Evelyn stepped forward slowly, so as not to frighten her already jumpy child, and placed both hands against Cassie’s temples. Her skin was hot and slightly clammy. Something was unlocking Cassie’s powers, and although it wasn’t a breach large enough to send out a beacon to other witches, it was large enough to send her daughter into hysterics. Her inner druid was speaking to her, and she couldn’t cope. Evelyn began to wordlessly chant a spell that would put Cassie to sleep. Like Vivienne, Cassie would need to rest before she could cope with anything Evelyn had to tell her.
***
Cassie’s opened her eyes and shook her head weakly. Gradually, her lids fell, but Evelyn could see that she was fighting it.
“Relax, Cassandre,” she murmured aloud, gently caressing her daughter’s face. “I will take care of everything.”
“But you can’t fix this, Mom….” Her voice trailed off as blissful sleep took hold. As her body slumped against the door, Evelyn held her tight. Cassandre was right. She couldn’t fix it, but she surely could make everything better. She’d let her child rest, give her brain and body enough time to recuperate, and when she was at full capacity, Evelyn would explain, and teach.
Maximilian Cronin might have ruined her plan to keep her girls in the dark about their powers, but now that he’d forced her hand, she would train them to their full potential, making certain they could defend themselves against any attack he launched.
***
Drew was both surprised—and not—to find their apartment untouched. She’d half-expected police tape and barricades preventing them from entering the scene of a crime but there were no such things. The apartment was still trashed, with broken pieces of glass, overturned furniture, and feathers almost everywhere, but that was it. Obviously, something had been done to ensure that the cops didn’t show. She and Max had been in the place for little under an hour, grabbing valuables and tossing them into a black duffel bag that they’d found in Vivienne’s room. The bag currently housed Vivienne’s jewelry and passport, Max’s many different passports, and Drew’s important documents. Max, tense and watchful, had shadowed her as she worked, until they stepped from the apartment to the black sedan that belonged to Evelyn.
“I thought you told Vivienne the cops were here,” Drew commented, opening one of the back doors and placing the bag on the seat.
Max didn’t deny it. “I lied. I said that so she wouldn’t come.”
When Drew cocked a brow that plainly said she didn’t believe Vivienne was that stupid, Max added, “For her mother’s jewelry.”
Max had just pulled open the door to the driver’s side when his body stiffened. She was still arranging the duffel bag on the seat, but she heard a voice that sent shivers down her spine.
“You drive.”
Closing the back door, she pushed her braids out of her face and lifted her brows at him.
“What?”
He walked around the car. “Drive.” His voice was flat and his face reminded her of one of the sculptures in the art gallery. Set in stone.
“Why? W-what’s wrong, Max?” Drew asked softly, looking around them. It was growing dark, and the sidewalk was filled with people returning home from jobs, school, and the other events that took up vital time in their lives.
“Get in the car, Drew.” Max’s voice was firm, and he gave her a look that said he wanted no argument.
Moving around to the driver’s side, she stepped into the car. Her door closed immediately, causing her to jump. Drew stared through the tinted windows at Max. He bent next to the car, under the guise of tying his shoe laces, and said, “Drive. Now.”
With that, he began to walk in the direction of the apartment building. Drew grabbed the car handle and pulled but it wouldn’t open. She tried to shift the lock, but it was stuck.
“Max!” she called, fear closing around her heart as she stared at his retreating figure. What was he doing? He’d almost reached the entrance to the apartment when five men suddenly appeared around him. They were dressed in dark clothing reminiscent of the men who’d attacked them before. Drew blinked once, and they were gone.
“Max!”
The door opened this time and she stared at the spot where she’d last seen him. She remembered what he’d last told her and closed the door quickly. Panic set in and her hands began to shake before she forced herself to calm down. Reaching into her jacket pocket, she grabbed her cell phone and found Vivienne among her contacts. At the same time, she eased into the traffic, checking her rearview to see if she was being followed. She couldn’t tell. How am I supposed to tell?