Twisted Fate

Chapter 48

Astrid

We're sitting across from each other, wondering who will break the awkward silence first.

She looks young- can't be any older than sixteen, I'm guessing. And I know for sure she's a witch. The magic radiates from her psyche. But she's definitely not from the Salem coven and that worries me. I need to find out more about this girl. She could be a spy from the dark covens.

"What's your name?" With my question, she sinks deep into her chair and gulps.

"Evelyn," she says, nervously twirling the end of her braid.

"So, Evelyn, wanna tell me why you thought it was okay to sneak in Ms. Hattie's office and go through her things?" She stays quiet. I know whatever she's been trying to steal is behind the red door. That's why she keeps looking down at the keys in my hands like they're some golden treasure.

Her silence pushes me further into suspicion. "Look, I don't want to be the bad guy," I say irritably, "but if you don't start answering my questions, then I'll have to give Ms. Hattie a call. I'm sure she won't be too happy about a thief sneaking into her office. A thief that she's let off the hook many times before."

Her shoulders visibly tense, and her face pales. I hate the idea of scaring a teen witch into talking. I'm sure she hasn't even mastered her powers to their full potential. I mean, it didn't take much exertion to get her to sit down. Of course, she tried to run away, but I was faster to the door, and she didn't try to fight me. This girl is harmless, but I cannot take chances with outsiders. She isn't exactly innocent here. At least not in my book...yet.

Evelyn glances down at the keys and then back to me without making eye contact. "You're a she-wolf. You don't even belong here yourself. I don't have to answer any of your questions," she tries to sound angry, but her voice falters. She wants to play tough. I can play tough.

"Under the circumstances, you are obligated to answer all my questions, and you will. You are trespassing on Louisa Rondell's territory, and I have every right to interrogate you until I'm convinced that you are not a threat to the Salem coven or any of my wolves. So, if you would like to return home, I suggest you start talking, Evelyn."

As a challenge, she narrows her blue eyes at me and crosses her arms. I'm trying to be nice, but damn, does this girl make it hard. My brow arches, and I take the same crossed arm, reticent position. We fall silent, and a few minutes later, I'm reaching for my phone.

Evelyn stiffens, placing her shaky palms on the table. "What are you doing?"

I roll my eyes, "What does it look like I'm doing? I'm done being nice. Ms. Hattie can deal with you," I pretend to dial the numbers on my phone because Ms. Hattie doesn't have a cell phone. She's old-fashioned, and the idea of having a cell phone is execrating in her mind. But Evelyn buys my façade.

"You can't do this. I've done nothing wrong!"

"Nothing wrong?" I repeat incredulously. "If you believe that, then you don't deserve to be given any more chances."

The chair scrapes the floor as she abruptly stands to her feet, tears swelling in her eyes. "Alright," she sighs defeated, "I'll tell you whatever you want to know, but you cannot tell Ms. Hattie. She'll call my parents, and I'll be in a lot of trouble. Please, I was just trying to help my sister," she chokes.

I'm not sure if the tears or the small piece of information has won me over, but whichever of the two, it works. I place my phone on the table and point to her chair. "Sit down." This time she willingly sits down, wiping her tears away.