Witch Ball - BK 3 by Linda Joy Singleton Read Free Book Online

opened my craft bag, the phone
rang.
    josh! I thought excitedly. I hoped it was him.
Then I'd know we were still okay, that Evan hadn't turned him against me. I might even find the
courage to tell josh about my past.

    As I hurried to the phone, I tried to summon a
vision of the caller. This was a psychic game I'd
played since I was little, and usually I guessed right.
But now when I searched my mind for a face or
name, I got nothing.
    So I had no forewarning when I picked up the
phone.
    It wasn't Josh.

    "Good evening, Sabine," my mother greeted in
that formal tone reserved for strangers and her eldest daughter.
    "Hi, Mom." I paused. "Uh, you must want
Amy. I'll go get-"
    "No," she interrupted. "I want to speak with
you. "
    "Me?" I twisted the phone cord so it dug into
my fingers.

    "I apologize for calling so late. But today has
been rather hectic."
    "Amy said you were staying with an old friend."
    "Yes, Trinity VonSchlep, I'm sure you've heard
of her work as a casting agent. We were sorority
sisters in college and it's been wonderful seeing her
after all these years. Trinity is quite taken with Ashley, which could lead to some fabulous opportunities for the twins. But that's not why I'm calling."
    I braced myself for criticism. Here comes the
real reason.
    "We haven't had a chance to talk since the birthday party and I wanted to tell you how glad I was to
have you there."
    "Glad?" This from the same woman who'd told
me not to attend the party!
    "Sabine dear, you behaved so wonderfully, so
poised and mature. I was very proud of you."
    Huh? Was I hearing right? My mother-proud
of me?
    "You looked lovely and I was very impressed
with your young man," she continued. "Has Josh
ever considered modeling? I could put him in contact with some key people if he's interested."
    "I don't think so. But I'll tell him."

    "Also be sure to tell him he's welcome to visit
anytime."
    "Should I come, too?"
    "Don't make jokes, Sabine. I'm being sincere."
    "Well ... thanks. I'll tell josh and we'll plan a
visit."
    "Excellent. He's exactly the sort of young man
I'd hoped you'd find, and clearly a very good influence to help you overcome your past problems."
    "You don't have to worry about me."
    "I'm not-but I'm concerned about Amy."
    "Why?" I asked cautiously.
    "She's at an impressionable age, and I don't want
her to experience anything unnatural. I wouldn't
have allowed her to stay with you if I hadn't thought
you'd outgrown all the woo-woo nonsense."
    Yeah, like I'm going to take Amy to a coven
meeting where we'll dance naked with spirits in the
moonlight.
    Mom hadn't changed at all-my abilities still
freaked her out. She'd only called to make sure I
didn't corrupt my little sister. Her sugary compliments were as fake as artificial sweetener. Arguing
would just bring a quick end to Amy's visit. So I said what Mom wanted to hear-lying through
my clenched teeth for Amy's sake.

    Then I slammed the phone down.

SUNDAY
    I woke up early the next morning with a heavy sense
of dread, at first not remembering why, then it all
rushed back. Manny's ominous prediction, Mom's
barbed words, and no call from josh.
    Sitting up in bed, I look toward the window
where gray sky was softened by an orange-golden
dawn. I refused to let that prediction scare me and I had lifelong practice ignoring Mom's criticism.
But Josh not calling ... well that worried me.

    Had Evan carried out his threat and told josh
everything?
    Hugging my pillow, I felt a sharp ache inside.
What would I do if Josh dumped me? No more
romantic morning meetings at my locker and I'd
have to go back to sitting with the cheerleaders at
lunch. My friends would be sympathetic, but they'd
wonder what I'd done to lose such a great guy. Or
maybe they'd know already because Evan would
have spread malicious rumors. Then they'd stare at
me with suspicion.
    Of course, if Manny's prediction came true, I'd
be dead in a week anyway.
    Stop that negative