23

Note: So where are all my regular readers? I feel like everyone is abandoning fanfic and the show. I am worried the show won't be renewed, but I will at least finish this story. It may not end exactly the way you want, but there will be a Cadam resolution. As for why I write in this fandom, it's because I don't really get why all the fem slash abounds in this forum. I am not opposed to slash, but I don't write it, and with these characters, it doesn't appeal to me.

My Dad was renting a house near the mini golf course he'd invited me to. I did a ride by on my way to school, and saw his car in the driveway. He supposedly had a job at an undisclosed location and my first goal was to get my grimoire back. When he came looking for it, I'd be ready for him.

Sally offered to drive me by after school, and we were in luck. His car was gone, and the door was bolted. It was an easy task to break in through the sliders opening onto his back deck. He'd put the grimoire away in a safe place, which turned out to be a loose stone in his fireplace.

"Let's get out of here," I said, clutching my Book of Shadows under one arm.

"This is exciting," Sally said.

It wasn't my idea of a good time, and I was glad when we were safely back under Regina's roof, and I left my coveted book in her safekeeping. Sally and I knuckled down and got through our homework in record time, finishing up just as the doorbell rang. Expecting my Dad, I was surprised to see Adam. He looked at me with a nod and then over at Sally. "You ready?"

"I was born that way," Sally said. As she passed, she said, "Try not to worry."

Before Adam stepped outside, I said, "Adam, wait."

He looked at me with a half smile. "I won't let anything happen to her."

"I know, but what if you get caught? You can't do Circle magic on your own."

Adam nodded toward his truck. "I have it covered. Melissa's got our back."

I nodded. "Good. Try not to get possessed."

For a moment, he hesitated, and then he laughed. "Yeah, we won't."

He smiled before turning away, and there was a flash of my Adam before his gaze went blank and he walked off. I watched until long after they were gone, and turned to find Regina holding Fred, who blinked at me sleepily. "Come sit with me," she said.

I followed her to the parlor and took my usual seat nearby. "I know what you're going to say."

"Do you now?"

"You think the memory spell is a bad idea."

"It's risky, Cassie. You could take Adam down paths he's not ready to follow. Are you prepared for what might happen?"

"I don't know, but I have to help him."

"Then try reversing it first. We can get the ingredients now that you have your book back."

My father would be angry if he were thwarted. "What if my Dad intervenes?"

Regina's smile never reached her eyes. "He won't, because we'll strip him of his power after we get rid of the witch hunters."

"By get rid of, you don't mean..." I didn't want to complete the sentence, but Regina was happy to do it for me.

"You know it's the only way," she said with a sigh.

"But that's not what you said before. You said I should lean on you and the members of my Circle."

"And I meant that, but you should also have a backup plan."

"Doing what you suggest makes me no better than they are."

She grabbed my hands. "Never say that again, child."

"But it's true. In the eyes of the law, I'd be guilty."

"The only law that matters is our law: Do what thou wilt."

Regina was quoting Crowley, and was starting to scare me. "But you espouse the good side of magic, don't you?"

"Except when I don't." She gave me a hard stare and poured a healthy dollop of brandy into her tumbler. "You're not the only one with dark magic, Cassie. Why do you think Eben is so set against me?"

I am sure my eyes were bugging out of my head. "So why aren't you on my father's side?"

"Because he abuses it, and lies about having no magic. He gives us all a bad name."

I could see why she'd think that. "All right, we'll try it your way first."

Now her smile was genuine. "It's the right thing to do."

It seemed wise to change the subject. "Did you hear anything about the coffee house?"

"Oh, I'm glad you mentioned that. The coffee house is closed until further notice, which means you need a job."

There weren't many options in a small town. "Yeah, I kind of do."

"And I have just the thing. I could use some help in my shop after school."

Regina read cards for people, and that wasn't my forte. "Umm, I don't know the Tarot."

Her laugh was musical and I could almost hear bells inside its silvery lilt. "I also sell herbs and poultices. You'd be a great help to me."

"You do spells for people?"

Regina nodded. "Only the good kind, don't worry."

I wasn't sure any spell was the good kind. "That's mighty nice of you. When do I start?"

"How about Saturday morning? You could work the counter for me."

"Sounds like a plan." And maybe it would give me time to figure out a way to get my father's blood. Because my gut told me we needed to do this soon, before it was too late.