4

You know when you're convinced that something is one way, then something happens that makes you realize how wrong you are?

Yeah, that happened to me after the movie when I was accosted by a witch hunter.

We stopped for ice cream and coffee after the show and were laughing until the moment I saw the symbol carved into my Dad's car by a key. "Oh my God," I said, more annoyed than scared by the familiar symbol.

Sally exclaimed, "Who would do something like that?"

I rolled my eyes. "Someone with way too much time on their hands." As Sally examined the damage, I scanned the parking lot and saw a shadowy figure watching from the far end. I started striding in that direction and whoever it was ran off.

"Did you see who it was?" Sally asked.

"Not really, but I have a pretty good idea."

"You know anyone with a grudge against you?"

I almost laughed. "Maybe a few people."

"Your Dad's gonna kill you," she offered helpfully.

My Dad had bigger concerns than a key job. "Probably."

We drove back to Chance Harbor and discussed the pros and cons of the movie. I thought it was overhyped and violent, but Sally had other opinions. "It's so close to the vision of the books."

I'd read them, just as I'd skimmed Twilight and Harry Potter, if only to keep up to speed on popular culture. "I guess," I said with a feigned yawn that made her giggle.

"You liked it and you know it."

"OK, maybe it was OK, but what kind of a name is Katniss?"

That also made her laugh and other than the sour notes of the witch hunter, the night had been harmonious. "We should do this again soon," Sally said.

"Definitely." I dropped her at her house and passed the turnoff for the Boathouse.

Intuition told me they were all hanging out, not even noticing my absence. And that was the way it should be, especially if I left town. It was inevitable, because unlike those lame TV shows where everyone graduates and then attends the same college, we would all part ways - maybe forever.

Saturday morning brought Adam and Diana with coffee and donuts. "Think you can bribe me?" I said tartly, only allowing the hint of a smile to escape.

Diana smiled back. "Everyone has a price, Cassie, and I know you jones for dark brew."

Now that was a double entendre if I ever heard one. "Do I?" I finally relented and let them in.

Adam regarded me anxiously. "Where were you last night?"

"Hunger Games. Overrated if you ask me."

My cheerful response confused them both. "You blew us off for a movie?" Adam asked with a raised brow.

"Yup. You have a problem with that?" I joined them at the dining room table and grabbed the nearest coffee.

"Well, we're just worried," Diana said. "You haven't been yourself lately."

My face hurt when I smiled. "I wonder why?"

They exchanged glances and I was tempted to raise the roof a little. But I tamped down my dark side and waited for Diana to get to the bloody point. "We know you've been through a lot."

"You think?" I challenged, my voice rising slightly with annoyance. Then I instantly felt guilty, for Diana had always been there for me and I was being a complete shit to her.

Diana sat back slightly, for my tone was considerably sharper than it'd been the other day. "Adam told me everything."

I'll bet he did.

I sighed. "So what's this about?"

Adam mirrored Diana's body language, which completely opposed my folded arms. "The Circle is divided, and we need to regroup."

I stood up. "You're absolutely right."

Their amazed expressions were identical. "Really?" Diana said.

"Yes." I nodded as I paced. "But you'll have to do it without me."

Adam said, "I don't understand. The Crcle is incomplete without you."

That earned them a shrug. "Maybe, but I'm looking for a way out."

Adam repeated my words in disbelief. "A way out."

"If one exists," I said. "And preferably one that doesn't involve magic or drama."

Diana stood and touched my arm as I passed. "Cassie, we can't do this without you. How are we supposed to protect ourselves?"

I wanted to tell them I didn't care, but that was a lie. I cared too much, which was why I was pushing them away. "Maybe do what Faye wants."

Adam said, "Excuse me?"

"You know, unbind the circle?"

"That's insane." Adam's temper was flaring slightly, which was par for the course. Whenever his precious Circle was challenged, he was all up in arms.

"Is it? So what happens when we all go off to college?"

Diana twisted her fingers. "We don't."

Another secret glance passed between them and I was ready to kick them to the curb. "Maybe you two don't, but I'm Oxford bound."

It had been my lifelong wish and I wasn't about to get held back by anyone. "You're kidding. Why would you want to go so far away?" Diana asked uneasily.

"Because it's where I belong." Unlike here, where I was always a third wheel.

Adam's voice deepened like it always did when strong emotion swept through him. "You belong here, Cassie. With us."

"Exactly my point," Diana said in agreement. "You leaving would leave us defenseless."

My boot heels echoed loudly as I paced. "Not at all. We figure out the unbinding spell, and everyone can go their separate ways."

Adam shook his head. "It's not that simple, Cassie."

There was subtext here, but I ignored it. "I'm Oxford bound, so somebody better figure it out."

"You're being stubborn." Adam's tone was also rising, and I'd had about enough.

"Don't you have somewhere to be? Like out of my house?" I opened the door with my mind and it slammed hard against the wall.

Diana tried placating me with her chocolate drop eyes. "Please, Cassie."

I stood my ground as they hovered over me with their perfectly coiffed hair and sculpted bodies. "My Mom didn't want this life for me, and I think she was right."

Adam looked anguished. "You're clearly not thinking straight right now, so we'll try this again when you've had time to think about it."

"You can do that," I said in a sticky sweet tone. "But the answer will be the same."

And with that, I left them stewing in the front hall and skipped out the front door to the garden, where I joined my Dad and completely ignored them as they left.

After a long beat, he said, "That was productive."

I smiled at his wry comment. "It's the way it has to be."

"You don't have to be enemies," he said lightly, standing up and taking a swig from his water bottle.

I could see a time when they might all turn on me, because when it came down to choosing between the Circle and my Dad, family won every time. There was a strange tug on my heart when I realized this, but I kept my own counsel as we returned to work.