“Fuck…” He laughs in my ear. “I hope they don’t charge us for that.” His forehead is resting on mine.
“I’m sorry.” I half laugh and half sob, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck as he releases my arm from above us. He continues to hold me, using his other free arm to hold me up.
“Don’t ever be sorry for that.” He smiles.
“I’m sorry for leaving.” A tear trickles down my cheek.
Sam’s face switches to concern. “Hey, hey…” he says soothingly. “You did what you did to protect us. I get that. But, Harri, you’re mine to protect.”
The fire alarm starts screaming above us and the sprinklers burst open drenching us with water.
It makes me jump as Sam drops me to my feet and pulls up his trousers. He looks up at the sprinklers now soaking him as he has just soaked me. “That’s our cue to leave.”
“What’s going on?” I question, shimmying my dress back over my thighs, my hair now a wet mess down my back.
Sam pulls back up my fallen strap on my shoulder. “You’ll see.” He smiles.
He takes my hand and leads me over the broken shards beneath our feet. He slowly opens the door allowing the classical music to flow into our ears. Guests dressed in black dash through the sprinklers to the exit. But Sam leads me backwards through the crowd, back towards the VIP space the Belfours have appointed for family only. I trust in him, not questioning his motives or movement, allowing myself to be led.
The corridor quietens as the sprinklers stop, and the alarm is turned off. Music is still playing through the speakers as we reach the large mahogany doors to the private conference area saved for the men to discuss business without disruption. Sam opens the door and pulls me through.
I am met with Mrs Belfour, Mr Belfour, Greg, my father and my mother sat around a large conference table. My mother looks the part as usual. I avoided her all evening to ensure I didn’t blow her cover.
I look at them all, drenched, angry and not understanding what just happened. Two large men dressed as security tip their heads at Sam and leave.
“You are not leaving us in here with them. We pay you!” Mrs Belfour screams. “What the fuck is going on? You brought us here for safety not to leave us with these… these freaks!”
Greg looks nervous as we enter the room. He shuffles in his seat scared of our presence. The room is dim with the curtains closed. Just a few lamps light the space around us.
Four hooded figures move from the shadows in towards the table. Two more come forwards after shutting the door behind us. They bow towards us as they stop.
“It’s amazing how many witches came out of hiding to help us,” Sam whispers. “We infiltrated their whole security system in a matter of hours.”
They remove their hoods in unison along with their own masquerade masks which drop to the floor.
Standing there is Granny, Aradia, Gloria and Angela from the village. The two behind us I don’t recognise but are older-looking women all dressed in black.
Mrs Belfour scoffs at the sight in front of her and removes her own mask.
Evil flickers in her eyes. “Well, well, well, what a surprise! Hello, Cerci, dear.” She grins with a Cheshire cat smile.
“Hello, Helena,” my grandmother replies, cool and calmly.
Our faces drop – mine, Aradia’s and my mother’s. They know each other?
Helena taps her long red nails on the table in front of her. “So, you ruin my ball, drench the exquisite venue and causechaos to my guests. What would the Magic Society say, using magic to frighten humans? Tut tut…” She smiles.
“No magic was used, Helena. You know that I’m not you.” My granny doesn’t break eye contact with her.
“Mmm, but still, Cerci, it’s a lot of who-ha over something that is mine. We have an agreement, don’t we, Martin?” She turns to look at my father, who looks at me and nods, his eyes still emotionless.
Helena gestures her hand towards him. “See, nothing for you come in here and stick your old beak in yet again.” Mrs Belfour’s face is full of venom.
“How do you know each other?” I ask, confused like everyone else.
Helena’s eyes dart towards me, “Oh, Cerci didn’t tell you? We have a long relationship, don’t we, Cerci? Your grandmother ruined my life!” Her hands slam on the table.
“You did that to yourself, Helena. You used your magic for awful things, for financial gain, for power and greed. I just let the Magic Society know. They made the decision to strip you of your power.” My grandmother is holding her ground.
