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“What if you break it off before he can do anything about it?”

There was truly nothing in the world like a hopeful, strong-willed, domineering mother. I had to hand it to Cressida for trying.

“That’s not going to happen, unless Vanessa wants it so.” One look at her told me she wanted anything but that. I looked around the room again. “Besides, even then, there’s no telling what my brother will do. He’s completely unhinged. I suppose guilt will do that to a person. I have to strike before he gets the chance.”

“What possible good could you do?” one of the witches asked with a sneer of disdain.

I imagined gouging her eyes out from across the room, or sealing her mouth shut for having the audacity to speak that way to me.

It was difficult to remind myself those days were behind me when my blood boiled as it was at the moment.

Instead of maiming her, which I wasn’t capable of, I said, “I have an idea.”