is the only thing that betrays her age. As she looks at each of us in turn, I can practically see the decades of hard-earned wisdom in her glittering blue eyes. And though I can’t feel her power, the way she holds herself, the soft confidence in her position, leaves no doubt in my mind that she’s the most powerful Caster alive today.
“Thank you for taking the time to meet with me,” Elder Keating says, like we had any choice about her arrival. Still, her gratitude seems genuine as she smiles at both Mom and me. “I’m afraid I don’t know your friend, though.” The Elder’s gaze falls to Morgan. “Is she another Elemental from your coven?”
Morgan stands abruptly. “I’m sorry. I should go.” She’s more panicked than I’ve ever seen. I want to comfort her, but she’s already pushing in her chair and backing away from the table. “Can I tell my parents?” She directs her question at Archer, and the second he nods, she’s gone.
It all happens so fast, I don’t have time to argue. To ask her to stay.
When the door closes at the front of the house, Archer pulls out the chair at the end of the table for Elder Keating. “That was Miss Hughes. She’s part of the Blood Witch family we relocated to Salem this summer.”
“Oh, of course. I’d nearly forgotten, with everything else.” Keating turns to me, smiling slightly. “It’s good to see you’ve helped her settle into town.”
My cheeks flush, and it’s all I can do to nod.
“Have Agents Archer and Morrissey had time to explain the events of last night?” Keating looks at me like I’m the only person in the world. When I nod, she continues. “I want you to know that we’re doing everything we can to protect your coven. We’re working on a barrier spell that will keep the Witch Hunters out of Salem. It will take time to complete, but I’m handling the preparations personally.”
“Thank you,” I say, but I can’t help but feel it’s not enough. There are witches all over the country. Sarah Gillow was part of a southern coven before she moved north for college and met Rachel. What about her family? What about Cal’s parents in Boston? My relatives in Washington have already lost their magic. There has to be more we can do to protect everyone else.
“Is something the matter?” Elder Keating asks, her gaze penetrating. It demands answers in a way her light tone does not. It’s both unnerving and inspiring, the way she commands attention with little more than the way she carries herself.
“I’m grateful, more than I can say, but . . . There has to be more we can do. Salem isn’t the only place that needs protection.”
The Elder Caster smiles, and I feel like I’ve passed some test. “That’s why I’m here. I need your help.”
“My help?” A surge of dangerous hope batters against my broken heart. This is it. This is my chance. “Tell me what you need. I’ll do anything.”
Elder Keating retrieves a thick file from her purse. She flips it open and pulls a photograph from the top. A four-story building with large glass windows stares back at me. “This is Hall Pharmaceuticals. It’s where the Hunters are producing their drug.”
“Is this where they had the raid last night?” I ask, pulling the photograph closer. I trace the lettering over the entrance. “Wait. Hall Pharmaceuticals . . . As in Benton Hall?” I trip over his name and reach for the black tourmaline hanging from my neck and squeeze tight. I need its calm now more than ever. I force myself to breathe slowly. I’m okay. Don’t let them see you crack. Don’t lose your chance.
“His grandfather owns the company, yes.” Elder Keating looks to Archer, and he picks up where she left off.
“We learned last night that breaking in isn’t going to work.” Archer glances at Cal, a brief moment of silence for the agents they lost. “But we have a plan that will allow us to walk in the front door without suspicion.”
“Except we can’t do it without a couple key recruits,” Cal cuts in. “Two, actually. A Blood Witch named Alice Ansley and a Caster named David O’Connell.”
“That’s where you come in,” Keating finishes. “We believe if you met with Alice and David, if you asked them to help us, they would agree.”
I trace the edge of the photograph again. Talking other witches into helping the Council isn’t exactly fighting on