Page 175 of The Glittering Edge

“It’s true, then,” Helen says.

“Did you know?” Mr. Barrion asks Corey.

“For a few days,” Corey says. “The De Lucas want to move back into their house.”

“And we’re not asking permission, for the record,” Donna says. “But unfortunately, you have our keys.”

Sofía pulls James and Helen aside, and they talk in low voices while the De Lucas wait in tense silence. When they come back, Helen is smiling.

“We’ll give you the deed to your house immediately,” she says.

Corey’s dad clears his throat. “As soon as you return the money we paid you for it.”

“Take it all,” Alonso’s mom says, a smile on her bright face. “The soil under that house is worth more than any dollar you could give us.”

Corey

SUN SHINES THROUGH THE OPEN WINDOW, FALLING ON COREY’S HANDSas he steers his car toward Penny’s house. The heat is dry and sleepy; it’s the last week of August, and these are the final gasps of summer before fall takes hold.

Corey is ready for the cold. It’ll be a welcome sign that they’re moving on from everything that’s happened.

He had tried to convince Aunt Helen to come with him. She was a frequent visitor as Mrs. Emberly recovered at the hospital over the last few days. But now that Penny’s mom has been discharged, Aunt Helen has started to withdraw again.

“I don’t want to risk it,” she told him as they sat in the library.

Corey was leaning forward, elbows on his knees. “The Council of Witches said Penny’s mom should be safe.”

Aunt Helen rested her head on her fingertips. The bright sunlight washed her in gold, but it also made the veins under her eyes appear darker. “I’m not sure I have it in me anymore. To love like that, and to lose it.”

Corey thought about arguing before he remembered his aunt had been through this twice already. What if the Council was wrong, and Mrs. Emberly got hurt again? Could Aunt Helen live with herself?

“I’ll tell her you said hi,” Corey said. It was weak, but it was the best he had.

Aunt Helen managed to smile at him. “Are the flowers for Penny?”

“Yeah.”

“What she did…” Aunt Helen shook her head. “What youalldid was amazing.”

“Penny made it happen. I never would’ve worked with Alonso if she hadn’t convinced me.”

“I see.” Aunt Helen’s smile fell slightly. “I know how this sounds, but you might want to keep your distance.”

Since Mrs. Emberly’s recovery, Corey has felt light. Weightless, almost. The curse—no, the bargain, that’s what Penny called it—they’ll find a way to beat it. But Aunt Helen’s words brought reality crashing back.

“It’s not like that with me and her,” Corey said. “She’s with Alonso.”

Aunt Helen tried to smile. “I’m just paranoid.”

Now as he drives to Penny’s house, Corey’s hands tighten on the steering wheel. His aunt has put him on edge. He glances at the flowers on the passenger seat. What compelled him to buy flowers for Penny? Would he have done that if he truly saw her as a friend?

Corey isn’t sure. And that thought makes his heart thrum painfully in his chest. He isn’t in love with Penny, but maybe he could be if he lets himself get closer to her. Penny just got her mom back, and she went through hell to do it. He can’t put her in the crosshairs of the curse again.

When he turns onto Penny’s street, the blue Shelby comes into view. Alonso is in the front yard, bent over some unwieldy plants. The sun gleams off a pair of pruning shears, and that makes Corey sweat as an equally terrifying thought occurs to him.

What would Alonso do to Corey if he hurt Penny?

Corey runs his hands over his hair. His mind is a jumble of fear and anxiety, but one solution comes to the forefront, clear as day.

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