Spells Trouble (Sisters of Salem #1) - P. C. Cast Page 0,105

a mother, not a drugged-out, self-indulgent brat.” The words spilled around Mercy, sloshing against the immaculately decorated shell of a home. “Your grandparents are supposed to be your support system—the people you count on for strength and love—not the people you have to prop up.”

“Mag—” Hunter began softly, but Mercy spoke over her.

“And you’re supposed to be a girl—a teenager—a daughter who gets to be sad about losing her dad without having to play grown-up for the grown-ups!” she finished, breathing hard. Her friends stared at her as the heat of her anger drained away, leaving her heart cold and broken again. “Oh. Oh, no. Em, I’m sorry. Really I shouldn’t have said all of that. I—”

“Hello, Mercy. Hello, children.” Emily’s mother stepped into the foyer behind them. “What is it you just said?”

Emily drew a deep breath and turned to face her mom. “Mercy said that I need to get out of the house, and she’s right. Mom, I need a break. I have to have a break.” She blinked hard, obviously trying to keep the tears pooling in her eyes from spilling over.

Emily’s mom looked from her daughter to her friends. Her eyes were glassy, but her voice didn’t waver when she spoke. “Emily, you’re right. Go ahead. Be with your friends.”

“Emily?” Her grandma joined Emily’s mother.

“Grandma, these are my friends,” said Emily.

Grandma walked stiffly to Emily and rested one hand on her shoulder. “Yes, I can see that they are.”

“Beatrice, Emily was just going out,” said Em’s mother.

The older woman looked back at her daughter-in-law. “I think that’s an excellent idea. Helene, would you join me in the kitchen?”

Emily’s mom’s eyes filled with tears. She nodded. “Yes. I would like that. Very much.”

“What’s happening out there?” slurred her grandfather.

“Nothing!” The two older women yelled together, and then they shared a real smile.

“Go. Be with your friends,” repeated Em’s mom after kissing her daughter on the forehead. “We’ll be just fine.”

Emily seemed unable to speak, so Mercy tugged on her hand as Jax opened the door and they all filed out.

* * *

They all piled into the Camry Hunter had parked across the street from the Parrotts’ house, and as Mercy—with occasional help from Hunter and Xena—unfolded the truth behind the settling of Goode-ville and the tragic events of the past four days, the shadows under Emily’s eyes lifted. From her place between Jax and Xena in the center of the backseat, she sat up straighter, her expression growing more animated until she held up a hand and stopped Mercy.

“You’re real witches.” She looked from Hunter to Mercy. “I mean, I kinda knew it before, and that grief spell made me think that there was more to your powers than just herbs to fix cramps and an occasional love potion.”

“Love potions are not actually what you think they are,” said Xena. “It isn’t ethical to play with someone’s desires. Goode witches would never—”

“Xena, I don’t think that’s an important point right now,” interrupted Mercy. She met her friend’s gaze. “What is important is that you understand the truth. Since 1693, Goode witches have been guardians of those five gates—”

“Which are really the five weird trees?” Jax broke in.

“Yes,” continued Mercy, nodding at him. “And we have to close and strengthen those gates tonight—at sunset.” She glanced outside at the waning light. “Which will be pretty soon. Will you help us?”

Emily didn’t hesitate. “Yes. That’s what friends do, right? But it’s more than that. This is why your mom and my dad were killed. So, we’re getting rid of the Cyclops tonight?”

Hunter spoke firmly. “I promise.”

“I’m totally in.”

“Jax?” Mercy asked.

“Just tell me what I need to do.”

The band of tension began to release from around Mercy’s chest. She dug into her purse and pulled out the six sheets of paper she’d prepared the night before. Mercy handed out four of them, keeping two for herself—leaving the sixth sheet facedown on her lap. “Okay, ask any questions you have—anything at all. It starts with setting your intention. That means that as soon as we’re on our way to our trees each of us must focus. Read my instructions carefully. Hunter and I are going to be channeling powerful energy through you tonight. You have to be prepared for it.”

“How are we going to—” Emily began and then had to stop as three sneezes shook her body. “OMG, bless me!” She wiped her nose on the back of her sleeve. “Gross. Sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I usually