"I hope not," Dave joked. "Two teen witches are quite enough."
"Are we witches, then?" Cam wanted to know. "Really?"
"It's what they call us nowadays," Karsh answered. "But there have been people like us through the ages. Seers, sages, shamans, sibyls. Those whom others depended upon for wisdom, healing, help. And we of the Coventry clan carry on that tradition. We have chosen, like Sara and David and thousands of others, to use our unique abilities to serve and protect those in need."
Someone began to clap—slowly and rudely. Cam and Alex heard it, though Dave seemed not to. "For goodness' sake, Karsh, get over yourself. Say good night, good-bye. Thanks for the dinner invite. Gotta go!"
"Ileana!" Cam identified the voice.
"You go, girl." Alex laughed unexpectedly.
Karsh winked at them. "Catch ya later," he said, taking David's arm. "If you'll just see me to the door."
"BTW, girlfriends," Ileana said, her presence a gust of pine-perfumed air passing their faces. "Call me Goddess."
The next day, it all seemed like a dream to Cam. Her mother was not Emily or Sara. Her mother was a beautiful witch named Miranda.
For Alex, it was more like a nightmare. Sara was dead. Sara was not her mother. And whoever this Miranda was, she'd been willing to give her children away.
Emily pulled into the mall parking lot. "Are you sure you want to take the bus home?" she asked as the girls tumbled out of the car.
"Well, actually," Cam began.
Alex stepped in front of her and leaned in the front window. "No probs, Em. Nice of you to give us a lift, but mass trans works for us."
"Or maybe Beth's folks will give us a ride," Cam added hopefully. "We're meeting her at Banana."
"Banana Republican. Yeah, we can catch a lift with the Sharks," Alex said.
Emily looked dubious but shrugged and called, "Well, all right. Have fun, then," and drove off.
"It's Fish," Cam said irritably as they walked into Lord & Taylor, cutting through the menswear aisles.
"What's fish?" Alex played innocent, shouldering her way through cashmere jackets.
"Beth's last name. It's Beth Fish, not Beth Shark. And what's this sudden passion of yours for public transportation?"
"If you don't use it, you lose it," Alex said, following Cam up the escalator. "And since we're such public-minded citizens now—I mean, here to serve and protect our fellow beings—I'm for preserving mass transit."
"He wasn't kidding," Cam snarled, turning at the top of the escalator. "You are a witch. And pardon me for barging into your secret thoughts again, but what does Cade Richman have to do with this?"
"I'm going to meet him at the food court in fifteen minutes," Alex said, stepping off the moving staircase and brushing past Cam.
"And that would be because you're absolutely sure he's not Thantos's messenger?" Cam called, hurrying after her twin.
"If he is—" Alex pushed open the door to the mall and held it for Cam. "Then Thantos sure knows how to lure me."
"You think this is a joke, don't you?" Cam demanded.
"A girl can hope, can't she? And anyway, Apolla," Alex croaked, trying to imitate Karsh's voice, "maybe you believe that fairy tale he told us last night, but I've got serious doubts. Like for instance, how come your old man's wheezing white-haired client never even answered Dave's first question? He never told us why we were separated. Why my moms and Dave never knew we were twins—"
"It's pretty obvious why," Cam said, rushing past the cart where crystals were sold, glancing disinterestedly at the accessories shop. "Thantos—that overgrown bearded bozo who killed our father. For whatever reason, he wants to kill us, too. Both of us. Together."
"Well, then, why didn't he? He found us before. Twice—"
"Because Karsh and Ileana showed up."
"And now, supposedly, Uncle Thantos has sent some messenger to get us. And we're supposed to figure out who it is and not get caught. If Ileana can be disguised as a cop or a waitress or anything she wants to be, then so can the messenger probably. I mean, it's like beware of everyone."
Cam saw Beth waiting in front of Banana Republic. She waved to her best.
"If you are a girl," Alex added, trying to make her voice all spooky. "And not some tall, kinky-haired clone from the evil side of the Coventry clan."
Beth said frostily. "Ugh, don't look now but there's a felon behind you."
Of course Alex turned. As did Cam. "Eddie Robins," she said. "I thought he was in juvie hall."
"Well, somebody must've bailed him out," Alex mused. She had a bad feeling about that.
"Don't look at him," Beth whispered. "He might come over—"
"Yo, Edgar! Whassup?" Alex called out.
The beefy boy glared at them. "You think you're real funny, don't you?" he said, stomping toward them ominously. Beth grabbed Cam's hand and took a step back.
Alex, don't mess with him, Cam silently ordered her sister. Can't you feel it? He's in a world of pain.
"I wasn't jiving you. I really want to know what's up. Like who put up your bail—Cade?"
"Where'd you hear that?" Eddie stuck out his chin belligerently. "What's he, like, braggin' all over town?"
"Just a hunch," Alex said.
"I don't' know if it was him. My old man won't tell me. He just said one of the kids I go to school with gave him the dough."
"What makes you think it was Cade, Alex?" Beth asked in a hushed tone. "I mean, didn't Eddie break into his house—"
"Didn't need to break in," Eddie announced, rubbing his shaved head. "I had the gate key. Leastways, my dad did, and I just went over there to pick up the lighter he dropped. Got it from my older brother, one that was killed in the Gulf. Patio door was open. So I went in. I was just looking around inside. I figured I could always say I thought maybe Mr. Richman found the lighter, mighta left it on a table or something—"
"And the alarm went off," Cam said.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot you was the witch sisters. What else you think you know?"
"The police found your footprints in the house," Beth blurted. Then gasped at her own audacity. "That's what I heard."
"Yeah, and that money was missing. Lots of it, right? Well I didn't' take it," Eddie snarled.
"Then who do you think robbed the place?" Beth asked bravely.
"Maybe Cade's nutso sister. I don't' know. But it wasn't me—even though nobody's going to buy that!"
Cam looked at Alex, then said to Eddie, "I buy it. I don't think you did it."
"Me, too," Alex said softly. "I don't think it was you."
Eddie's threatening glare softened slightly. But his voice stayed menacing. "Oh, you don't, huh? Hey, well, I'm home free then, right? I mean, with a couple of witches on my side! Ha-ha-ha!"
"That was so weird," Beth commented as the bully scuttled away.
"Cade's nutso sister," Cam said aloud.
Alex nodded. "At first I thought the screams were from the kid's mom—the little boy, who was run over—"
"But they came from inside the car, didn't they? The laughing girl started screaming—"
Beth had been watching them, listening, trying to keep up. Finally, restless and confused, she scanned the mall. "Uh-oh, speaking of nutso. Here comes Velcro-girl."
"Oh, wow." Before they knew it, Madison was on them like white on rice. "O.M.G., I was totally just thinking about you. I cannot believe you forgot to tell me about the party! I've got, like, the best costume, too. I heard Amanda and Sukari talking about it. A sleepover, right? I just knew you forgot to invite me. Hey, like, don't be embarrassed. No big. Just give me the stats—time, place, et cetera—and I'll be there. Wait. Never mind. I'll get the details on Monday, okay?"
Cam stared after her, openmouthed. Have you ever been able to read that girl? she silently asked her win.
No, and I don't like her, Alex answered. Madison's thoughts, they're blank, dark, a jumble.
Alex never had heard what Madison was thinking.
"Can
we please go inside now?" Beth asked. "It's getting way too freaky-deaky out here."
"You guys go on. I'm cutting out," Alex told her. "I'll meet you later. At the food court."
"Alex, don't," Cam said. "We're not supposed to."
"Supposed to what?" Beth asked.
"Date," Cam said, Especially not, she added silently for Alex's benefit, strangers.
"We're only strangers 'cause I haven't had a chance to get to know him better. See you in fast-food heaven," she called to her sister and Beth. "At Hamburger Heaven, a million sold; only two digested."
Chapter 14 – A Date With Destiny
Any doubts that she had about Cade were forgotten the moment she caught sight of him.
He was leaning against the ice machine, checking out the Galleria trekkers. Lanky and cool in a black tee, clean jeans, and biker boots, his dark hair flopped casually forward onto his brow, framing those clear, blue-sky eyes.
"Hey." Alex raised her hand in greeting.
"Hey, yourself," Cade said, taking her hand and drawing her close. Although the relationship—if that's what you could call it—was new, somehow Cade must have known it would be all right. His lips brushed hers. And the buzz stayed in her ears and vibrated on her lips so wonderful and loud that Alex could hardly hear what he was saying.
"...or just wander around?" was the part she tuned in to.
"Sure," she said. "Let's wander. And talk."
"Oh, no, not that," Cade kidded. He was still holding her hand. "Anything but that."
"But we have to talk," Alex teased back. "I mean, I can't read your mind; how else will I find out what you're thinking?"
"Believe me, you wouldn't want to," he assured her. "I don't even want to."
Want to or not, it didn't matter. No matter how intensely she concentrated, Cade's mind was all crackling babble again. Alex couldn't break through the static.
"You start," he suggested. "What's on your mind?"
"Well, first thing," she said, looking around, "I'd like to check out some tunes."
"Done," Cade said, his hand on her back, warm, firm, steering her across the mall into the blue-tinted bubble-flashing music megastore.
They walked up and down the aisles, until Alex came to the section she wanted. Cade waited while she shuffled through some CDs. "So how do you like school? Being new and all." He grinned. "See what a cool conversationalist I am?"
"Brutally chill." Alex laughed, then shrugged. "It's okay."
"Your sister's really into it. How come she knows so many kids if you guys just moved here?"
"Long, weird story. Cam's lived in Marble Bay all her life. I'm from Montana. I just got here this summer—"
"Get out." Cade was incredulous. "But you guys are identical twins. I mean, you've even go the same necklace—"
"It's not the same," Alex said, lifting the amulet so that he could see it. "Mine is a moon charm. Cam's got a sun."
Cade took the pendant from her fingers and turned it over. Nice, he said sincerely.
Sincerely? How did she now that?
Because he hadn't said it aloud, Alex realized. He'd thought it. She'd done it again! She'd gotten past his chaotic jabbering. Or maybe it was the necklace, the charm that had done it. The moment Cade touched it his mind had opened to her.
And now she heard him think, Oh, no. There's Robins.
Alex looked up. Edgar Robins was a couple of aisles away. "Oh, there's Eddie," she said, as if she hadn't heard Cade's thoughts. "I ran into him before. He just got out of juvie. Someone from school sprang him. I don't know why anyone would do that. I mean, everyone thinks he robbed your house."
"Yeah," Cade said, rubbing the moon charm with his thumb. And then, But he didn't. Man, I wish he had. I've got to get out of here. "Hey, how about...?"
"A slice?" Alex asked, making it easy for him. "I'd love some pizza."
Unexpectedly, Cade hugged her. "You read my mind." He laughed. As they left the store, he slung an arm over her shoulder; his hand, on the back of her neck, idly touched the necklace chain.
Alex was torn. Every move Cade made sizzled inside her. Every thought he had dumped ice water on that fire. He was thinking right now. Thinking... something noisy. A racing engine. Screeching tires.
She wished Cam were here. Cam could describe things that had gone unsaid.
Then, all of a sudden, Alex recognized the noise.
A car! The red convertible Cam had pictured. The speeding car that had hit the little boy.
"Do you drive?" she asked as they crossed the mall, heading for the gourmet pizza shop. "I mean, have you got your license yet?"
He seemed startled. "No," he said. "But that is amazing. I was just thinking about... about a car."
"Hmmm." Alex put her hand to her forehead, swami style, and pretended to be concentrating deeply. "A car. A blue... no, wait. A red car, am I right?"
His hand tightened on the back of her neck. "Well, yeah..." he said cautiously.
"Convertible?" Alex asked. But she was sickeningly sure now. "A red convertible sports car."
My sister's car, his scurrying mind was saying. Karen's BMW. How does she know?
"The little boy," Alex said abruptly. "What happened to him?"
Cade freaked. "Cut it out," he hollered, leaping back. "What are you, a witch or something?"
"I guess," she answered, relieved.
He didn't know she was a witch!
Warmth flooded her again, replacing the breathless chill she'd gotten when she thought Cade might be the messenger.
But the little boy... the little boy who'd been hit by his sister's car meant more to her now.
"Is it her child? Your sister's?" she asked him.
He shook his head no.
Again Alex wished Cam were here to see what she could not. Thinking of her twin, she mindlessly toyed with her necklace—feeling, on the mottled face of the half-moon, the delicate dents Aron's hammer had left.
What had Karsh called it? An amulet, a sacred charm. The sacred charm her father had made for her. Her father.
She'd always known that Ike Fielding, with his stupid get-rich schemes, big talk, and bad debts, could not have been her real father.
And then her thoughts were interrupted by a steady, pulsing hiss. Shoes squeaking on a linoleum floor. Rubber-soled shoes. Efficient shoes. Like the ones the nurses taking care of Sara had worn. Steady beeps. A monitoring machine.
"The little boy—he's in a hospital."
Cade stared at her. Gone was the pleasure, the warmth she'd seen in his bright eyes. Fear had replaced it. Fear and then shame as he nodded yes. The boy, the child his sister's car had hit, was in the hospital.
"I... I've got to go. I'm sorry," Cade said, flustered, angry, ashamed. "I've got to get out of here."
Alex watched him stride away, caught a last glimpse of him as he disappeared into the crowd at the mall.
Alex, I'm waiting. Let's go, girl. Where are you?
She looked around. No one she recognized was near.
Hello. Impatient, sarcastic. Alexandra. We're at the food court.
No one she knew called her Alexandra. Except Madison. Ugh. The girl really was a pain.
But the summons Alex had just heard. It hadn't been spoken aloud. It had been sent. So it couldn't have been Madison.
Could it?
Chapter 15 – Healing Herbs
"Lucky you, you just missed your biggest fan," Beth said as Alex approached their table at the food court. Cam's willowy best was munching her way through an order of French fries.
"Who, Cade?" Alex asked hopefully.
"Not exactly," Beth answered, licking ketchup off her fingertips. "Weren't you with him?"
"Madison," Cam told her. "She was waiting for you. Then all of a sudden, she split. You know how antsy she is."
"Did you, um... call me?" Alex asked her twin.
I did, Cam answered her sister. You were late. I was worried. Taking in Alex's flushed face, she forgot herself and asked aloud,
"What happened? What's wrong?"
T*Witches: Building a Mystery Page 9