Athena DeVries' question startled a pale, freckled girl with long strawberry blonde curls and a black dress covered with Celtic spirals. "Why are you looking at me like that, Athena?"
"I didn't notice that you didn't belong until I put on the anti-magic pendant," explained the leader of the Vriendinnen. "Are you an agent of the Steendieven? Or are you yourself a Dief, posing as one of us? You look familiar, but ..."
"Don't talk to her like that!" yelled Stephanie Wright. "She's older than you, and even if she wasn't ..."
"Who is she, Stephanie? Zelda? Somebody answer me!"
The Vriendinnen were shocked. They had never seen Athena so upset before ... for nothing.
"I ... I know I just joined your coven," said the girl. "I just moved here. But surely you'd at least remember my first name ..."
Athena's eyes drilled into her. "What is it?"
"S-Sarah."
"Sarah McMillan!?"
Athena's followers looked at each other. What did high-tech magnate Richard McMillan have to do with their Sarah? None knew the answer.
"Who?" asked Sarah.
"You. What are you doing here!? You think it's funny to infiltrate our coven!?"
"Stop it!" demanded Zelda. "She is new, but not even you have any right to treat a Vriendin like that!"
"Sarah's a valse vriendin," declared Athena. "A fake." She turned back toward Sarah. "Your father's behind this, isn't he!?"
Sarah was trembling. Although Athena was younger and shorter, Sarah looked up to her. "My dad!?"
"Yeah, CEO of MTI."
"My dad's no CEO. He's just another MTI engineer. He got hired last year and brought us to Lake Point. What would he know about magick? He hates it. He thinks I'm being 'irrational.' He doesn't even want me here with you guys. You know what, Athena, your grandmother would be ashamed of you. I'm glad her spirit returned to the afterworld so she didn't have to see you let her down like this. I thought Zoe Jennings was bad, but you're worse." Sarah turned around, shouting, "I'm outta here!"
Athena lowered her voice. She realized she had been out of line. "Who is she? She looked like Sarah ..."
"She is Sarah," said Stephanie. "Sarah Finnerty. Katie's older sister."
What have I done, thought Athena. She ran after Sarah Finnerty. "Wait! I'm sorry! Let me explain!"
