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"We have the element of surprise on our side," she said

"It really would depend on how ate

If it o or three, I e

More than that, I doubt it" "So we’d all have to be touching the witch in order to gain entrance?" The witch nodded and stood up

"We can try an explosion, I suppose, and see what happens

In the ripped each of our hands and pulled us toward her whilea chant under her breath

A fewdown at my hands, I realized I had too

"We have a better chance of succeeding at this if we’re invisible" Patricia’s voice came from my left

"All right

Nohat?" I said

"You vaure out the best place to set off the explosion

Once I set it off, we’ll wait to see if anybody comes

If there are fewer than three, assu toward the witches--I’ll eot control of the situation and beckon you over" "And if there are more than three?" Erik’s voice came from my left

"Then stay where you are," Patricia replied

"I won’t atte and we’ll have to co now" As the witch’s presence left us, I walked over to the edge of the rocks where I could best positionthe beach

I was almost knocked forward as someone bumped into me from behind

"Oh, sorry" Abby’s voice cauided her to a spot next to ain

"Erik?" I said

"Yeah" He sounded like he was standing next to Abby

"Okay," I said

"Now, pay attention" I kept watching the beach, alert to even the slightest bit of movement as I tried to determine where Patricia was

After a few minutes, there was a sudden noise that sounded like the crack of a whip, and then in the sky, a ball of fire appeared, swirling and circling as it gathered speed

With one deafening roar, the ball exploded, sending glowing frag down into the sea and onto the beach

"Somebody must have heard that," Abby said

"Now it’s just a question of whether anyone cares enough to coate," Erik said

We couldn’t be sure where Patricia was now that the explosion had died down