The witch didn’t say a word as she slowly stood from her chair. Celeste went to her altar, and as she made eye contact with Mrs. Windsor, she picked up the dagger and slowly cut the palm of her hand. Then, she allowed her blood to drip into the gold cup. As soon as the blood hit the cup, the witch copsed to the ground and began to convulse.


    Mrs. Windsor gasped and stood from her chair.


    “Stay seated, or else you’ll mess with the ceremony!” Ava yelled.


    For a full two minutes, Celeste convulsed on the floor. When she got to her feet, her cheeks were flushed, and her breathing ragged. She began to chant in anguage I didn’t recognize. It sounded like Latin. She pointed at Mrs. Windsor and her eyes rolled back into her head. Celeste threw a circle of salt around her to end the ritual.


    When the ceremony was finished, the witch pointed an using finger at Mrs. Windsor.


    “You lied to us!” she burst out, and rage filled her voice. “You’re hiding something! The magic won’t work if you are dishonest!” Her voice grew until it seemed to shake the small room. “Something has happened to your daughter, and you have hidden it from us!”


    Chole’s mother’s face paled, and she nced around the room as if looking for an exit.


    Celeste stalked toward Mrs. Windsor with rage burning in her ck eyes. “If there’s one thing that witches hate above all, it is people who lie!”


    0.00%


    11:40


    228 17 tuets


    Energy rolled off of the witch, and sweat rolled down the back of <b>my </b>neck. Even though her anger wasn’t directed at me, I was d that I was in the next room over.


    I looked at Alexander, and I noticed a look of understanding cross his face. I wished that I could ask him what he had realized because I was still confused, but I didn’t want to be caught cavesdropping.


    Madeline put her hands together and begged. “Please, will you just save my daughter? I can pay you anything. Money isn’t an object. I just need your help.”


    Celeste only red at Mrs. Windsor and slowly shook her head.


    Madeline cried out in agony and copsed to the ground just like the witch had a few moments before. Mrs. Windsor crawled to the witches‘ feet and grasped onto her robes.


    “Please, I beg you!” she yelled. “My daughter needs your help:”


    Ava stood from the table. “There’s nothing that Celeste can do if you don’t tell us the truth,” she said in amanding voice. “Magic doesn’t care about money. The ritual won’t work if you’re not honest.”


    Madeline’s face grew even more white with fear, but her body copsed with defeat. “Alright, I’ll tell you everything,” she relented.


    Once the three women were sitting at the table again, Mrs. Windsor let out a loud sigh. “When Chole was in high school, there was an… ident. A friend of hers tragically passed away very young. A few people thought that Chole was involved somehow, but that’s not true!” she cried vehemently. “It was all just a big misunderstanding. My Chole was and is–innocent in that unfortunate incident.”


    The room was silent for a full minute.


    32.71%


    11:40


    288 Wouchers


    Mrs. Windsor wiped a tear from her cheek. “I’m not here to talk about that, though. I want to help my daughter, who is about to get married.”


    Alexander and I looked at each other at the same time.


    Here we go.


    *Olivia*


    Mrs. Windsor had to be lying about Chole not being involved in the ident. What if Chole had been involved in her friend’s killing and the powerful Windsor family had covered it up with their money and connections? We’re they afraid of iting out and ruining Chole’s future?


    I let out a quiet gasp of realization. My hands shook with fear as I realized my mistake. Alexander red at me since my gasp could be the reason that we were discovered eavesdropping.


    I held my breath and waited to see if anyone had heard my gasp. Only Ava looked over in my direction for a fraction of a second, and I wondered if she could sense my presence. Thankfully, Celeste and Mrs. Windsor kept their eyes on each other.


    Ava seemed toe to the same realization as me because her eyes widened with understanding.


    “That isn’t the full story, and you know it!” Ava said in a powerful voice. “You are still being dishonest, and you have displeased the spirits! You have angered the undead witches. You must go before they take out their wrath on you!”


    70.34%


    11:40