Page 51 of Death Card

“That was really fucking bold,” I growl. Once we’re nose to nose, I lower my voice to keep from attracting attention. “Did you really try to kill me in a house full of mortals?”

To her credit, Aria doesn’t shrink. The only hint of emotion she shows is the narrowing of her eyes. “If I wanted to kill you, there are a thousand other ways I could do it, and no one would ever know it was me.”

I open my mouth to snap at her when Joelle enters the kitchen with Orion, Malik, and Chris at her heels. She immediately clocks my bloody ear and grabs my arm.

“Are you okay?” Her voice is an octave higher than usual, filled with panic. “What happened?”

Orion’s gaze lands on the knife sticking out of the wall. Malik strides over and tries to pull it out, but it’s still firmly stuck.

“Did we interrupt a knife fight?” Chris asks, glancing between us. “ ’Cause I don’t want any part of that.”

Orion steps between me and Aria. “It’s time to go, sis.”

My eyes never leave Aria’s. “Well, she’s coming with us, because we need to talk,” I say. “Alone.”

22

We leave theparty quickly through the back door. Joelle clings to my arm, dabbing at my ear with a napkin she grabbed from the counter. Orion stalks ahead, while Malik and Chris linger at the back of the group, making sure that Aria doesn’t disappear into the dark bushes around us.

The only people out in the backyard are a couple slobbering all over each other in the shadows and a lone brunette girl sitting at a picnic table. When the girl spots Aria, she half rises from her seat, but Aria lifts her hand and motions for her to stay.

I make a mental note to watch out for more witches from Aria’s coven.

Orion doesn’t stop until we’ve filed through the back gate. “We’ll be in the car,” he says aloud. In my head, he says, “Let me know if you need backup.”

“I’ll be fine.”With the amount of adrenaline pumping through my veins, I feel capable of anything, like one of those people in high-stress situations who can lift a car off someone’s body.

Joelle is hesitant to leave me, but Malik whispers something to her, and she disappears with the guys.

I don’t waste any time once Aria and I are alone. “I know about the demons.”

Her eyes flash. “That’s your problem, Mikaela. You think you know everything, but you really know nothing.”

I’ve only managed to read a couple of pages of the demonology book I stole from Crescent Moon, but it’s incredibly incriminating. The opening pages provide a step-by-step guide to summoning demons. If Gloria had it in her possession, then she knows exactly how to call forth a demon that could do her bidding.

The Hightowers disappeared because they’d been threatened by us. Maybe Gloria’s tired of hiding.

“Look, I won’t lie. Your coven is looking mighty guilty right now, Aria, and so are you,” I say. “You just tried to kill me back there, and I haven’t done anything to you.”

Aria scoffs. “I didn’t throw that knife at you.”

“Then who did? It wasn’t my brother or my friends, and we both know a mortal didn’t do that.”

An odd look crosses her face. “But we don’t know that at all…” she trails off. “Maybe—”

“Cut the shit,” I say. “Stop deflecting. You can still make all this right. Tell Gloria to stop targeting us.”

Aria throws her hands up in the air. “I’m really sick of your accusations! You don’t have any evidence to back it up.”

“How about the fact that you sacrifice animals and summon demons?”

Aria crosses her arms. “My grandmother hasn’t practiced demonology since before I was born.” She closes her eyes and sucks in a breath. “She isn’t behind this. None of us are. Yes, our magical practices are different from your coven’s. So what? That doesn’t mean we decided to wake up one morning and kill other witches. Come on, Mikaela.”

I don’t believe a single thing Aria says, but I also can’t deny the doubt creeping through my body like a vine, twisting and squeezing my insides. My knowledge of our history with the Hightowers is fuzzy at best. The Elders seemed convinced that they’re capable of this. But the truth is that my confidence is growing shakier by the minute.

Aria’s right. I’m still grasping at straws.

“How can I trust anything you say?” I ask. “Your first loyalty is to your coven, as is mine. You’ll say and do anything to protect them.”