I hold her gaze, silently begging her not to make this worse. From what I’ve seen, the coven has a pattern of controlling its members, and opposing their established order won’t accomplish anything.
The agony in her eyes says more than words ever could. I nod. I know she would go to war for me if I asked—which is why I don’t. I know what needs to be done.
“I’m coming with you,” Natalie says, striding closer.
“Get in your own car,” Fiona says, pointing.
Natalie growls, her fists tightening like she might punch her out. But after a pause, she makes the smart decision and steps back, her gaze locked onto me. “I’ll be close behind you.”
I nod. “I know.”
She’ll be there for me. She always is.
“Hayley,” Natalie says. There’s murder in her eyes as a silent exchange passes between them.
Hayley nods, dropping eye contact.
Accepting my fate, I climb into the back of the SUV—away from Natalie, away from Hazel and Ethel, and away from any hope of a normal return to Vancouver.
There has to be a way out of this, right?
As the vehicle surges forward, I twist in my seat to get one last glimpse of Natalie. Her jaw is set…but her eyes are terrified. Like she knows something about the coven’s justice system that I don’t—something that made her willing to fight a Director and two Shadows to keep me from this trial.
Which makes me wonder if I should have kept running, after all.
From the Journal of Hazel Okada
Three hours since literal witches chased my best friend through YVR. Three hours of sitting alone in my new Kitsilano apartment, staring at Katie’s phone, waiting for Natalie to call.
Her last text: “Hazel, I hope you can read this. Katie is in custody. Are you able to bring her stuff to your apartment? I’ll update when I can.”
Trying not to panic, but in custody WHERE? Some witch prison? Ugh, not knowing anything about the magical world is torture.
I did what she asked, and boy, the trek here was a fucking delight. Picture this: one tiny human versus four pieces of luggage, two backpacks, four boxes of belongings, and one very unhappy cat in a carrier. The Uber driver took pity on me and helped load everything into the lobby (bless him), but I still nearly collapsed dragging it into the elevator and up to the third floor. Now, boxes and bags are piled by the door like a monument to Katie, and Ethel is gazing out the rain-streaked window as if wondering how her life led her to this moment.
Poor Katie. I have to get her out of there. But how does a regular human rescue her friend from a secret magical organization? My usual problem-solving skills are pathetically inadequate here. I can’t fight witches. I can’t do magic. I don’t even understand what Katie’s involved in, despite many nights secretly researching witchcraft after she first told me about Natalie.
I won’t deny I’ve felt a tad jealous. I mean, come on… While I was learning about object-oriented programming and submitting job applications, Katie was being inducted into a secret coven and hunting curses. She’s living in this magical world that I can only glimpse from the outside, and even when she tells me things, I know there’s much more she can’t share. But after today? I’m grateful I’m a nobody to these witches. They have no reason to suspect that I know what they are, which means I can help Katie under the radar.
Thank God she has Natalie in her corner. The way Natalie literally stood between her and danger at the airport… No wonder Katie gets that gooey look whenever she texts Natalie. Or mentions her. Or even thinks about her.
Is that what’s been missing from my love life? Sean was about as emotionally available as a pumpkin, and Devon thought texting “u up?” at 2 AM counted as romance. But to have someone who stands up for me… Someone strong and confident, yet gentle… Someone who can introduce me to their exciting world… Someone beautiful and soft and who smells like flowers and…
Okay, this is not the time to dissect whatever sexual crisis I’m currently having. I have to help Katie survive this mess she’s landed in.
PLAN
Camp out at the Gastown steam clock until the witches show up, then force them to hand over Katie. I need a weapon.
But will the witches just manipulate anything out of my hands with magic? Or turn me into a newt? How does magic even work?
Okay, no facing off with witches. Ridiculous idea.
NEW PLAN
I have to go to the source of the issue, which is helping Katie and Natalie convince the coven she’s innocent. She did the right thing by freeing magic, and she just needs to prove it.
Can I compile evidence?
