Hallowed Circle by Linda Robertson Read Free Book Online Page B

“I’m not trying to win. In fact, I know I won’t. I’m just doing it to knock out another strong contender who has the wrong attitude for the job.”
    “What attitude?” she asked.
    “A bullying one.”
    “So you’re bullying back?” Nana snapped.
    “I didn’t say it was a great and principled response, but bullies don’t respond to ethical behavior. Their actions are wrong and for the wrong reasons. They’re like animals about it and all they will respect is strength.”
    “So you’re bullying back and justifying it.” Another snap.
    “No. I’m just going to beat her so she doesn’t advance to the next round, then I’ll lose in that following round.”
    “And it’s fine for you to judge her as fit or unfit?”
    So much for Nana taking hints. “She displayed it to everyone.”
    “That wasn’t my question, Persephone.”
    I didn’t back down. “I know what’s right and what’s wrong, Nana. Proceeding in this competition is the right thing to do and I’m doing it for the right reason.”
    “And what reason is that?”
    “That coven was manipulated by Vivian. It’s time that a real leader takes the reins and guides a sincere group forward, instead of someone who’s power hungry and looking only to build a résumé. The true practitioners will come back if a suitable leader, someone strong and smart and experienced, is in place.”
    “This woman you’re bullying, is she not smart or experienced?”
    I shrugged. “She probably is.”
    “Aren’t bullies strong?”
    “I see what you’re saying, Nana, but a dictatorship isn’t the way to go. Power like that corrupts. We don’t need any more of that.”
    “So you’re suggesting that to avoid forceful leadership you will subvert that leadership by force? Do you hear yourself? Leading by force works for the vampires. It works for the wæres. It worked for Vivian for a long time. Look at the Covenstead she built. Look how she used the local media to create positive hype. Look how—”
    “Nana. Maybe you should compete instead of me.”
    She thumped her fist on the table. “I had a coven once. I’ll never do that again.”
    Into the silence that followed I offered a humbled, “I didn’t know that.” Another tidbit to file away.
    “If this woman wants the job and can win it, let her have it! The contest will prove whether she is worthy and will dismiss her if she isn’t. Who are you to interfere, solitary?”
    Around a mouthful of roast, Johnny said, “As Lustrata, she is supposed to make judgment calls.”
    Nana glared at him.
    “Thank you,” I said to him. It earned me a share in her glare.
    “I’m proud of her, Demeter. Worst-case scenario,” he said, “this bully beats her and becomes the high priestess anyway.”
    “Right. That’s the worst-case scenario … a bad high priestess.” Nana stood, lifted her arms, and turned her face heavenward. “Crone, open their eyes!” When her arms dramatically fell limp at her sides, she faced Johnny. “The Lustrata cannot be beaten in an Eximium! When she decides to finally share that she is the Lustrata with the Council, they’ll scoff. And when she goes before the Elders as part of that competition—it’s standard, they always do that—what if they realize she’s marked?”
    “Stained,” I corrected.
    “Goddess, why are you so pigheaded?” Nana almost snarled.
    I was pretty sure I knew: if pigheadedness was an inherited trait then I’d inherited it from her, but pointing this out would only make this argument last longer and get us further off-subject. My mouth stayed shut.
    “It’s a mark, Persephone, a mark ,” Nana insisted. “You know as well as I do that it would compromise you. Having that authority will only entice the vampire back to your door.”
    I realized Johnny’s spine had stiffened.
    Oh, shit. I’d been outed.

CHAPTER SIX
     
    “You’ll be Bindspoken,” Nana went on, “and they’ll put your name under the FadedShroud! That, of course, will be