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Gabi startled when Eilidh released Joy and immediately drewGabiinto a hug that smelled of mint and lemon. She stiffened but let the witch hug her despite her own discomfort.
“If you want me to get Theodore to peck Victoriya, I can make that happen,” Eilidh offered as she stepped back, her eyes bloodshot up close. Gabi wondered how long she’d known her cousin was dead, the hallmarks of a sleepless night written all over her. Gabi would have to speak to her about Freya soon, but not now.
“Theodore?” Gabi murmured. Had she missed a coven member? She’d assumed they were all here.
In answer Eilidh pointed at the cupboard behind her, squashed on the top of which was a snow-white sea gull. Gabi startled; how long had it been sitting there?
“He’s my familiar,” Eilidh explained, trying her best to smile.
Gabi realised, all at once, that no one had told Joy the body on the beach belonged to Eilidh’s cousin. Was it intentional? Did their worry for Joy prevent them from troubling her more? Gabi understood the urge to coddle her but if the coven left without illuminating Joy,Gabiwould have to tell her. Joy would find out tomorrow anyway, and Gabi wasn’t stupid enough to think Joy would get a good night’s sleep as long as she didn’t know the girl’s identity—not when Joy had spent the past two nights locked in the dark, cold quiet of a jail cell.
Anger rose with a vengeance at the reminder of Joy’s suffering, but Gabi reminded herself she had no right to those feelings.
Eilidh blinked at Gabi with hollow blue eyes. Had she noticed Gabi’s thoughts racing, her mind spinning?
“Victoriya’s a bit mean,” Eilidh whispered, “but you’ll get used to her. And she doesn’t mean any of it. Not seriously.”
Gabi nodded, not sure how to reply. Eilidh spoke as if Gabi would be spending a lot of time with the coven. She definitely had toconsultthem since she needed their help, but she wouldn’t behanging outwith them. Still, she made herself murmur, “Good to know.”
Salma let out a grand sigh and stood from the table, her grey dress rippling down to her feet along with a few stray leaves from the plants wound around her. “We should be leaving. We’ve troubled Gabriella quite enough.”
“It’s fine,” Gabi rushed to say.
Victoriya opened her mouth—but Salma grabbed her jacket and hauled her out of the chair, cutting off her words. Victoriya grinned. She loved it, loved winding them up. The only way to beat a girl like that was to ignore her. Gabi filed that away for later.
Salma let go of Victoriya’s jacket and pointed her firmly towards the door. “We’re leaving.Youcan go wait on the doorstep. Gus, put that back. Maisie, you’re not keeping that scarf. Eilidh, dear, I’ll drive you home.”
Gabi wasn’t very surprised to see that Maisie had curled up on a scarf Gabi had left on a chair, or to find Gus spinning an acid-green spatula around his fingers so fast it blurred. They were hard work, this coven, Gabi thought, and felt a bit sorry for Salma, who was either their mother or their keeper.
“And me?” Joy asked in a quiet voice.
“You,” Salma said, patting Joy’s cheek with a gentle brown hand gleaming with gold rings. Definitely mother, not keeper. “Stay here and get some sleep. And try not to worry; it won’t change anything.”
Joy sighed, her mouth twisting into the smile-frown Gabi recognised as meaning she was nervous.
“You’ll be fine,” Salma reassured. “Gus, for the last time, put that back.”
Gus reluctantly put the spatula back in the yellow mug of utensils. As soon as he stood, Maisie yipped and followed him, sparing a backward glance for the scarf that was apparently very comfortable. All at once, Salma herded everyone but Joy out of the house, calling goodbye as she went.
The door shut with a slam, and Gabi fought not to tense. This felt very different to being alone with Joy in her cell.
“Joy,” Gabi started, meaning to apologise. For what happened six years ago, for this awkward tension between them now, for having to be cold and distant earlier when she was taking photos to prove Joy was innocent. But she slammed her mouth shut. How—howdid she put all her feelings into words?
Before she could even attempt it, Joy blurted, “I still love you.”
Gabi blinked.
She swore her heart stopped its anxious beat.
Joy still what? She loved who?Gabi?
“Holy shit,” Gabi whispered without truly meaning to.
“Oh, God,” Joy breathed, her eyes so wide, so panicked. Shebacked up across the kitchen and bumped into the door. “Um. I meant to apologise for everything I said to you all those years ago. I didn’t mean to—I’m going to—bye.”
Joyran, speeding into the hall and up the stairs.
Gabi heard the bathroom door shut and took an unconscious step, her mouth working around silent words. Joy’s words repeated again and again in her mind as she tried to find a different meaning. There was no way Joy could still love her, not after arguments and years and miles had wedged so much space between them.
