38

Cassie and Jane took turns keeping watch on Karin, who was still comatose after three days. Her wraithlike appearance of pale skin and ash blonde hair did nothing to reassure them.

"Is this normal?" Cassie asked as she sipped tea with her grandmother.

Jane shrugged. "Everyone reacts differently to the aftermath of a spell. I can only say that Karin took it all on herself."

Cassie had felt that tremendous inrush of evil that was somehow diverted at the last second. "Why would she do that when we were there to help?"

"She was protecting us, just like any high priestess would do."

She had never thought of Karin that way. "But she's not...I've seen her go to church."

Her grandmother smiled. "That's her cover, don't you see? If she's seen doing good work, then the witch hunters will leave her alone."

"But they haven't." Cassie knew all about the guy disguised as a cop who'd tried to worm his way into Karin's confidence. "Her house was marked."

"Not anymore. Dee and the Crowhaven witches cleaned things up and re-established protective wards."

"Are they friends of yours, Gran?" Jane seemed to know a lot about them.

"Not in the way you think, but we all have each others' backs."

"Just like our Circle used to be," Cassie said, half musing as she wondered where everyone had gotten off to. Adam brought her homework every day after school, and Ethan brought them food from the Boathouse. But everyone else was silent, not answering texts or dropping in to visit.

Jane's clear blue eyes seemed to cut straight through to Cassie's anxiety. "It will get better, Cassie."

"What if it doesn't? Everything was great until I showed up, and then Karin threw in the final monkey wrench to ruin everything."

Her grandmother touched the top of her hand and Cassie felt a soothing heat warm her entire being. "I know it seems that way, but I promise you, things will turn around."

Jane sounded so certain that Cassie almost believed her. "I hope you're right."

"I know I am. Look at you and Adam...things are the way they were meant to be."

"Oh, really? So you believe it was written?" Cassie smiled slightly.

Jane chuckled. "Not quite, but anyone who sees you two together can have no doubt."

Cassie heard a floorboard creak and jumped out of her chair when Karin entered the kitchen. She looked between them and said, "Please tell me you've found my brother."

Karin scarfed down chicken soup and grilled cheese with gusto. Then she polished off some fried chicken and a large salad before finishing it off with some of Jane's famous apple pie. "This may possibly be the best thing I've ever tasted," she said when her stomach finally stopped roiling.

Jane smiled gently at her. "I'm glad you approve."

"Let me guess, old family recipe handed down through the generations?"

"Something like that."

She heard a tap at the front door and Jane escorted Ethan in. He sat down next to her and took her hand in his. "Jane called me as soon as you woke up. You're sure you're OK, Karin?"

Karin wasn't sure of anything right now. "It seems so."

"And your power?" Ethan asked.

"Gone."

"What about your...intuition?" he asked uneasily.

Karin smiled. "Still intact."

Ethan squeezed her hand. "And Rob? Have the police found any trace of him?"

"Not yet. But I'm sure he'll return when he's ready." She highly doubted that, but she couldn't throw that out there.

"And what if he doesn't?"

She shrugged. "Life goes on, and I'll get past it eventually."

Jane had left the room as they talked, but Ethan still lowered his voice. "Will you?"

Karin couldn't fool him. "I don't know, but what other choice do I have?"

Ethan wrapped his arm around her and she leaned into him, sighing into his neck as he comforted her. "Come live with us."

She pictured the cramped quarters behind the restaurant and laughed. "Crash your bachelor pad? I don't think so."

"OK, so we'll come to you."

Karin didn't want to go back to a house haunted with memories. "I have a better idea. Let's look for a new house."

Ethan's mouth opened slightly and his Adam's apple bobbed nervously. "Really? Don't you think it's too soon?"

"Too soon for what?" Jane asked as she returned to the kitchen with her watering can. She looked between them with a broad grin, her blue eyes twinkling as she watered plants on the window sill.

Karin said, "Setting up house together."

"Ah," Jane said, clearly enjoying the red creeping up Ethan's neck. "The market is soft here. You'll get a good deal."

"Exactly. What do you think, Ethan? Maybe we could go out house hunting next weekend and bring the kids along."

Ethan stood up abruptly. "I'll probably be working, but I'll check my schedule and get back to you."

He practically ran out of there and when he was out of earshot, Jane and Karin started laughing. "He doesn't know what hit him," Jane said.

Karin rested her right hand on her abdomen and said softly, "But he will all too soon."

Jane's eyes widened slightly. "Are you sure?"

She nodded, eyes closing as she sensed two faint heartbeats. "I've always known this day would come."

"And it's what you want?"

Karin sighed. "Of course it is, though I'm not sure I'm up to the task."

Jane touched her shoulder. "We're all here to guide you."

Tears burned at her eyes. "Thank you for that."

She was beyond exhausted and ready to sleep again. With a tired smile, she moved back up the stairs and curled up into a ball, letting sleep crash over her and caring about nothing but sweet oblivion.