a minute apart since everything went down.
Scarlett was glad they had each other. After these past few weeks, she wanted to hold tight to those she loved too.
Especially her sisters. Sisters who she couldn’t bear the thought of letting down again. “What if you all vote me in and I just . . . what if I screw it up?” Scarlett’s breath fogged the glass. She spoke so softly, she wasn’t sure Vivi would hear.
But a heartbeat later, her Little materialized at her side. “I think the fact that you’re so concerned means you’re more ready than ever to lead.”
Scarlett laughed.
“I mean it.” Vivi caught her eye. “Great leaders are born of necessity, not certainty. We need you, Scarlett. More than ever. But if you stood here and told me you had no fears, that you were completely certain you’d be the best president the Ravens ever had, then I’d be worried. After all, we know what wanting power for power’s sake looks like.”
Tiffany.
Scarlett had spent so much time these past couple of weeks sorting through her feelings about her best friend. She’d probably always wrestle with them, because deep down, a big part of her still loved Tiffany. And seeing the way Tiffany’s mother had crumpled at her funeral, weeping, had broken Scarlett’s heart. She knew why Tiffany did what she did.
And that realization scared her. What if love led her down the wrong path one day too?
But no. If nothing else, witnessing what Tiffany had become—seeing her horrible end—had shown her what waited on the other side of wickedness, had shown her the consequences of the lure of untold power. Tiffany had taught her that much. Scarlett just had to believe she’d never forget the lesson, never repeat her friend’s mistakes.
And in the meantime . . . Vivi was right. Her sisters needed her. Scarlett still wasn’t sure she deserved to lead them, but if they asked her to, for their sakes, she would.
Kappa first, last, and always.
“I’m ready,” she told Vivi’s reflection.
Her sister smiled and reached for the door. “Good. Then go lead these witches.”
* * *
Mei and Etta did most of the ritual setup, with Juliet’s and Jess’s help. The freshmen had pitched in too, baking the buttermilk loaves and mulling hot apple cider. Mei and Etta had prepared the altar, overflowing with apples and pears, rose hips and blackberries, winter melon and persimmons. It was a time for feasting, for celebration.
But they’d also brought over a chair and a small wrought-iron table from the greenhouse, and on the table they’d set a full plate of food and an overflowing cup of wine. They’d draped the chair with Dahlia’s red ceremonial robes and adorned the table with red candles and some deep purple orchids Etta must have picked from the greenhouse. It was a symbolic place for Dahlia in their midst.
It made Scarlett’s heart ache to see it. But she knew Dahlia would appreciate it. She’d loved Kappa with all her entire being. In the end, she’d given everything for them.
Scarlett wouldn’t let her down.
Scarlett pulled out Minnie’s tarot cards and laid them on the table alongside all the other witches’ decks and began to speak.
“Sisters, thank you for gathering tonight.” Scarlett eyed them one by one. Everyone had dressed for the occasion—they all wore black cocktail dresses, except Juliet, who wore an elegant black three-piece suit. The black served a dual purpose: Black for ravens. Black for mourning. And each woman wore her sorority charm on a simple chain around her neck. “The past few weeks have been a trying time for us all. We’ve suffered loss and betrayal. We’ve had one of our own taken from us well before her time.” All the sisters looked to Dahlia’s seat. “And we watched another break our deepest, most sacred vows.”
For a moment, a heavy silence fell. Ariana broke it, sniffling softly; Vivi reached over and put an arm around her.
“We will not forget our sisters. Either their sacrifice or their mistakes.” Scarlett drew a deep breath. “But the harvest is also a time of plenty. A time to celebrate what we still have as we prepare for the long, dark winter ahead.” She stretched out her hands. Mei stood on her right, and she clasped that hand. Vivi took her left, her other arm still wrapped around Ariana.
One by one, the Ravens linked hands.
“Tonight, our ritual will renew the bond of our sisterhood. We will pledge ourselves to one another, share our magic and our loyalty