Page 139 of The Glittering Edge

Corey’s grandfather scoffs. “We’re not giving you an option.”

The pain in Penny’s hand is almost unbearable now, but she ignores it, because this is her last chance. She can feel everything they’ve worked for slipping away and she’s panicking. The Barrionshaveto listen. They know how important this is.

“Why are you doing this?” Penny says, looking from Corey’s dad to his grandfather. “Do you want this curse to keep killing people?”

The old man’s smile falls. He steps closer to Penny, the leaves crunching under his cane, and it takes all of Penny’s self-control to stay in place. Corey’s grandfather has paper-thin skin, dozens of fine wrinkles, but his eyes are bright and clear. It’s even more noticeable in the moonlight than it was when she first met him.

“Don’t forget that your mother is not going to die because of me. She will die because ofhim.” Corey’s grandfather points his cane at Alonso, who doesn’t seem to hear him. “If he tries to convince you otherwise—well. I wish you all the best, but you are not our responsibility.”

Penny tightens her hands into fists. “Did you ever use magic, Mr. Barrion? To help your family’s company, maybe? It isn’t all bad. I think you know that.”

It’s a risk. A leap. But Penny is willing to try any angle.

Mr. Barrion’s lips part. For a moment, Penny is convinced he’s going to admit it. To say that she’s right, of course she’s right, they need to try again for the sake of her mother and everyone the Barrions have ever loved and will ever love.

But then Mr. Barrion’s face shutters.

“Perhaps the full moon is affecting your judgment,” he says. “Women’s emotions are so tied to nature. My wife used to be the same way.”

“Excuse me?” Penny says.

Penny feels someone position themselves beside her. She looks up. Towering over her, taller than he’s ever been, is Corey. He’s looking his grandfather in the eyes.

“Don’t talk to her like that,” Corey says.

Silence falls over the Barrions. Corey’s dad is looking between Corey and his own father, his serious gaze exactly like Corey’s. Julian is standing far behind Warren, but his anger has disappeared. His eyes are trained on Corey, and he looks terrified, like Corey has committed a crime.

Mr. Barrion takes a step forward, not breaking eye contact with Corey.

“Your authority does not supersede my own,” Corey’s grandfather says. “Nor your father’s. Do you understand?”

When Corey speaks, he’s so quiet that Penny almost doesn’t hear him.

“I know you want me to be a certain way. But the truth is that I’m sick of doing nothing.”

“Which implies,” Mr. Barrion says, “that you blame your own family for all this death.”

Corey doesn’t respond.

Mr. Barrion considers him for a moment. Then, with inhuman speed, he raises a hand to strike Corey across the face.

Corey’s dad gets there first. He grabs his father’s wrist, stopping his hand in midair.

“Don’t touch him,” Corey’s dad sputters.

Mr. Barrion somehow manages to look down his nose at his son, even though Corey’s dad is at least half a foot taller. “Let go.”

Corey’s face is frozen in shock. His dad hesitates before releasing Mr. Barrion’s hand. For a moment, Corey’s dad almost looks afraid. But the fear is gone as quickly as it appeared.

Charles Barrion turns his back on Corey and walks into the trees.

Corey looks at Penny, his eyes wide and childlike in their fear. “I’m sorry.”

“Corey,” Alonso says. He struggles to his feet, and he’s holding the back of his head. “There’s something weird about it. The magic. I still want to do the right thing.”

Alonso’s words are impossible to follow. Corey watches him, and then his eyes move to Penny.

“We had one chance, right?” Corey says.

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