Coven of Bones #1
*Contains explicit sexual content, child abuse, blood, and murder.
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This is not a book review and contains many, many spoilers. Like, all the spoilers. To read a full review, visit HERE.
Disclaimer: I have read this book of my own volition. Any and all opinions and interpretations contained herein are my own.
The Spoiler Report is a recounting of the major events of the novel mixed with my own interpretation of the meaning and symbolism of events, emotions, and actions. Reading this report is NOT a substitute for reading the actual novel and should not be taken as such. Not every single detail, feeling, and event is divulged within. It is essentially a lengthy outline of the story. Many details and all dialogue have not been included. This report is for those who appreciate knowing what happens or feels they may miss things when reading, or just want to have a detailed overview of a book before, or during, reading.
****THIS REPORT CONTAINS SPOILERS****
Alraic Grayson Thorne. It has been 329 years since he has been made into whatever it is he is. Clearly, 329 is not necessarily his age.
Arriving at Hollow’s Grove University as the new headmaster and meeting with the Covenant of witches that stem from the original witch, Charlotte Hecate. Now, they are nothing more than literal skeletons wearing cloaks. At least the two that remain – Susannah Madizza and George Collins.
The university is to reopen – the skeletons need new blood to feed upon. And they need new generations. Also, beings such as Alaric, Vessels, need witch blood to live so they can, in turn, feed the Covenant.
Willow, 20, takes her six-year-old brother, Ash, to say goodbye to their mother at her funeral. But they don’t actually stay for the proceedings. Willow also went so she could grab the amulet from around her deceased mother’s neck.
Her mother gave her explicit instructions what to do with Ash when she finally died from her illness. Staying for the funeral was not one of them.
If a witch doesn’t use her magic at least periodically, their magic would burn through them as it had with Flora Madizza, Willow’s mother.
Willow is, however, supposed to take Ash to a bus stop where his biological father is to pick him up. Ash is to live with him and his family as he knows nothing of the world he comes from.
Ash and Willow have the same mother but different fathers. Their mother kept Ash warded so he would be hidden from paranormal creatures, especially witches. Those wards died along with her, potentially exposing him. Ash can’t know anything about being a witch until he is sixteen and comes into his power.
Alaric Grayson Throne, Gray, is summoned by the covenant again a few months after being at Hollow’s Grove. Now that Flora has died and her wards are gone, the Covenant can detect Willow. Further notifying them that Flora hadn’t really died 20 years ago as they had originally been led to believe. Because Flora hid Willow, they assume she also hid who she really was from her daughter. Leaving Willow completely ignorant of what she is and of the world of magic.
Gray, along with two other Vessels, are tasked with bringing her to the school.
Willow’s father calls her as she is preparing to leave with Ash. He has been conditioning her since birth to help enact his revenge. Training her to hate the council and Vessels. Her father’s sister, her aunt, sent him away when he was a baby in order to hide him – save him. All male witches are forced to make a choice. Either than can keep their magic and become sterile or forfeit their magic in order to breed with a female witch and continue the bloodlines.
He now wants to use his daughter to hunt down the bones of their ancestors so Willow can fully inherit her birth right which is passed down by receiving your ancestor’s bones as a Black witch. Her aunt had them when she was killed and they haven’t seen them since. Black witches who don’t posses the bones have no power. They are essentially necromancers.
Each type of witch draws their power from different sources.
Green witches = earth
White witches = crystals
Yellow witches = fire
Red witches = lust and desire (sex)
Black witches = bones of their ancestors
Willow inherited Green magic from her mother and Black from her father. Only she can feel the existence of the bones. Her dad feels nothing.
In the middle of their phone conversation, Gray shows up at Willow’s house. As soon as she approaches, Willow can feel the power rolling off him and immediately knows what he is.
Using all his charm, Gray invites her to attend Hollow’s Grove University.
Willow tries to slam the door in his face and fails. Their contempt for each other is instant. Unable to fully close the door because Gray’s foot is wedged in, he gets a clear view of Ash as he comes out of hiding. Hoping to help defend his big sister who quickly throws a hand over Gray’s mouth to conceal his fangs. She way know about the supernatural world, but her brother has been sheltered from it.
Willow exposes that she is trained and the extent of her little brother’s sheltering. The little brother no one knows about. Gray offers her a deal; attend the university and he will keep Ash a secret.
As an answer, Willow physical attacks him so she can get the front door closed.
Body healing from her attack, Gray retreats to the two other members of his party, Juliet and Kairos. Ordering them to watch the house. He doesn’t want Willow escaping. Already having underestimated her once.
Willow leads Ash into the basement and into the tunnel she carved out with her mother. Using her Green magic to clear the way and block it if anyone were to follow. Promising Ash she will tell all about being a witch and his family when he is older. This being the first he has heard or seen about magic. Slipping her aunt’s journal into his backpack where he can find it and start learning once he is safe.
Reaching the end of the tunnel and emerging out a cave, Willow watches the three surrounding her house. Using her Green Magic again, she manipulates the forest to give Ash enough time to make it to the bus stop and his waiting father.
Using his extra-honed senses, Gray finds Willow and attacks. Eventually pinning her to the ground, biting her, and drinking her blood.
Getting the best of him, Willow is able to escape and run after Ash. By the time she reaches him in the bus stop parking lot, Juliet and Kairos are already there. Using his preternatural speed, Gray is suddenly behind the boy, hands resting on his shoulders.
Willow pleads, wanting to take his previously offered bargain. Gray initially refuses. Willow tries to appeal to his emotions but Vessels are not capable of love. Still, somehow moved by Willow’s admissions that even though love hurts, she would go through any pain to know that feeling.
Ash is now safe with his father and Gray let Willow know that she owes him a favor. He also commands Juliet and Kairos never to mention the existence of the boy to anyone.
The ride to the university is thick with sexual tension between Willow and Gray layered with contempt bordering on true hatred. Willow thinks on the mission her father has set her out to accomplish. Seduce the headmaster in order to discover the location of her ancestor’s missing bones.
The Covenant wants Willow because she is the last living descendant of her bloodline – that they know of. She holds her family’s power. The Covenant is disappointed once they meet her. She is not the submissive, naïve girl they had hoped for. She is brash, assertive, and full of bitterness.
Iban, a male witch that has chosen to forfeit his magic in lieu of having a family, is asked to escort Willow to her room. Gray is not happy about the pair. On the way to her room, the two pass what once was a garden. Practicing what the Covenant has forbidden, Willow offers the earth a willing sacrifice to heal the garden. It takes so much energy that she is punch drunk.
Gray catches up as Iban is trying, not very successfully, to lead Willow on their way. Annoyed, Gray swoops Willow up in his arms and carries her the rest of the way. An act the distracts them both to a dangerous point.
That night Gray roams the halls of the school restlessly. He ends at Willow’s door. Using a copy of her key, he enters and watches her sleep. Passed out in her clothes from magical exhaustion. He decides to make her more comfortable and change her into some pajamas. She never wakes but responds to his touch. Gray has decided he wants to sleep with her, as long as she’s awake.
The next morning, Willow meets her roommates. All descendants from the original families. Della Tethys, a Blue witch; Nova and Aurai; and Margot Erotes, a Red witch that doesn’t like to be touched.
Iban is at the door delivering a plate of food sent by the headmaster especially for Willow. Despite the implications of the delivery, Iban still shows his interest in Willow. Since he is there to find his mate, a Green witch such as her. Willow does not want a family – ever. Something she chooses not to share with anybody.
Following the girls to their first class, which is taught by the headmaster, Iban witnesses an interaction between Gray and Willow. One that warrants his need to warn her away from the Vessel. Iban is a much more viable option.
After class, talking with Willow, Gary realizes that she is very, inherently different. She has not been taught the same bias as other witches. Willow actually thinks for herself.
Instigating a small kiss, Willow breathes warmth and the promise of life into Gray’s body. Something else he couldn’t have predicted from her. Hinting at a connection between the two of them, Willow’s demeanor changes. But ultimately continues to allow his physical advances until she admits that she knows he entered her room last night. The roses told her what he had done.
Susannah interrupts their time together, reminding the headmaster that feeding from students outside of the Reaping is forbidden. Iban sheepishly hiding behind the Covenant, clearly the one that brought this situation to her attention.
After Willow leaves, Gray informs Susannah that he plans to claim dominium on Willow no matter what the Covenant has planned for her. And no matter that he wasn’t done that in centuries.
Spending some time in the library, Willow ties to find anything more about the Vessels in order to get a clue as to where the bones might be hidden. Gray, or course, interrupts, wanting to have a word with her. Retreating to his private office as not to disturb the librarians. Gray proposes a truce. No need to make their time there miserable. He recognizes bravery and rebellion in her. Thinks they should work together to bring balance. Get the coven back on the right track – to the old ways. In exchange, he will provide her protection from the Coven’s repercussions and their plans to breed her – a deal with the devil.
Sealing their new deal, Willow takes a drop of his blood from his thumb and lips. He takes blood from her mouth as he kisses her. She still won’t admit to liking him even in some part – she doesn’t hate him. He still intends to sleep with her.
A female student is found dead in the school’s courtyard, her body wrapped in the thorny rose vines Willow had fed and magicked back to life. The girl’s heart missing. Reminiscent of the events that transpired at the school 50 years ago.
Or course, their first suspect is Willow since she was the one who initially made the sacrifice to the plants and they listen and recognize her. Through logic and snark, Willow somewhat disproves their suspicions. Since she Is the last in her bloodline, there is nothing she won’t be able to get away with.
Gray is ordered to follow her, to keep her safe. Which works out for him since they struck that bargain.
Willow dreams of her aunt’s traumatic death. Which she had never known any details about, until the dream. She wakes with slashes on her back that form a triangle.
Gray rushes into her room as she is finishing cleaning herself up, demanding to know what has happened. Not falling for her lies and half-truths, he pushes her. Willow tells him most of what happened. Just leaving out key factors that would call attention to herself. Listening, he tends to her wounds.
A wound that Gray recognizes. A devil’s eye. Allowing Him to keep a closer watch on her.
As Gray continues to make advances toward Willow, she is torn. Torn between her duty of needing to seduce the headmaster in order to find the bones and whatever her body is feeling. She wants him but is highly uncomfortable with that fact. What denying her body’s reactions toward Gray’s attentions could really mean.
She doesn’t necessarily urge him on, but does nothing to stop him. He brings her to the edge with his hand, but stops. He uses the leverage he has on her and his blood she drank from him to be able to compel her. She is to find no release unless it is done by him. Not even her own hand will do the trick. No matter how hard she tries. And she tried.
Quincy, the witch with the missing heart tangled in the rose vines, is set to be buried. As a White witch, she should have been set on sacred rocks for her body to be absorbed back into the source. Willow is outraged that Quincy is in a wooden box to be buried in the ground.
Gray is right by her side, holding her hand, soothing her rage. Not because her feelings are unjustified, the timing is not right. Still horrified, Willow vows to right it for all those that have been wronged in such a way.
When confronting Susannah about the burial atrocity, an even more cruel reality presents itself. The Tribunal are slowly starting to starve the source, weakening the Vessels. In the end, Susannah plans to strike a new deal with the devil, voiding Charlotte’s original one. One that doesn’t involve other demons and vessels.
Consequences: all witches not part of the Tribunal (or Coven – it starts to become somewhat interchangeable at some point in the story) will lose their magic. Ushering in a new era of witches on the backs of others that are deemed unimportant. The survival of the Coven above all else.
Susannah threatens Willow. Putting her in a magically induced sleep until her plan comes to fruition.
Gray interrupts, George fetched him thinking Susannah is too consumed by her anger and ambition. But, ultimately, it comes down to the fact that he is a coward.
Gray takes Willow to his room. Convincing her to take his blood, healing her from the injuries caused by Susannah.
After getting Willow settled, Juliet and Kairos meet Gray in his office which is right outside his bedroom. He tells the two of them that he has claimed dominium over Willow. While we still don’t know the exact details, we can gather that that means it’s hands-off when it comes to Willow. That only Gray is allowed to touch her. He also doesn’t want them to let any of the witches know.
Swapping her clothes for one of Gray’s dress shirts, Willow finds him in his office at his desk. Their conversation and his actions, as always, confuse her. He seems to genuinely care and have feelings for her. Despite what she is willing to acknowledge, so does she.
Having to continually remind herself that Gray is most likely acting in a self-serving manner according to their arrangement.
Things heat between them as Gray reminds Willow what he truly is. Meaning that their agendas won’t always align. In the heat of their hatred and desire for each other, Gray finally gives her the release she has been craving, sprawled atop his desk.
After avoiding Gray for the last few days, Willow is faced with her first Reaping. Something she was terrified of before she ever stepped foot onto the school grounds.
As part of the bargain between witches and Vessels, witches must provide blood so the Vessels can sustain their physical form. Vessels come to the students at night, the ones who are willing, and take blood from them. And, if they are even more willing, engage in extracurricular activities.
She’s even more nervous when Iban informs her that it’s not the same Vessel every time. To discourage the potential of an ‘unnatural relationship’. It also puts a snag in Willow’s plan to seduce Gray. Getting him addicted to her blood and body.
Back in her room, Willow has to choose between two shifts. A silk one indicating she is open to feeding only. And a lace one that invites a more intimate rendezvous. She is torn not knowing who will be coming to her.
She chooses the feeding-only one. Not truly ready to give her first to some random Vessel. Not when it was meant as a tactic to seduce Gray.
In addition to the dress, Willow is required to be bond, either to the bed or a hook in the ceiling, and blindfolded. Not supposed to ever know who came and fed from her.
After working through some PTSD that was caused by an unknown event involving her father, she chooses the hook.
Gray comes to her, ready to use the Reaping as a reminder to Willow. Vessels are demons in meat suits. Witches are there to be played with and fed upon. Vessels are not capable of love – they are not, or have they ever been, human.
His resolve is shaken when he sees her fear. The room is bathed in her panicked emotions. He still treats her like an object, but vows to get to the bottom of that fear.
Gray begins his investigation by interrogating Della, the roommate that helped Willow prepare. Della remains loyal and protective of Willow as he asks her to spy on Willow for him.
All the students begin to train as there is a murderer on the loose. Gray and Willow spar. Another reminder that she is not human and she should stop fighting as one. Since her father didn’t have access to his magic, he taught her how to fight as a human, not a witch.
As she soothes her aching body in a bath, something otherworldly calls to Willow.
Gray bursts into the bathroom, pulling her out of the tub. There has been another murder. The body lays on the spot where the two of them sparred. Where they both bled into the earth.
In light of the circumstances surrounding the murder, Susannah mentions a prophecy. One that foretells of a witch born of two different bloodlines that will restore something that has been lost to time.
Della catches up with Willow and Gray as they are headed back to her room. Della had overheard a voice calling Willow, compelling her. Worried, Della had followed the compulsion and stumbled across the dead body, killer ling gone.
Unable to sleep, Willow wanders the halls. She has a vision of Charlotte running through the woods right into the arms of a dark figure. The lights in the hallway shatter.
A group of witches, not from the original bloodlines, comes around the corner to find Willow. Bitter, angry, and suspicious, they beat Willow. Refusing to fight back, Willow takes it.
Crawling to Gray’s door, he heals her – again. A combination of her vulnerability, his unspoken confession, and what she had been taught since birth sends Willow running in panic when Gray leaves her alone.
Gray stops her from leaving while revealing another, little known, reason pair bonds between witches and Vessels had been ended. Also, without words, telling Willow that he was the one who came to her during the Reaping. With only her blood running through his veins, Gray is able to channel her magic. He can also detect the side of her she was so desperately trying to hide.
Knowing Willow is part of the Hecate bloodline helps Gray understand her true motives.
As there is a fine line between love and hate, Gray swiftly takes her virginity. Not even knowing that was something she had to give. When he realizes this is her first time, he tells her what she clearly hadn’t known. What that could mean for them as a witch and Vessel; changing the tone of the moment.
Later, Susannah confronts Willow about Lorelai, her aunt. Now that Susanna knows that Willow is part of the Hecate line and that Lorelai is her aunt, the Covenant can easily find out who her father is. Instead of threatening her, Susannah tells her to leave Hollow’s Grove and ward herself against being found. That Gray has had the bones all along. Susannah had assumed that was why Willow was allowing him to touch her as he was.
As soon as Willow tells Susannah that Gray knows of her dual bloodline, her tone changes and she orders Willow to run and never come back. Because if Willow’s destiny were ever to come to fruition, she would destroy all of them.
Seeing how truly panicked Susannah is, Willow runs into the woods surrounding the school. She must make it to through to the border of Salem before the beasts of the woods get to her.
With the aid of her Green magic, Willow tries fending off the grotesque beasts.
Just as she finally resigns herself to defeat, she is saved by Gray as he stakes his claim to her. Taking her right back to the school where his interrogation begins. But Willow’s explanation as to why she ran isn’t completely adding up. He wants to ask Susannah about the details of her conversation with Willow but no one can find her.
Gray fetches the bones Willow has been conditioned to find since birth. By now she wants absolutely nothing to do with them. They call to her the moment Gray exposes them. The power is overwhelming as she tries to get away from them. Gray tries to compel Willow to physically accept them. She resists. There is something deeper and darker going on. Willow can feel it she just doesn’t know what it is.
Gray holds her down, forcing the bones onto her. Forcing her to accept their power.
Kairos is the first unfortunate victim to her new, Black power. Used unwillingly, compelled by Gray.
Gray then takes her, carries her to the Tribunal where they are met with George who is nervously pacing over the center of the room. He is quite the opposite of Susannah. True to his kind and subdued demeanor, he doesn’t try to protect Willow from the Vessel as he channels her power.
Using that power, Gray throws George across the room so he could get to a hatch in the floor that George was pacing over, protecting. As he always did. Opening the hatch, Gray reveals a mirror.
Another Vessel enters the Tribunal carrying Susannah and two other objects which he places next to the mirror. A heart and liver. Each one taken from the two murder victims.
Juliet ushers in a group of students, compelling them to form a circle around the mirror. Gray easily slits the throat of the first one, commanding Juliet to extract the brain. Holding Willow back, he continues to slit all the students’ throats.
Once done, not only does he admit that he as the one who killed his aunt, he also had a hand in setting her destiny. He then summons Willow’s father into the room. He is holding a knife to Ash’s throat.
Using her Green magic, Gray rebuilds Susannah and George, reforming their bodies only to eviscerate the flesh from their bones. Then stabbing Willow in the stomach while admitting his regret in having to do so. Healing her immediately after pulling something from her abdomen – a rib. The last element he needs to bring back Charlotte Hecate, the original witch.
Affectionate toward Willow and angry at her father, Charlotte Hecate buries Willow’s father alive. Deserving of how he treated his only daughter. Ash is to be taken back to his father for the time being. Apparently it is not yet safe for him to be there as Willow lives out her destiny. Which was not to bring back Charlotte. She was simply a gift from Willow’s husband. Willow is actually the key to opening the portal – the mirror. A portal that will allow the creatures from Hell to ascend.
Demons begin to come through the portal. Two carrying the lifeless body of Lucifer so it can be reunited with its soul. A soul that resides in a Vessel – Gray, Willow’s husband. Who truly wants to love her but can’t do that in a Vessel’s body. He can only do that in his true form. A form that Willow regrettably finds more attractive than his Vessel.
Only Willow and her newly acquired magic can put his soul back so he can take her to Hell. She will only survive because she will not be human for much longer.
