I openedmy mouth to argue, but she pressed on before I could.
“Look,” she said, her tone softening slightly. “This place can be overwhelming. Everyone’s still on edge after everything that’s happened, and Rune’s trying to hold it all together. But you’re not alone here, okay? If you ever feel lost—or if Rune’s being, well, Rune—you can come to me.”
Her sincerity caught me off guard, and for a moment, I didn’t know how to respond. “Thanks,” I said finally, my voice quieter than I intended. “I appreciate that.”
“Anytime,” she said with a wink. “Now, I’m going to let you get some rest. But don’t think you can hide out forever, Maple. This coven needs a little shaking up, and I think you’re just the person to do it.”
The next fewdays were spent reading about death witches and diviners. The library books I’d pilfered from here were absolutely no help. It seemed they kept their magical information under lock and key, which explained why I didn’thave any information in my own books locking in my chest. However, I was beginning to grow frustrated with my lack of clothes. I only had a few outfits in a suitcase that boarded the flight to come here and the rest of my clothes, especially comfort items, were locked away. I hated that I couldn’t unpack and get cozy here. All it did was tell me that I was temporary, as well as my space. I pressed my palms into my eyes. This couldn’t be all that my life was here in this coven. There had to be more.
Not only did I miss baking up treats and serving my coven, but I also missed having some type of independence. There were so many rules to abide by within these walls. There was also no nature or property to explore. I never thought I would miss the woods back at home but when I stepped out into the courtyard, all I wanted was some kind of nature. I was stuck in a concrete jungle and all it did was further depress me. I thought New Orleans would have been full of magic and fun but here I was, stuck in my room wondering when my life would begin.
A soft tap on my door made me dread whatever human interaction I was about to be forced into. I knew it was Adelle before I pulled the door open. She was the only one who visited me and made sure I was still alive. She brought the delicious meals to me or forced me to the kitchen where I ate with her and Maggie. Neither one of them understood why I didn’t want to eat with the rest of the coven and I couldn’t exactly explain it. I was too worried that Rune would get upset. I was walking on eggshells.
Adelle wrinkled her nose. “You could use a shower and maybe some sunlight.”
“Don’t remind me.” I let out a breath. “I don’t know what to do with myself.”
Adelle pushed her way into my bedroom and sat on the corner of the bed. Today her silver box braids were wrapped upin a headscarf and big earrings dangled beside her face. “I think I have an idea.”
I picked up my cup of coffee off of the counter and blew at the steam swirling around on the top. “Yeah?”
“Why don’t we go out tonight?”
I raised a brow. “Go out where?”
Adelle’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “The Quarter, where else?”
I blinked at her, unsure if I’d heard correctly. “You mean the French Quarter? The one outside these walls?”
She nodded, a grin spreading across her face. “Exactly. You’ve been cooped up here for days, and it’s doing you no favors. A little adventure might be just what you need.”
“Adventure?” I echoed, raising a skeptical brow. “I thought Rune would have a heart attack if I so much as left the courtyard without his approval.”
Adelle waved a hand dismissively. “Rune’s too busy brooding over whatever responsibility he’s juggling today. Besides, he doesn’t need to know.”
I stared at her, my coffee cup frozen halfway to my lips. “You’re suggesting I sneak out of the coven compound? Isn’t that against, like, a hundred rules?”
She tilted her head, feigning innocence. “Probably. But rules are more like guidelines anyway.”
I snorted, shaking my head. “I’m sure that’s not how Rune sees them.”
“Rune needs to loosen up,” she said with a grin. “And you need to have some fun. The Quarter is full of magic, life, and possibilities. If you’ve never been, you’re missing out.”
Her words sparked something in me, a faint flicker of excitement that I hadn’t felt since arriving here. The thought of escaping the suffocating walls of the coven—even just for a few hours—was tempting.
“But what if something happens?” I asked hesitantly. “What if Rune finds out?”
Adelle leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “That’s the thing, Maple. Nothing will happen. We’ll go, have a drink, listen to some music, and be back before anyone notices. And if Rune does find out?” She shrugged. “Let me handle him.”
I hesitated, the responsible part of me screaming that this was a terrible idea. But another part—the part desperate for something new, something alive—was already leaning toward yes.
“Okay but what am I going to wear? All of my belongings are trapped in the Voodoo King’s room and I have no idea where anything is in this labyrinth of a community.”
Adelle’s lips curled. “Oh girl, come with me!”
Adelle’s homewas on the other side of the compound closer to her mother’s. It had a large sitting area and two bedrooms behind the kitchen. I didn’t know how any of this was even possible with magic because this compound was not that big on the outside.
“Does everyone in this coven live in the compound?” I asked as she led me to one of the bedrooms. Her home was full of soft lavenders and pretty pinks. It was a girly haven. I loved it.
