Witch {Book One} [UNEDITED]

XXX: Parentheses

Samantha took Bandit back to Safe House. She sent the others out so Bandit could be alone. Samantha stayed in Bandit's room with her until she fell asleep. She kissed her forehead and ventured downstairs. 

"Annie?" She quietly called into the mostly empty house. There was a long, disappointing silence. Then, there was a voice. 

"I'm here, Death." Samantha turned around and faced the ghost. She had wild blonde curls and wore and old dress. Most likely the one she was killed in. 

"She recognized you. Earlier. In Miss Jemma's," Samantha said, crossing her arms over her chest. Annie shrugged and looked down. 

"I didn't mean for her to recognize me that quickly. But she needed to know. There is no way she can destroy Ada without knowing who is on her side and who isn't." She trailed off and met Samantha's gaze again. 

"So making sure Bandit knows that you were her, what was it, 'invisible friend' is going to help her know who's on her side? I don't see your logic, Annie." Samantha started to pace. She took long strides, but made sure that each step was silent. She didn't want to wake Bandit up before Annie left. She wasn't supposed to see her. 

"I have my logic. And it makes much more sense than yours, Death," Annie muttered. She tucked a stray curl behind her ear. It just popped back out. 

"If Bandit finds out that you're the one who is helping her cheat me, I won't be able to let her cheat for much longer. At this rate, she needs to live as long as possible. If she dies before the trials are over . . ." Samantha trailed off and stopped pacing. Annie floated towards her and stood in front of her, craning her neck slightly so she could make eye contact. 

"I know, I know. Ada will make sure she ends up in eternal punishment and the Hell Hounds will slaughter the rest of her friends. But the Hounds already have a target. They're closing in on Thomason. They won't rest until she--he's dead. I forget that he's a he and not a she anymore. My apologies." Annie forced the loose curl back again. "Adelaide needs to be protected and I'm one of the few people--living and dead--that can protect her." 

Samantha narrowed her eyes and started pacing again. Annie floated after her. 

"I can protect Bandit just fine. Thomason, however, is a different story. Why don't we just agree on this: you protect Thomason and I'll focus on protecting Bandit. That way we save both of them and we don't let Bandit die." Samantha glanced at the ghost. 

Annie shook her head. "I would rather protect Adelaide. I've been protecting her since she was born. It's my right." 

"You let her mother die." 

Annie stopped, letting herself go deadweight again. 

"Take. That. Back," she hissed. 

"Let me protect Bandit." 

"I look forward to the day the Archangels destroy you." Before Samantha could say anything else, Annie disappeared. 

Samantha stood where she was for a long time before tiptoeing back upstairs. She slid into bed with Bandit and wrapped her arms tightly around her. 

"I'm so sorry," Samantha whispered. "I don't know if I can save you for much longer." 

Bandit didn't even stir. 

She was already awake.