Hallowed Circle Read Free Page A

in the door, knowing that I’d rush down to decline. Meanwhile, Lydia had made Hunter wait so she’d be irritated and our paths could cross on those exact terms because then I’d be more motivated to concede and be in the Eximium. Damned sneaky old witch.
    “What?” she demanded, gauging my hard expression. “Don’t tell me you didn’t instantly size her up and peg her for what she is.”
    “Lydia.”
    “Jolted you, didn’t she?”
    “She tried.”
    “I knew it!” Lydia’s expression brightened considerably and she smacked the desktop. “Got nowhere with you, did she?” She tapped gnarled fingers on the desk. “She’s jolted everyone in this office, except poor little Mandy. Even reached across the desk trying to shake Mandy’s hand, but Mandy ignored her. She just kept typing and said, ‘If you want to impress me, stick both of your thumbs up your ass and walk on your elbows.’ ” Lydiachuckled. “She can be so bland, that girl, then she spouts something like that!”
    When I stopped laughing, the moment sobered and I said, “Seemed like Mandy was going to cry there for a moment.”
    Lydia sighed. “She’s lost without Vivian.” Leaning closer, she put one arm up on the desk, cupped her mouth with a hand, and whispered, “She’s moody too. Probably bleeding.” Leaning back, she went on at normal volume, “Still, if Hunter couldn’t jolt you, that just confirms to me that you need to be in this competition!”
    I couldn’t tell her the reason I nullified her jolt was more likely due to the vampire stain I now carried. “This is all very … I don’t know. But—”
    “I know, I know. You’re here to opt out.” She pulled open a drawer and began digging around. “Vivian was so organized and in a week I’ve managed to undo it all. Poor Mandy is so aggravated with me.” Her delicate digging turned into rough rummaging. “Where is that form?”
    “Form?”
    Lydia nodded, still searching in the drawer.
    “Why do I have to fill out a form? I didn’t fill one out to be nominated.”
    “You don’t fill it out. I do. The Elders require formal notification if they have to make the local choice themselves.”
    “I don’t understand coven politics.”
    “Of course not; you’re a solitary.” She shut the drawer and opened another. “I had it a second ago. …”
    “Why can’t you just pick someone else?”
    “Not allowed. If my choice refuses, then the Elderscome in a few days early to evaluate everyone from the coven and nominate one of them.” She fixed me with an expression of annoyance. “A waste of time, to be sure.” She resumed hunting through the newly opened drawer. “Vivian filled the coven with influential people who would run it like a country club, where exclusivity is more important than spirituality. The rest of us were pushed aside and belittled. Some moved away, some became solitary. Some have their own covens now, though not WEC endorsed.”
    “The Elders will surely include them in the evaluations. I mean, one of them will be more suitable, right?”
    Lydia shut the drawer forcefully. “I know what I’m doing. And I know that with you out, Hunter will take the Eximium. She will be the high priestess. She strikes me as the type who will use the exposure to further inflate her ego.”
    “Lydia, I don’t want the coven left to further internal disintegration. I can see this means a lot to you and I do want to help, but I have enough responsibilities. I’ve had a lot thrust upon me recently. Other than Beverley, I have to take care of my Nana now and—”
    “Demeter?”
    “Yes, she—” I started to go on but she cut me off again.
    “I thought she was in a home?”
    “They kicked her out. I’m sure her pushy attitude and nicotine cravings had nothing to do with it.”
    Lydia caught my sarcasm. “Oh, of course not.”
    “Wait—you know my Nana?”
    “I used to. A long time ago, dear. A very long timeago.” She smiled fondly as if at a good memory.