Eye of the Coven: Season 2

Season 2, Episode 9: Category Four

EPHRAIM

On the Monday before the semester ends, Ephraim sits in the common area of House Aradia with the rest of his friends sprawled out around the room. A whispering fire is lit, creating the only dim light source here. The blizzard has hit hard outside, snow already several feet tall. Even classes here at the academy have been canceled until the weather has calmed down, leaving the students either vanishing to head for their parents' house, or staying cooped up in their dorm rooms to celebrate the snow day.

The weather here is the least of Ephraim's worries. He's too concerned with Faith and when Prudence is going to find her to finish off what she's started. The headmistress has left school grounds early this morning so Ephraim doesn't even know if she's realized that Faith is missing from wherever she was keeping her or not. The snow is going to create a barrier against Ephraim trying to get Faith the hell out of here before it's too late but he's not going to let it stop him.

"Well that's a good thing." Minx says when Ephraim finishes explaining from the leather sofa. "Faith is alive. That's what counts, right?"

"Not if Prudence has something in store for her." Bandit comments from next to her, looking at Ephraim again. "Where is Prudence, anyway?"

"No idea." Ephraim shrugs helplessly. "But I don't want to waste too much time wondering what to do with Faith before Prudence gets back."

"So what are we supposed to do?" Riley is smashed on one of the wing tipped chairs with Nina. "Buy her a bus ticket or something?"

"I don't know." He responds, frustrated. That's one of the worst things about being part of the world of witchcraft. It doesn't matter how far he manages to save Faith from Quarta Luna. Prudence will just as easily find her. "Locator spells are so easy. I'm sure Prudence just has to snap her fingers and she could appear right in front of Faith whenever she wants."

"A protective spell?" Nina suggests.

"That might work." Scarlet nods in agreement. "Where's Faith now?"

"My mom's old place." Ephraim answers.

"How is your mom?"

"Fine, I think." Ephraim doesn't want to talk about his mother. It will only remind him of his screw ups and how he's responsible for banishment from the academy. Ericka nagging at him about it is enough, he doesn't need his friends bringing it up, either-- even if Scarlet was involved that night. "I haven't had the chance to see much of her. Pretty sure that we're going to be spending Yule in a hotel so that should be fun."

"You can't spend the holiday in a hotel." Riley protests. "I won't let you."

"I don't really have other options." Ephraim suddenly feels like the kid with no parents or a home, kids he'd see at public school. The kind of kid other students wouldn't befriend because his clothes weren't clean and his hair wasn't washed.

"Yes, you do." Riley argues. "You're coming to my house. With Vera being there, it would kind of be awkward with just us. You, your mom, and sister will take the awkwardness away."

"All right." Ephraim agrees, feeling as though everyone else in the room is putting him on the spot. But he doesn't mind it. Spending Yule anywhere except at a hotel is fine with him. More than fine. He glances around the room, his brow wrinkled. "Where's Bones?"

"Jade's magic shop." Bandit answers, crossing her legs in front of her. "Wow, that sounded dirty."

"What's he doing there?" Nina wonders aloud.

"Trying to get Jade to come back." Bandit looks at Minx next. "She didn't mention anything to you about leaving, did she?"

Minx's face falls. "What do you think?"