The Coven by Harper L Woods

Here is a summary with spoilers of The Coven

Alaric Grayson Thorne—known as “Gray”—is a Vessel, a human-like body created to house a demon’s soul. His Vessel was formed 329 years ago, and he now serves as the headmaster of Hollow’s Grove, a magic university governed by two witches and their Coven. These witches, Susannah Madizza and George Collins, were resurrected from the dead by Charlotte Hecate, the first witch in the Coven to receive power from the devil. Now nothing more than skeletons, they are collectively known as the Covenant and also preside over the Tribunal, a ruling body typically composed of two witches from each magical domain—crystal, cosmic, earth, air, water, sex, and fire—as well as one necromancer.

The Coven believes that Willow Madizza is the last remaining Green (earth) witch of her lineage. Her mother, Flora, faked her death to keep Willow and her half-brother, Ash, hidden from the Covenant. However, when Flora dies, the protective wards around them dissolve, leaving them vulnerable.

Willow prepares Ash to leave for his human father, and it is only after Flora’s death that Ash learns he is a witch. Male witches must eventually choose between keeping their magic or preserving their ability to father children—something Willow hopes to spare Ash from deciding. Willow’s father, Samuel, faced the same choice, but his sister, Loralei, saved him by hiding him away. However, Loralei was murdered at Hollow’s Grove 50 years ago. The Coven remains unaware of Samuel’s existence and believes that Charlotte Hecate’s bloodline ended with Loralei.

Fueled by vengeance over Loralei’s death, Samuel raised Willow with a singular mission: to infiltrate the Vessels and the Covenant, seduce Gray, uncover the location of Loralei’s bones, and use them to seize power. He was ruthless in his training, punishing her brutally whenever she failed. Now, as Gray and his fellow Vessels, Juliet and Kairos, arrive to take Willow to Hollow’s Grove, she prepares to enact her father’s plan.

Upon arriving, Willow makes a blood offering to revive the dying courtyard plants, explaining that because the earth grants her magic, she must replenish it in return. The sacrifice weakens her, and Gray carries her to her room. Later that night, he sneaks in and, noticing her discomfort, attempts to change her into pajamas. However, fearing he might lose control, he leaves her as she is.

When Willow learns what Gray did, she seductively taunts him the next day. Their attraction is undeniable, but Gray views her as a “temptation,” while she remains bound to her secret mission of vengeance. Their flirtation is cut short when Susannah warns Gray that feeding on students outside of the “Reaping”—the periodic bloodletting Vessels rely on—is forbidden. Despite this, Gray invokes dominium, declaring himself the only Vessel allowed to feed on Willow.

Curious about Gray’s true nature, Willow asks for his “true” name, but he refuses, knowing that giving it to her would grant her power over him. In his office, she notices a portrait of Lucifer fallen from grace, and Gray explains it serves as a reminder that even the most beautiful can commit terrible acts. He offers Willow protection, wanting her help in restoring the Coven to its old ways and rebalancing power. To seal their agreement, they drink each other’s blood.

In history class, Susannah teaches about Charlotte Hecate and the creation of Vessels, revealing that the only way to weaken them is by limiting their food supply—witches’ blood, which binds demons’ souls to their Vessels. That night, after a witch is found murdered in the courtyard, Willow dreams of being chased and wakes to find a peculiar triangle carved into her back. Gray recognizes it as the devil’s mark and demands to know why Lucifer is interested in her. Willow feigns ignorance, and their attraction deepens into intimacy.

When Willow is disturbed by the murdered witch’s improper burial, Susannah admits that the Coven is intentionally weakening the witches’ magic to weaken the Vessels who feed on them. Susannah threatens to let a male witch rape Willow if she exposes this plan. When she becomes violent, George intervenes, bringing Gray to stop her. Enraged, Gray gives Willow his blood to heal her and vows to kill Susannah slowly when the time is right.

As Willow prepares for her first Reaping—the ritual feeding—her roommate, Della, binds her in cuffs, blindfolds her, and suspends her from a hook. The restraints trigger memories of Samuel’s abuse, filling her with terror. When Gray arrives, he senses her fear and vows to uncover her past trauma. That night, Willow discovers a magical mirror in her room and sees Charlotte’s face within it.

Gray begins training Willow in combat, but their lesson is interrupted when another witch is murdered in the same spot. Some students blame Willow and beat her, yet she does not fight back. Gray heals her again, calling her “love” and admitting that he cares for her. He also reveals that he has long known about her dual lineage—both as a Green witch and a Black witch. She confesses that she had planned to use Loralei’s bones to “Unmake” him and all Vessels, but Gray insists she loves him. They sleep together—Willow’s first time—and he warns her that by giving him her virginity, she has sealed his obsession with her.

In the garden, Susannah confronts Willow, revealing that she knows Willow is Charlotte’s descendant. She warns that Willow’s presence fulfills an ancient prophecy of destruction and urges her to run, then allows the plants to drag her underground.

Willow flees into the forest, only to be pursued by monstrous creatures. Gray rescues her and, when she refuses to explain why she ran, reveals Loralei’s bones. Though she no longer desires them, the bones latch onto her neck, filling her with the essence of both life and death. When Kairos enters, Willow accidentally unmakes him with a touch—but she cannot do the same to Gray, as they have shared too much blood.

The Vessels unearth Susannah’s body, and Gray forces Willow to destroy both her and George. Samuel and Ash arrive, with Samuel holding a knife to Ash’s throat. Gray begins an obscure ritual, slitting witches’ throats as Juliet harvests their organs. He then stabs Willow, takes one of her ribs, and places it among the collection of organs atop the enchanted mirror.

Charlotte suddenly appears, burying Samuel alive. She sends Ash away for his safety and tells Willow that her presence here is a “gift” from her “husband”—implying Lucifer himself. Gray confesses that he placed the devil’s mark on Willow when she was born.

As Charlotte opens a pit from which the archdemons of Hell emerge, two demons carry a cot bearing Lucifer’s lifeless body. In horror, Willow realizes that Gray is Lucifer. He orders her to restore his soul, threatening more deaths if she refuses. He promises that once restored, he will be able to love her.

With no other choice, Willow places one hand on Gray and the other on Lucifer. Gray’s Vessel collapses lifelessly to the ground, and Lucifer opens his eyes.

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