Power of the Witch

Chapter 16

Rachel held herself ready. He had a neatly trimmed beard and a dangerous expression. It was Rebecka who took him on, though. She stepped forward before Rachel could draw a breath to speak. ''Mr. Wanamaker! These are my cousins! Well – some of them are my cousins. They're from... California. Hollywood! They're here to... do research for...'' ''We're really just visiting.'' Rachel cut in. ''A new show about a high school. Not like that other show. It's more of a reality-based –'' ''It's just a visit.'' Rachel said. ''But your dad is a famous producer.'' Rebecka said. She added in an undertone to Mr. Wanamaker. ''You know, like that other producer.'' Alle yes, including the teacher's fixed on Rachel. ''Yes – that's right.'' Rachel said, and smiled while clenching her teeth. ''But we're still just visiting.'' She nidged Meg with her elbow, but it wasn't necessary. Meg was already staring at the teacher, brainwashing him with her witch power. Mr. Wanamaker blinked. He weighed the book he was holding as if he were Hamelot holding Yorick's skull. He looked at it, then looked at Meg and blinked again. Then he shrugged and looked at the ceiling. ''OK. Whetever. Sit down. There are some chairs at the back. And I'm still marking you tardy.'' But Rachel noticed that as he turned to his desk, his posture was very errect.

She did the best she could to glare at Rebecka without drawing any further attention to them. ''A famous producer?'' She whispered through her teeth. ''I don't know. It was more interesting than just saying you're friends.'' You don't need life to get anymore interesting, Bubbelbrain, Rachel thought, but she didn't say anything. She found one thing out that surprised her, though, and she found it out quickly. Her job was made harder by the fact that everyone at the school was in love with Rebecka. It was strange. Rachel used to getting attention from guys – and ignoring it. And Ruby and Meg both were the type that had to beat them off with sticks. But here, although the guys looked at her and Ruby and Meg, their eyes always seemed to return to Rebecka. At break, they crowded around her like bees around a flower. And not just guys, either. Girls, too. Everyone seemed to have something to say to her or just wanted to see her smile. It was a bodyguard's nightmare. What do they see in her? Rachel thought, frustrated almost beyond endurance as she tried to edge Rebecka away from the crowd. I mean, aside from the obvious. But if all this is about her looks... It wasn't. It didn't seem to be. They weren't all hitting on her for dates. ''Hey, Rebecka, my granddaddy loved that get well card you made.'' ''Becka, are you going to tie the ribbons this year fort he Christmas Benefit cats? Nobody else can make those teeny-weeny bows.'' ''Oh, Rebecka, something awful! Bugsy had five puppies, and Mom says we can't keep them. We've got to find them all a home.'' ''Rebecka, I need help--'' ''Wait, Rebecka, I have to ask you—'' OK, but why come to her. Rachel thought as she finally managed to detach the girl from her fan club and steer her into the hall. I mean, she can hardly bet he best problem solver in this school, can she? There was one guy who seemed to like Rebecka fort he obvious. Rachel disliked him on sight. He was good-looking in a carefully manacured way, with deep chestnut hair, deep blue eyes and very white teeth. He was wearing expensie clothes, and he smiled a lot, but only at Rebecka. ''Brian.'' Rebecka said as he accosted them in the hall. Brian Ashton-Hughes. One of the rich twins who were having a birtday party on Saturday night. Rachel disliked him even more, especially when he gave her a coolly appreciative one-over before returning his attention to Rebecka. ''Hey blondie. You still coming Saturday?'' Rebecka giggled. Rachel stifled the urge to hit something. ''Of course. I'll be there. I wouldn't miss it.'' ''Because, you know, it would kill Joyce if you didn't come. We're only inviting a few people, and we'll have the whole west wing to ourselves. We can even dance in the ballroom.'' Rebecka's eyes went dreamy. ''That sounds so romantic. I always wanted to dance in a real old-fashioned ballroom. I'll feel just like Scarlett O'Hara.'' No, Rachel thought. No, no, no. No way is she going there. She's going to the Solstice Ceremony, where the shapeshifters and the witches are meeting, even if I have to drag her by the hair. She caught Ruby's eye and saw that she was thinking the same.

Gabriel and Meg were simply watching Brian with troubled looks on their faces. ''Yeah, and I can be Brett Butler.'' Brian was saying. ''Plus, the indoor swiming pool will be heated. So if you get tired of being Scarlett, you can me a mermaid for a while.'' ''It sounds wonderfull! Tell Joyce I said so.'' Meg bit her lip. Rachel got a fresh grip on Rebecka's arm and started guiding her away. ''So it's a promise, right?'' Brian called after her. Rachel squeezed. ''Yes, but – oh.'' Rebecka managed to smile and wince at the same time, her arm limp in Rachel's grasp. ''Oh, Brian, there is one thing. I've got my cousin and her friends staying with me.'' Brian hesitated an instant, giving each girl on Rachel's team the appraising look. Then he shrugged and flashed a smile. ''Hey, no problem. Bring them all. Your friends are our friends.'' ''That wasn't what I was trying to tell you.'' Rachel said when they were away from Brian. Rebecka was rubbing her arm with an aggrieved expression. ''Then what? I thought it would be fun for you to go.'' ''What do you mean, ''then what''? You're going to the Solstice Ceremony that night, so you shouldn't have promised him.'' ''I am not going to the Solstice Ceremony that night, because I'm not the one you're looking for.'' It wasn't the time to argue. Rachel kept her moving down the hall. Rachel wasn't happy. Her nerves were all prickling, and she felt like a cat with it's fur standing on end. Very soon, Rebecka wasn't happy either.

''I always eat lunch in the cafeteria!'' ''Not today.'' Rachel said, knowing she sounded as brusque and tired as she felt. ''We can't risk it. You've got to be in a room, alone, someplace where we can control acces to you.'' ''The music room.'' Meg said helpfully. ''I saw it on the map and asked a girl about it in English class. It's open during lunch, and there is only one door.'' ''I don't want to—'' ''You don't have a choice!'' Rebecka sulked in the music room. The problem was that she wasn't very good at sulking, and you could only tell she was doing it because when she offered her cookies to Ruby, she only insisted once. Rachel paced nervously in the hallway in front of the door. She could hear Meg and Gabriel inside talking. Even Gabriel's voice sounded white-faced and strained. Something's wrong... I've had a bad feeling ever since we got to this school... and it isn't any easier having him around. Part of her was worried that he might take this oppertunity to come and try to talk to her. And part of her, a very deep inside part, was furious because he wasn't doing it. Godess! I've got to get my mind clear. Every second that I'm not in control of my emotions means and opportunity for them. She was so absorbed in yelling at herself that she almost missed the girl walking past her. Rachel was almost at the end of the hall, and she had to do a double-take to realie that somebody had just calmly slipped by. ''Hey, wait.'' She said to the girl's back. The girl was medium-sized and had hair the soft brown of oak leaves, slightly longer than shoulder-length. She was walking fast. She didn't stop. ''Wait! I'm talking to you, girl! That door is off limits.'' The girl didn't turn, didn't even pause. She was almost at the door to the music room. ''Stop right there! Or you're going to get hurt!'' Not even a hesitation in the girl's step. She turned into the door. A thousand red alerts went off in Rachel's head.