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to stop this. But she had ordered him to stand
down. And he’d obey.
Around him, the Crochans thrummed with
fear and dread. Either for the fight unfolding
or the three Matrons who had found them.
But Glennis did not tremble. At her side
Bronwen hummed with the energy of one
eager to leap into the fight.
Manon and the High Witches sprang apart,
breathing heavily. Blue blood leaked down
Manon’s shoulder, and small slices peppered
the three Matrons.
Manon still remained on the far side of the
line she’d drawn. Still held it.
The dark-haired witch in voluminous black
robes spat blue blood onto the snow. Manon’s
grandmother. “Pathetic. As pathetic as your
mother.” A sneer toward Glennis. “And your
father.”
The snarl that ripped from Manon’s throat