It’s better to think about the reasons.
“P?” Cassandra’s hand came onto Prospero’s shoulder. “It’s not that easy… or guaranteed.”
“She said she was staying when we were at the Congress the day before yesterday.” Prospero glanced back at her friend.
“And you still lied to her.”
“A little but—”
“Youlied.” Cassandra gave her a pitying look. “What was she researching over there, P?”
“Missing… The folders of information!” Prospero felt like her stomach was in her throat. “I know Monahan was in there.”
“And so was Maggie Lynch.” Cassandra leveled a stern glance at her.
“I need to talk to her.” Prospero pivoted. “You come. Talk to Sondre. I’ll go see Ellie and explain.”
Cassandra closed her mouth and gestured to the door, and after so many years of friendship, Prospero knew there were more sentences that Cassandra wasn’t sharing—but asking was futile when she had that look on her face.
After Prospero exited the house, she exhaled in frustration. If Elliewouldn’t or couldn’t fix the rift, Prospero had to convince the entire Congress of Magic to relocate the town. It was an undertaking she couldn’t fathom—could anyone move the buildings? The people? Where would they go? Could the hobs help? Would they?
“Cass…” She faltered in her steps. “Ellie can create. She fabricates from nothing. If she goes back…”
Cassandra tucked her hand in the fold of Prospero’s arm. “I know. We need her, or we live without shelter while we build… or we stay here in the town, hoping not too many people die while we wait for her to fix the rift.”
“I’ll explain everything to her.” Prospero picked up her speed. “She’ll understand. If she knows what’s at risk—”
“You will need to tell her how you feel.” Cassandra glanced over at her. “I sent the demon beasts into her path, but—”
“Youwhat?” Prospero stopped and glared at her best friend. “You caused her accident? The cows… Cass, what were you thinking? She could’ve died. She could’ve not had magic and—!”
“She was essential to us, P. Of course she had magic.” Cassandra tugged on Prospero’s arm. “People are staring, dear. Don’t raise your voice. Do you know how many people I had to blackmail to bring her here?”
Prospero felt like she’d been betrayed in ways she couldn’t even explain.
“If you’d handled it, I wouldn’t have had to fetch her,” Cassandra muttered. “I told you she was essential. You didn’t awaken her magic. One simple shove into danger, P. That was all you needed to do. Where’s my cold-hearted friend? Where’s the woman who would do anything to save our home?” Cassandra shot her a glare. “Then, then she’s here… and you blew that, too. Seduce her. Enthrall her. No, you waited and obfuscated. Youcarefor her, but you delayed telling her. And then you lied to her.”
Prospero was uncharacteristically silent until they were at the castle door. She glanced briefly at a giant pool of water that hadn’t been there until a drunken witch—my witch, I hope—created it.
Prospero looked at Cassandra. “And you thought trying to kill her was the answer?”
“She didn’t die. I told you she needed to come here.” Cassandra rolled her eyes. “I wouldn’t have prophecies if there were no need to act, and honestly, you were bungling it. People are dying, P. I had to bring her here before too many witches died.”
Prospero couldn’t answer.
“This is a war, Prospero. They are killing us. The rift wasn’t an accident,” Cassandra snapped. “You know it, and I know it. So we needed a weapon. This witch is our weapon.”
She’s not a weapon! She’s a person!
Part of Prospero understood the logic of Cassandra’s actions, but another part—a softer part—could only picture Ellie in pain, Ellie dying, Ellie angry.
Cassandra just strode off toward Sondre’s quarters, and for the first time in decades of friendship, of trusting Cassandra, Prospero felt dangerously alone. She tried to remind herself that the good of Crenshaw was her guiding light, but she didn’t think she would’ve been capable of putting Ellie in the hospital. Other people? Sure. Not Ellie, though.
Even though she’d been healed, Ellie had been in pain.
And Cass did that.
Prospero needed to see Ellie. If she thought everything was a lie, she’d change her mind. She’d leave. The entire town would need to figure out how to relocate, or they’d continue to die.
