"It's a pretty big deal." Adam's voice hit that pitch it always did when he was exasperated. "We have to tell the Circle eventually."
"I know," Cassie said as gently as she could. She reminded herself that Adam's passion and perseverance were her favorite things about him. "I just need a little time."
She fiddled with the few strands of reddish-brown hair that had fallen in front of his eyes. "For now, let this be our secret."
Adam nodded, realizing he was pushing too hard. "Okay. But in the meantime I want to help in any way I can. I'll do research, whatever you need. Just name it."
Cassie felt her shoulders settle. "Thank you," she said, reaching out to him. "For now, all I need is your support."
"Always." Adam brought Cassie's injured hand to his warm lips and kissed it.
"I also need a chocolate glazed donut from Sprinkles," Cassie added.
"Your wish is my command." Adam leaned in, met Cassie's lips with his own, and kissed her without restraint. It felt good, and it felt right. Maybe there was hope for this day yet.
Chapter 2
Cassie was sitting in third-period history debating between (a) the Continental Congress and (b) the House of Representatives on her pop quiz, when a hall monitor came to the door and handed Ms. Darby a pink slip of paper.
"Laurel," Ms. Darby said. "Mr. Boylan wants to see you in his office right away."
Cassie's head shot up. She couldn't allow Laurel to be alone with the principal. He was a witch hunter, and Laurel had been marked.
Laurel looked at Cassie and then back at Ms. Darby. "But I haven't finished my test yet."
"You can make it up after school," Ms. Darby said. "The principal wouldn't call you out of class unless it was important."
Laurel hesitated.
"Go on." Ms. Darby pointed to the doorway. "If you're in trouble for something, standing here and keeping him waiting surely won't help matters any."
"Yes, ma'am," Laurel said.
Cassie watched her fearfully gather her books. What could she do to stop her?
Laurel handed her exam in to Ms. Darby and obediently followed the monitor out the door, glancing over her shoulder at Cassie one last time.
There were no other Circle members in class, so it was up to Cassie to do something. One way or another, she had to get herself into the principal's office. Laurel's life could be at stake.
Cassie quickly scribbled in the remaining empty blanks on her exam, and then rushed up to the front of the room.
"I'm done, Ms. Darby." She held her side and bit her lip. "And I'm not feeling so well. May I go to the nurse?"
Ms. Darby eyed Cassie, trying to discern if she was faking.
Cassie swallowed hard, cleared her throat, and leaned forward like she might puke right on Ms. Darby's desk.
"Go," Ms. Darby said, and Cassie bolted for the hallway.
She ran the whole way, ignoring multiple commands from teachers telling her to slow down, and arrived at the principal's office panting. Immediately, she could feel an energy in the air - something dark and morose. The door to Mr. Boylan's office was closed.
"Hi there, Cassie. What can I do for you?" asked Mrs. Karol, the perpetually rosy-cheeked office secretary.
"There's an emergency," Cassie said, catching Mrs. Karol by surprise. "In the gymnasium. A fight or something, I'm not sure, but people were screaming for someone to get the principal right away."
"Not again." Mrs. Karol scooted off her seat and hurried over to the principal's door. She knocked on it anxiously while turning the knob to let herself in.
"Sorry to interrupt," she said, "but I think we've got a brawl on our hands, down in the gymnasium."