George Collins: The Undead Covenant Ruler in The Coven
Overview
George Collins is one of the two undead rulers of the Covenant in The Coven (Coven of Bones Book 1) by Harper L. Woods. He and Susannah Madizza command Hollow’s Grove University from their skeletal thrones, having been raised from the grave by Hecate magic centuries ago. Unlike Susannah, who is Willow’s ancestor, George has no descendants because male witches who keep their magic are forbidden from procreating. His physical remains show deep slash marks from the torture he endured before death, and his neck is crooked to one side—a permanent marker of his mortal end.
George is complicit in the corruption that plagues the school and the plot against the Vessels. He supports the reopening of Hollow’s Grove after a fifty-year closure, insisting that both vampires and witches need fresh blood to survive. Though he lacks the personal connection Susannah has to Willow, George acts as a co‑ruler whose authority is ultimately undermined by the schemes of Headmaster Alaric Grayson Thorne and the return of the Hecate line.
Plot Role
George Collins appears as a secondary antagonist who embodies the institutional power of the Covenant. In the prologue, he speaks alongside Susannah when they summon Thorne to announce the school’s reopening. He dismisses Thorne’s caution about another massacre, stating that public memory has faded. Throughout the story, George participates in tribunal meetings, oversees the burial of a White witch against proper tradition, and threatens Willow when she challenges the Coven’s authority.
His most significant plot function comes near the climax when Gray forces Willow to use necromancy on the two remaining Covenant members. Willow raises George and Susannah from their dormant state, but Gray severs the magic, destroying them. This act solidifies Willow’s role as a Hecate heir and sets the stage for the revelation of Lucifer’s return. George dies not in battle but as a tool in Gray’s larger plan—a fate that underscores his diminished power compared to the archdemons and Vessels.
Motivations and Traits Shown Through Actions
George is motivated primarily by the preservation of the Covenant’s control over witch society. He believes that reopening the university is necessary to maintain the flow of power and blood, even at the risk of another massacre. His actions reveal a pragmatic, authoritarian streak. When Willow refuses to kneel at her tribunal, it is a Bray witch who demands submission, but George does not intervene—he watches, letting Susannah handle the confrontation. This indicates he prefers to operate from the shadows rather than directly engage.
He also shows a disregard for traditional witch burial rites. During the funeral of Quincy, a White witch, George officiates a Christian-style burial in a casket, which Willow recognizes as deeply wrong for a witch connected to the source. Her horror is palpable, but George proceeds without hesitation. This action cements his role as a figure who has abandoned the old ways in favor of the Covenant’s current corrupt practices. Unlike Susannah, who eventually tries to warn Willow to flee, George never displays any redeeming impulse. He remains loyal to the status quo until his destruction.
Chronological Arc
George’s arc can be traced through key scenes:
- Prologue (Chapter 3): George and Susannah inform Thorne of their decision to reopen Hollow’s Grove. George speaks first, saying “We have decided to reopen the University,” and emphasizes the need for fresh blood. He shows no concern for the potential danger.
- Chapter 10 (Chapter 13): Willow meets the Covenant. George observes her defiance and later comments on her training. He accuses her of knowing more than she should, but does not threaten her directly. He remains a silent, looming presence while Susannah holds center stage.
- Chapter 21 (Chapter 24): George officiates the funeral of the White witch. He invokes the elements, which respond weakly, and oversees the lowering of the casket. Willow’s outrage goes unheeded.
- Chapter 38 (Chapter 41): Gray forces Willow to use necromancy to raise both George and Susannah. Willow performs the spell; Gray severs the magic, causing George’s skeletal body to collapse and disintegrate. This is his definitive end.
- Chapter 39 (Chapter 42): After George’s death, Charlotte Hecate emerges and kills other Covenant members, but George is already gone. His destruction clears the way for the final confrontation.
Arc interpretation: George begins as a figure of authority, maintains that authority through rituals and threats, and is ultimately dismantled by the very magic that gave him unlife. His arc underscores the theme that the Covenant’s power is brittle and dependent on Hecate blood.
Relationships
- Susannah Madizza: George and Susannah rule as a pair, but their dynamic is not equal. Susannah takes the lead in most interactions, while George follows. He does not contradict her, but he also does not support her when she tries to warn Willow. Their partnership appears more functional than personal.
- Willow Madizza: George has no blood tie to Willow, so his interest in her is purely political. He views her as a threat to the Coven’s stability. He never shows the conflicted concern Susannah does; instead, he watches her with cold calculation.
- Alaric Grayson Thorne: George and Susannah appointed Thorne as Headmaster, but Thorne resents his dependency on witch blood. George treats Thorne as a tool. Thorne, in turn, manipulates the Covenant to his own ends and ultimately engineers George’s destruction.
- The Vessels and Witches: George is complicit in the system that allows Vessels to feed on witches and that suppresses the old traditions. He represents the stagnation of witch society.
Key Decisions and Consequences
| Decision | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Reopening Hollow’s Grove University | Brings Willow to Crystal Hollow, triggering the main conflict. The new Vessels and Thirteen students are exposed to danger. |
| Allowing the improper burial of Quincy | Deepens Willow’s resolve to restore old ways and sets her against the Covenant. |
| Failing to eliminate Willow when he had the chance | Willow survives to become the instrument of his destruction. |
| Participating in the plot to control Vessels | Makes him a target when Gray decides to claim power for himself. |
Theme and Symbol Connections
George Collins is a symbol of corrupt institutional power. His undead state—held together by Hecate magic—mirrors the way the Covenant clings to life through exploitative bargains. He embodies the theme of power and corruption: the Coven’s leaders sacrificed their humanity to rule, and in doing so, they lost sight of the sacred traditions that once sustained witchkind.
His skewed neck and slash‑marked bones serve as physical reminders of a violent death, yet the Covenant refuses to let go. This connects to the theme of sacrifice and bondage—George and Susannah are bound to their roles by Charlotte Hecate’s ritual, unable to move on. Their existence is a perversion of the natural cycle.
George also ties to the theme of identity and hidden heritage. As a male witch who gave up the right to reproduce, his personal identity was erased by the Coven’s rules. He is a product of the system he now upholds, making him a tragic figure even as he acts as an antagonist.
Questions and Answers
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Why does George Collins support reopening Hollow’s Grove despite the massacre fifty years prior?
George believes the benefits—fresh blood for vampires and power consolidation for witches—outweigh the risk. He dismisses Thorne’s warnings, arguing that public attention has faded. His decision reflects the Covenant’s prioritization of control over safety. -
What is the significance of George officiating the White witch’s funeral?
It demonstrates how far the Covenant has strayed from traditional witch burials. By burying a White witch in a casket, George denies her connection to the source and her ancestors. This act fuels Willow’s rebellion and highlights the Covenant’s corruption. -
How does George’s relationship with Susannah differ from his relationship with Willow?
George and Susannah are partners in rule, though Susannah takes the initiative. With Willow, George is distant and adversarial. He never shows the familial concern Susannah eventually does; instead, he sees Willow as a dangerous aberration. -
What role does George play in Willow’s character development?
George serves as a symbol of the oppressive system Willow fights against. Her defiance at the tribunal and her horror at the funeral harden her resolve. When she later raises and destroys him, she literally takes down a pillar of that system, growing into her power as a Hecate heir. -
Is there any hint of redemption or sympathy for George?
The text offers little. Unlike Susannah, who warns Willow to flee, George never acts against his own self‑interest. His backstory includes torture before death, but he uses that history to maintain authority, not to seek change. He remains a static antagonist.