Jasmine sighed and started a chant. The words were coarse and painful to speak. The light in the room dimmed like a cloud had passed before the sun. She reached out her hand to Amy, who took it immediately. Amber saw that and cried out. Amy joined the chant and a sound like wood cracking and splitting could be heard.

Amber screeched in pain. “Alright! Okay! Yes! I admit it! I couldn't help him. I didn't want to help him!"

Jasmine and Amy stopped chanting, and the Light in the room brightened.

Amber sobbed and held her face in her lap. Jasmine watched her dispassionately. After a moment, she sighed.

“Okay, enough blubbering. Time to fix this."

Amy nodded and looked at Amber. Amber sniffed and raised her face.

Snot bubbled on her left nostril and her eyes were red-rimmed and wet with tears.

Amy crouched down beside Amber's head. "Gwydion did something to Daniel. We all know this. We all felt this. Even Jennifer, whatever she is, felt it. Daniel left us to spend a day fucking that ugly witch. He loves us and wouldn't intentionally hurt us like that. That is not our Daniel.

"Guydion is a witch, and a powerful one, even without a circle. She wants Daniel. Remember how Grace warned us? Witches crave that power.

They will do anything for it.

"I don't know what she did. It wasn't Charm Person because that would have worn off by now. In our bedroom is our man. Our lover.

Our family. We must protect him. We have no greater responsibility.

I know this in my heart. We failed him today. All three of us.

“But you, Amber. You failed him the worst of all. I don't know if he will ever forgive you. I don't think I can if I'm being honest. That can never happen again. You are fighting this circle and I don't know why. This goes beyond hating men into some crazy bullshit. You need to tell us what the fuck is happening so we can figure this out.

Together. We are a circle within a circle and honey, your heart is dying.

“Today Daniel was attacked in the open in the school. No one cared.

This place is all sorts of fucked up. But Daniel suffered because he couldn't access his magic. His handicap is massive. He needs to be sexually aroused to do magic. When an attack can come at any time, how do we counter that? This is important, girls. We need to solve this, and quickly. How do we keep Daniel sexually aroused all the time? And is it even possible?"

Jasmine sat quietly, still stroking Amber's back, and watched Bitty cross the room and head into the kitchen.

Amber said nothing and swiped at the snot and tears on her face.

They sat in silence until Bitty emerged with four cups of steaming tea on a tray. She set it down on the coffee table and handed each of them a cup of chamomile. She then pulled Amy onto the couch and sat beside her, held her hand, and sipped her tea.

Jasmine smiled at her. She admired the spunky gnome and her brilliant mind. Her skills in the bedroom were unmatched. Jasmine just knew she was holding back in the sex department. She was excited to explore that further with her.

Jasmine sipped her tea and sighed. “Back on the farm, Daniel charmed some toys for me. My dildo, for example. It became an automated little thing. Daniel used it to pleasure me for hours. It was really amazing. The poor little dildo grew little arms and legs and seriously fucked me hard. And it vibrated! I was worried it would suffocate, and Daniel laughed at me." Jasmine giggled and saw Bitty listening to her with interest. "I guess I'm wondering if we could do something similar for Daniel.

“Sure you can," said Bitty, simply and matter-of-factly. She sipped her tea.

Jasmine gawked at the gnome. "We can? How?"