Guests arrived to Penelope's house. She and Josie were getting ready to greet them with Penelope's parents. Mrs. Parker gave Josie poison before the dinner and now it was up to Josie to pick who would die. She hid the bottle in the top of the dress and Penelope hoped it would all end well… Many members of the coven were surprised to see Penelope back and even more surprised to see that she was still into her old habits of liking girls. It was no secret that many families wanted to marry their sons to Penelope and that way secure their position in the coven. Her liking girls caused many problems to their planes.
Mrs. Parker noticed how people looked at her daughter and Josie.
''You all remember my Penelope and this is her partner Miss Josette Saltzman…or Josie…''
They all nodded. In the living room they were offered some drinks and Josie was very careful not to drink anything. Penelope smirked at her when she noticed that. Smart girl… She understood the game coven was playing. She managed to switch her glass with the glass of one of the boys going after Penelope. She came to stand by Penelope and few moments later, boy fell on the ground and started foaming. Penelope looked at Josie and with eyes she asked her if she poured the poison in his drink. She just shook her head. She came to Penelope and used all the fuss to whisper that she switched their glasses. Penelope gave her very meaningful look and turned to her mother. Both women were disappointed. Penelope's mother that Josie survived and someone she wanted to be Penelope's husband died and Penelope was disappointed with the fact that her mother went after the girl she loves…again. Mr. Parker was the one who looked at Josie with admiration. He came to her and offered his hand.
''Miss Saltzman, it's for the best for you to retire to Penelope's room… Now is the time to pull away… Never stay at the scene of the crime without a plan A, B or C.''
''I just switched our glasses… That poisoned drink was for me.''
''I know… My wife hopes for a man in Penelope's life, but after what you just did… I must say I admire the courage and skill to switch the glass.''
Mr. Parker helped Josie get out of the room, but she didn't return to Penelope's room. She went to the library. Sitting there she heard two men conspiring to force Penelope to marry one of them. When they got out of the library, Josie poured poison in both of their glasses. She sneaked out and watched them return to get their phones and finish their drinks. Mrs. Oliver sent her to the dining room and told her that the dinner was starting. Since they were all pouring their food from the same bowl and plate, she felt safer eating than drinking. Guests were leading some causal conversations.
''Such a shame for Lionel… He was such a nice boy.''
One more woman nodded and wiped her tears.
''I remember how cute he was when he was a boy.''
Third person spoke next.
''I wonder wo would do that to him?''
Penelope watched them.
''Maybe he mixed his glass with someone who he wanted to drink the poison?''
''Why would he do that?''
''Me… I think that the drink was for Josie. She was on the way to my hand in marriage.''
Penelope's mother gave her a look that had every subtext of watch it Penelope.
''You all see me as property….none of you sees the person… You all want the way to the top of the clan… And none of you is innocent of this murder…''
''Only question here is who is next?''
After Penelope said that, two men from the library started foaming. They fell on the floor and their parents jumped to their aid. Josie pretended to be worried. She even helped one of the men with a glass of milk. But she knew it was too strong poison and too late for them. Dinner ended with three bodies being taken from the Parker household… Staff was cleaning up the table and all and Mrs. Parker went to the library with her husband. Mrs. Parker invited girls to join stood by the window and she was very silent. Josei stood in the corner of the room talking to one of the maids. She was asking for hot cocoa for Penelope. It always calmed her.
''This was eventful night.''
Mr. Parker looked at his wife…
''That's the least you can say about it.''
''So, what do you think of the dinner Miss Saltzman?''
''I think I did pretty well…''
''I beg your pardon?''
''Three people… Is that enough to join your little club Mrs. Parker?''
''Three?''
''First boy… I switched our glasses. I saw you put the poison in mine… And the other two… Let's say I heard them talk about Penelope like she is piece of meat.''
Mrs. Park grew to admire Josie…
''Well, well… We have little Black Dahlia in our family…''
She turned to Penelope…
''I must admit I didn't expect Miss Saltzman to have it in… But this is unexpected and I am very pleased. You got rid of three sleazes… Brava! Brava!''
She even clapped her hands and had a smile on her face. Penelope was sick to her stomach… Her mother will now groom Josie to be next coven's assassin. Mrs. Parker got up from the chair and went to the desk. She pulled out small jewelry box. Penelope was now really sick to the stomach. Josie opened the box and there was small ring with black diamond carved as a rose.
''Welcome to the coven and the family Josie…''
''Thank you Mrs. Parker…''
''Since you are family, you can call me Sophie…My name is a bit long and grim… Due to my mother and her obsession with Greek Mythology… ''
''But it is a suitable name for you…''
She smiled at Josie. She was starting to like the girl…''
''It's a bit grim…''
''But you rule some form of underworld…''
''I do, don't I?''
''Just don't eat permanganate and you will be ok…''
Now she was laughing hard. Even Penelope's dad smiled. Josie noticed Penelope standing in the corner with her cup of cocoa. She got up and went to her.
''Do you want to go upstairs?''
''Yes, please.''
Josie turned to Penelope's parents.
''May we please be excused. It was eventful evening and we need some rest.''
''Have good night girls.''
''You too…''
They went upstairs and when they reached the bed Penelope just sat.
''You just killed three people…and you laughed with my mom.''
Josie changed… She was not the same person she was in the library…
''It was me or him… She poisoned my drink… I had to show her I can do it and that I am not afraid of her… even if I am terrified.''
''How did you know?''
''I saw it.''
''So, this was just an act for my mom and dad?''
''Yes… I am not ok with what I did… I am sick to my stomach….but it bought me life…At least, you are not crying over my dead body… And that was what she wanted you to do…''
Penelope pulled Josie into her arms…
''I was so scared for you tonight…''
''I know… I was too…''
''I would die if anything happens to you.''
''Let's not talk about death… Let's skip that at least for tonight.''
''I agree….''
Gils changed into something for bed and cuddled up together. Penelope was watching the ring on Josie's hand and she was a bit sad.
''What is it?''
''She did it to provoke me…''
''What?''
''The ring… It was made for Irene… She believed I wouldn't tell you so she could drop that in some casual conversation in a few days. She wants me with a man…and that's it.''
''Oh… So mom and I are now frenemies?''
''Yes.''
''Do you think she would ever like me?''
''I don't know… My mom is unpredictable.''
''Ok. Good to know.''
''Expect the unexpected.''
''Now I am scared.''
Penelope smiled.
'' I think they will write to your dad tomorrow to ask about our transcripts.''
''Shit!''
''I know babe… But we have to go to school…''
''So, normal school?''
''I guess…''
''Ok… Let's see how that will work out for us.''
''We will be ok.''
''Yes, as long as we are together, I don't care where we go.''
They fell asleep and next morning when they woke up, Penelope suggested to go out. Her parents went to work and she and Josie got into her car and Penelope was driving her around the city and showing her where she used to spend time at. Josie liked Seattle, but she was not really too happy about the rain. Since one strong shower caught them in the car, they choose to sit in until it stops. Penelope's Range Rover was big, comfy and Josie could sit in her car for days… They listened to the music and talked until it stopped. Penelope had so much fun being with Josie in the city. When they came home, her mom and dad were already there. Their bags were beside the front door and Penelope was a bit confused.
''Mom, dad? Where are you going?''
''To your school. We have to make arrangements for you.''
''How?''
''You ether go back there or we transfer you somewhere here and teach you magic ourselves…. We have to talk to your parents Josie…''
''My mom and dad would want me back.''
''Ok, you go back then…But We will make sure that our little Black Dahlia stays unharmed.''
''Can you do it?''
''Don't ever doubt my powers Josie… You will be amazed how much I can…''
''I am sorry. I didn't mean to be…''
''I know… It's ok…''
They left the house and there was new level of panic growing inside of Josie. What will happen when the parents meet?''