This Coven Won't Break (These Witches Don't Burn, #2)

by Isabel Sterling

“You two can stay in the living room,” Mom yells from the kitchen. “No closed doors!” “Why didn’t you say something before I panic-cleaned my room?” I shout back. “It’s good for you!”

PEOPLE ARE MUCH MORE agreeable when there are unconscious bodies on their floor.

“Save it. If you’re not here for the meeting on Saturday, I’m calling my sponsors and going back on tour.” She squeezes her fists, and the pain flares bright. My knees buckle, and she grabs my arm, holding me upright. “And if those Casters do anything to hurt me,” she says, her whispered words curled around my brain like barbed wire, “I’ll stop your heart.”

1) somebody hit the bitch 2) why can't she be the mc?

She hands the vial to me. “Be very careful with this. It’ll destroy any liquid, including the drug. Unfortunately, it’s extremely volatile. Don’t let it come in contact with broken skin. It’ll burn up your blood as easily as it’ll destroy the cure.” “Are you sure I should be the one handling this?” “Would you prefer to burn the paper copies of their research or help Cal establish access to their digital files?” Keating asks, but she doesn’t give me time to answer. “You’ve earned the right to destroy the thing that has taken so much from you.”

“Good.” Mrs. Hall grabs hold of my chin and forces it left until I can’t see anything but Archer. “Now pay close attention,” she whispers as her husband pockets the lighter and smashes his knuckles against Archer’s face. Again. And again. “We decide when this stops. Not you.” Her grip on my chin tightens. “And once we’ve re-created our cure, we will decide how and when you die.”

I stare into the quiet woods, hating myself. It’s stupid to be this miserable. We finally have a way to eliminate the Hunters, a plan that doesn’t lower us to their level of violence. I should be glad. Instead, I’m hiding outside, wiping tears from my face.

She gave the Hunters the confidence to attack us. She’s the reason Benton’s parents killed my dad. It’s all because of her. “You can still join me, Hannah. I’m going to change the world. You can change it with me.”

There shouldn’t be much of the drug left, but they may still have one or two darts. They also won’t hesitate to use force.” The group around me shifts, and a tremor works through the ground. “Forget everything you’ve been taught about secrecy. This needs to be big.” I scan the group, Elementals I’ve known all my life and new witches I’ve only just begun to trust. “We want to embody everything these Hunters fear we are. We need to embrace Keating’s vision of a world where we don’t have to hide anything.”

“That’s me letting you go. That’s me saying I forgive you for what happened in New York. I hope you can do the same for me.” Alice’s cheeks flush red, and she tucks her hair behind her ears. “I know I play a tough game, but I honestly think what we did together—what you did to protect not just your coven but all of us—is pretty great.” Her words are unexpectedly warm and genuine, and I find myself smiling at her. “Thanks, Alice. Really.” “Don’t mention it.” Alice slides the sunglasses back down. “Besides, I think your girlfriend should be the only one allowed to make your heart race.”

bitch what that wasn't even an apology

I laugh along with them and let myself imagine a future of my own. One where witches can come out of the shadows. Where we can give back the magic that was stolen. Where we can tell the people we trust—people like Gemma—who we are without fear. But until then, I will grieve the ones we lost and love the ones who are left as hard as I can. And hope that Dad would count that as a win.

puke🤢🤢🤢