8

Sally showed up on my doorstep just after dark. "I'm so sorry about what happened with my uncle."

I gestured for her to come inside and drew the shades in the front parlor. "It's not your fault, but you shouldn't be here."

Sally made a scoffing sound and sat next to me. "I told Uncle Eben I can hang out with anyone I want."

"Bet that went over well."

Her face fell. "He said you practiced black magic and worshipped the devil."

It was so ridiculous that I grinned. "My life isn't nearly that interesting."

She touched my arm. "Don't worry, I don't believe him. He says the same thing about my grandmother."

"His own mother?"

Now it was her turn to laugh. "Oh, they're not related. Eben is my mother's brother."

"So Eben and Regina don't get along?"

"Not at all. She takes out her shotgun every time he shows his face."

The thought of that old woman with a .22 was almost comical. "Did your uncle tell you how we met, Sally?"

Her beautiful green eyes widened. "You know Eben?"

I got to my feet and looked at the fire. "You could say that."

"Tell me."

Part of me wanted to spill my guts, but the more cautious part stilled my tongue at the last second. "I can't."

She cocked her head. "He's set against you and your friends. Am I right?"

Her intuition was a bit eerie, making me wonder if she had a bit of Regina's mojo without realizing it. "Yes, but that's not all. He wants to destroy my father."

My Dad chose that moment to come through the front door and I held my finger to my mouth. He smiled in at us before shuffling back to the kitchen. Sally finally whispered, "Why would he want to do that?"

"Because of something that happened the day I was born." I'd never mentioned my birthday to the Circle, but I'd come screeching into the world right about the time witches were burning to ash.

"Do you mean the fire?" Sally said, pulling on her coat as if sensing it was time to leave.

I followed her to the door. "I do. Will you be on IM tonight? I'll fill you in."

"Sure." I felt my father's presence lurking in the doorway and turned around to see him watching us with those fathomless blue eyes.

"Bye," Sally said, including my Dad in her farewell before trotting down the steps.

"Cassie, we need to talk," Dad said, moving back into the kitchen and waiting until I sat across from him.

I watched his face carefully as he spoke, "Why are you friends with that girl?"

"Because she's nice."

"It could all be an act."

I rolled my eyes. "You don't know her."

"But I know her uncle, and we both know who that is."

"Who?"

"I saw her leaving your coffee shop with Eben yesterday. Turns out they're related."

"And how would you know that, unless you were spying on me?" I said angrily, folding my arms and glaring at him with all my might.

Dad sighed. "I'm trying to protect you, Cassie. It's for your own good."

Those five little words opened the dam and anger flooded through me in a red haze. "Just like that curse you invented to break me and Adam up?"

His mouth opened slightly, and if I hadn't known what a great liar he was, I would have bought the innocent act. "Are you serious? I would never do anything like that."

I leaned forward and dug my fingernails into my palms. "Wouldn't you? I think you'd do anything to get back at Ethan Conant."

His mask slipped slightly and his cold blue gaze seared into me. "That's not what this is about, Cassie. You and that boy were distracted, and of no use to your Circle."

I flexed my fingers and could feel my dark magic pooling in my palm. "You've ruined my life, and I'll never forgive you for that."

"In time, you'll know I did it to protect you and your friends."

"Don't defend yourself," I yelled, just as I unleashed my power and lobbed it straight at him. His tea mug shattered and right before hot tea trickled onto him, it stopped in mid-air.

He looked at me calmly. "You ever try that again on me, it will be your last time."

I knew a threat when I heard one, and coming from my father, it was all the more terrifying. "Will it? Do you really want to test me?"

He sighed. "You might be more powerful, but you're a rank amateur when it comes to magic."

"So I should aspire to be like you and murder other witches for their power?"

Dad did nothing to deny it. "Of course not. I want you to be happy, and live as normal a life as you can."

My laugh was tinged with hysteria. "And this coming from the man who just destroyed my only chance at happiness in this godforsaken place? You are fucking unbelievable."

He actually flinched at my f bomb. "I'll excuse your little outburst, because I know you're upset."

I jumped to my feet, suddenly certain I had to get as far away from this house as I could. My purse was where I usually left it, and my backpack held a change of clothes. I got to the front door and found it wouldn't open. With an angry sigh, I said, "Let me out."

Dad came up behind me and looked down at me. "Things are going to change around here, Cassie. I'm your father and for now, you have to do what I say."

"Unlock the door, or I swear, I will break it down."

His hand closed around my wrist. "It's me you don't want to test."

I imagined a burning poker and he suddenly yelled and lost his grip on me. With a mental push, I punched through his meager defenses and worked the locks on the door. It slammed back so hard that the glass shattered in its frame. I looked back at him through a wayward lock of hair, "You have that wrong. It's me you don't want to fuck with."

This time he didn't try to stop me when I jumped on my bike and rode out of there like a bat outta hell. When I was a good distance away, I dialed Diana and said, "Can you put me up for the night? I just ran out on my Dad."

"Of course, and you can stay as long as you want."

"Thanks. I'll see you soon."