The War on Witches by Paul Ruditis

Melinda Warren to death.”

Chapter 9
    Piper gave a gentle knock on the dorm room door, hoping that the occupant wouldn’t yell out to ask who it was. The hallway was empty and she didn’t want to call any attention to herself and her sisters. They wanted to get in and out with as little drama as possible. “We should go easy on the girl,” she warned. “She’s probably going to be a little jumpy. Someone did shoot at her today.”
    â€œWe’re used to dealing with people who’ve had fireballs thrown at them,” Phoebe reminded her. “I think we’re good.”
    The door swung open to reveal a young woman dressed in pajama pants and an oversized T-shirt that bore a smiley face with vampire fangs. She looked over the Charmed Ones with disdain. “I’m not giving interviews. I don’t want to be a spokesperson for gun rights—or anti–gun rights for that matter. And how the hell did you get past the front desk?”
    â€œYeah. I think she’s good,” Paige said to Piper before putting on a bright smile and checking over the girl’s shoulder to make sure the room was as empty as the hall. “We’re not reporters. You might want to consider your position on gun rights though. And we got into the dorm like this.” She orbed herself into the room.
    The girl grabbed at her heart dramatically. “Oh my Goddess!”
    â€œ
Jumpy,
Paige,” Piper called into the room. “I said go easy on her.”
    â€œI’m tired of the explaining part. Figured I’d cut to the chase. Show, don’t tell.” Paige picked a sketchbook off the bed. “Nice work.”
    â€œExcuse me.” The girl pulled the sketchpad out of Paige’s hand. “Personal boundaries, please.”
    â€œI’d say she’s handling herself fine,” Phoebe said as she pushed past Piper and joined Paige in the dorm room.
    Piper shrugged as she followed, closing the door behind her. She’d been a mother longer so it was possible she was a tad more overprotective than her sisters. Give it a year or two and Piper was fairly certain they’d be right along with her when it came to protecting their Innocents.
    The girl’s walls were decorated with beautiful sketches mixed with politically themed posters. A portrait of an elderly woman on a bench sat beside a presidential Hope poster, while a drawing of a hummingbird floated above a giant X.
    Piper lived at home during college, but she’d been in enough friends’ rooms at the time to recognize the traditional mix of personal touches and political statements. It was typical of that stage of life when young adults were learning how to express themselves. “I don’t think I invited you into my room,” the girl said.
    Paige took a seat by her desk. “We’re witches, not vampires, Alysha. We can go wherever we please.”
    â€œPaige!” Piper let out an exasperated huff, before focusing on the girl. “I’m sorry. It’s been a long day. You probably have some idea what I’m talking about.”
    â€œSome.” Alysha plopped down on her bed, pulling her sketchpad into her lap. “How do you know my name? Did you read my mind?”
    â€œNo,” Phoebe said. “We read the police report.”
    Alysha nodded like it was only natural that witches would be working with law enforcement. “And you are?”
    â€œI’m Piper. These are my sisters Phoebe and Paige. We were hoping you could tell us what happened today. The parts you
didn’t
tell the police.” Piper had initially thought the girl was being too casual about the encounter. That changed when she saw a hand sliding not so casually beneath the thin dorm room mattress. “Paige!”
    â€œMystery item!” Paige held out a hand and hundreds of orbs collected above it, dropping down into the form of a metal tube. With a flick of the wrist, the metal