Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Evie, Now
Evie had been so desperate to be right about how to break the curse that she never let herself stop to think what it might mean if she were wrong, if the people she loved were in danger.
Any one of them could be next, and for the first time in almost thirteen years, fear wrapped its hands around her and refused to let go.
If the house could catch fire, anything was possible.
She looked up at Florence—her older sister, her protector for most of her life—and tried, and failed, to will the desperation from her eyes and voice.
“Are you coming?” Evie asked.
Florence looked away. “Evie, I can’t.”
The words cut deep. Evie knew her sister wouldn’t go near the house, but this was different. The house was hurt, and Evie was hurting, and this is what big sisters were supposed to do. She wanted to say, “You can’t ignore this.” She wanted to say, “I need you.” She wanted to say, “Please.”
Instead, she took Clara’s hand in her own, threw her hair over her shoulder, and said, “If that’s the way it has to be.” Then she dropped her phone into her bag and pushed the door open once more.
“Evie, wait!” Angela said, as she came out from around the counter and followed Evie onto the sidewalk.
“You don’t have to come,” Evie said.
“I’m not letting you face this alone.”
“She’s not alone,” Clara said through a hiccup of tears. “I’m here.”
“And I’m here with both of you.” Angela took the keys from Evie, her fingertips brushing Evie’s palm. Evie gripped her hand for a moment, the metal between them, and did her best not to cry. Angela looked into her eyes, took a step closer.
“Is the house okay?” Clara asked.
Angela broke contact with Evie, then grabbed Clara’s other hand.
Evie took a steadying breath and tried her best to keep her voice from breaking. “Let’s go find out.”