Chapter 13 (Chapter 10) Summary: Confronting the Covenant

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Willow arrives at Hollow’s Grove with Headmaster Thorne, who loudly announces her surname to the gathered students. A young witch named Iban attempts to escort her to the Covenant, but Thorne insists on leading her himself. On the way, Willow notices a barren courtyard garden and resists the urge to use her Green magic. At the Tribunal doors, she opens the lock without an incantation, surprising Thorne. Inside, the magical barrier draws blood from her hand before releasing her. The Tribunal room contains two empty thrones: one of twisted black iron for the Hecate line, and one of living vines for the Madizza line—a rose blooms as Willow watches. The two skeletal Covenant members—Susannah Madizza (her ancestor) and George Collins—accuse her of not looking like her mother. Susannah explicitly forbids Thorne from pursuing a relationship with Willow. When a Bray witch demands she kneel, Willow uses her magic to make the throne’s branches restrain him. She refuses to kneel, arguing that her mother was more alone in the coven than among humans. Susannah orders Iban to show Willow to her room, and Willow quips about burying people alive, hinting at future defiance.

Key Events

Thorne announces Willow’s surname publicly to force the truth into the open.
Willow uses Green magic to unlock the Tribunal doors without an incantation.
The Tribunal’s magical barrier draws blood from Willow, sensing her power.
The Madizza throne reacts by blooming a red-and-black rose when Willow enters.
Susannah Madizza confronts Willow about her auburn hair and mother’s exile.
Willow refuses to kneel when presented to the Covenant.
A Bray witch tries to force Willow to kneel; she uses her magic to bind him with branches.
Willow argues that her mother suffered more in the coven than among humans.
Susannah declares Willow off-limits to Thorne romantically; Thorne smirks in response.
Willow leaves the Tribunal room, thinking the woods would be a good place to hide bodies.

Character Development

Willow Madizza: Demonstrates courage and defiance from the moment she enters. She uses her inherited magic openly, refuses to submit to the Covenant’s customs, and defends her mother’s choices. Her internal monologue reveals a growing confidence in her Green magic and a willingness to challenge authority.
Headmaster Thorne: Acts as both protector and provocateur. He forces Willow to face scrutiny rather than hide, yet he tries to shield her from others’ advances. His smirk at Susannah’s warning about relationships suggests he intends to pursue Willow despite the prohibition.
Susannah Madizza: The skeletal ancestor remains cold and disapproving. She tests Willow’s composure and asserts the Covenant’s authority, but her parting order to Iban shows she is unwilling to escalate the conflict for now.
Mr. Bray (House Bray): Represents the opposition from the other Green house. His attempt to force Willow to kneel backfires, exposing his inability to match her power.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Power and Defiance: Willow’s refusal to kneel symbolizes her rejection of the Covenant’s control. Her use of magic without incantation highlights her innate strength and growing confidence.
Family Legacy and Identity: The conflict between Willow and her ancestor Susannah centers on the Madizza legacy. Willow’s auburn hair (unlike her mother’s brown) sets her apart, yet she claims her mother’s power and defends her choices.
The Natural vs. the Skeletal: The living vine throne of the Madizzas contrasts with the skeletal, undead Covenant members. The blooming rose suggests vitality and renewal amidst decay, possibly foreshadowing Willow’s role.
Secrecy and Openness: Thorne’s public announcement of Willow’s name and the barrier’s blood draw emphasize that secrets cannot be kept in Hollow’s Grove. Willow must choose what to reveal.
Forbidden Relationships: Susannah explicitly forbids a relationship between witches and Vessels, setting the stage for the romantic tension already present between Willow and Thorne.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter establishes the central conflict between Willow and the Covenanat—the immortal, ruling body of witches. It reveals the dynamics of power within the school, introduces key allies and opponents (Iban, the Bray witch), and deepens Willow’s character as a defiant inheritor of forbidden magic. The blooming rose on the Madizza throne hints at a connection between Willow and the dormant Hecate line, while the barrier’s reaction suggests her blood carries significant power. The prohibition against witch–Vessel relationships raises the stakes for Willow’s growing entanglement with Thorne.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Thorne loudly announce Willow’s surname when they enter Hollow’s Grove?
He believes it is better to face the vultures with the truth in the open rather than attempt to hide a secret the Covenant will never allow her to keep. He wants to control the narrative and prevent others from using her lineage against her.
What does the blooming rose on the Madizza throne symbolize in the context of this scene?
The rose’s return to life as Willow enters suggests that her presence revitalizes the Madizza legacy, which had been dormant since her mother’s exile. The red-and-black coloring hints at a blend of life (Green magic) and death (possibly Hecate blood), reinforcing Willow’s unique power.
Why does Willow refuse to kneel, and how does the Covenant react?
Willow refuses because she does not recognize the Covenant’s authority after they forced her mother out. She uses her magic to physically subdue the Bray witch who tries to force her, demonstrating that she will not be intimidated. The Covenant does not punish her; instead, Susannah simply ends the audience, implying that Willow’s defiance will be dealt with later.