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Melony crept toward the door, and I remained on the floor, unable to do more than wriggle in place.
The next thing I heard was fake Parker shouting, “You’re not going anywhere. Now march.”
Melony ran out of the room to help, and I was able to move myself into a position that afforded me a better view of the doorway.
A minute later, the two of them strode in, pushing a burned and bloody Greta into the room before them. Without her angel armor to protect her, she’d been badly wounded by grandpa Haberdash’s magical blows. She was barely conscious as they pushed her into the floor and tied her up as well.
She’d come to save me but had ended up in the line of fire herself.
Parker was missing, and the two of us had been captured. That left Fluffikins, Connie from Commerce, the old guy, and the slightly younger one who headed up Agriculture.
Would they be enough to stop Melony and her grandfather before they got their hands on whatever they were after?
Think, Tawny. Think!
If I couldn’t unravel their plan, maybe I could still put a few chinks into it.
I didn’t know how the family bond worked, but maybe I could still find a way to sever it.
Maybe I could still save the day.
No magic required.
29
“Where are the others?” Grandpa Haberdash kicked and barked at Greta, but his latest blow had rendered her unconscious and unable to answer. I hated seeing him use Parker’s likeness to hurt us. No matter what happened after today, I knew I’d never be able to shake the image from my mind.
“They’re coming. I just know it,” Melony said, then worried her lip as she waited for her grandfather’s acknowledgment.
He cracked his knuckles and scowled, not even looking at Melony as he said, “Stay put, and make sure these two don’t cause any trouble. And do not under any circumstances leave this house. Do you hear me?”
Melony bobbed her head enthusiastically. “Yes, Grandpa.”
And with that, her grandfather charged out of the room and down the long staircase. I listened but couldn’t hear the door downstairs open or shut. My guess was that he had remained inside, lying in wait and ready to ambush whoever arrived next.
“So…” I wiggled onto my side so I could see Melony as I spoke. Perhaps her face would reveal something her words would not. I was fighting for my life here and had to use everything I had at my disposal. “Since we’re both stuck here, want to tell me your master plan? I’m sure it’s super smart.”
She crossed her arms and looked away. “No.”
Hmmm. If I couldn’t appeal to her vanity, perhaps I could poke at her insecurities. I tried to shrug, but that didn’t quite work considering my bonds. “I understand. I mean, we’re both useless anyway. Might as well let the tough guys fight it out and tell us about it later.”
Melony scoffed. “You may be useless, normie, but I’m not.”
“Hey, why are you calling me a normie?” I tried to look hurt as I asked this. Vanity and insecurity hadn’t worked, so what about humanity?
She rolled her eyes. “Because you don’t have any magic, duh.”
“Don’t I, though? I’m the Town Witch.”
She studied me for a moment, then shook her head. “No, the guy who killed my great aunt is.”
“Maybe he’s the official Town Witch, but as a temp for the PTA, I have an exact replica of the magic right here.” I struggled against my bonds, then sighed.
She glanced back to me, uncertain. “Right where?”
“Well, I was instructed to keep the magic vessel close to my heart so that it would work best.”
Melony took a step closer. “Where is it? Give it to me.”
