The Problem With Black Magic by Karen Mead Page B

important thing is that yes, they might come back, and it’s your responsibility to protect these people now. I can get the ingredients for protection amulets for you, but it’s going to take a few days to prepare them.”
    Sam snorted and leaned all the way back in his chair, pitching it so that the front legs were off the floor. “Protection amulets? That’s the kind of game we’re playing now?”
    “Yes it is,” said Serenus firmly, “And unless you want to explain to me how you can create and maintain a dozen different protection spells simultaneously, you’re going to craft them. Understood?”
    Sam met Serenus’ eyes for several moments. A silent understanding seemed to pass between the two men, and Cassie felt annoyed that there was obviously so much they weren’t sharing. It wasn’t that they were hiding things, exactly; it seemed more like there were entire worlds of knowledge shared between them, and they couldn’t have communicated them to the rest of the group had they wanted to. Not unless they wanted to be there all night, and maybe into next week.
    “Fine,” Sam said quietly.
    Serenus visibly relaxed, apparently convinced that Sam wasn’t going to pound him into any more walls that evening. “In the meantime, I suggest putting a protection circle around Cassie’s house. Don’t waste any time.”
    Sam looked confused. “Her house? I was expecting you to tell me to lay one down here.”
    “Do that too just to be safe, but you probably won’t need it. If I were in the business of snatching familiars, I wouldn’t go afte r them in my rival’s stronghold. Especially not after already failing once. Much safer to try to catch her out of your territory.”
    Khalil leaned against the lockers. “So our shop is Sam’s territory right now? What does that make us?”
    “It doesn’t make you anything,” Sam snapped back.
    Serenus drained his fancy latte before responding. “Like it or not, a class A spell has been done in this building-- this place is on the map as far as demons are concerned. There’s no going back.”
    There was silence for a moment as they all considered that.
    “So,” said Serenus, standing up with the aid of his cane. “I’ll start getting the ingredients you’ll need immediately. Sam, go with Cassie and put a circle around her house. Cassie, stay home this weekend in the circle’s protection until we can get the amulets crafted. The rest of you,” he said, gesturing with his free hand. “I highly doubt anyone’s going to come after you, but it’s not out of the question that some bright light might try to use you as a hostage to try to trade for Cassie. Try not to be alone for a few days until we can get you the amulets. As long as you’re in a group, it’s not worth the risk to snatch you.”
    Cassie was torn; on the one hand, it felt good to hear Serenus lay it all out; having a plan made her feel less lost and helpless, even if she didn’t have control over any of this. On the other, she was beginning to get a sick feeling that some of Serenus’ knowledge about snatching people like her wasn’t entirely academic. She didn’t know if she could trust him, but couldn’t see any other choice.
    As they all got up to leave, Khalil stirred from his position against the lockers. “Aren’t we missing something? I thought you had to threaten us not to tell anyone your secret upon pain of death, or something like that.”
    Serenus smiled broadly. “Au contraire, you have carte blanch! Tell your friends, tell your mother-- just don’t blame us when they start proscribing psychiatric medication for you.”
    Khalil seemed to consider that. “So we’ve officially moved into ‘too crazy for anyone to believe’ territory, huh.”
    Cassie jumped when Sam put a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at his solemn face. “I’m coming home with you. We have to put a protection circle around your house, remember?”
    Her jaw dropped. “Tonight?”
    Sam rolled his