The Rejected True Heiress (Liora and Callum) novel Chapter 467

Liora’s POV

The exterior of the building we found ourselves standing in front of was grimy, the windows dark and covered in bars. It was situated in a narrow alleyway on the other side of the city, and even from outside, I could smell cigar smoke and beer.

“A tavern?” I asked, glancing at the headmistress.

“Nobody will recognize you here.” Mrs. Oakes pushed open the door. “Come on.”

Inside, the tavern was just as I expected it to be. The floor was sticky under my shoes, and the few patrons scattered around the room didn’t even glance up as we entered. A bartender with a long gray beard was wiping down the counter as he chatted with someone at the bar. He also did not look at us.

Mrs. Oakes led me to a booth in the very back corner, tucked away from the rest of the room. We slid into the seats, and she waved her hand. A faint shimmer spread around us, like heat rising from pavement.

“Soundproof,” she said.

I stared at her. “You’re a witch.”

“I am.”

“How long have you—”

“My entire life.” She folded her hands on the table. “But I keep it quiet. Most people don’t know, and I prefer it that way.”

I opened my mouth, then shut it again. I supposed I should have suspected it when I didn’t initially sense a wolf on her scent when I first met her, but at the time, I’d thought so little of it that it barely even registered to me.

I decided to cut straight to the chase. Mrs. Oakes had clearly followed me and wanted to talk for a reason. And after that note she’d left in my locker, I had a pretty good feeling as to what this was about.

“Do you know Belinda?” I asked.

At that, she shook her head. “I don’t know where they’re keeping him. But I suspect Belinda has him somewhere secure, and that she’s keeping him alive. For now.”

I shut my eyes for a moment, squeezing them tight. For now meant that it wouldn’t be forever. And just because he was alive didn’t mean he wasn’t suffering.

Mrs. Oakes spoke again. “I believe Belinda has been illegally training Bianca in the arcane as well.”

I opened my eyes. “I thought witches had to be born with the ability.”

“We do. But some do have the capacity to perform basic rituals without access to the arcane.”

“Huh,” I said. “I’ve never heard of people like that.”

“That’s because most with that ability would never have a reason to find out.” She leaned forward. “I’ve been studying her, Liora. I believe that Bianca is currently training to perform the same magic as Belinda—compulsion magic. It won’t be as strong as Belinda’s, but it will be enough to sway someone who is already vulnerable.”