The Vampire & Her Witch Chapter 2049: Jocelynn’s Trial Begins

Ashlynn looked like a ghost of her usual self.

The people by the bonfires might not be able to tell through the smoke and the mist. The ruddy glow of the firelight helped to disguise the sickly, gray pallor Ashlynn’s normally pale complexion had taken on, and the dancing shadows hid the dark circles under her eyes, but Jocelynn knew her sister too well to be fooled by tricks of lighting.

The puncture marks on Ashlynn’s neck stood out starkly, and though they’d healed, it was clear to people like Ollie and Heila that Nyrielle had drunk both deeply and repeatedly from the Mother of Trees.

Now, as Ashlynn faced her sister from just a few paces away, she relied on Nyrielle’s closeness and comforting touch for support.

By contrast, Nyrielle’s power filled the clearing with a deathly quiet, and her presence loomed like the spectre of death over everyone who had gathered in the Enchanted Grove. That pressure faded slightly when she folded her wings away, diminishing her presence and once again resembling a striking woman with perfect, alabaster skin rather than the winged Harbinger of Death.

Still, no one would easily forget the chill of her presence or the feeling that they stood at the edge of their own graves. Unconsciously, many of the people watching moved closer to the bonfires, clinging to the warmth and the light in the dark.

"Are you ready to begin?"

Ashlynn’s words were simple, but Jocelynn’s reply got stuck in her throat, overwhelmed by a sudden, intense desire to flee.

This was wrong.

This was dangerous.

Every instinct in her body told her that taking one more step forward, or saying a single word, would lead to her death.

There was no hope here.

There was no second chance waiting for her.

There was only death, come to claim her life.

Then Ollie placed a hand gently on the small of her back, and the air around her seemed to dance and shimmer. She found her place among the floodwaters, a sheltered refuge beside a mighty knight, and the fear receded just enough for her to face it.

It wasn’t gone. This moment was still terrifying, and she knew that it might be her last. But as Adala had said, she’d survived Owain, and she’d survived Percivus. While she might not survive this trial, she at least had the strength to face it.

"I’m ready, Ash," Jocelynn said, offering her sister a fragile smile. "Ollie’s been a big help; thank you for sending him to me."

"I didn’t send him," Ashlynn said, smiling at the flame-haired knight. "But I trusted him to do the right thing. I’m glad he was able to help," she said, turning back to Jocelynn. "You look beautiful tonight. When this is over, you have to take me to the person who made your dress so we can both get new ones," she said.

"He’s from Ollie’s village," Jocelynn said, running her fingers along the smooth, dark silk of her dress. "He was very kind to make this for me. I think he’d be very happy to make something for both of us," she said.

Ashlynn was stalling, and they both knew it, but Jocelynn went along with it anyway. They both needed a moment to be sisters, talking about a pretty dress and making plans for a future that they might not have. Even if they were just pretending that there would be a tomorrow where they could shop for dresses, it was good to pretend, just for a moment.

Eventually, however, that moment had to end, and Ashlynn didn’t dwell in it for very long. She couldn’t, and neither could Jocelynn. If they did, they would both lose their resolve to face what had to happen next.

"Heila," Ashlynn said, turning to her first witch. "Did you gather the things I asked for?"

"Right here," Heila said, tapping a small satchel that hung from her shoulder. "Where should we mark out the circle? Near the Bloodroot Tree or somewhere else?"

"There’s a small rise over there," Ashlynn said, pointing to a wide mound of earth that overlooked the circle of stones at the center of the Enchanted Grove. "It has a good view, and I think... I think it will be a fine place," she said, though her throat tightened too much for her to speak the rest of the sentence.

The witches of her coven knew without her needing to say them. It would be a fine place for Jocelynn’s final resting place if she failed in her trial. The tree that grew in that spot would have a good view of the coven’s activities in the grove for centuries to come.

Heila frowned slightly at Ashlynn’s decision. Sister Holly’s island was well away from the center of Amahle’s refuge in the Briar for good reason. Some reminders weren’t good to keep too close. If Jocelynn failed, then Ashlynn would never be able to escape from seeing Jocelynn’s tree when she came to the Enchanted Grove...

But it was Ashlynn’s decision, and Heila quickly erased the frown from her face as she started pulling items out of the satchel.

"Ollie, the token of wind is for you," Heila explained as she passed over a blue-green quill pen made from the feather of a jay.

Jocelynn recognized it instantly, and Ashlynn nodded when she saw the recognition in Jocelynn’s eyes.

"They say a journal written with the quill of a blue jay will contain only happy memories," Ashlynn said lightly. "This is my hope that we have many happy memories to write into our future," she explained.

"Virve, when the time comes, you’ll need to ignite the token of fire," Heila said, handing over a small copper bowl and a folded letter. Much like the quill, the letter was something Jocelynn recognized... It was the last letter that Ashlynn had written to her sister after learning that it had been Jocelynn who betrayed her.

"Mother Ashlynn," Heila said, pulling a small earthen jar filled with dirt from the satchel. "Since you’ll be standing for earth this time," she said as she carefully handed the jar to Ashlynn.

"Dirt," Ashlynn explained to Jocelynn. "Taken from the grave where I was buried," she said. For a moment, she seemed like she wanted to say more, but she gave her head a slight shake and moved on to the next item instead. This time, it was Ashlynn who produced a token, pulling a small, stoppered vial from a pouch at her waist.

"If I could have," Ashlynn said. I’d have brought salt water from Blackwell Bay for you. I actually asked Wolstan to fetch some when he delivers our letters to Father," she said. "But we can’t wait. You’ll have to make do with a few of my tears for the saltwater between us. Some are happy, some are sad," she said as she passed the vial over to Heila.

"You brought the sea with you," Jocelynn said as tears glittered in the corners of her eyes. "It’s perfect."

"Mmm," Ashlynn said with a slight nod before she turned to Isabell. "Is your token ready, Isabell? I know I didn’t give you much time," she said.

"It’s ready," Isabell said as she pulled a small model bridge out of one of the pockets of her cloak. It was small enough that it fit in the palm of her hand, but the delicate arch looked sturdy with squared footings and graceful rails that ran along its side.

"I would have used Olive wood if I’d had any," Isabell apologized. "Since I didn’t, I used a bit of willow, hemlock, oak, cypress, and ash in the construction," she explained, showing the model to Jocelynn. "We’re all here to support you, Jocelynn. Every one of us," she said, reaching out to give Jocelynn’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"Talauia," Ashlynn said, turning to the only witch present who wasn’t a member of the coven. "We’ll be counting on you to stand guard for us. Don’t let anyone disturb the ritual."

"I won’t, I won’t," Talauia said solemnly as her wings hummed in the cool night air. "Just focus on the ritual, focus on your sister, and I’ll do the rest," she promised.

"Good," Ashlynn said, before giving Nyrielle’s hand a squeeze. "Then let’s mark out the circle," she said, nodding to the small rise. "It’s time to begin..."