Even Celeste looked shocked at that. None of us expected Mom to go that far. Not even me. But there she was, hands outstretched while Erica gaped like she couldn't breathe.

"Miriam," she choked at last, "what are you doing?"

"The only thing I can do to keep my family safe." Mom had calmed, real calm this time, not the fake coven leader type I'd grown used to over the years. This was Mom fully entrenched in a choice and happy to have made it, utterly willing to face the ...