CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

“The council has learned that Connor and Reed Hastings claim to be mates with the witch, Phoebe Woods. Do you admit this?”

“Yes,” they said in unison.

The council murmured in hushed voices among themselves. They immediately fell silent when the lady at the head of the table raised her hand.

“Are you aware of the consequences of mating with a witch?”

“Yes.”

“Then why did you?” A man sitting next to the lady in charge asked. His eyes flitted to me and with slow deliberation looked me up and down. His inspection seemed to last for hours, though it must take only seconds. I stood my ground and stared right back, matching his demeanour.

“Werewolf or not,” Connor answered. “Human or not.”

“She has our back,” Reed finished . “And we have hers.”

“She is the daughter of the Chief Priest!” Another voiced.

“This is a problem.”

“Witches are evil.”

“Ahem!” I cleared my throatto remind them witches are in their midst.

“It’s not like they are saints themselves,” Ace whispered harshly.

“Now li