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no to the scam action.” I laughed. “I just want to do a bit of research on a little hobby of mine, that’s all.” I didn’t think I should explain to Taylor my true motives. I didn’t want to scare off the one friend I had in a long time with stories of ghosts and séances.
    “Okay cool. I hope you don’t mind that I invited Jack to come by.” She turned toward me tilting her chin down, peering up at me from beneath her black designer sunglasses. “Maybe he’ll bring Chase with him,” she grinned and looked back at the road.
    “Chase?” I asked, surprised as I pulled down the visor and checked my reflection in the mirror.
    “Aha! You do like him,” Taylor said as she turned up the radio that was playing Taylor Swift’s newest song. “We Taylor’s have to stick together.” She pointed to the dial with a giggle. “Besides, you look great. I like the new do.”
    I flipped the visor back up. “Thanks,” I managed.
    When we went in the library, it was pretty much empty except for a couple of kids sitting at a table in the corner, intent on whatever they were reading, and a man tapping away on an old computer. There was no sign of Jack or Chase. I was relieved. As hot as Chase was, I didn’t go there to boy hunt. I went to find info.
    When Taylor didn’t see Jack, however, she seemed peeved and pulled her phone out. The librarian gave her a stern look and pointed at a sign on the wall that had a picture of a cell phone with a large X through it.
    Taylor grunted. “I’ll be right back, True. I’m just gonna call Jack and see if he’s still coming.”
    “No prob,” I said as my eyes drifted around. I was surprised by how large the town’s library was. There was only one level but it was like a big warehouse with high ceilings and row after row of soaring metal bookcases. The ancient smell of crumbling parchment filled the air like a graveyard of books. The beige linoleum floor crackled beneath my feet and dust floated in the strands of sunlight pouring in from the small window like flecks of dandruff. I chewed on my lip. “It’s like a sanitarium from a horror movie,” I mumbled under my breath. I hugged my arms tightly at the elbows with a shudder.
    I had no idea where to start so I made my way over to the librarian. “Hi there,” I started, feeling jittery and not knowing how to get the words out. “Um, can you tell me what section I can find information on things like—um like ghosts and um séances and spiritual stuff?” I felt my cheeks flush as I imagined how weird she must have thought I was.
    “In the occult section,” she said without missing a beat. “Aisle fifteen, on your right,” she lifted her pencil, jerked it to the right, and then buried her head back into the book she was reading.
    “Thanks,” I whispered and headed in the direction she pointed. I wished it were a little busier so I didn’t feel so totally creeped out. I found the aisle and began shuffling through the volumes that crammed the shelves. There were books of every size and color. A lot of them were on yoga and how to make herbal candles and stuff.
    “Yeah, that’s exactly what I need right now—herbal candles.” I rolled my eyes. I kept searching, rummaging through book after book, until one large book caught my attention. Ancient Witchcraft . The cover was tattered and the title was written in scripted gold, faded lettering.
    Below the title was a symbol of a golden dagger that vaguely looked familiar. It had a snake coiled around its blade, fangs bared. The hair on my neck prickled. It looked exactly like the dagger I saw the girl hold on the card in my dream the previous night.
    I sat on the floor and the cold from the floor seeped through my jeans, causing me to shiver. As I ran my hand over the daggered symbol, uneasiness washed over me. I chewed on the end of my thumb, and with the other hand I flipped open to the first page and began to read.
    For those of you brave enough to read this book take