43

Faye parked her butt on Diana's car and waited, favoring Diana with a phony smile when she showed up after the final bell. "How'd you like to visit the uni library with me?"

Diana tossed her knapsack into the back. "I don't. Get off my car."

"Not until you agree that it's time to visit the sassy librarian."

Diana rolled her eyes. "I have better ways to waste my time."

"She owes us answers."

"How does that work? Do we take out the Tarot cards and hope the Queen of Swords doesn't stab us in the back?"

Faye smirked. "She's not into props."

"Don't care. Now get out of my way."

"Seriously, Diana, the bitch owes us. She's accused our parents of killing people. I want retribution."

Diana sighed. "What if she's right?"

That was a distinct possibility. "What if she is? She can't prove it."

"And neither can we. So we're back to square one."

Diana had this maddening way of thrusting cool logic in her face. "Maybe so, but I'm getting in her face. She can't threaten us."

"She hasn't."

"Of course she has. Just by spreading lies, she's torn the Circle apart."

Diana had one foot in the car. "Only because we let it happen."

This was a losing battle. "Have it your way, but don't blame me if the cops come calling."

"You wouldn't."

"Oh, but I would. If they come after my Mom, then your Dad's going down too."

Faye took off in a huff, and when she saw Jake perched on her car, it did nothing to improve her already foul mood. "What?"

"Want some company?"

She sniffed like she smelled something rotten. "No thanks."

"You sure? Someone's got to keep the peace while you flail away at a helpless woman."

Faye snorted. "You're kidding, right? Karin Balcoin is the Wicked Witch."

Jake smirked. "Not anymore she's not. She and the Crowhaven coven did some big mojo that wiped out Blackwell, and she lost her powers."

Now that news made her day. "You don't say. So maybe we can threaten her into silence."

Jake shook his head. "That won't work with her. Besides, you don't want to piss off those old crones who have her back."

"You think a few old women scare me?" Faye said with a laugh.

He rolled his eyes. "More than a few of them, Faye, and they know the old ways."

Something clicked in her mind and she managed not to shudder. "Is Adam's grandmother part of that group?"

Jake nodded. "Hardly. She's done nothing but rain hate on them. She's also put fear of the Goddess into the Elders. You don't want to mess with that lady."

Margaret Mary Conant was a fiercely intelligent and formidable woman, and nobody crossed her. She didn't care much for her son Ethan, but doted on Adam. Perhaps she could use that to her advantage. "You're right."

"I don't like that gleam in your eyes. What do you have in mind?"

Faye grinned. "You'll see. It'll be fun."