Even powerless as I was, I could tell something huge was going on the moment I crossed the threshold and entered the kitchen. An immediate shudder traced down my back as I passed through an icy barrier, every hair on my body standing at abrupt attention. I rubbed my arms and caught my breath, stolen by the sudden pressure of so much magic.
I guess I wasn't totally blocked off after all. Though the longer I stood there and struggled to get my anger back, the more the protective net in my mind tightened and the less I was affected by the weight of the collective coven.
The basement. I saw candlelight shining from the crack under the door and headed right for it. I eased it open and listened. Mom was talking, her voice was so low I missed what she said. My feet made little sound on the steps, and soon I was standing behind the closed circle of family witches.