Shadow Witch: Book Four of the Wizard Born Series

31

Chapter 1

The shower faucet handles squeaked and the water started running in the bathroom, the sound penetrating the thin walls as if they were made of paper. For most people, this was an unremarkable event, but for Sammi Price, it was an awful signal of what was to come.

Her heart began to race and a feeling of dread swept over her. She clicked off the overhead light and dove into her bed, pulled the covers all the way up, and curled into a tight ball, facing away from the door.

Please don’t come in. Please don’t come in. Please don’t come in. She chanted her desperate nightly prayer, hoping that this time it would work.

It didn’t.

The door creaked open. She squeezed her eyes shut.

Footsteps, and the edge of the bed sagged when Mr. Gundy sat on it, though he was not a large man. I’m here, Sweetness. Mrs. Gundy’s finally in the shower.

His rough hand pulled the covers back and caressed her shoulder, and she jammed her forearm firmly against her lower body to protect her private parts and clamped her other arm across her chest.

You’re tighter’n a mouse trap, he murmured. And why you still got your regular clothes on?

I sleep better with them on, she said into her pillow.

Why ain’t you wearin’ that nightgown Mrs. Gundy bought you?

It’s dirty, Sammi lied. She’d hidden it under her bed because she hated it. It was flimsy and smelled like the secondhand thrift store.

He wrapped his arm around her and pushed his face against the nape of her neck. His short, scraggly beard scratched her skin while her stomach contracted painfully. His breath reeked of cigarettes and beer, as always. Well, no matter, he said. I’ll get Mrs. Gundy to wash it tomorrow ’fore she leaves on her trip, then you can wear it. I’ll be stayin’ with you all night, then.

Not if I can help it.

They lay in stiff silence until the faucet handles squeaked again and he said, Damn, she takes short showers. He released Sammi and got out of the bed. But that’s okay. Tomorrow night she won’t be here, so I can stay as long as I like. That’ll be nice, won’t it?

She didn’t answer, and he growled, "I said, won’t it?"

Yes sir.

All right, then. The door creaked once more and he whispered, Night night, Sweetness. I’ll be dreamin’ about you.

The door closed and Sammi didn’t move for an eternity, lying in the gloom, shivering, listening. She waited until long after the last sound faded from the house before she sat up. She had no clock but guessed that it had to be late.

She threw back the covers, swung her legs over the edge of the bed, and took a deep breath while she sat there in the darkness, gathering her courage. It’s time. An electric shiver of anticipation raced down her spine, through her legs, and into her toes.

She sat on the floor, put on her shoes, and slid one hand under the mattress and searched until she found the Dollar Store flashlight her best friend Libby had given her. Sammi pressed the switch, and a reassuring gleam burst from it. She turned it off and put it into her pocket.

She crawled on her hands and knees, quiet as a mouse, to the small closet and felt around until she located her backpack, hidden under an old blanket. She fought the urge to check its contents again — a change of clothes, a toothbrush, a comb, a birth certificate — the most important of her few possessions.

She slung the pack over one shoulder and crept across the room to the window. She flipped the latch and gritted her teeth while she carefully pushed the window up, slow as an afternoon shadow. Once she had it all the way open, she closed her eyes and offered another silent supplication. Please, God, let this work. I’ll be good always and forever. I promise.

There was no screen, so she had an unobstructed view of the night-shrouded front yard. She pulled the flashlight from her pocket and aimed it out of the window, tapped the switch twice and looked toward the far end of the dirt driveway. Two flashes responded like a winking star. They’re here!

She leaned over as far as she could and eased her backpack to the ground, then gingerly maneuvered out of the window, flinching as she made the short drop into the thick weeds below. She grabbed her pack and rushed across the yard to the car that waited just beyond.

The back door was open and the motor was idling and the headlights were off when she reached the car, and she climbed inside it. Libby whispered to her from the passenger seat, Don’t close the door all the way yet. It’ll make too much noise.

Sammi set her pack beside her and the car eased forward. Behind the steering wheel was Libby’s thirteen-year-old brother, Luke. He appeared all grown up in the glow of the dash lights. I took the bulb out of the inside light. He pointed toward the ceiling. That way, your daddy wouldn’t see us when we opened the door.

Thanks, Sammi said. I’m glad you’re smart.

Don’t take no genius to think of that, just common sense, is all. They reached the end of the rutted dirt road and Luke switched on the headlights. You can close the door all the way, now. Sammi did, and he turned the car onto the asphalt highway and accelerated.

Excitement tingled through her. I’m on my way. It was really happening. She wasn’t dreaming it.

Sammi, do you think they heard you? Libby said.

Mr. Gundy would be coming after us already if he did.

Libby handed Sammi an envelope. This is all the money we could scrape up. It’s just enough for a ticket. Luke checked.

One way, though, Luke added with a glance in his rearview mirror.

Sammi nodded her thanks. That’s all I need.

We’ve been sneakin’ a little at a time from Daddy’s wallet for two months now, Libby said. Been savin’ our allowance, too, ever since we first started talkin’ about doin’ this.

We’d get our butts beat for sure if he knew, Luke said. "Hope he don’t wake up and see that we took his car. We’d definitely get a whuppin’ for that."

A thick lumped formed in Sammi’s throat when she thought about what her friends were risking for her. Thanks, she said, though it came out more like a croak. I’ll get your money back to you, I promise.

Don’t worry about it, Luke said.

No, I mean it. I’ll save up somehow, and it might take a while, but I will.

Libby turned in her seat and faced Sammi. Libby’s face looked so pitiful in the pale light. I’m gonna have to get a new best friend, now.

We’re always gonna be friends, Sammi said firmly and she blinked back tears. I mean it.

There was long stretch of silence that Luke eventually broke. Make sure you’re buckled up. It’s fifteen miles to Haynesville. That’s the nearest bus station, though the next bus don’t come ’till two-thirty. We’ll get there plenty early, so you’ll probably have to wait around for a while.

We’re gonna wait with you, Libby said.

No, Sammi said. I’ll be fine.

Luke looked at her in the rearview mirror again. There’s no way we’re lettin’ you wait in the bus station by yourself in the middle of the night. No dang way.

But you could get in big trouble.

So? He shrugged. It’s just a whuppin’. No big deal.

But it was a big deal. Sammi knew that his father beat him almost as hard as Mr. Gundy beat her, and almost as often.

We’ve got to stay with you, Libby said. Something bad could happen to you, and then all this would be for nothin’.

Sammi tried to think of an argument to talk them out of it but could not. You don’t know how much I appreciate this. If it weren’t for you, I’d be stuck with the Gundys forever.

No, Libby said. You’d find another way.

I doubt it.

Quit worrying about it, Luke said. Now y’all quit yakkin’ so I can pay attention to my drivin’. Don’t want to get pulled over by a cop.

Are you sure you can drive that far? Sammi said.

Sure. I’ve driven lots of times.

Sammi knew that was probably a lie, but he was doing all right so far. They hadn’t swerved into a ditch, at least. She leaned her head back against the seat and repeated a little prayer. Please let this work.

* * *

Rachel looked toward Lisa’s front door when the doorbell rang. Should I get it? Rachel asked, though no one heard her. Lisa, holding an empty bag of Doritos, was sharing a laugh with Adele at the far end of the big table near the kitchen. Jamie, Fred, Rollie, Bryce, and Melanie stood around it, stuffing their faces with potato chips and other snacks that Lisa had put into big bowls.

Jamie and Rollie were playing a made-up game, where Jamie levitated cheese puffs with his magic and flew them past Rollie’s face, and Rollie tried to bite them out of the air like a shark.

Carl, Larry, and Garrett were visible through the back window, standing around the smoking grill on the patio, grinning as if one of them had just told a joke, each of them holding a bottle of beer.

Rachel opened the front door, and her mother was there with a container of Tupperware in her hand. Hi, Mom.

Evelyn stepped inside. I went to your house first, but no one was home. I saw all the cars over here and knew something was up.

We’re having an impromptu last-day-of-school party. We didn’t plan it, it just sort of happened, because the kids ended up over here, and then Carl and Larry got home, and Garrett and —

You don’t need to explain. My feelings aren’t hurt. She showed Rachel the rectangular plastic box. I made brownies.

I know Rollie will be happy. Let’s put them on the table with the other food.

They approached Jamie and his friends, and Rollie’s gaze zeroed in on the Tupperware and he said, Is that what I think it is? Evelyn nodded, and Rollie wagged his head. Mrs. Wallace, you must have some magical powers, ’cause I think you’re a psychic. I was just wishing for brownies a minute ago.

You’re always wishing for brownies, Jamie said, and his friends laughed.

True. Let’s have one now, just to make sure they turned out okay.

Aren’t you worried about ruining your appetite? Evelyn said.

Is that a real question? Fred said. "Rollie always has an appetite."

Melanie, Evelyn said, I saw the old Buick in the driveway. How do you like driving it?

It’s wonderful, Mrs. Wallace. It runs so well, and it looks so much nicer than my old piece of junk. Thank you for talking Jamie into selling it to me.

I didn’t do anything. I think he was ready for a new car, anyway. Weren’t you, Jamie?

Um, yeah. I like having a new car, but I liked your old Buick, too. My Chevy gets better gas mileage, though.

Fred put her hand on Jamie’s shoulder as if she were going to add something but turned her head and wrinkled her brow. Did someone just knock?

I didn’t hear anything, Melanie said.

Fred went to answer the door, and Rachel said, Who could that be? Everybody’s already here, aren’t they

Mom? Jamie said. Are we going to have enough food?

"Didn’t you see all those hamburgers and hotdogs I brought?

We can always go get pizza later if we’re still hungry, Bryce said.

Still hungry? Lisa threw out both hands. After all that? Then she looked toward the foyer and said, What?

Fred was standing with a frightened-looking young girl, who wore a dingy backpack and was holding Fred’s hand.

Mom? Fred said. We need to talk.

Lisa stared at the little dark-haired newcomer. Who is that?

This is Sammi, and we need to talk. In private. Right now.

Okay…uh, let’s go to your room.

Mrs. Sikes, too. She wants you to come. She said she knows you. Fred looked down at Sammi, who still held Fred’s hand. Anybody else? Sammi shook her head.

Adele eyed the strange girl and said, I’ll uh, I’ll make sure Larry gets the burgers on the grill. She stooped with her hands on her knees and spoke gently to Sammi, who had lowered her head so that she faced the floor. Are you hungry? Sammi nodded and Adele said, Would you like a hamburger or a hot dog?

A hot dog, please, she said to her feet.

Okay. I’ll let you know when it’s ready. Shouldn’t be long.

Fred led Sammi up the stairs, and Rachel and Lisa followed. Lisa looked at Rachel as if to say what is going on? Rachel mouthed I don’t know.

They went into Fred’s room and Rachel closed the door behind them. Fred cleared a space on her canopy bed by pushing some of her stuffed animals aside, and she and Sammi sat on the edge, while Rachel and Lisa stood in front of them. Sammi still gripped Fred’s hand, and Fred said, You don’t have to squeeze so hard. I’m not going anywhere.

Okay, Sammi said in a small voice, but didn’t let go.

Lisa crossed her arms loosely over her chest and said, All right, what’s this all about?

Well, Fred said, this is Sammi Price. She’s from Bicksby, which is somewhere on the other side of the state, I gather. She glanced at Sammi and Sammi nodded. She’s an orphan, and she’s run away from her foster home.

What? Lisa said.

And I’m pretty sure she’s a witch.

"A what?" Lisa squeaked.

A witch, if what she says is true, and I can feel some power in her while I’m holding her hand.

Oh my God. Lisa blinked hard. A runaway…and a witch? She swayed and Rachel grabbed Lisa’s elbow to support her. After a moment, Lisa shook free and sat on the other side of Sammi, and the little girl took Lisa’s hand, too, though Lisa didn’t seem to notice.

It was the first chance Rachel had to get a good look at Sammi. She was small and pale-skinned. Her straight black hair fell past her shoulders, though one side was ragged and uneven. Her simple face was heart-shaped, cute, Rachel thought, with a little turned up nose. But her eyes! Rachel was struck by how large and dark they were.

Lisa took a slow breath and collected herself, and said, Let’s take this one issue at a time. Why did you run away?

Sammi lowered her gaze to the floor again. Because Mr. Gundy is a bad man.

That’s your foster father? Did he hurt you? Sammi nodded and Lisa frowned. What did he do? Did he hit you?

He beat me, she said quietly.

With his hand, or a belt?

Both. He came into my room at night, too.

Lisa faced Rachel and her eyes were fiery.

The door opened and Adele stuck her head into the room. How’s it going in here?

Can you get Carl for us? And my mom, too, Rachel said. I’m sorry, Sammi, but I think they need to hear about this.

Adele came back a couple of minutes later with Carl and Evelyn, and Lisa told them what she knew so far. Carl moved the desk chair closer to Sammi and sat down. Sammi, you said Mr. Gundy hurt you, but didn’t your foster mother know?

I told her once, but she didn’t believe me. She always believes what Mr. Gundy says. He whipped me later, and said he’d really hurt me if I ever told anybody again.

How often did he come into your room?

Every night. He did it when Mrs. Gundy took her shower, but they were short, so he couldn’t stay long. He told me he was going to stay all night tonight, because Mrs. Gundy was going on a trip to visit her sister.

That’s awful! Rachel said. Lisa’s face drained of color. Adele looked shocked, too.

Rachel had a sickening feeling in her stomach. He’s a pedophile. She ran away just in time.

How could he be a foster parent, Sammi? Carl said. Wouldn’t Social Services know?

I couldn’t tell them ’cause Mr. Gundy would beat me.

Couldn’t you get into another foster home?

She spoke so quietly that Rachel could barely hear her answer. Nobody else wants me. They think I’m crazy ’cause I hear voices.

Oh. Carl glanced up at Rachel. How did you get here?

The bus, Sammi said. I walked from the station. My friend Libby printed a map for me.

That’s almost five miles from here.

It took all day ’cause I had to hide a lot. I tried to look inconspic…inconspicu….

Inconspicuous. Because you’re scared?

I didn’t want Mr. Gundy to find me.

I don’t think he’ll find you this far from Bicksby.

He used to be a bounty hunter. Her face became agitated. He’s good at finding people, and he’ll hurt me real bad if he catches me, I know!

It’s okay, Lisa said soothingly. But I want to know why you came here, of all places.

Because you called me. You said, ‘Come here, little dark-haired girl. We’re calling you.’ That’s what you said. She nodded emphatically.

What?

Don’t you remember? Back in February? You and Mrs. Sikes were sitting in the gazebo and you were talking about adopting a little girl, and you said she should be about seven years old, and I’m almost seven, and she needed to have dark hair and dark eyes and have some magic in her. And that’s me. You called me and I came.

Lisa gaped at Sammi, and Rachel said, We did say that, Lisa. I remember. Sammi, how did you know that?

I heard you.

How?

It’s part of her power, Fred said. I believe she’s a Shadow Witch. They’re extremely rare, according to Momma Sue. Sammi can hear people talking if they are in a shadow.

Anybody? Adele said. Anywhere?

Only if they’re saying something that matters to me, I think, Sammi said. And only if they’re in a good, strong shadow. Mrs. Sikes and Mr. Callahan were talking about me in the gazebo, and that’s how I heard, ’cause it probably makes a good shadow.

That’s true, Rachel said. It was a sunny day, as I recall.

Lisa’s eyebrows drew down. How did you know we were talking about you? I thought we were just joking around. We didn’t really mean it. Lisa stopped when a hurt look overcame Sammi’s face. Oh, Sammi, I mean…it could have been you…I…we…Mrs. Sikes and I….

We’re going to help you, Rachel said. That’s what she means. We don’t know exactly how just yet, but don’t you worry, okay?

Sammi seemed relieved. There was an uncomfortable silence that no one seemed to know how to break until Adele said, The hot dogs are probably ready, Sammi. Are you still hungry?

Yes ma’am, Sammi said.

Have you had anything to eat today? Evelyn asked.

Not since last night. I used all my money on the bus ticket.

Oh gosh, you must be starving. Let’s get you some food, then we can talk.

Jamie was eating at the big table with his friends when Fred came into the room with the mysterious little girl in tow, followed by the adults.

This should be interesting, Rollie said quietly.

Adele and Evelyn led Sammi into the kitchen to get some food, and Lisa and Rachel quickly explained the situation to Jamie and the others.

Oh, wow, Bryce said. Another crisis.

Seems like we attract those, Rollie said.

We need to be really nice to Sammi, Fred said. She’s scared out of her mind right now.

I would be, too, Melanie said.

Adele brought Sammi from the kitchen to the table, holding a Sprite and a paper plate for the little girl. On the plate was a hot dog and some potato chips.

Fred helped Sammi get situated before sitting beside her. You guys try not to bombard her with questions. She gave Jamie a pointed look.

Sammi took a massive from her hot dog while everyone stared at her as if she were an exotic animal at the zoo. Fred glared back at them. Do you mind?

Sorry. Melanie got up from her chair. Fred, do you want me to fix you some food?

Would you? A hamburger, please. You know what I like on it.

Melanie went to the kitchen and Larry and Garrett came in from the patio. They stood with the mothers around the table and watched while the little stranger finished her meal.

Melanie returned with Fred’s food, and Jamie felt like he’d waited long enough. So, Sammi, you’re an orphan? We have a little experience with orphans.

Sammi swallowed some Sprite and set her can down. I know. Aiven’s an orphan, too.

Did Fred tell you that, or did you learn that with your power?

I heard you talking on Eddan’s world.

That’s cool that you can do that, Jamie said. Way cool. Do you know who we are?

Unh hunh. She pointed her finger at each of them as she identified them. You’re Jamie, Rollie, Bryce, and Melanie.

Do you know the grownups?

She nodded, and Evelyn said, But how? You’ve never seen us before, have you?

I recognize your voices.

Then you really are a witch, Garrett said.

But I’m a good one! Honest, Mr. Wilkins. I’m not friends with the Devil or anything.

Garrett coughed into his fist as if he were choking, and Larry thumped him on the back and said, She really does know us, doesn’t she?

Unh hunh, Sammi said. You like to tell jokes, Mr. Callahan, and only Mrs. Callahan laughs at them, pretty much, ’cause she laughs a lot.

Everybody chuckled except Larry. Well, I think my jokes are funny. He crossed his arms. So, what else does our little eavesdropper know about us? Go on. Tell us.

The frightened look returned to Sammi’s eyes. No, Mr. Callahan. I didn’t mean it that way…I meant….

Fred rubbed Sammi’s back. Relax, Sammi. He’s sensitive about the fact that he’s a dork.

That didn’t seem to make Sammi feel better. Her eyes filled with tears and her lip quivered.

Now look what you did, Larry, Lisa said. You scared her again.

I didn’t mean to. How was I to know she’s so sensitive?

Lisa walked around the table, knelt beside Sammi, and put her hand on Sammi’s arm. It’s okay, honey. He didn’t mean anything by that. Would you like some brownies?

She nodded again and wiped her eyes with her hand while Rollie passed the Tupperware box to her.

Jamie leaned his elbows on the table and folded his hands together. Sammi, do you have a place to stay?

She shook her head, glanced at Lisa, and dropped her gaze back to her lap. Can I stay here?

Of course you can, Lisa said.

Don’t I get a say in this? Larry said, but Lisa quickly grabbed him by the arm, yanked him close, and whispered fiercely in his ear. He cleared his throat and grimaced. I guess I don’t. Uh…we’ll have to clean the junk off the spare bed, though.

Lisa turned back to Sammi. Do you have any clothes?

I brought a pair of shorts and a shirt, and some clean underwear.

That’s all? No nightgown or pajamas? Sammi shook her head again and Lisa said, Fred can loan you a T-shirt to sleep in, and I might be able to scrounge up some more things for you. Lisa rubbed her forehead with one hand. Though I’m pretty sure I gave all of Fred’s smaller clothes to charity.

Let’s cross that bridge when we get to it, Evelyn said. Right now, let’s finish eating.

Later, after Bryce and Melanie left, Fred took Sammi upstairs and got her in the bathtub. Fred returned to the living room where the others were discussing the little runaway.

What took you so long, Fred? Lisa asked.

"We chatted for a while. She seems like a sharp kid, and she’s really happy to be here, no thanks to you, Dad."

Sorry, he said, but I still think we should take her someplace official. There’s bound to be a county home for runaways. He glanced at Carl. Isn’t there?

I don’t think we should take her tonight. She seems pretty scared.

She’d be traumatized, Fred said. This is the only place she feels safe.

Carl, Larry said, aren’t we breaking the law by not reporting her right away?

I’m not sure, but I want to wait until I can check out her story before we turn her over to Child Services. I’ll go to the police station tomorrow and run a search on this Mr. Gundy fellow.

I think that’s a good idea, Fred said. Sammi is totally convinced that he’s going to come after her and snatch her if she’s in another foster home.

He can’t be as bad as all that, can he? Garrett said. Seems like the state would never have let him be a foster parent.

Depends on how good a liar he is, Carl said. I’ll find out what I can about him, though I doubt he has a criminal record. I don’t think he would’ve passed the background check if he did.

But what are we going to do with her tomorrow, if we don’t turn her over to the authorities? Larry said. All of us are going to be busy, getting ready for the kids’ graduation tomorrow night.

I’ll look after her, Evelyn said. She probably needs some clothes. I’ll take her shopping and get her a few things.

Mom, Rachel said, you shouldn’t spend your money on her.

It’s fine. I’ll buy things that are on sale.

But what about tomorrow night? Larry said, She can’t go to graduation with us. We don’t have enough tickets.

I’ll call Gina, Evelyn said. She might be willing to stay with Sammi. Fred could give her a magic pendant, and she’d be safe enough.

Larry snorted. Y’all sound like you really believe this Mr. Gundy is going to swoop out of the shadows and grab that little girl and molest her.

Sammi seems to think he will, Fred said.

Carl scratched his jaw thoughtfully and said, Let’s not make any decisions about her until I can learn more about her foster father.

What if he’s as bad as Sammi says he is? Jamie asked.

Then we have a real problem.

* * *

Duane Gundy fidgeted until his wife set the phone down. Well? he said.

They still haven’t seen her.

I don’t believe ’em. Libby’s her best friend. I bet Sammi’s hiding over there. I’ll go over there and ask ’em in person. I can tell if they’re lyin’, if I can look ’em in the eye.

I don’t know, Duane. Mrs. Carter sounded like she was telling the truth. Maybe you should drive around again and look for Sammi. Go check the diner. She’s bound to be hungry by now.

Gundy grabbed his car keys from the hook by the kitchen door and shoved his wallet in his back pocket. I done checked everywhere I can think of. I’m goin’ to Libby’s house.

Gundy spit on the ground before he banged on the Carter’s front door again, cursing to himself. A few seconds later, Mike Carter opened it, but didn’t turn on the outside light. He wore a white undershirt and faded black jeans, and he was barefoot. A barbed wire tattoo circled his right upper arm.

Damn, Duane, what the hell do you want?

I want Sammi. I know she’s over here.

My wife done told you she ain’t here, and we ain’t seen her.

Gundy tried to look past the tall, sinewy man into the house, but the partway- open door offered only a limited view. She ain’t nowhere else. She’s gotta be here.

She ain’t. Now quit botherin’ us. We’re tryin’ to eat supper.

Let me come in and see for myself.

I said she ain’t here!

I ain’t leavin’ ’till I have a look around.

Mike Carter leaned back inside the house and yelled over his shoulder, Luke, run into my bedroom and fetch my gun.

Now, hold on. Gundy stepped off the small wooden stoop. No need for that. I’m leavin’. He walked to his car, and when he glanced back, he saw Mike still standing in his doorway. Gundy slid into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and drove off. He didn’t go far, just a short distance down the road, where he had a good view of the Carter’s house. He pulled onto the shoulder, turned off the ignition, lit a cigarette, and waited.

* * *

Fred lay in her bed, staring up at the dark ceiling, thinking about Sammi. Boy, what a night. Another big problem for us to deal with, and just when we thought we were home free.

Jamie had a theory about it. He always had a theory about something. He believed their power attracted problems, the way a light attracts moths at night. The brighter the light, the more moths, and the stronger the magical power, the bigger the problems. She tuned him out when he expounded on his hypothesis, but it did seem to make sense, now that she considered it.

I don’t see how we could have a bigger problem than the demon. That was awful. She sighed and rolled over onto her side. That poor little girl. An orphan with magical powers, just like Aiven. Is that a coincidence?

Her musings were interrupted by a tap on her door, followed by a small, timid voice. Fred, can I come in?

Sure.

Sammi entered, gently closed the door, and hurried on tiptoes across the hardwood floor to Fred’s bed.

Fred drew back the covers and felt a swell of affection for the vulnerable little girl as she climbed in, and Fred scooted over to make room for her. I thought you’d be asleep by now. Fred pulled the lightweight blanket over both of them.

I’m too scared. She pressed against Fred’s side, and Fred could feel her trembling.

There’s nothing to be afraid of here. You’re safe.

You don’t know Mr. Gundy.

If he shows up here, do you want Jamie to blast him, like this? Fred poked her fingers into Sammi’s ribs, and the little girl giggled.

Can Jamie make him go to that world where he put the two bad witches?

You know about that?

Unh hunh. I know lots of stuff.

You might want to keep some of that to yourself, for now. My dad seemed a little ticked off that you’ve been listening to us. It’s not polite to eavesdrop.

I can’t help it most of the time. I hear stuff. I don’t try to, I just do.

There must be millions of people talking in shadows all the time. How do you filter it out?

I usually only hear people talking about magic, or something that’s important to me.

But there are probably thousands of people talking about magic at any given time.

I used to hear so many people at once that I couldn’t pick anything out, but now I mostly hear certain stuff.

Maybe it changes as you get older. Fred absent-mindedly rubbed her cheek with one finger while she thought of her next question. Can you tune in to whoever you want?

Sometimes, kinda. Ever since I started hearing you and Jamie and everybody, I’ve been trying harder to focus on you. I’m getting better at it.

I wonder why you heard us in the first place. Do you really think it’s because it was important to you? She felt Sammi shrug in the darkness, and Fred said, Jamie is going to want to talk to you at length about your magic, so be ready for that. And I probably should tell Momma Sue about you.

She’s the voodoo queen?

Yes, and she’s going to want to meet you. Mrs. Malley will, too. Shadow Witches are extremely rare, from what I’m told.

Momma Sue and Mrs. Malley are friends.

Do you know that from listening in on them?

No, from you and Jamie talking about them. I can’t hear Momma Sue or Mrs. Malley ’cause of their magic."

I’m not surprised. Maybe I need to learn how they block you so I can keep you from listening to me and stealing all my secrets. She tickled Sammi again, and Sammi shrieked until Fred shushed her. You’ll wake my parents, and my dad will be mad at you.

I don’t want your daddy to be mad at me. I want him to like me.

I think he will. He loves kids.

I know. So does your mommy.

Yes. Jamie and Rollie’s parents do, too.

Everybody here always sounds so happy, except when you fuss with your mommy.

I do that a lot.

You shouldn’t. Your mommy is nice.

I know. I can’t help it. It’s the way I am.

You’re a firecracker.

That’s me. Fred the Firecracker.

Sammi made a little sighing sound and rested her head on Fred’s shoulder. Fred, I don’t want to go to another foster home. I want to stay here.

Why?