headaches and blocks out things to protect us. It was the same thing that happened when I was younger,” Madeline confessed. “I think wolves have a higher tolerance to things, but it will start to affect them sooner or later.” “How is it affecting me? Tristan stripped me of my magic,” Deak snarled. He hated mentioning that vile man’s name. Madeline shrugged before she answered, “Maybe it’s something in your blood. You are still linked to the coven. You haven’t lost that.” Deak sighed as he nodded with relief. It felt good to hear he was still connected to the coven, even if he couldn’t feel the magic that used to flow through him. He still had a connection to his mother, which is what mattered most to him. “So, what happens now?” Gretchen asked. Madeline pulled out her watch from her pouch and looked at the time. “I have a meeting with the council soon. The sooner we let them know about the rumors about Merga returning and learn what needs to be done to stop that from happening, the sooner we can leave.” “Do you want us to come with you?” Gretchen asked. Madeline shook her head. “You all can stay here. Zachary and Ruby will be with me. We shouldn’t be gone long.” Deak walked over to Vita and placed his hands on Vita’s shoulders. “Madeline, Vita wanted to talk with some of the covens while we were here. Do you think it’s safe?” Madeline's eyes filled with concern; why would they need to talk with other covens? She shook off her fear and answered, “Just have your guard up. If it doesn’t feel right, get out of there as quickly as possible.” “I’ll protect her.” Madeline smiled. “I trust you will.” She turned to Colson and Gretchen and asked, “What about you two?” “Can we go—” Colson interrupted Gretchen before she finished. “Could we maybe just go for a walk? Just the two of us.” Gretchen's shoulders slightly slumped when she heard his request but then smiled and nodded. She wanted to check out the other covens but realized Colson might feel out of place. This would give her a chance for her to determine if he liked her. Colson picked up her hand and kissed it with gratitude. He didn’t feel comfortable going somewhere with more witches. He just wanted to spend time with Gretchen alone to learn if she felt the same about their relationship. “What do you think we should do about Tabitha and Marco?” Zachary asked. He wasn’t happy with how Tabitha talked to his mother. “Let her blow off some steam; I’ll talk with her after we return from the faction council. And if she doesn’t listen to me, I have a certain Luna on speed dial to whom I can call,” Ruby confirmed. A shiver went through Deak when he thought about Luna Cynthia’s temper. It wasn’t pretty. “I hope Tabitha listens to you for her sake.” Ruby told them, “If she knows what’s good for her, she will. I’m not afraid to threaten her with that, either. Just because they are away from the pack doesn’t mean they can be disrespectful. She knows better.” “Let’s not worry about that right now; we need to be on our way if we want to make it to the meeting on time. We will let you know what the council says once we return,” Madeline said. Everyone got up and made their way out of the room. On the way down to the lobby, Ruby asked Madeline, “Do you think the faction council will believe us about the return of Merga and help us stop her?” “I truly hope so; I don’t think we have enough power to fight her on our own if she’s as powerful as they say she is.”