poisoned blades 16
The Accusations
Nightshade smirked as he watched his cousins Salem and Midnight do as they were instructed. They were claiming people—nobles more specifically—were against the revolution. They were excellent liars and they were even better at riling up crowds.
“Do you think it will work?” Windfire wondered. In public, the families understood the need for the couple to show affection, so nothing was said of the way they stood. Windfire leaned on Nightshade and he placed his arm around her.
Nightshade just nodded. “Of course it will work.” He watched the angered crowd get even angrier, “Watch, my love…” he whispered in her ear.
Windfire stood stoic as she watched the accused men and women get swallowed by the furious crowd. People with such an influence over others being against the revolution was detrimental. “I see. Humans are predictable.”
“Precisely,” Nightshade agreed. They continued watching with morbid fascination. An unofficial execution would take place early in that afternoon. When the crowd parted from the satisfying slaughter of the three noble families’ matron and patron, Nightshade led his wife away from the gruesome sight and back toward their castle with his cousins at his side.
“How was that?” Salem asked, eager for praise.
“You both acted quite well,” Nightshade said with a smirk.
“What do you wish us to do now, patron?” Midnight asked.
Nightshade looked thoughtful for a moment, “I’m going to say to give it a few days and then use some of our servants as accusers against the Sommer family and the Neville family.”
“Why wait?” Salem asked with a wicked smirk.
“Because if you’re doing all of the accusing in one day it will look suspicious,” Nightshade replied.
“And then after we’ve used the servants?” Midnight inquired.
“Well, then we involve my sisters,” Windfire replied. “My cousins as well,” she added as an afterthought. The unwedded Gerard men blushed at the mention of her cousins. Windfire smiled, “Did we miss something?”
“N-nothing at all,” Midnight stuttered.
“I’m sure,” Nightshade teased.
“It was nothing! We had an argument or two after a fight…” Midnight rambled.
“And you said that I fall for the ladies too easily?” Salem cleared his throat.
“I did not fall for that wretch! Rainstone is only still alive because of Nightshade and Windfire’s marriage!” Midnight declared.
“Since when do you remember women’s names?” Nightshade asked with a wry smile. Midnight hung his head at that. He didn’t have a reply for it and there was no way to rebuttal the truth. “That silence is making me think that you like Rainstone.”
“Maybe she’s not that bad for a witch,” Midnight admitted.
“I have yet to choose a husband for any of my cousins or sisters,” Windfire sighed.
“Really?” Midnight and Salem chorused.
“I take it that we have two volunteers,” Windfire smiled at the two inept blonde men that were walking to her husband’s left.
“I’ll admit it…I like Dewstone…” Salem drooled.
“Then ask her to marry you.” Nightshade suggested.
“She’d never do that!” Salem argued, “Dewstone’s too good for that.”
“What am I too good for?” Dewstone leapt from the tree where she had been waiting, landing with ease.
“Nothing,” Salem squeaked.
“What do I owe your company?” Windfire asked.
“I just thought I’d see how your half of the plan was playing out,” Dewstone replied. “Your sisters told me that both of our families would be controlling the country so unlike when your mother was barking orders, I feel the need to do what is asked of me.”
“Well, thank you,” Windfire laughed, “And we’ve started the accusations.”
“Excellent,” Dewstone rubbed her hands together quickly, eagerly. “Should we start at a different end of town? Maybe have a few of the wannabe covens start some accusations?”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” Nightshade admitted, looking thoughtful.
“I like that idea. Some of the smaller covens are spread throughout France. Get them riling up the places where they are located. We’ll have the larger covens take care of the cities,” Windfire ordered.
“Noted, matron,” Dewstone saluted Windfire. “Who am I passing this message on to?”
“The entire Deverill coven,” Windfire answered. “Tell them that they’re my orders,” she suggested.
“Do you think that magic between a man and a woman is always strong?” Salem asked, but not intending the question for anybody in particular.
Dewstone shook her head, “The witch and warlock would have to be in love.”
“You believe such things?” Salem inquired.
“It’s nice to hope, even if it isn’t plausible.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Salem agreed. “Not many humans are going to freely marry me, but I can hope for love.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. For a warlock, you’re not that weak,” Dewstone ruffled Salem’s hair affectionately.
“Can you do me a favor?” Salem whispered.
“Sure,” Dewstone whispered back.
Salem shouted, “Tell your sister that Midnight is in love with her!”
“What?” Midnight snapped. “You will do no such thing!”
“Well, since it’s true I’ll do it,” Dewstone said before walking away.
Midnight glared at his younger brother, “If I weren’t naturally a calm person I would be strangling you.”
“You do realize that Nightshade and Windfire left us, right?” Salem asked before he broke into a run after the newlyweds.
Dewstone and Rainstone had traveled to watch the public humiliation of yet another family. The Francois family had set up this assassination and they were eager to watch yet another noble family fall.
Bridgette Francois stood before the townspeople. “I have something to announce.” The whispering hushed and all eyes were on the pretty young witch. “The Delacroix family are admitted atheists!” Tears streamed down her cheeks as she pointed to Alexander Delacroix, their patron. “He wants us to kill one another in the name of God instead of kill what is detrimental to God!”
“She is quite the liar,” Dewstone smiled.
“She learns from our family,” Rainstone said with a smirk.
“I…I can not believe that you would lie about such a thing!” Alexander shouted to the young witch as two townspeople bound his hands.
“No trial here?” Rainstone guessed.
Bridgette shook her head. “Just the natural razor—the guillotine,” she grinned as she watched the struggling noble get pinned into the headboard. The three women watched in morbid fascination as the blood splattered when the blade fell and the man’s head rolled into a basket. “It’s a quick solution for those who are against the revolution.”
“That is a wonderful development,” Dewstone smirked. “Thank you for your time and effort and Windfire will hear of your participation and how helpful you have been,” Rainstone smiled.
“Windfire?” Bridgette looked confused.
“Yes, she took over for her mother. She’s infiltrating the Gerard coven’s home. She married their strapping new leader Nightshade a short while ago,” Dewstone explained.
“Are the Gerard family members against the revolution, too?” Bridgette smirked, knowing the name of her ally’s natural enemies.
“We’ll know that once we have no use for them,” Rainstone cackled.

poisoned blades 18