Page 24 (1/2)

"What are you two doing down here?" a voice snapped

The Vandy stood behind us, hands on her hips Even though she was scowling, her eyes were tired, the creases around them more pronounced

"We were just-" Jenna said, but the Vandy raised her hand

"I don't care what you were doing Get back up to your room Now"

Jenna moved toward the stairs, but I stayed where I was "Is this what you want, too?" I asked the Vandy "All the kids here turned into demons?

Because I know you're kind of a jerk, but I didn't think you were evil"

Her scoisted into soh!" she snapped, pointing toward the stairs "Go" Leaning heavily on Jenna, I made my way back up to our room As soon as the door closed behind us, I heard the click of the lock While I collapsed on the bed, shivering with pain and need, Jenna paced "They're just going to keep co to lie in our beds and listen to that-that nightmare, and wonder if we're next"

She sat down heavily on her bed "Sophie, what are we going to do?"

Get the griroaned and covered my ears with edin the world worse than hopelessness?

I rolled onto side ony that when I saw soht I was just hallucinating But then Jenna said, "What the heck was that?" Forcing lass Another flicker, al inside the mirror And then the picture came in clearer

Torin

He was only there a second before disappearing again, but I ju in ht?" I asked Jenna

She was still on her bed, her eyes wide "Yeah There was a dude in the ainst the glass "Torin? Are you in there?" I had no idea how he'd ed to move from theHis ietting bad reception I caught the flash of irritation on his face as he faded back out But just before he did, he mouthed tords: "Your parents"

"What?" I cried out, slapping the glass with one hand "What about my parents? Torin? TORIN!" When he didn't reappear, I wanted to scream with frustration

Jenna appeared at ic canI don't know, pull hih" After what she'd done, I hated the idea of Elodie back in ot out before she whooshed in

Pull hih, I told her, my voice cold

She didn't answer, but I could feel her ertips But as hard as she tried, as , Con of Torin Finally, lass, and Elodie said, "I can't Whatever he's trying to do, , she turned and leaned against the dresser Jenna was still standing in front of htly across her chest

"Sophie's ic could do it," Elodie told her

Jenna stepped closer, and I knew she was searching Elodie's eyes for et her powers back If she does, the Casnoffs could-"

"Control her? Yeah, I know But don't you think it's worth the risk?"

Um, no? I said, even as Jenna chewed her lip and didn't answer

"All I'," Elodie continued, "is that in a contest of wills between Sophie and Lara Casnoff? I'd put my money on Sophie Maybe they would be able to control her Orof a risk What would happen to Jenna if I was under Lara's control?

What will happen to her if you go on like this? I can feel you, Sophie You're going to be in agony until you touch that dao touch it and see what happens

Jenna lifted her hands to fra my head down "Soph," she said "I can't believe I'ht

With your powers, there's a chance youyourself over to the Casnoffs, yeah But without your powers? There's no chance we'll get out of this"

Elodie turned and opened the top dresser drawer There, on top of a pile of clothes, was the griet in here? I asked, suddenly understanding why its pull had been so strong this ht it here to do this My hand picked up the book, flipping to the spell, and Elodie brought e

NO, I screamed, and Elodie hesitated

You have to, she finally said, her voice firht it would be easier if I did it for you

No, I said again, but even inside my own head, I sounded weak

Do it, Elodie replied End this