Part 27 (1/2)

”So you think she became my friend as part of the plot?”

Willow Bean came over and put her arm around Sasha. ”Listen, you are a wonderful person,” she said. ”This isn't your fault. I didn't even know who Cady was and I should have been able to tell. If she has magic she was masking it because I can sense anyone who has abilities.”

All the pieces of the puzzle started to fall together. She only began leaking magic after she'd met Cady even though she'd been wearing the necklace for at least a year. It never made sense to Sasha as to why Cady was in the queen's secret room; a room that no one knew its location. She could only have gotten there if she was deliberately put there.

Sasha didn't want to think about Cady anymore. She hoped she never saw her again.

”How is Evan coping?” Her mother asked.

Evan drove Sasha home from Dominic's house. He seemed tired and a bit withdrawn.

”He's brave,” she said. ”Let's hope he's not totally turned off by my crazy family.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE.

Evan called that night. He wanted to see her but needed sleep. They arranged to see each other Sat.u.r.day night.

Sasha couldn't decide what to wear. He'd seen her at her worst and at her best too considering how she was dressed at her birthday dinner. Sasha couldn't believe that was a short time ago. It felt like a lifetime had pa.s.sed over the past couple of weeks.

When Evan picked her up he was wearing a blue golf s.h.i.+rt that matched his eyes and pressed jeans. His grandmother must be old school and ironed them.

Sasha had also decided on jeans and a new black top she'd bought earlier that day. She'd straightened her hair while blow drying it and even put on makeup. She finished the outfit with her skateboard sneakers. She didn't want to go overboard in the fancy attire.

Sasha reintroduced Evan to her dad, who was sitting in the living room as if he was standing guard and protecting the house.

”Nice seeing you son,” Sasha's dads said. ”Have her home by... Sasha what is your curfew?”

”I don't have one dad,” she said smiling broadly. She wasn't sure if he was joking or genuinely didn't know.

”Oh,” he said. ”Ok then. Don't be too late.”

Her dad winked at her as he shut the door.

”Did you talk to your mom?”

”Yeah,” she said.

”What should we expect now?” Evan asked as he turned onto South Congress.

”Not sure,” Sasha said watching the funky storefronts zip by. ”My mother said she got Nefar but that doesn't mean my grandmother will give up.”

”You worried?”

”A little,” she said. Evan picked up her hand and squeezed. He turned into the restaurant parking lot and stopped the car.

”I'll help.”

”Thanks,” she said. They walked into the Magnolia Cafe and lined up at the hostess desk. ”Have you changed your mind?”