Erica stepped away, a sob lifting her shoulders. Mom glanced at her, breaking the hold we'd both held on each other. When Mom's eyes met mine again, she calmed enough the Council magic fell away, though I could still feel it bubbling around her edges.

"Damn you, Syd," Mom said, spinning away from me, feet thudding on the floor as she paced toward the table. "You had to disobey me, didn't you?"

"I don't believe you," I said as my own anger faded, now numb, my body dull ...