The Unwilling Witch by David Lubar Page A

power, someone like you shines with the brightness of a star. That’s why I made you leave. And that’s why I gave you the book. You need to know as much as possible about your power. You are in great danger from her.”
    â€œShe was just here,” I said. “But she didn’t try to hurt me. She paid me for the book.” I pulled the bills from my pocket and handed them to Miss Chutney. “I guess this is yours.”
    She thrust the money back at me. “I don’t want anything of hers.” She rubbed her hands together, as she had in her shop.
    â€œI don’t understand any of this,” I said. “I never asked for power. And now that I have it, I don’t know how to use it.”
    â€œBe patient. The power must find its own path.” She paused, then softly added, “Poor Lucinda. I’ll miss her.”
    â€œWas that the woman who gave me the power?”
    Miss Chutney nodded. “We were old friends.” She took a step back and looked at me. “What I wouldn’t give for such a gift.” She rubbed her hands together again.
    â€œYou don’t have any power?”
    She shook her head. “No. I’ve been close to it, and studied it all my life, but that is all. I would gladly take it if it were given to me.”
    I looked at this kindly old woman as she made those odd gestures with her hands, and suddenly wondered whether I could trust her. Maybe she was the one who wanted my power. “Thanks for telling me all this,” I said. I put my hand on the door.
    â€œBe careful. Elestra is dangerous.”
    â€œI’ll be careful.” I closed the door. But I didn’t walk away. After such a steady stream of visitors, I figured I’d wait to see if there were more. Sure enough, less than a minute later, the doorbell rang.
    â€œMy, you’re popular tonight,” Mom called from the kitchen.
    â€œSchool project,” I called back. I opened the door.
    It was Katrina.
    â€œHi,” I said.
    She stared down at her feet. Finally, she looked up and said, “I never thanked you for the other day. I think you saved me. Twice. So thanks.”
    â€œSure. You’re welcome.” I stood there, not really knowing what else to say.
    â€œMewrrrr.” Darling came down the steps and joined us.
    â€œI named her Darling,” I said. “I got the idea from you. So I guess I should thank you, too.”
    Katrina knelt and petted my cat. Then she stood up and said, “Thanks again.”
    â€œSure.” As I watched Katrina walk away, I thought about the way she’d rushed toward the park yesterday. Was she the one who should have gotten the power?
    I went to my room and put the money from Elestra on my dresser. I still felt funny about keeping it. I knew what Jan would do—she’d run right out and give it to charity. Maybe I’d do that tomorrow. Or maybe I’d spend it on myself.
    I sat on my bed and tried to use my power. I rubbed my hands the way I’d seen Miss Chutney rub hers. As I did that, a breeze began to blow through the room. The bills on my dresser fluttered like two birds. Maybe Miss Chutney had lied when she’d told me she didn’t have any power.
    I waved my hands in different patterns. Once, when I opened my hand quickly, my closet door flew open. Then, when I clenched my fist, the door slammed shut. I tried to make the door move just by thinking about it. It shook a little, but that was all.
    After an hour of experimenting, I was exhausted. Power didn’t come without effort. I got dressed for bed and turned out the light. Darling crawled onto my legs and settled down.
    â€œGood night, Darling,” I said quietly.
    â€œMereww.”
    I started to drift off.
    The hissing woke me.

 
    Seventeen
    BAD MONEY
    I sat up and looked around.
    For a moment, I didn’t notice anything unusual. Then I heard the hissing again, like the sound of acid eating through