For past two months, Penelope and Josie were playing cat and mouse game. Ever since the kiss after the twin's birthday, two of them simply couldn't keep far from each other. It started with few kissed during their arguments, then it turned into make out sessions in the empty classrooms and in the end it became all of the above plus sex. Sometimes it was Penelope who was after Josie, sometimes it was Josie that was after Penelope, but it always ended the same…in Penelope's bed or some other place after curfew. That night they were in the library. Josie was looking for a book and Penelope followed her in. She found her in the back surrounded by the books about transfiguration magic. Penelope loved catching Josie doing something she shouldn't be doing. She put her arms around her and whispered in her ear.
''Shapeshifting… That's hot… What or better who do you want to became?''
''I am writing a paper about it… I would never do any of those spells.''
''Too bad… They are fun…''
''You did them?''
''Many times.''
''But they demand strong magical powers….''
''I can do those spells and so much more Jojo…''
She was kissing Josie's neck and her other hand was lifting her skirt. Their moment was interrupted by someone entering the library. Penelope did a cloaking spell, so they could see and hear who was there but that other person had no idea about their presence. Both gilrs were surprised to see Josie's parents there with Lizzie. Caroline was nervous.
''We have to talk about the merge.''
Lizzie looked at her.
''I don't want to die mom.''
''I know love…''
Josie had terrified face expression and she looked at Penelope who just looked angry. She had no idea why her sister had to die. Rick looked at two of them.
''So, that means that Josie has to die.''
''She would die anyway Rick. You know her. She would scarify her life for Lizzie any time.''
''She might change her mind if we let her spend so much time with Penelope and Hope.''
That got Caroline's attention.
''You said that Park girl is gone from her life.''
''Aparetnly they are back on. Josie has no idea I know they are sneaking around. I bet they are having sex in Penelope's room now.''
Rick didn't like that.
''Should I go there and get Josie back to her room?''
''No, as long as they are together, we know no one would come here and spy on us.''
''So, what is the plan mom?''
''Get Josie away from Hope and Penelope best way you know. You know that you have power over Josie. She might be stronger with magic, but you are better when it comes to manipulation.''
''What do I do?''
''Tell her that you saw Penelope and Hope together. They spend enough time together to raise suspicions in Josie…and you feed that story bit by bit… ''
''There is nothing going on with them.''
''Who cares? What matters is that Josie starts doubting. Then two of them will never get a chance to help or get her to change her mind.''
''Mom, that is brilliant…''
''I am not sure that is a good plan. I think we should focus on something that keeps both girls alive.''
''We can't have both of them alive.''
''One could turn.''
''Lizzie with her mood swings is going to be very dangerous and would draw attention. On the other hand, Josie would feel bad to feed of something…or someone.''
Lizzie rolled her eyes and made mean comment.
''Not if she feeds of Satan during the time in bed. Then she would feed all the time just to have sex with the Devil herself.''
Penelope smirked and just watched the scene before her. Her heart was breaking for Josie. Her own family sold her. Rick was still trying to figure out how to keep both daughters alive. After Caroline realized that he was not on their side, she compelled him to forget the talk they had.
''I just arrived and we were catching up with Lizzie since Josie was not in the room.''
''You just arrived and we were catching up with Lizzie because Josie was not in the room…''
''Now, leave us girls to catch up!''
He wished them good night and left. Josie was shocked her mom compelled her dad to forget about all this. She was really willing to sacrifice Josie so Lizzie would win.
''Mom, you are genius… So, what do we do now?''
''Divide and concur… You must get Josie away from Hope and Penelope. I will help too.''
''Ok, mom…''
''Now, go to bed… Everything has to be normal so none of them suspects anything.''
''Ok.''
Josie was now crying and Penelope held her hand. Caroline and Lizzie left. Penelope dropped the spell and Josie just dropped on the floor.
''My own mom and sister want me dead… And all this story about the merge…What is it?''
''It's a ritual of Gemini coven… Twins battle on their 22nd birthday and who absorbs the magic from the other twin is a winner.''
''You knew about this and you never told me?''
''I did, I know about these rituals for many covens. Each coven has some ritual that is characteristic for it… I didn't think there was a reason to mention this ritual and coven. You never talked about the coven you belong to. There is at least eight covens of syphoners… I never really tried to figure out yours.''
Josie knew Penelope was right. Blaming her is not going to help.
''What do I do now?''
''What do you want to do?''
''Escape this place.''
''Ok…''
''But where would I go? I have nowhere to go…''
Penelope was silent for a moment.
''Jojo, how do you feel about dark magic?''
''What?''
''How do you feel about dark magic?''
''You want to discuss that now? My life is on the line?''
''Actually, your answer might help with where to go…''
''If it will keep me alive and safe, I am very much ok with it. Why?''
''You are going home with me…''
''Home?''
''Yes, we are going to Seattle…''
''Penelope…''
''What?''
''How can we go there? We don't know anyone there…''
''I have family there and my coven is there…''
''Family?''
''My mom and dad…and the entire coven…''
''But…''
''But what?''
''You left for a reason…''
''I did, but I'd rather see you alive than hold on to my principles.''
Josie kissed her and pressed her forehead to hers.
''Will they kill me?''
''No, they will not.''
''That sounds ok for now… But how do we get there?''
''My car.''
''You have a car?''
''I do… and it's off campus so no one knows I have it.''
''We don't have money…''
''Don't worry about it…''
''When would we leave?''
''Now?''
''How ? I need to pack some things…''
''I will do a sleeping spell on Lizzie and you can pack…''
''You would really leave for me?''
''Yes… I would…''
''Penelope, are you sure?''
''Yes… I would rather go home than let you die.''
They sneaked into twins' room and Penelope did the spell. Josie packed what she needed and they went to Penelope's room. She did the same. Small suitcase where she shirked all of the important things to her. She did the spell to make them invisible and they left the school grounds. Josie stood frozen in front of the car Penelope just unlocked. That car costed as small apartment in Mystic Falls. So, Penelope's family didn't just have money, they had serious money.
They got into the car and Penelope started it. They were silent for some time. At one point, Penelope just took her hand and she smiled at her.
''I will protect you Jojo…''
''I know…''
At that moment, she really believed Penelope and believed that she would take care of her. Unlike her family, Penelope was always there…in her unusual way and always took care of her. They had long drive ahead of them and it would take them some time to reach their final destination. Penelope stopped at the gas station to fill in the tank and to get them some coffee. Josie was grateful for that. She did need coffee so she could keep company to Penelope. After driving for more than ten hours, Penelope stopped at the small motel. They already left Virginia and they were hoping that they gained some advantage over Caroline. Before they left, Penelope left message for Hope not to help Saltzman's find her and Josie and promised that she will call her and tell her everything. She also said that she has to keep Josie safe. She told Hope to come to visit them during the Christmas break and she promised to tell her everything. She knew Hope would do all in her power to protect Josie and her. Penelope let Josie shower first and during her time in the bathroom, she got her phone out and called her mom.
''Hey mon… I know it's realy early…But I am on my way home… I am coming back and I am coming with my girlfriend…''
''Penelope, is everything ok?''
''No, I have to protect her.''
''What is going on?''
''I have to find a way to save her from the merge…''
''Oh, my child… We will find a way…''
''How mom?''
''She can join our coven…''
Penelope was silent… She knew what joining the coven meant…and she was not sure that Josie would accept that.
''We will talk when we arrive…''
''How long will it take you?
''Entire route is forty two hours… We drove third of it… And I need to sleep a little…''
''Do you want me to send someone for you?''
''No mom… We will be ok…''
''Ok, Penny… See you in two days.''
Josie got out in the towel and she looked a bit shy…
''You can go in. I am done.''
''Ok… Penelope got something to change into and went into the bathroom. She needed that shower to wash away the crazy day they had.