Putting on the Witch by Joyce and Jim Lavene

to chat, drank champagne from sparkling flutes or whirled around the dance floor past the colored fountain and ornate furniture.
    â€œIt might have been worth it just to see this,” Elsie murmured. “I’ve never seen so many diamonds in one place. It’s almost blinding.”
    â€œDon’t forget that they probably came by their jewels like we did, and they’ll all disappear at dawn.”
    â€œNot hers, I’ll bet.” She nodded toward Yuriza Fuller, Brian’s mother. “I’ll bet those are real.”
    â€œThey most definitely are.” Council member Makaleigh Veazy joined us. She had an open, interesting face that was both stern and merciful in its countenance. There was a ring of gold in her dark eyes, and her black hair was coiffed to become a ring around her features. She had been born on the Nile River centuries before and had been instrumental in starting the first Council of Witches. She was dressed in a bright orange floor-length robe but had come without any jewels. “Just ask her. She’ll be glad to tell you.”
    We smiled at her remark but were careful with what we said. Makaleigh was my favorite of all the council members, but our first meeting had shown that she had a streak of maliciousness too when it came to the laws of the council regarding witches and non-witches marrying and having children. I couldn’t agree with her ideas, probably since I was married to a non-witch and had a son who had no magic.
    The council’s strict policy about erasing the memories of magic and witches from non–magic users’ minds was a thorn in many witches’ sides. The punishment was swift and could be badly done—using magic to erase memories was tricky business. I’d known too many lives that had been ruined by it. I understood the fear of the Inquisition and other witch hunts down through the centuries and certainly didn’t want them to happen again, but this was a different time.
    No one could convince the council of that.
    â€œYou know, Molly, I’ve thought a great deal about what you said when we first met,” Makaleigh said. “I think you may be right.”
    â€œReally?” I could hardly believe she would have softened her stand on this major rule of the council. “That’s amazing.”
    She nodded regally. “I believe you are correct about the council playing too much of a role in protecting magic from the families of witches. We have been harsh in our judgments. At the next council meeting, I intend to bring up changes in that code of conduct.”
    For Elsie and me, and thousands of other witches who had children without magic, that was good news. The idea of protecting your child from being marked by the council was a frightening thing. You never knew when someone might hear a careless whisper, and then your life would be changed forever.
    â€œThank you for considering it,” I said. “It means a lot to many witches.”
    She patted her orange turban–wrapped head. “Thank you for being bold enough to say it. I think the council should go out amongst the people more often and gain back their trust. We must hear what they have to say and try to make their lives better. That was my intent when the council was formed. We lost it along the way.”
    I was too stunned to speak. No one on the council ever talked like that. I glanced at Elsie. She shrugged and wiped a tear from her eye.
    â€œI hope I can count on you to support me in this, Molly.” Makaleigh smiled. “Elsie. We can make things better, you know. There is always room for improvement. I shall speak with you later. Have a wonderful time.”
    Elsie and I hugged each other after she left us to head down into the ballroom.
    â€œDid she really say what I thought she said?” Elsie asked.
    â€œShe did.” I cleared my throat. “I don’t know what to say.”
    â€œIt would be so wonderful to