This Coven Won't Break - Isabel Sterling Page 0,63
she drew them in her own blood. Mr. Hughes waits for Morgan to call out an annoyed yes before he comes in.
Her dad has the same coloring as her, vivid red hair and a neatly trimmed red beard. He’s wearing jeans and a blue-and-white-checkered dress shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. “Excuse me for not wanting to break up true love.”
Morgan rolls her eyes. “What’s up, Dad?”
“Besides my blood pressure?” He chuckles to himself, clearly amused.
I’m . . . confused. “Is that supposed to be a Blood Witch joke?” I whisper to Morgan. I’m fairly certain their magic would prevent those kinds of medical conditions.
“Yeah. It’s easier if you ignore him.”
“Hey now, don’t sass your elders.” Mr. Hughes props his hands on his hips and gives Morgan what from my mom would be A Look, but from him makes me think I’m missing out on some inside joke.
“Oh, are we admitting you’re old now?” she asks, all innocent charm.
“Keep it up, missy, and you’ll be banned from reading.”
Morgan fakes a gasp. “Never!”
Her dad laughs and approaches the bed, his attention turning to me. “Since my daughter has failed to introduce us, I thought I’d say hello myself. I respond to Fitz, Mr. Hughes, Morgan’s dad, or Hey, You.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Hughes,” I say as Morgan groans like her dad is the most embarrassing person she’s ever met. It makes my heart ache in a way I can’t afford to indulge in, not in front of them. Not if I want to keep functioning. “Do you need help with anything in the kitchen before dinner?”
“Eleanor and I are all set, but thank you.” Mr. Hughes turns back to Morgan and ruffles her hair. “Twenty minutes, kiddo. We’ll see you out there. It’s nice to officially meet you, Hannah.” He slips out the door, leaving it open behind him.
“I’m sorry about that,” Morgan says when he’s gone. “He’s extra weird when there are new people around.”
“No, I like him.” I tip my head back against the wall and lose the fight against the sting in my eyes. “He reminds me a little of my dad. I bet they would have gotten along well.”
Morgan reaches for my hand and squeezes tight. Before she can say anything, the doorbell rings and one of her parents answers the door.
“Are you expecting someone?” I ask.
“No, I—”
“Morgan!” A woman’s voice calls through the house, presumably Morgan’s mother. “It’s for you!”
We share a glance, and she looks as confused as I feel. She slips out of the bed and motions for me to come with her. Morgan closes her bedroom door behind us, and I wonder if she’s thinking of the runes. If she wants to hide them from whoever has come to see her.
When we get to the foyer, Alice is standing inside the door, looking smaller than I’ve ever seen her. She’s wearing jeans and an oversized hoodie, her hair up in a simple ponytail. She scowls when she sees me.
“Alice, what are you doing here?” Worry makes my nerves brittle and rough. “How do you even know where Morgan lives?”
“My parents have been teaching Alice healing techniques.” Morgan steps forward and puts an arm around Alice’s shoulders, guiding her farther inside. “What happened? Is everything okay?”
The pink-haired Blood Witch doesn’t say anything until she’s seated on the couch in the living room, her forearms resting against her thighs. “They drugged the first Blood Witch.”
Morgan tenses beside me. “Mom? Dad?” The panic in her voice brings her parents running. Their magic makes them so fast, it’s like they simply appear in the room. “How do you know?” Morgan asks Alice. “What happened?”
“I overheard the Elder telling Mr. Tiny Notebook about it at our meeting today. The meeting you skipped.” Yet the venom in her voice cracks, and she shudders. “He’s just a kid. Some boy in Texas. His parents swear they’ve been careful. They don’t use any tap water at home.”
“What happened to him?” Fear curls around my heart. Alice said their power controlled everything, that without it they couldn’t survive. “Is he okay?”
Alice shakes her head, and actual tears spill over her cheeks. “He’s in the hospital. He collapsed on a school trip last Friday and hasn’t woken up since. He’s only fourteen.” She buries her face in her hands, and Mrs. Hughes goes to sit beside her.
“We’re safe here, Alice. You’re okay.” Morgan’s mom rubs Alice’s back and glances to her husband. Some silent understanding passes between them.