The Divide Page 0,1

if the laughter had died down, but it was still loud and raucous. "The first order of business," she continued, "is what we're going to do with the Master Tools."

That quieted the group. The Master Tools - the diadem, the silver bracelet, and the leather garter - had belonged to Black John's original coven. They'd been hidden for hundreds of years until Cassie figured out they were concealed within the fireplace in her grandmother's kitchen.

The Circle had used the Tools to defeat Black John, but they'd put off making any decisions regarding them since.

Tonight, the time had come to determine their fate.

"That's right," Cassie said, joining Diana in the center of the room. "We have real power now. And we need to - " What? What did they need to do? Cassie turned to Diana. Her green eyes and shining hair were radiant, even in the ghostly lantern light of the old cottage. If anyone knew what the Circle should do next, it was Diana.

"I think we should destroy the power of the Master Tools somehow," Diana said in her clear, musical voice. "So no one can use them."

For a moment, nobody spoke. They were all too shocked by this suggestion. Then Faye broke the silence. "You've got to be kidding me," she said. "You and Adam have spent half your lives trying to find the Master Tools."

"I know," Diana said. "But after all we've been through, and now that we've defeated Black John, I feel like that much power can't be good for us, or for anyone." Cassie was as surprised as Faye. These words didn't sound like Diana at all, or at least not like the Diana that Cassie had known.

Adam appeared taken aback as well, but he kept quiet.

Leaders spoke first. Those were the rules.

Cassie felt the attention of the group settle upon her.

They were a triumvirate now, which meant her power was equal to both Diana's and Faye's. She wanted to use her authority well, to state her opinion openly and intelligently, but she didn't want to go against Diana.

"What made you change your mind?" she said.

Diana crossed her thin arms over her chest. "People change their minds all the time, Cassie."

"Well," Faye said, focusing on Diana with her honey-colored eyes, "I disagree entirely. It would be a waste to not use the Tools. At the very least, we should experiment with them." Her mouth formed a cruel smile. "Don't you agree, Cassie?"

"Um," she said. It was weird. Cassie kind of agreed with Faye on this one, which may have been the first time she ever agreed with Faye on anything. She didn't want to side with Faye over Diana, but how could they just destroy the Tools? What if Black John came back? These were their only means of self-defense. She wished Diana had discussed this with her before now.

"We can talk to Constance for help getting rid of them," Diana offered. "If that's what we decide to do." Melanie's great-aunt Constance had been helping the Circle with their magic. Since she'd tapped into her powers to nurse Cassie's mother back to health last winter, she'd become more willing to share her knowledge of the old ways.

"Constance probably knows a spell we can use," Diana said. "And with Black John gone for good, I bet she'll agree it's time to put the Tools to rest."

Cassie could see Diana felt strongly about this. As did Faye - that familiar fiery anger had snuck its way into her sharp features.

"We should take a vote," a strong voice called out. It belonged to Nick, who rarely spoke at Circle meetings.

Hearing him express an opinion on this caught Cassie off guard.

"Nick's right," Melanie said. "We should all have equal say in a decision so important."

Diana nodded. "I'm fine with that."

Faye dramatically swept her red nails at the group. "Vote then," she said, with the confidence of someone who'd already won.

Melanie stood and stepped to the center of the room.

She always called out Circle votes, Cassie noticed. "All those in favor of destroying the Master Tools," she said,

"raise your hands."

Diana's hand went up first, followed by Melanie's own, then Laurel's. After a second long pause, Nick raised his, and then finally Adam.

Cassie couldn't believe it. Adam had voted with Diana, even though she knew he'd rather experiment with the Tools.

"All those in favor of keeping the Tools," Melanie said,

"raise your - "

"Wait," Cassie called out. She'd gotten distracted and lost the chance to choose Diana's side.

Faye laughed. "You snooze, you