Page 67 of The Glittering Edge

“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t call the Council,” Milton says.

Alonso blinks the water out of his eyes. “Because we could get rid of this curse. No, we could discover anewway to get rid of a curse. How about that for your legacy? And you’re not even a Council member yet.”

“I don’t care about my legacy,” Milton says. “I care about keeping witches and mortals safe.”

“You’d be doing that, too,” Alonso says, nodding toward Penny and Corey. “His mom died years ago. Hers is gonna be next. That’s why I’m here.”

Milton ignores him. “Who unsealed your magic? Because they broke a big rule, and they’re heading for exile just like your entire family.”

“Nobody,” Alonso says.

Milton mutters something under his breath. “Come on, man—”

“I did it myself,” Alonso says. “I don’t know how. I saw something bad, and I wanted to fix it, and then I was using magic.”

Milton considers Alonso. “Then who taught you that spell?”

“One of the books in my basement.”

“You don’t even have a teacher? You know that sounds impossible, right?”

“Sure. Doesn’t change the facts.”

Milton glances at Penny and Corey, and he looks like he wants to tell them something. Instead, Milton turns back to Alonso. “The only reason I’m inclined to believe you is because we know where you live.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“But I’m not making the same mistake my great-grandma did,” Milton says. “If you want my help, you gotta prove your intentionsare good. I’ll need you to create a blood oath. And you’re gonna letmedictate the terms.”

Next to him, Penny gasps. “What’s wrong?” Corey asks.

“A blood oath could kill him,” Penny says.

“Only if he’s lying,” Milton says.

Corey looks to Alonso, whose face has lost all color. He wants to say something, but what? That this is crazy? They should give up and go home? Corey can’t form the words.

“Fine,” Alonso says. “I’ll do it.”

“You don’t have to,” Corey says.

“Don’t I?” Alonso growls, and Corey shuts up. Because he’s right. They came here to get help from the Pierres, and if this is the only way to do it, then fine.

Milton goes inside, and Alonso follows, his eyes on the ground. Penny gives Corey one long look that says a million things he can’t understand, and one thing he can: She thinks this is a bad idea.

“At least we’ll know he’s telling the truth,” Corey says.

“Honestly? This sounds like the kind of spell that will hurt him even if he doesn’t lie.” Penny follows Alonso and Milton inside, leaving Corey alone in the parking lot.

Corey doesn’t want to watch whatever is about to happen to Alonso. Proximity to magic always sounds like a bad idea, but that’s especially true of spells that have names like “blood oath.” But Penny is already in the shop, and her absence makes Corey feel restless. If something happens to her, and Corey isn’t there to help…

“Dammit,” Corey mutters, and he grudgingly walks into Second World Emporium.

Alonso

THE INCENSE IN SECOND WORLD EMPORIUM IS NOT NORMAL.

Alonso lives in a house of witches, so he should be used to it. But the scents inside the store are layered, dancing around them to create confusion. Or maybe this is part of the security spell, because already, Alonso can’t remember why he walked inside, or why Miltonlethim walk inside.

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