5

Adam stopped by later in the day, joining me as I sat on the front steps. "Are you pushing us away because of me?"

I looked over at him. "In part."

He nodded like he got it. "Even if you're gone, we can still defend ourselves. There's no need to unbind the Circle."

My Dad and I had discussed this at length, and Adam was wrong. "I know you believe that, Adam, but asking everyone to stay in Chance Harbor is unfair."

"We all have to make sacrifices, Cassie."

I closed my eyes for a moment. "This isn't one I'm willing to make, Adam."

He scrubbed his fingers through his hair. "Where does this come from, Cassie? You've never mentioned this until now."

My continued zen was clearly getting on his nerves, and part of me was glad. "You never asked."

His face fell. "Running away is easy."

"Sure, if that's what I was doing. But Oxford has been my lifelong dream." And it was where my family came from. Before Chance Harbor, and before Salem. My father had cousins living there, and they'd gladly take me in.

"Can't you study English here?"

"Yes, but it's not the same."

My Dad came around the corner of the house and stopped at the sight of us. "I thought you were giving Cassie time to think."

I could feel Adam instantly tense up. "We are, it's just..."

"You thought you could sway her? Good luck with that."

The sardonic smile on Dad's face further pissed off Adam. "You're not helping."

He stopped and stared down at Adam with glacial blue eyes. "And why would I do that?"

Dad was drawing a line in the sand, and judging from Adam's expression, he was ready to go three rounds. "Because it's what's best for the Circle."

"And what about what's best for Cassie? Don't you care about her happiness?"

His frankness almost made me flinch. I watched Adam's eyes darken with anger and thought it was time to end this. "Of course I do."

My Dad came to my side and put his hand on my shoulder. "Then respect her wishes and leave her alone."

Sally called later on Saturday. "Hey, my family wants to meet you. Maybe you could come for dinner tomorrow afternoon. It's a Matthews tradition."

I could use a few normal activities to offset my darker side. "Sure."

"You could bring your Dad if you want."

"That's OK. He doesn't need a babysitter."

She giggled. "What did he think of that mark on his car?"

Damn, I had completely forgotten about that. "I didn't tell him yet."

"Oops. Maybe on purpose?"

"It slipped my mind. With all that's going on with Adam..." My voice trailed off and I knew she got it.

"Right. Did you guys patch things up yet?"

"Hardly. We're at odds over every little thing." It was a smokescreen to hide my true feelings, because if I allowed myself to think about that amazing night over two weeks ago, I wouldn't be able to function.

"That will pass," Sally said.

"I sure hope so. So I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Sure thing."

My phone buzzed again a few moments later and I saw it was Diana. "Hey," I said quietly.

"Hi, you got a second? I thought we could talk about what happened today."

"I'm sorry I lost my temper."

"I know you're hurting, but why are you pushing me away?" Diana's bright tone couldn't mask her pain.

"It's not you, Diana."

"Then what? I can't help if you won't talk to me."

"It's Adam. He's always with you, and it's a constant reminder of what no longer exists."

There was a long silence and I realized Diana knew exactly how I felt. "I know."

"It sucks. He keeps playing the friend card and I'm so not ready for that."

"Neither was I. But I promise, it gets better."

Even with destiny holding me back? "So what do I do in the meantime?"

"Live your life, even if it's a moment at a time."

That sounded like something her grandmother would say. "I'll try."

"I have a better idea. Let's put a plan into action with some retail therapy. Are you game?"

I smiled. "Sure. When do you want to do that?"

"No time like now. I can pick you up in 5."

It was better than moping around the house. "OK. I'll be waiting."

My Dad stopped me in the driveway. "Care to explain why my car was marked?"

"It happened last night. I never saw who did it."

"Eben is sending a message."

"Let me guess, we'll see him again?" I said with an eye roll.

He grabbed my shoulders. "Don't joke about this. He has some serious power on his side, and I'm not sure we can defeat it."

"We?"

"You and your Circle." His face shifted slightly and I suddenly recognized his personal tell for lying.

"I'll be sure to tell them. In fact, here comes Diana now." And just in the nick of time, because I wanted to escape any mention of witch hunters.

Diana's greeting didn't extend to my Dad. "Hey, let's do this."

"Don't be late."

I ignored my Dad's comment and hopped in Diana's car. "Thanks for inviting me out."

"No problem. I told you I'd set something up."

"Without Melissa and Faye?"

Diana shrugged. "They're busy."

Ah, so she had third wheel issues too. "So I forgot to tell you something."

"What's that?"

"A witch hunter messed up my Dad's car last night."

Her face screwed up with worry. "Messed up how?"

"Key job."

"Was that why he looked so annoyed?"

He always looked that way to me. "That's just his way."

"Sounds like fun. Is he living there now?"

"Mostly on weekends, though he's been cooking me breakfast every day."

She laughed. "So that's why you're keeping him around."

"That, and I hate being alone in that house with my Grandma gone."

"How is she these days?"

"Not good. She thought I was Amelia on my last visit, and a few days ago, she was unresponsive."

"I'm so sorry. Do they know what's wrong?"

"Early onset of Alzheimer's, though I have my doubts."

"I would too. She's not very old."

We rode in silence for a bit before I said, "Maybe the witch hunters did something to her."

"Or maybe another witch. Does she have any enemies?"

I would have said no, but since I had arrived, outside forces were gunning for me and anyone close to me. "Maybe."

"This is why we have to stick together, Cassie. What affects our families impacts all of us."

"You're right." And that was all I said on the matter, for upon our arrival, we were swept up by the bright lights and color of the local mall. Both of mugged in the mirror of the sunglass hut and bought overly expensive shades that exuded moviestar cool. Then she swept me through an upscale clothing store and insisted on buying me a blue shirt that matched my eyes. I returned the favor and found a drastically reduced red dress that looked perfect with her coloring.

"I don't know, Cassie." Diana was used to wearing black.

"Trust me. Grant will love it."

Her face colored slightly but her eyes shone with pleasure. "You think so?"

I smiled. "I know so."

We stopped for coffee and chit chat and it was like old times. She said, "You and I need to do this - regularly. And maybe include the others once in awhile."

"I'd like that."

"And no guy talk."

"Agreed."

"So should I see The Hunger Games? Grant mentioned it the other night."

I shrugged. "Sally loved it, but I prefer the books."

Diana looked surprised. "You're hanging out with Sally again?"

"Yeah. It's kind of nice to act normal once in awhile, if that's even possible."

I could see she understood. "It is, but it takes work."

"You're right, but it's worth it."

Diana looked at her watch. "We should get going."

I made a face. "I guess so. Thanks for calling me."

She hugged me, and for a moment, I forgot all about Adam and enjoyed just being with Diana. "It was the least I could do."

Saturday drifted into Sunday and soon it was time to leave for Sally's. She met me at the bottom of the driveway and gave me a hug. "Thanks so much for coming."

"Thanks for inviting me." I looked around at the beautiful gardens clustered around a comfortable old house with wraparound porches. "Nice place."

"It's my Gran's house." Sally stopped a few steps short of the front steps. "There's something you should know before you go in."

"What is it?"

"My Gran might say some weird stuff."

"Weird how?"

Sally struggled for a moment. "She blurts out stuff, and sometimes it comes true."

"You mean like a psychic?"

She nodded her head emphatically. "Exactly like that, and she also rambles on about old magic."

"Magic?" I smiled like Harry Potter had just popped into existence in front of us.

"You know, like witchcraft?" Sally looked uncomfortable. "There are a lot of practicing witches in Chance Harbor, and she's one of them."

"Cool."

"That won't creep you out?"

I touched her shoulder to reassure her. "Absolutely not. Let's go in."

Sally's mother Lucy and grandmother Regina greeted me with open arms. Her father was absent and she muttered that she saw him every other weekend. They served up roasted chicken, spring potatoes, and glazed carrots.

"Same thing every time I come here," Sally said, hiding her smile behind her hand.

"This is awesome," I said to Regina. "Best meal I've had in months."

Regina and Lucy looked at one another. "Then you'll have to come more often," Regina said warmly.

"I will."

They asked me about school, and Regina asked how my grandmother was feeling. "I heard she took ill awhile back."

"They don't know what's wrong with her."

Regina peered at me closely. "Maybe she's ensorceled."

My mouth opened. "I don't understand."

Sally threw me an apologetic glance. "Gran's been hitting the sherry again."

"I haven't," Regina protested. "And Cassie understands my meaning just fine. She and I are cut from the same cloth."

I stood up abruptly and knocked over my milk. "Oh, I'm sorry. Let me clean this up."

"Stay right there," Regina said. "Sally will get this."

She waited until Sally left the room and said, "Does Sally know what you really are?"

"No, and I'd like to keep it that way."

"You can trust her, child."

"I'm not sure I trust anyone right now," I said, trying not to sound too defensive.

Regina sighed. "Trust your Circle."

"Things aren't so great on that front."

"Don't worry. Things will improve."

"You know this for a fact?"

Sally re-entered with some rags and I helped her mop up the mess. "Did she weird you out?" she whispered.

"Not at all."

Dinner went on and I practically inhaled the German chocolate cake. We all helped clear and Lucy insisted on washing the dishes, sending the rest of us into the front parlor. Regina settled into a comfortable chair and a black and white cat settled into her lap. "Come closer, Cassie. We don't bite."

I sat on a stool near her chair. "What's the cat's name?"

"This is Fred." I stretched out my hand and Fred rubbed his head against my fingers. A loud rumbling purr emerged from his throat as his double paws kneaded Regina's lap.

"Cute."

Regina offered her hand. "Take hold, Cassie."

Her gnarled fingers closed over mine. "Your grandmother was right. You have great power inside you. Many people want to take it away from you."

Sally moved closer and perched on the arm of Regina's chair. "So I was right."

"You guessed I was a witch?"

Her sleek hair bobbed as she nodded. "It was easy. I always suspected Faye's group to be witches, and when strange stuff started happening, I connected the dots."

"That was an accident," I said, remembering the horror of seeing Sally on those rocks.

"I figured as much."

Regina looked over her glasses at Sally. "May I continue?"

Sally looked sheepish. "Sorry, Gran."

"Your father is back in town," Regina said. "That does not bode well for you."

"Actually, he's been supportive of my situation."

Regina snorted. "I'm sure it seems that way, but the man is a snake."

I straightened my spine, ready to defend my Dad to yet another naysayer. "He's changed."

"No, child, he hasn't. A wolf in sheep's clothing is still a wolf."

"But he's lost his power," I said. "He's no threat to anyone."

"Also a lie."

"How do you know this?"

"Because I see it clearly. He used that power to force your grandmother to lie about a curse, and then..."

"What did you say?" My voice rose with my agitation, and my head was spinning with the implications of her words.

"John Blackwell is a liar. He manufactured that entire curse to break you and Adam Conant up. I see it clear as day."

"But my friend Jake got really sick."

"He was sick all right, but not from a curse. Your father poisoned him with some spell, then came up with that ridiculous potion to wipe out Adam Conant's feelings for you."

Righteous anger was brewing in me, and I swore I saw red as I stood up. "You know this for sure?"

Sally interjected with, "My grandmother's never wrong, Cassie."

I wrung my hands. "How can we fix this?"

"I'm not sure you can, Cassie. Only the spellcaster can turn this around, and your father is dead set against Adam."

"What has Adam ever done to him?" I cried hotly.

"Nothing, except be the son of Ethan Conant, and that's enough of a black mark in your father's eyes."

"Damn him. He'll pay for this." Statues on a nearby curio shelf started shaking and I knew I had to get out of here.

"Try to calm yourself. Using dark magic on him solves nothing."

Regina was right, but it didn't help my current mood. "Is there any hope for Adam and me?"

She recaptured my hand and that grounded me. "Of course there is. But it will take time. He has to fall in love with you all over again, without the help of destiny."

"And what do I do in the meantime?"

"You bide your time."

Regina dropped my hand. "I'm tired now. Come visit again soon, Cassie."

Sally followed me outside with her eyes full of questions, and I suddenly found myself telling her everything, from the moment I first set foot in this town to the present day and my growing friction with Adam and the others. "I don't know what do," I said, tears burning my eyes.

"For now, just let it be," Sally said.

We spent the rest of the afternoon walking and talking, and by the time I returned home, I felt ready to face down my father and whatever tricks he had up his sleeve.