Free Ring of Light by Isobel Bird Page A

“Hardly,” she said. “My rule is that I don’t eat anything that has a face. I know technically shrimp have faces, but it’s not quite the same as a cow or a pig or something with a snout. No, I was just thinking about some stuff that’s been going on.”
    T.J. nodded. “Anything you want to talk about?”
    Cooper was surprised. Besides Annie and Kate, and sometimes her parents, nobody ever asked her if she wanted to talk about what was bugging her. Usually, people stayed clear of her when she was in one of her moods. But here T.J. was going right into things.
    â€œNo,” she said. “But thanks for asking.”
    â€œAny time,” he said, shrugging as he picked up another piece of pizza and started eating.
    They finished up, paid, and then walked a few doors down to the concert hall. People were already lined up outside waiting to get in, and Cooper saw some people she knew. She nodded to them as she and T.J. took their place in line. It felt good to be out doing something she liked, instead of sitting inside feeling sorry for herself. She hadn’t been to a concert in a while, and she was ready to have some fun.
    â€œCooper,” someone called out.
    Cooper looked up and saw Sasha walking toward her, and her stomach churned. Like Cooper, Kate, and Annie, Sasha was involved in Wicca. Although she didn’t participate in the weekly study group, she was living with Thea, one of the members of the coven that ran Crones’ Circle. Sasha was a runaway, and Thea had recently been appointed her legal guardian. Cooper hadn’t spoken to Sasha since deciding to leave the group, and she didn’t know how much Sasha knew about what had happened to her and why she’d decided to stop coming to classes and rituals.
    â€œHi, Sasha,” Cooper said nervously as the other girl stopped in front of her. “You look great.”
    It was true. Sasha did look great. Her once-scrawny frame had filled out, and she seemed happy and at ease.
    â€œThanks,” replied Sasha. “Thea’s cooking helps. It’s really worked magic on me, if you know what I mean.”
    Cooper knew that this was a veiled reference to Sasha’s involvement in the witch community and its transforming effect on her life. She was happy for her friend, but she wasn’t about to get into a conversation about the Craft with her, especially not with T.J. there.
    â€œSasha, do you know T.J.?” she asked, looking for a diversion.
    â€œI’ve seen you around,” Sasha said.
    â€œMe, too,” T.J. answered. “Are you here for the show?”
    Sasha shook her head. “Just passing through,” she said. “But I’m glad I ran into you, Coop.”
    Cooper felt herself instinctively bristle at Sasha’s use of the nickname she hated. Sasha knew she didn’t like to be called Coop, but she did it to try to get a rise out of her. Cooper had given up telling her not to call her that.
    â€œYou heard about Kate, right?” Sasha continued.
    Cooper shook her head. “No,” she said. “I haven’t talked to her in a while. Why? Has something happened?”
    â€œNot to her,” Sasha answered. “It’s her aunt. She has cancer. Kate just found out. She was pretty bummed. I thought she would have told you.”
    â€œI’ve been kind of busy,” Cooper said, but inside she was wondering the same thing Sasha was. Why hadn’t Kate called her if something was wrong? Probably because she thinks you don’t want her to, she thought guiltily.
    â€œWell, she’s taking it hard,” said Sasha. “You should call her if you get a minute.”
    Cooper nodded. “Yeah,” she said, “I will. Thanks for telling me.”
    â€œI should go,” said Sasha. “You guys have a great time.”
    â€œThanks,” Cooper responded as Sasha waved and walked away.
    â€œWow,” Cooper said, looking at