This was a very novel approach to things. Fatima and the coven rarely did joint spells. Mostly just ceremonial rituals. When they tried to do magic together, it usually ended in disaster. The last attempt had been when she was sixteen. The night her mother was killed.

Maybe it had created a subconscious aversion to teamwork in Fatima's mind. Who knew?

But she nodded slightly. They didn't have much to lose by trying. And she was fresh out of mothers and all.

"Okay," she said. Already her, tongue started to probe the inside of her cheek, coaxing out more blood. "You count us down," she added, her speech a little muddied.