***Veronica***

There is sweetness in the thought of having revenge. Cotton candy spun sugar sweetness. It melts on my tongue, but is gone in an instant, leaving me wanting something more solid, more filling, more satisfying.

Benjamin's warmth brushes my skin despite the cold night air and the distance between us. His hands are on my shoulders and arms. His fingers undo my shirt for me. He even closes his eyes when I ask him to so that he won't see when I take out the sacrificial knife.

This revenge seems sweet, but I know it will dissolve instantly. Yet, I can't see any other solution. I can kill him now, tarnishing my soul and changing into a witch. Without the proper rituals and on the wrong night, however, his sacrifice won't transform me into the Shadow Hex. He is the one I'm supposed to kill for the ritual. Quite simply, this means I will thwart my destiny to take the sisters to new heights of power as their coven head. They lose what they want most. Then they will track me down and kill me.

He is gentle and naïve to a fault. I should strike now and do it quickly. I shake with wanting to do it. Killing him now would free me from the sisters. I would never be a part of their coven. I should bury the blade in his throat before he sees it. It would be a mercy to do it quickly...

He treats the lacerations on my back. I'm lucky the cuts aren't too deep. Vivian must have restrained herself - I've seen her enemies die from being whipped. He pats clean gauze on my skin and fixes it with tape. I've never felt kindness through a person's hands before. I steel my resolve. It will be the only kindness I ever know and the last moment that my soul is clear and undefiled.

My knife is at his throat. I hear myself apologizing, but I know I'm stalling for time. I don't want the change when this moment ends and something ugly and terrible begins. My heart rebels at the thought of his blood on my hands. "I'm so sorry."

"Veronica," he says. "Whatever these sisters have done to you, you can escape it. You don't have to hurt anyone or let yourself be hurt."

"Why did you come out here tonight? Why are you so stupid?"

"I'm a just a regular guy who wants to save the world. I decided to start with you."

My hands are shaking and I feel weak. I might get sick; the soup and peanut butter are churning in my stomach. I have to get away from him. "Then do something smart. Tell your parents you have to get out of town for the next three days."

I don't wait for him to argue or ask questions, despite my fear of shadows I can move fast in them and see better than normal people. The house and the boy are hidden by trees in seconds. But my vision isn't good enough. Hands grab me from the dark, covering my mouth and holding me still.

Valda whispers in my ear, "There's no escaping your destiny, believe me, I've scried hundreds of mirrors and tortured countless animals to find a solution. But I still have hope we'll find a way to siphon off your powers once you ascend to them."

Vessa laughs. "It was quite amusing watching you not kill him. The night is coming when you will. Because if you don't, Vivian will make you live to regret it."

The two sisters bind my hands in old iron cuffs and drag me to the coven house.