Minions (editing and expanding)

Chapter Three- Enchantment

The whole room fell silent as Siobhan sauntered in; Elaine was balanced carefully on her hip. People began to whisper.

"Is that... See?"

"No, it can't be..."

"I heard she went insane..."

"... No, she left after Sabine died."

She could only just pick out individual voices. One girl walked forward to meet her.

"See..." she drawled in a thick southern accent. "You're back. Just in time, too." She smiled devilishly.

"I'm not getting involved. I'm just here to see Melusine." She retorted curtly.

"You know where she'll be." The girl glided smoothly away. She suddenly stopped and turned. "You know," she added with a sly grin. "We can take care of your child..." Siobhan clutched Elaine closer to her side nervously. She walked quickly through a discreet black door near the back of the shop as Elaine buried her face in her mother's hair.

"See, how nice of you to come." Melusine's melodious voice came from within the shadows. "I've missed you." She came forwards to hug her old friend.

"I've missed you, too." Siobhan replied as Melusine released her. "I don't think anyone else did, though." She grinned.

"Well, you did make quite an exit."

"Go out with a bang, that's me."

"So, did you come for supplies?" she asked casually as Siobhan sat Elaine on the counter.

"Mmhmm." She put her bag down next to her daughter. "Can you look after Elaine while I get them?"

"Of course." Siobhan nodded her thanks and began to look around. She picked up some ground wormroot, crestose powder and rose petals.

"Wow. What are you making?" Melusine asked when she dumped the contents of her arms onto the counter.

"Nothing in particular. Just stocking up. Might end up coming here more often, now." She sighed, looking round.

"Oh. Then won't you need..." she reached for something under the desk. "...this?" she pulled out a little red bottle. Dragon's blood. Siobhan gasped, taking it carefully from her outstretched hand.

"You got it!" she exclaimed. "How? Oh, thank you, Mel!" she pulled her in for another hug.

"No problem." She laughed.

"How much do I owe you?" Siobhan pulled back and picked up her bag.

"Forty." Siobhan paid her and picked Elaine up. She clung gratefully to her mother's side and closed her eyes.

"Shouldn't you use a pram?" Mel grinned.

"I like to know exactly where my daughter is." She laughed, too.

"You're in a really good mood, considering where you are." Melusine observed.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Siobhan smiled. "Was I offending you? I can go all moody if you want."

"No," she laughed. "I like it."

"To tell you the truth, I've kind of missed this place." She sighed. "Anyway, I've got to get going." She headed for the door. "I'll see you... whenever." As Siobhan left The Centre (the small area in London built specifically for witches), she noticed an elegant necklace around Elaine's neck.

"Sweetheart, where did you get that?" she murmured in her ear.

"Lady gave it to me." Elaine answered.

"Let me see." She picked the main jewel up and slightly off of Elaine's skin. It was red, designed to show desires. It was one of many little jewels, all interwoven with herbs and small potions. It was beautiful and very, very powerful. Designed to make the wearer stand out and be seen- it was no toy for a little girl.

She reached out to take it off and groaned. It had Elaine's blood on it.

There was no way to take it off.