Did you talk to Robbie? I asked Bree as we walked out of English. It was our last class. I hadnt seen her or Robbie all day, except from a distanceneither one of them was at the usual spot in the morning or at lunch, either.
Bree hugged her notebooks to her chest. No, she admitted. She was wearing a long black leather skirt and a woolly black sweater with a plunging neckline, and it made her look mysterious and a little sad.
I wasnt all that surprised. Bree hated relationship talks. Why not?
To be honest, Robbie was pretty freaked out by the circle on Saturday, Bree said. Yesterday didnt really seem like the best time for a chat, you know?
Bree, you need to talk to him, I said.
I know, I know. Bree hesitated, her dark eyes clouding over. Actually, she said finally, I think maybe you should talk to Robbie. That scene at the circle scared the crap out of him. God, Morgan, it scared the crap out of everyone. Me too.
But that wasnt me, I insisted. It scared me, too.
We stood there in the hall for a moment, just staring at each other as students streamed past us. I had no idea what to say. Finally Bree reached out and grabbed my hand. Look, Morgan. If you say it wasnt you, then I believe it. Ill talk to Robbie for you. But you should know that hes worried about you, and so am I. To my dismay, her eyes filled with tears. Bree wasnt a big weeper. Were friends, right?
I swallowed hard. Right.
Okay. Bree gave me a watery smile. Ill talk to him. About both things.
She dropped my hand and turned toward her locker. I trudged to mine, silently cursing these strange things that kept happening. I was as afraid of them as everyone else. Yet everyone thought I was behind them.
Standing in front of my locker, I felt a faint, icy breeze blow past me. The small hairs at the back of my neck rose. Had anyone else felt it? To my right, I saw Cindy Halpern struggling with her locker combination. Maybe it was just my imagination.
I spun the lock and yanked on my locker door. It swung open with a bang. I jumped back to avoid the avalanche of books and papers that cascaded out.
God, Morgan, Cindy said, rolling her eyes at the mess, get a Trapper Keeper.
I ignored her. My instincts were clamoring. It was true that my locker was a royal disaster, but the way my stuff had shot out of it. . I peered down the hall to see if other strange things were happening, but all I saw was students shoving books into backpacks and pulling on jackets. I cast my senses, but I didnt sense any sort of sinister presence. Frowning, I eyed the mess on the floor. Maybe it really was just the result of a locker that hadnt been cleaned out in a while. I bent and started gathering papers.
Need some help? asked a voice behind me.
I glanced up as Alisa crouched and began stacking my books. This looks like the bottom of my dads closet, she said. Her voice was heavy, and she seemed tired.
I stopped gathering my papers and looked at her. Are you okay? I asked.
Alisa frowned. Actually, no, she said. II wanted to tell you. . Im leaving the coven.
I was so surprised, I sat down on the floor. You are? I asked. The image of Bree with tears in her eyes, telling me that Robbie was worried about me, clicked into my brain. Why? I asked carefully.
Alisa ran her fingers through her hair, pulling it away from her oval face. Things are just going too far for me. She looked down at the floor, then up at me. The magick Ive seen lately. . it scares me. These are powerful forces, Morgan. She leaned toward me until I could see myself reflected in her eyes. Theyre dangerous.
I got the feeling that Alisa wanted me to promise that nothing frightening would happen at a circle again. But I couldnt. I didnt have any idea what had caused the strange magick on Saturdayand I certainly didnt have any control over it. Im sorry, Alisa, I said finally. I guess you have to do whats right for you.
Alisa looked at me a moment and then nodded. Okay. But I just wanted to tell you. . I have a bad feeling. The magick youve been practicing is bad for everyone. Im talking about the whole coven, she said in a low voice. I think you should stop what youre doing. Be careful, Morgan.
Yeah, Morgan, be careful, said a voice above us. It was Mary K., her book bag slung over one shoulder. I tried to read the expression on my sisters face. Mary K. and I hadnt had a real conversation since the night of Hunters dinner, but Id felt that she was softening toward me a bitand now she was obviously here so I would give her a ride home. I hoped she hadnt overheard anything just now that would freak her out again.
What does Morgan have to be careful about? Mary K. asked Alisa.
I waited nervously. Alisa glanced at me, then picked up a pile of my books. She has to be careful not to get buried in this pile of crap, Alisa said as she slid my books into place on the shelf. I was just recommending that Morgan wear bright-colored clothing so we can find her if she gets hidden in the next locker paper slide.
I gathered the rest of my papers and scrambled to my feet. Just a second, Mary K., I said. Let me find what I need. Ill be ready to roll in a minute.
Actually, Mary K. said, Im here for Alisa. Were going over to her house to study. She turned to Alisa. Ready?
Sure, Alisa replied. See you around, Morgan, she said over her shoulder as she turned to walk down the hall.
See you later, Mary K. added, giving me a small wave. I called Mom alreadyI wont be home for dinner. She trotted after Alisa.
Okay, I said. See you. Watching their retreating figures, I couldnt help feeling a little stab of jealousy. . and fear. Sure, Alisa had just covered for me nowbut what if later she told Mary K. that the coven was dealing with powerful forces? What if she described what had happened on Saturday night?
Would my sister turn against me even more?
6. Restricted
I tried to talk to Morgan today. I told her that I was uncomfortable with some of magick being used in Kithic. So, naturally, Morgan said, Oh, Alisa, thank you so much for telling me. Im sure that if youre uneasy, others in the coven must be, too. Ill be sure to tone down my freakish witch powers so that we can all enjoy the simple, quiet magick of Wicca together. Without unleashing dark forces of the underworld over which we have no control.
Yeah, right. Actually, what she said was more like, Whatever. Too bad for you.
So now Ive said that Im leaving Kithic. Theres only one problem. That means I actually have to leave Kithic. Theres a nursery rhyme that keeps repeating in my mind. I think my mom must have said it to me when I was little: No beginning or no end to hearth, home, or friend. Its about belonging.
I feel like I belong in Kithic. But Morgan doesnt care.
I wonder if other people in Kithic have really thought about what Morgan is doing. I mean, her powers are amazing. I guess its possible that everyone is so wrapped up in the mystique that they havent really bothered to think what shes doing or where it might lead. Or maybe they have, but they just cover up better than I do.
Its not that I think Morgan is evil. I just dont think she realizes how dangerous she is. Maybe I should write a letter to town paper to warn people that this is happening. It feels kind of underhanded. But this is dangerous stuff. I feel that people have a right to know.
I just dont want anyone to get hurt.
Alisa
The bell over the door at Practical Magick jingled as I walked inside. Closing the door quickly against the cold, I breathed in the warm spicy scent of incense and the familiar smell of old books. Alyce looked up at me from behind the counter, and her face instantly broke into a smile. Morgan, she said, youve got a visitor.
There were two other people in the store, browsing through the herbs. Is she here already? I whispered as I walked to the counter.
Alyce nodded gravely. In the back.
I grimaced. That meant I was late. Thanks. I hurried past the tall wooden bookshelves toward the curtain that separated the rear of the store. I was irked that I couldnt stop to chat with Alyce. Besides being the owner of Practical Magick, she was the leader of the Starlocket coven and a good friend. Wed been through a lot together these last few months.
Youre late, Erin said coolly as I pulled back the curtain and stepped into the combination storeroom-office.
So I heard, I replied, sliding into the folding chair across from hers. I hadnt gotten much sleep the night before and wasnt in the best of moods.
Erins eyes flashed. Morgan, I am here at the behest of the council. Ive traveled a long way to get here, she said. And Ive got less than two weeks to teach you everything I know about magickal defenses.
Sorry, I mumbled to the table. Okay, so I was late. Was that the worlds biggest tragedy? Did she have to treat me like a five-year-old? It was bad enough that the reason I was late was that my English teacher had grabbed me on my way out of school and lectured me for twenty minutes about how I wasnt "working up to potential.
Erin leaned forward, and I felt compelled to look up at her. There are some members of the council who put a great deal of stock in your powers, she said in a voice that sounded almost like a purr or a growl. But let me tell you somethingthose powers will never be anything but a dangerous toy until you learn to control them.
There was half a moment while we stared at each other, and I felt Erins intensity like heat from a fire.
Here we are! said a voice. Suddenly the curtain was pulled back, and Alyce bustled in with a teapot and mugs. She glanced at Erin. Licorice still your favorite?
I looked from one to the other. Do you two know each other already? I asked.
Of course, Alyce said. Weve been friends for years.
I tried to hide my surprise. They were friends? But they were such oppositesErin seemed as hard as steel, while Alyce was about as hard as a featherbed.
We havent seen each other in a long time, though, Erin said, smiling at Alyce.
Too long, Alyce said. Which reminds me. Ive been saving something for you. Pulling a key ring out of her pocket, she crossed to a heavy wooden desk at the back of the room. She opened one of the drawers and pulled out a large gray metal box. Then she chose another key, opened the box, and pulled out something large and flat and wrapped in a piece of dark cloth. When she came closer, I saw that it was a square of black silk. My pulse quickened. Black silk had strong blocking propertiesit was often used to wrap magickal objects that might be dangerous. Alyce put the object on the table, then pulled the fabric away from it, revealing an ancient leather-bound book.
Where did you get this? Erin whispered. Shed gone pale.
At a library sale, if you can believe it, Alyce said. About a year ago. I dont think they had any idea what they were selling.
I read the faded gold lettering on the cover. On the Containement of Magick, it said. Harris Stoughton, I said aloud, looking at the authors name. It sounded vaguely familiar to me.
A horrible man, Erin said. A witch who used hysteria to wipe out other witches.
When she said that, I remembered where Id heard the name beforefrom some of my reading on the Salem witch trials. I hadnt read anything about his being a witch, though.
I thought that you should have it, Alyce said to Erin. I dont like keeping it here, but I dont want it to fall into the wrong hands, either.
Erin flipped through a few of the pages warily, as if the book were something dangerous, then snapped the cover closed. Its a rare book. Looking up at Alyce, she added, Thank you. A book like this can be dangerous, but it can also be useful. Erin faced me. The first rule of magickal defenses is Know your enemy.
The bell over the front door jingled, and Alyce went to see to the customers.
Erin pushed herself up from the table and walked over to the curtain. Tracing her fingers around its edges, she muttered a harsh-sounding phrase. Now no one will be able to hear us, she explained when she saw my confused expression. Ready?
I stood up and followed her to the center of the room. We faced each other for a moment. In a flash Erin caught my wrist, and I felt a crackle of electricity ripple through me. But I had been expecting this move. Quickly I threw up a block, as Hunter had taught me. Instead of building, the energy quickly dissipated through my body. Where she held my wrist, I felt the energy die in Erins hand as well.
Erin stepped back. That was good, she said simply. You know the divagnth. And youre strong.
Damn straight, I thought, feeling a rush of pride.
Erin took a step away from me. I took in her small form. I stood at least a full head taller than her. I felt great strangely strong, physically powerful, as if Id been pumping iron or something. Weird, I thought. But very cool.
Things are not always as they appear, Erin said. As I stood wondering what that meant, she suddenly seemed to grow taller. Her mouth elongated, and she smiled, revealing long sharp fangs, each as thick as my finger. I felt my pride evaporate as her shoulders broadened and her green eyes turned darker, glowing with a cruel light.
I shrank away from her as cold panic washed over me like a slap of icy water. With horror, I understood that she was more powerful than I was and that she was evil. Why hadnt I seen it before? She had put up a spell so that no one could hear us, and now she was going to kill me and take my magick.
Erinor whatever the thing before me truly wassent out slim wisps of gray smoke. The dark vapor grew thicker and began to fill the room. I felt myself choking.
The creature took a step toward me, and I stumbled away from it. It opened its horrible jaws. Fight, it said in a voice that was more animal than human. Fight me.
I racked my brain for a blocking spell, but I couldnt think clearly. My body was pulsing with adrenaline. Did Alyce know that Erin was evil? Did Hunter know? What would happen to them once I was gone and this thing had my magick? I had survived so much in the last few months. Was this really how I would be done in?