7

"Do you think your grandmother will talk to them?" I asked Sally as we huddled over some Chaucer homework.

Sally shrugged. "I have no idea. She keeps to herself, and getting in the middle of something puts her in danger."

"I promise we'll do everything we can to protect you."

Sally looked worried. "Don't people you know tend to die?"

She had a point, and I couldn't dismiss it. "I won't let it happen. You have my word."

We were about to return to our homework when the bell clanged to announce a new customer. I looked up and froze in place at the sight of Eben. He bore down on our location and I said, "Oh my God. What the hell is he doing here?"

Sally looked confused. "I thought you already met my Uncle Eben. He seemed to know a lot about you."

Eben hovered over us dangerously. "Can I help you with something?" I said, meeting his angry gaze with my own.

He ignored me and looked down at Sally. "It's time to leave, Sally. Your mother wants you at home."

Sally threw me an apologetic look and I knew she'd call me later. "OK."

As she fumbled with her bookbag, Eben returned his attention to me. "Did your father get my message?"

I nodded without saying a word and stared daggers at him as he practically dragged Sally out of the shop. They were on their way to a nearby car when my Circle burst through the other set of doors. Diana instantly picked up on my distress. "What's wrong?"

"Eben was just here." They quieted instantly and were on full alert, especially Jake and Adam. "Turns out he's Sally's uncle."

Faye giggled nervously. "I should have known that bitch was poison."

I turned on her. "This isn't her fault."

"You're right. It's yours," Faye said. "You're the one who insisted on befriending her."

Diana shoved her aside. "We can't trust her, Cassie. I'm sorry, but she's already compromised."

I really liked Sally, and knew she had nothing to with Eben's evil ways. "I have to wonder that he'd tolerate a witch in the family."

Diana put her hand to her mouth. "Omigod, Regina is Eben's mother."

Adam followed on with, "And she's probably the witch whose power he draws on."

That couldn't be right, but how could I know that for sure? "Maybe he forces her to do it."

Faye rolled her eyes. "Or maybe she's a willing participant. Can't you get it through your thick head that this is a witch hunter we're dealing with? And no matter if this Regina person calls herself a witch, she's in on this. Didn't she say she hated John Blackwell?"

Regina had said that, and it made her suspect. "Yes, she did."

"So now you understand why we have to close ranks, Cassie," Diana said in her best schoolmarm tone.

"I understand perfectly. But I don't have to like it."

My boss called me up to the counter and I made an apologetic face before running out on them once again.