"That's the place," Jake announced. "Glimmerbrook Watch."
They had left the van in a public lot by the rustic looking pub on the edge of town. The foot path they followed from there led them down wooded hillsides alongside of a bubbling stream. Even after months of getting used to Moonwood Mill's clear mountain air, Demarco was amazed by Glimmerbrook's clean scents of green spring growth.
Jake had led the way, Etta having sunk back into her own thoughts once they had arrived.
"You OK?" Demarco asked with a worried look at her friend.
"Not really," Etta admitted. "I haven't been back here since the Sages took my magic and exiled me. I'm not technically breaking that, because Glimmerbrook isn't technically part of the Realm... but... no, I'm really not OK."
"Come on, you two," Jake called. "Let's not keep them waiting."
"Waiting?" Demarco asked. "They don't even know we're coming. I mean, you didn't call them or anything..."
"They know," Etta sighed. "Believe me, they know."
"OK, let's meet these all-powerful Guardians," Demarco said, setting her shoulders. "I mean how impressive can they really... Oh My GOD! That's... that's Cassandra Goth! That's Cassie... the Raven Witch! The Raven Witch is one of the Guardians?! Wait," she added to Etta, "Miranda... Miranda Goth? You were behind the Miranda Goth Kidnapping?!"
"Yes, Lux," Etta groaned. "Please, loudly remind her mother of the reasons she has to turn me into a frog!"
"It's good to see you, Jake," Cassie said, the musical star's famous voice warm. "Beth and Diana are well, I hope."
"Hey Cassie. Hi Gwen," Jake said. "Yeah, they're both fine."
"You've brought us guests," Gwen added serenely. "Claudette, we know..."
"That's Lux Demarco, of my sister Rory's Wildfang pack," Jake said.
"Lux," Gwen seemed to savor the name, smiling mysteriously.
"We need your help," Jake continued.
"It's my Father," Etta said, stepping cautiously closer. "He... he's put the Wildfangs under a spell and attacked Moonwood Mill. I didn't know... but... Please, people are in danger... the townies, the Collective... the Wildfangs... he's forcing them to obey him. I... I couldn't fight him... it was all I could do to free Demarco from his spell and... Please..."
"Hi, I'm Demarco," she said breathlessly. "Lux. Demarco. Everyone just calls me Demarco. 'Cause I had this friend Knox. Knox. Lux. Lux. Knox. Anyway. You're Cassie. Oh My God you're Cassie. I know like everyone says this but I am such a big fan. Your music changed my life. I mean, your song, Brookside, totally gave me the guts to hook up with Annie my next-door-neighbor and I really liked her but I think I blew it and I went to Moonwood Mill to like get over her and I got turned into a werewolf and joined the Wildfangs and met Etta and her asshole dad put a spell on me and made us attack everyone and Etta broke the spell on me but we totally didn't kiss 'cause we're really just friends even though I really like her a lot so please don't turn her into a frog."
"Demarco," Cassie said with a smile. "Breathe, before you pass out."
"Right," Demarco said. "Breathe. I can breathe."
"The Light illuminates the Dark Wood," Gwen said softly, "and the Prince comes to the Garden..."
"Of course," Cassie breathed. "Claudette... but she called you Etta, I think."
"Yes... Etta. I'm using Etta Blackwood now," she said. "Freddie... little Freddie Moonrunner, he called me Etta so I..."
"You what?" Cassie asked, her voice stern but motherly.
"I didn't... I didn't want to be Claudette anymore," Etta admitted, looking away. "It's stupid."
"Is it?" Cassie said, drawing her eyes back. "Who is Etta Blackwood then? A new mask to hide behind?"
"No," Etta said, firmly. "Not a mask."
"You both said you broke Faust's spell on her," Cassie continued, nodding at Demarco. "How? Has he restored your powers?"
"No," Etta said again. "He... he said he would, if I joined him... but I told him to go to Hell. It was hedge magic... a poppet... I've been working on the method for a while for... for someone else. I thought it might work for a friend, for Demarco, and it did."
"Look, I know you don't have any reason to trust me," Etta continued, "but this isn't about me. Those people back in town need your help. Please, do whatever you want to me. Just help them. Please!"
"Etta," Cassie said softly. "I've spent a lot of my life learning the dangers of living in the past. Old pain, old hate, old regrets. I try not to be trapped by them. You've made mistakes... but as Gwen says, it's your choices that matter. Of course, we'll help."
"Come inside, all of you," Gwen said. "We have much to discuss."
