"My sentiments exactly," Alodia says. "I'm not sure what he was playing at, coming to me - he had to know I'd warn the rest of the family. He did say it was just in case they needed to arrest a witch, which, as much as I hate to admit it, is a fair point, but I don't know if I entirely believe him. There's something more going on here, and that's a dangerous path for him to go down."

It's nice to be able to talk freely like this, she thinks. She'd missed getting to talk things out with Moira, voicing her worries aloud and trying to work things through. She takes a sip of wine, then continues. "I did say I'd help him, though. If this is going to get made, I want to know exactly how it works - and maybe leave a back door or twelve, just in case."