19

Adam stared at the ceiling and swore to himself at the bump and grind that vibrated his walls. One part of him was happy his Dad had hooked up with someone, but the other was gnashing its teeth at the presence of a Balcoin past visiting hours. He didn't dislike Karin exactly, but he didn't trust her to save his life. The woman knew stuff she shouldn't know, and she held it over them like a brass ring. Like the stuff Cassie had said about his Dad. Had she picked it up from Karin, who may have intentionally put those thoughts in her head? Adam wouldn't put it past her, and he sensed she had her own agenda, just like everyone else in this town.

Sleep finally found him, and he stumbled out to the kitchen for coffee in preparation for his morning shift. Only his Dad was sitting there, looking surprisingly rested, all things considered. "Hey," Adam said as he poured out coffee.

Ethan seemed to sense Adam's unasked question. "She's at church."

Adam managed not to snort. "Doing what, prophesying for the sainted masses?"

"I think she does readings."

Another almost laugh made it out through his lips. "Bet she compels them to obey."

"Please give her a chance, Adam. I think her heart's in the right place," Ethan implored.

"I don't trust her. She just shows up, and all hell breaks loose."

His Dad sighed. "OK, maybe that's true, but I think it will all work out."

"That's what you want to happen."

Ethan nodded. "You're right."

Adam bit his tongue. "Look, I want you to be happy, but at what price?"

"I don't know, Adam."

And with that, Ethan got up and went upstairs to open for breakfast, leaving Adam's mood to descend into the same black pits as the rancid coffee he sipped.

Cassie's grandmother was in a great mood on Sunday morning, and the kitchen was filled with the tantalizing scent of blueberry pancakes. It almost felt like old times, those being from only a few months ago when Cassie had first arrived and her new life was full of infinite possibilities. Now it seemed like the circle was binding her so tightly she couldn't breathe. And Karin's revelations? They brought her to scary, dark places she might never emerge from. She had to make peace with her dark side, but how could she learn to live with something that alternately attracted and repulsed her?

Jane sat down and picked at her pancake while reading the news. "When is that lovely young man coming back to visit?"

That wasn't how she would describe Rob Balcoin, but let Jane have her delusions a bit longer. "In a few days. He's out of town."

Suddenly Jane said, "I know you don't trust him, but he's the only one who can help me." There was a temporary spark in Jane's eyes that faded back into oblivion.

"I know, Grandma. I promise we'll make this right." Cassie patted her grandmother's hand and took a few more bites of breakfast.

"Of course you will," Jane said absently. "I expect nothing less from my Amelia."

Cassie merely smiled, not bothering to correct her grandmother's increasing confusion. It was weird, because she seemed to function just fine at work. It was only when she attempted to interact with Cassie and other members of the circle that her mind grew cloudy. Of course, that could all change in an eye blink, and Jane might be permanently out on disability if they didn't undo this inversion spell.

Cassie's phone buzzed suddenly and she saw a text from Adam.

My shift gets off at 11:30. Want to hang out?

She smiled, remembering the way he'd taken care of her last night. They were growing much closer, and it was likely Adam would take the next step and ask her out. She typed back a positive reply and read his funny commentary on his Dad's hooking up with Karin. Kind of what she hoped to do with Adam, sooner rather than later. She couldn't deny she wanted him, and maybe it would help her move past her feelings for Jake. Despite appearances, Cassie wasn't the shy, delicate type, and she certainly wasn't innocent when it came to sex. Her first encounter had been back in 9th grade, and she'd had more than her fill of boys and young men along the way to meeting Adam. None of those hookups were serious, but this thing with Adam felt completely different. Before he finished texting, he asked,

How'd you like to meet up at Grace Episcopal?

OK. Why?

To mess with Karin's head.

Cassie needed to give the Balcoins a break, but Adam was obviously in hot pursuit of more information, so she typed

See you there.

Adam was so happy Cassie was here in his truck, sitting so close that their thighs touched. It heated him straight through his heart and tightened every part of him. When she glanced over and smiled sweetly, he felt lost in her cerulean eyes. Without thinking, he reached over and touched her cheek with his hand. Waiting for her to pull away, he was stunned when she captured his fingers in hers and kissed them. Her lips were soft and suddenly all he wanted was to pull her into his arms and deliver on the kiss that had been brewing between them for months. Only given her response, he didn't think it would stop there. "Cassie," he breathed. "Not here."

Her brilliant smile heightened his arousal. "Then come home with me."

They hadn't even gone on a date yet. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

Cassie ran her fingers down his arm and he shivered. "The best idea ever. Are you with me?"

What had come over her? She'd blown hot and cold since his breakup with Diana, but now she was full steam ahead. "I am, but not like this."

Her mouth turned down slightly. "Life is short, Adam, and I'm tired of waiting."

Adam suddenly realized what was happening. This was a delayed reaction to the news about Amelia, and she was acting out. "So am I, but for now, we have no choice." He pointed at the crowd of church goers pouring out through the back doors, and chief among them was Karin. When she spotted them, she gave a hesitant wave and approached them with wary eyes.

"What brings you here?" Karin asked, leaning on his window frame and smiling at Cassie.

"We need answers," Adam said.

Karin's lips tightened. "I've told you all that pertains to your current circle."

"But you know things about my Dad...I want to know what they are."

She fingered her cross. "I can't do that, Adam. And trust me when I say that you don't want to know the truth."

Adam searched her eyes and felt Cassie's grip tighten on his forearm. "That's not your call."

"In this case, it is. I've made an oath to your father that I will not break."

"Even at the cost of harming Cassie and the rest of the circle?" Adam's voice cracked with anger.

"One has nothing to do with the other," Karin shot back.

"Oh, really, I find that hard to believe." Cassie's interjection caused Karin to rock back on her heels slightly. There was power brewing, and suddenly Adam saw blue sparks as Karin fended off something Cassie had inadvertently tossed at her.

There was another magical push and this time Cassie gasped, her hands going to her throat as Karin said, "Don't do that again. Ever! And certainly not here."

Adam was tempted to mentally slap Karin, but she'd squash him like a bug. "Faye was right about you. You're as much a witch as the rest of us, and like it or not, we're all in this together."

"That remains to be seen." And with that parting shot, Karin turned her back on them and walked off to her Subaru.