Thirteen witches linked hands and formed a circle of protection around Alicia, chanting spells that would supposedly keep all human magic locked inside. Maude, separate from the circle, then used the same herbs and incantations that had freed Eddie at Wolfe’s compound. Staring at Alicia, frozen in the awkward defensive position Sydney had trapped her in, I couldn’t help but suddenly share in the witches’ initial reluctance to free her. She’d tried to kill Sydney, steal Jackie’s power, and left Jackie’s sister in a coma. She’d also captured Jill and turned her over to the Warriors—simply as a way to get back at Sydney. Really, Alicia deserved to be left a statue forever.

But then we’d never get answers.

Maude’s spell completed, and as it did, she slipped outside the circle to stand by Neil and me. We watched as Alicia came to life again, her legs buckling as the muscles suddenly had to learn to function once more. Yet even as she crumpled to the floor, a snarl crossed her features, and she held up her hand, sending bolts of light out from her. They hit an invisible wall formed by the thirteen and dissipated harmlessly.

“You can’t hold me forever,” she cried. “And as soon as I’m free again, I’ll make all of you pay!”

I leaned toward Maude, pitching my voice low. “She has a point. What will happen to her?”

“Don’t worry,” she murmured back. “Just as you Moroi have your own prisons, we have ours.” Clearing her throat, she stepped forward so that she remained outside of the circle but was still in Alicia’s field of vision. “What happens to you now will depend on how cooperative you are, Alicia. We can make life comfortable as you’re brought to justice—or very unpleasant.”

Alicia expressed what she thought of that by sending a fireball in Maude’s direction. It too was absorbed, and I thought she should consider herself lucky their protective wall didn’t bounce things back to her.

Maude crossed her arms and regarded Alicia unflinchingly. “We understand you played a part in the disappearance of a young Moroi girl. Tell us where you took her.”

For a moment, Alicia looked surprised at the question until she noticed me standing off to the side of the circle. She chuckled. “Where is Sydney? Is she too afraid to face me again?”

Don’t let her talk to you like that! ordered Aunt Tatiana.

With a small amount of spirit telekinesis, I made Alicia’s arms suddenly snap against her sides, as though she were in a straightjacket. Her eyes widened in astonishment when she tried to lift them and couldn’t. “Sydney has more skill and integrity than you ever will,” I said. “You’re lucky you won’t have to face her again. Now tell us where you took Jill. We know she’s with the Warriors. Where?”