Page 56 of Spelling Disaster

She looks like she’d rather have all of her teeth pulled than leave the room now. It’s a lot to think about, and I weigh the options before sighing. “It’s fine. You can stay.”

I shoot her a final warning glance before I untangle myself from Remi.

“I’m happy to see you, and I missed you. But why are you here?” I ask my sister. “And what do you mean, I left behind a mess? You know they forced me out, right?”

Her smile melts away inch by inch until she’s stone faced, her eyes boring into mine. “You weren’t forced. Eli said…you wanted some space while they investigated.”

“Lies,” I hiss out between my suddenly clenched teeth.

“Things haven’t been the same without you, Yas. Let’s just say that. It’s like something dark has fallen over the coven since your failed ascension. The fire at the library was just the beginning,” she says. “I don’t trust anyone. They’re acting really strange.”

“What do you mean, darkness? What kind of darkness?” It sounds like it’s straight out of a book, and I don’t trust Remi not to over exaggerate.

She groans, flopping back on the bed and stealing my pillow for her own.

“You know they don’t talk to me because I’m human, but I know things. I listen and they pay no attention because, hey, pathetic little mortal. Which is how I know the coven leaders aren’t acting like themselves.”

“Not if they’re lying and telling you I left. I couldn’t get here on my own, Remi,” I insist. “Mom brought me here. They kicked me out.”

“They’re spouting off all kinds of new rules like they’re the heads of some kind of military operation. It’s almost like they’re possessed, and not by Casper the friendly ghost, if you know what I mean. It’s a dark force. A lot’s happened. The town was evacuated. Lark and Eli are unfocused, walking all jerky like puppets on a string…” Remi trails off. “I had to find you, get you to come back and see for yourself.”

I thought back to the odd way the coven witches moved during my birthday. How they were wading through the mist, not acting correctly, then it seemed like they came out of a thrall. What if they never had?

What if something was still going on and they sent me away not for fear of what I’d do, but because of whattheywould do?

“Is Mom a part of this?” I ask.

Remi shakes her head. “Mom is mom. You know how she is; she’s already a dark force of nature. It’s not like that’s going to change anytime soon.”

It’s not an answer and worry begins to gnaw at me, causing an empty hole in my gut previously filled with strawberries, wishes, and kisses.

“Are they just acting differently or are they doing weird things?” It makes a difference. It makes a lot of difference, considering I’d seen what happened at the failed ceremony and Remi had not.

“Lark barely comes out of her rooms anymore, and Eli has taken to holding secret ceremonies. He won’t tell Mom about them, but she knows he’s been calling the other members into the woods and they don’t come out for hours. When they do, they won’t speak to anyone,” Remi replies. She strokes a finger down Gus’s back once he comes out to say hello. “It’s really weird, Yas. I get a creepy feeling on the back of my neck whenever I’m around them and it’s starting to freak me out. The shadows seem darker, like they move on their own. I know I’m human but…it’s there. It’s noticeable.”

It makes sense. I hate that it makes sense because I saw the same thing the other day. Whatever presence I felt here is an extension of what’s taking up residence at home.

What’s pulling the strings of the coven like a deranged puppet master?

“You not getting initiated to the caste of Clerics is a bigger deal than we thought, Yas,” Remi finishes. “Things are changing, and not in a good way. Like it’s all connected.”

I wince at the casual way Remi gives up one of my biggest secrets. The Clerics.

I hadn’t brought it up to Blaire before, after what Amy told me on my first day here. Now, I slowly turn to face her, to take in her reaction.

And there sits Blaire in her seat, all fluffy pink hair and absolute shock. It’s a wonder she’s managing to keep a straight face.

“Surprise?” I offer weakly.

“I can’t tell anyone about you being from a line of Clerics,” she hisses. “Are you kidding me right now, Yazzy?”

“Not kidding you,” Remi answers for me.

“The Clerics…are nothing but bad news. Everyone thought the last one had been burned at the stake. Now here you are—” Blaire breaks off, shaking her head. “Forget your reputation. They’ll take up pitchforks!”

“I don’t understand what’s so bad about being from a line of Clerics. Just because the last known Cleric was a bad dude doesn’t mean we all are.” My mom certainly isn’t bad, just strict.

“Do you know what kind of shit went down the last time there were any Clerics out there? Like, seriously?” Blaire goes pale faced and leans down with her elbows on her knees, gasping for air and trying not to let us notice.

---