The Hunt by L. J. Smith Page A

picture began coming together on the surface of the water. Bit by bit, a startling portrait came to light: a man with his head and feet locked through holes in a wooden board. His hands were chained behind him. Cassie knew what she was looking at—she’d seen one of these before. It was a prisoner in colonial-era stocks. Then the water turned to a disquieting black.
    Cassie wasn’t sure what to make of the strange series of images. It seemed like the spell hadn’t worked nearly as well as it had the last time. But Adam looked up at the others with understanding in his eyes. “I can’t believe it,” he said. “She’s so close to New Salem.”
    â€œI know that place.” Nick nodded along. “It’s the old Stockbridge Mission House, just on the other side of the bridge. It’s supposed to be abandoned, but I guess it’s not anymore.”
    â€œWell, what are we waiting for?” Faye asked. “Let’s go get her.”
    â€œHold on.” Diana blew out all the candles and snuffed out the incense. “First we should research what spells would be useful against Scarlett. So we’re at least prepared for a face-off.”
    Laurel pulled out a notebook and began jotting down a list. “We should study our defense spells,” she said. “And definitely remote summoning spells. Melanie, can you look into what crystals might be of use?”
    Faye flicked Laurel’s pencil from her fingers. “Forget all that. We’ve got Cassie.”
    Cassie looked down at the tattered throw rug, not wanting to acknowledge Faye’s comment. Of course Faye was champing at the bit to attack the hunters. All she cared about was breaking her mark, even if it meant Cassie performing dark magic. But what Faye didn’t understand was the more Cassie used dark magic, the darker she became. Or maybe Faye did understand that, but she was still willing to sacrifice Cassie to the dark side for their cause.
    â€œCassie’s not using black magic when we go up against Scarlett,” Adam said. “Under any circumstances. But aside from that, I agree with Faye. We need to act right away, even if we don’t have all the research.”
    Diana gawked at Adam from across the living room table. “This isn’t something to rush into,” she said. “NeedI remind you how in our last battle with Scarlett, she made you blind with a single wave of her hand?”
    Suzan and Deborah, who were sitting side by side on the sofa, chuckled meanly.
    â€œI remember,” Adam said. “And it wasn’t just me, it was all of us. But thanks for bringing that up.”
    Adam turned to Nick for support, assuming they might for once fall on the same side of a dispute. “Don’t you think it’s do-or-die time?” Adam said to Nick. “Study period is over. Am I right?”
    Cassie’s insides were seething. She wanted to go after Scarlett and get the Master Tools back more than any of them, but deep down she knew what they were up against—she was the only one who really understood what they were up against. It was her responsibility to speak up.
    â€œHaving learned something from the trap I walked into in Cape Cod,” she said, “I don’t want to face Scarlett unprepared. She’s stronger than all of us put together. We got lucky last time—we got her to run away, but we couldn’t overpower her. The only way we stand a chance of defeating her now is by outsmarting her.”
    Cassie directed her attention to Adam. “That was a great pep talk and all, but a positive attitude and a whole lot of hope aren’t going to cut it. We need to be realistic.We should have an arsenal of spells at our fingertips before we step through the door of that house. One or two more days of preparation is all we need. It’s not much.”
    â€œI’m with her,” Deborah said. “Cassie should be the one