Fallen Witch

Chapter 1 Part 2

"Who did you all want to see today?" Mira asked.

"There were three witches that were involved in bringing you back," Ian said. "I thought we'd start there."

Mira's heart sunk, and the anger let go so depression could fill its place. "I thought you might have already spoken with them."

"It's Gabe's first day back," Ian said.

"I'm glad to see you're feeling better," Mira said.

"Thanks," Gabriel said, not looking away from the road. "Do you know who the witches were?"

The quick change of subject took Mira off guard. It hurt that he didn't seem willing to talk with her.

"We should start with Mr. Singer," Mira said. What she didn't say was that she fervently hoped Mr. Singer would give her information about her own predicament. He would be the only one that might even consider talking with her at this point.

Mira watched out the window as the cold steel city fell behind them . Mr. Singer, like most witches, preferred to live away from the city. Ian broke the awkward silence that was building up in the car by going over old details in the case. She didn't bother to add any input. It was all stuff they already knew and had already hashed out. Gabriel was willing to go over it all again, though.

The closer they traveled to Mr. Singer's house, the more anxious Mira grew. By the time they reached the gravel driveway to his house, Mira was picking at her fingers and chewing her nails. She noticed Gabriel glance at her in the rear-view mirror, but it was a fleeting look and Mira couldn't see his expression.

If it hadn't been so cold out, she would have considered staying in the car while the detectives went in and spoke with Mr. Singer.

"Come on," Ian said, not unkindly, when she was slow to walk to the house. "It's freezing out here."

"Is everything okay?" Gabriel asked.

There was no good reply to that, so she stood up a little straighter and went to the door.

The detectives stood aside for her to knock.

Mr. Singer opened the door immediately. He looked at Mira for a moment longer than comfortable before opening the door widely.

"Come in," Mr. Singer said. "I'm glad you detectives stopped by today. I have a few questions."

"We'll try to be of some help," Ian said. "We're hoping you can answer a few things for us as well."

"Would you like something to drink?" Mr. Singer asked. "I have tea, coffee, and water."

"No thank you," Ian said.

"Please, take a seat," Mr. Singer said, waving his arm at the couch in the living room. "Mira."

Mira jumped at the sound of her name. She hadn't been expecting him to address her right away.

"How is the spell on your detectives holding up?" he continued.

"Oh," Mira said. "It's still holding."

Ian shifted uncomfortably and his good-natured smile died at the reminder.

"Good to hear," Mr. Singer said. "Can I ask you to wait in the hallway? I think it will make the interview a little less awkward, don't you?"

Mira didn't dare look at Ian or Gabriel. "Sure," she mumbled, then left the room feeling like a child being disowned.

"We will probably be filling her in on everything," Gabriel said. "She is our connection to your world."

"That's no problem," Mr. Singer said.

"Then why—"

"Simply protocol," Mr. Singer, interrupting Gabriel. "The others won't ask, of course, but Mira may choose to do so on her own. I am glad to see you both well, however."