Different

Chapter 19

She walked gracefully. She waved her hand and the debris on the floor moved aside to clear her path. She avoided Rebecca and walked past her towards me. Her smile was either antipathetic or derisive.

"What's the meaning of this?" I glared at her as she crouched in front of my face.

"You invited yourself to this trouble,"she replied in a more seductive tone, "and you're asking me what's the meaning of this?" She combed my hair with her fingers.

"What?" I squinted.

"The plan was to wait for summer solstice, but perhaps this is the right day." The seductress kept the alluring tone of her voice. "I think we have a few things in common. We don't like superstition. We don't like old tales of old witches. I don't think equinoxes and solstices have anything to do with our magic."

As I stared at her, I tried to make out meaning from what she just said. "What does that have to do with this?" I looked around to try to connect what she said to what had recently happened.

"We have to move before she wakes up." She stood up and walked towards the still unconscious girl.

"No, she's not safe here." I stood up as well but limped my way towards her.

She giggled, bent, and carried Rebecca. "Why not?"

"An intruder just broke into this house."

"Intruder?" She appeared calm, unconcerned. "You mean you?" She smiled at me before darting her gaze around.

I was flustered. "No." I processed the thought. She was right. I could well be considered an intruder.

"What are you doing here this late?"

"I was supposed to see Madame Veronica. I needed her help. Matt attacked me earlier today."

She tittered. "Didn't you see her?"

"When I arrived, I heard screams. I went in because I thought she was in trouble."

"How did you get through her shield charms?"

"Her protective enchantments only blocked magic. I climbed the gate and found a weak spot in her shield magic."

"Too bad she" -- she looked at the girl who was still unconscious in her arms -- "didn't give you a pass."

"I thought she was in trouble. But while I was in the basement, I saw Matt with an old hag."

"So you saw the sex ritual." Her tone remained the same, and her indifference bothered me.

"You knew about it?"

"Among other things." She smiled wryly.

"Does Veronica know what's been happening in her house?"

"I'll explain things later."

I finally stood straight while rubbing my hands on my pants and keeping my eyes on her antipathetic face. Despite my confusion, I managed to remind her of the danger that was lurking in the house. "We have to get out of here."

"This is the safest place in the world."

"Are you kidding me? A powerful witch attacked me here, and I don't know where Madame Veronica is."

"Follow me."

She walked to the corner in the living room where a secret door remained hidden. She stood in front of it and said, "Aperio." A slit appeared as the walls moved apart to introduce a staircase that traveled into the dark chamber.

"I don't think we should go down there."

Without turning to look at me, she said, "You said your friend is here."