Steadfast

“No, I didn’t. And yet I know the truth about what happened—a truth you haven’t even begun to guess.”

Even more beautiful was the first real temptation. Nadia could have turned her back on all the wisdom and witchcraft Elizabeth had gathered during the past four centuries, but knowledge about her mother? That was the perfect bait for the hook. Nadia actually took a step forward then. Good. The best witches were always more strongly motivated by curiosity rather than fear. “Did you make her leave us?”

Elizabeth laughed. My God, the girl really was still a child. “No. Why would I? I didn’t even know you then. But surely it struck you as strange. Even if your mother had come to despise your father—even if she couldn’t stand the endless annoying burdens of motherhood one day longer—she remained a witch. Your teacher. Responsible for your training. Even if she had abandoned you as a parent, she wouldn’t have abandoned you as a witch. At the very least, she would have found a coven to bring you along. But she didn’t, did she?”

“I don’t understand.” Nadia looked halfway wild now. “You know she didn’t—she just—what are you saying? Tell me. Just tell me!”

She slipped it in as swiftly and smoothly as she would have a dagger into the ribs. “Your mother didn’t abandon you, Nadia. She traded you.”

Nadia jerked back, stiff as though she were in physical pain. For whatever reason, she looked toward Asa, who shrugged. “It’s news to me.”

Pressing her advantage, Elizabeth added, “Your mother traded you for something she wanted more. More than you, your father, and your brother put together. She made a deal. It’s as simple as that.”

“What?” Nadia’s voice shook. “What could she have wanted that much?”

“I didn’t make the trade,” Elizabeth said. It was close enough to an answer. “But can you imagine what kind of power might have been on the table? What knowledge, what gifts your mother might have received in return? I’m not asking for anything so dear—though maybe your mother didn’t consider her family too dear, not if she made the trade so readily. No, you don’t have to abandon anyone. All you have to do is see reason. Come and work with me. Learn from me. Together I think there’s nothing we couldn’t do.”

Nadia turned to Asa. “Is she lying about my mom?”

“No,” the demon said. “I can tell that much. Elizabeth has told you the truth.”

For another moment Nadia hesitated, and then she turned from Elizabeth and began walking away. Not running, not fleeing the scene . . . just walking.

“She’s in shock,” Asa murmured.

“It will wear off. And then perhaps she will see sense.” Elizabeth realized she was weaving slightly on her feet—the infection Asa spoke of, the one burning its way into her arm. The fever affected her still. “Help me inside.”

He took her arm, his unearthly warmth almost comforting to her. November was indeed turning cold; she must see about that coat. As he walked her back into the house, Asa said, “You realize Nadia won’t take your word for it. She’ll investigate.”

“Her mother doesn’t speak to her. She can’t leave town. There’s only so much investigation Nadia can do.” Elizabeth smiled. The One Beneath would be proud of her, glad His work was being carried out. “In the end, if she wants answers, there’s only one person for her to turn to. Me.”

Nadia felt as though she couldn’t see, couldn’t even breathe. And yet she made it back home and through the front door again.

At least there was no one she had to put on a smile for; not even for Cole’s sake could she have done that now. But Cole was asleep in her father’s lap. Dad must have nodded off while letting his little boy watch cartoons after a long, sleepless night. For a moment, Nadia stood there looking at them—Cole in his Batman pajamas, his cheeks still round with baby fat, and her father with stubble on his cheeks and weary circles under his eyes even in sleep.

She traded them. Mom traded them away like they were nothing. Like we were nothing.

Nadia wasn’t going to be treated like nothing any longer.

19

DESPITE HER MISERY, DESPITE THE NEARBY CDC WORKERS taking blood samples as she, Mateo, and Verlaine waited their turn, Nadia almost had to smile as she saw Verlaine gaping in shock. “Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Wait the what the how the?”

Nadia repeated, “Elizabeth told me that my mother didn’t just leave. Apparently she traded our family away for some kind of magical power; I don’t know what. But I have to find out.”

“Traded you?” Mateo held up his hands like he was trying to stop that information in its tracks; Nadia knew how that felt. “You mean she gave you away to get power of her own?”

Nadia nodded. “Gave up her kids, gave up her husband. All this time I thought Elizabeth was the only dark witch I ever knew, but now I’m wondering. Because who does that? What kind of person does that?”

Her voice broke, and Mateo took her hand in his. That simple touch did her in. Tears sprang to her eyes, and it took her a moment to get her composure.

“You okay?” Mateo said.

“No.” Nadia tried to laugh, but it came out strange.

Verlaine finally found her voice. “I don’t get it. You said she traded you guys.”

“Right. I don’t know what for.”

“Yeah, I understand that but, Nadia—who did your mother trade you to?” Verlaine glanced around the crowded gymnasium, making absolutely sure nobody was paying any attention; they weren’t. Everyone was too tired and freaked out to notice what was happening right in front of their noses. Verlaine continued, “That’s what a trade is, isn’t it? An exchange. If she gave you guys up for something else, did she maybe swear you over to someone else?”