My mouth dropped open, and from the higher seats, a few people clapped. Nearer, through the haze, I saw frightened expressions and heard a soft murmur rise. Give me to a demon? Was he serious?

Vivian strode dramatically across the stage, gathering eyes to her and taking them from me. “Do you even hear yourself?” she said, putting a hand on the table and leaning toward him.

Oliver drew back, but he was clearly unrepentant. “If she’s a black witch, then giving her to a demon isn’t a crime.”

No, it would be a joke, I thought.

At the end of the coven table, Leon raised his hand for everyone’s attention. “I’m not going to agree with any plan that gives a person to a demon,” he said, shocking Oliver. Amanda and Wyatt nodded, looking less sure, but agreeing with him. Emboldened, the timid man took a firmer grip on his amulet. “I am willing to consider that legalizing black magic in certain individuals might be permissible,” he said, and the crowd buzzed. “I’d like to explore this in greater detail, that perhaps a coven member might be allowed to become skilled in black magic if the ends are good.”

Pierce exhaled, and I smiled at him. If his claim to the coven was accepted, then I’d have two strong votes for me. Trent, too, looked less stressed, and the soft clench of his jaw eased. Maybe this was how they planned on getting my shunning permanently revoked. Working for the coven to fight a demon was a hell of a lot better than living in the ever-after or being Trent’s witch. I relaxed, seeing an end I could live with, even if it would cramp my style. Working for the coven. Ha! But at least I’d get paid for doing something I’d probably have to do anyway.

Seeing his victory dissolving in a wash of common sense, Oliver stood. “We should adjourn and discuss this in private.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” I said, grabbing my amplifying amulet, uncrossing my legs, and leaning forward past Trent to see Oliver better. “I was promised a trial before my peers.” Along with my shunning being removed and an end to this, but first things first.

Pierce stood, tugging his vest straight and reaching for his amulet. “A private council is how I ended up in the ground,” he said. “I won’t accept going behind closed doors.”

A hole in the ground, a cell with no windows. I could always call on Al, but if I did, there’d be no way I’d get my shunning removed. I fidgeted as the crowd buzzed and the witches at the table discussed the issue. Finally Wyatt rang the bell for silence. “I want to do this here,” he said, and Oliver fell back in his chair with a dramatic expression of irritation. “I don’t want to spend days on this. I have just one question.” He looked at the other two witches, silent, but clearly as interested as he was. “Perhaps this is a morality trial after all.”