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She plopped me right into a chair, and then sat down across from me.
“You looked like you needed to get out of there,” she said, with a sympathetic squeeze of my hand.
“They aren’t taking this seriously!” I whispered furiously. “They’re acting like she’s some teenager who threw a tantrum and ran away to blow off steam!”
“Probably that’s how they still see her,” Rhi said, smiling sadly. “Your mom caused quite a local scandal when she left the first time, and none of them have forgotten it.”
“But this isn’t the same thing!”
“Of course, it’s not, but…” she trailed off, letting her helpless shrug complete the thought for her.
“I can’t just sit here anymore. I have to go… go look for her or something,” I said, running a frantic hand through my hair, which I was sure had frizzed up to gargantuan proportions in my stress.
“Then why don’t you go do that,” Rhi said. “Persi and I are going to call around and see if anyone’s seen her car or heard from her. She’s got enough local connections here that she could have—”
“Rhi, she did not leave by choice, I know it!”
“I know, sweetie,” she said, in a placating voice that told me she was only humoring me. It was obvious she didn’t believe my mom was in danger, not yet. And by the time everyone else finally came to that conclusion, it would be too late.
“I’m going downtown to start asking around,” I said. “If I sit here another moment, I’m going to flip out.”
“Go ahead, but please stay in touch, okay?” Rhi said. “And we’ll call you as soon as we hear something, okay?”
I nodded, but I knew I wouldn’t hear from them. Mom wasn’t just going to show up in the driveway with a box of pastries, looking bemused at all the bother, and apologizing that her phone had died.
I hurried past the room where the Conclave were still gathered and headed for the front door. I thought I’d managed to escape their notice when a voice called out from behind me.
“Wren!”
I turned. Xiomara was standing there, hands on her hips, eyes narrowed.
“And where are you off to?” she demanded.
“I… have to do what I can to find her, Xiomara,” I said. “If I stay here, listening to more indecisive squabbling, I’m going to go insane.”
The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them, but Xiomara only laughed.
“We’re a useless bunch of old biddies, aren’t we?” she said, shaking her head. “Here. You take this with you.”
And she extracted a small bottle from her apron pocket and dropped it into my hand.
“What is this?” I asked.
“It’s my elixir of rue,” Xiomara said. “There are covens who would sacrifice one of their own to get their hands on that recipe. That’s powerful magic in that bottle,mijita. Before you do anything too dangerous, you drink that right down.”
“W-what will it do?” I asked, as I pocketed it.
Xiomara moved a step closer and cupped my face in her wrinkled palm. “It will protect you from those who would do you harm.”
“You believe she’s in danger, don’t you?” I breathed.
“I do. And I believe you are, too. So tread carefully.”
20
Itexted the others that I was on my way, and we met in front of the Historical Society. The day was already half gone, and I felt like a sentient live wire, buzzing with dangerous energy, as we ascended the steps.
“Just let me do the talking,” Nova said, just before opening the door. She smoothed her hair, plastered on a smile that belonged in a toothpaste ad, and pushed the door open.
