*Luca* I put effort into every gallop and let the rage propel my body forward. I have made a mess, yes, but had they needed to wade in it ? I snarl and slap after a defenseless branch that hangs in the way. The thigh-thick branch breaks off right at the trunk, but I continue the wild sprint preoccupied with my inner angry debate.   What the hell is it now with Martin ? The happy grin, which is chronically smeared all over his face, is about to make me vomit: Can the man not understand how dangerous it can potentially become ? An emotion creeps through the diaphragm, then,the sight of my uncle's face and the nauseating praise he had uttered about the red-haired witch brings back memories.  Jealousy. For that is exactly how I had had it with Soleil i

 *Lefu* "Good news, gentlemen !" I clap my hands as I come up in the hall. “We're going for a pub crawl! Shall we see who can eat the most Italians ?”  The six lackeys glare hesitantly at each other.  “I am a free man! Do you need to ask the boss for permission first ?” I wave my arms resignedly. "Okay then ! Then stay here if you must be such a bore”.  “Signor Pusscat. A moment !" stammers one of them.  "It's okay, Ciro, Signor Pusscat will escort me. Drive the car forward”. Lyndsey McNeil comes up from the basement and walks straight towards me without heeding the lackeys. “My Italia

 *Soleil* “Does it really have to rock that much ?” I pull the big winter coat closer around me. I am sitting outside on the deck of the ferry because I had gotten the brilliant idea that some fresh air might suppress seasickness. But no, despite the cold paralyzing my cheeks, my stomach still threatens to sacrifice the toast I had managed to squeeze down inside the cafeteria.  “It's autumn, Pips, if I do not whip up a little wave, then things would first become suspicious. Moreover, it is just as much the lady in the lake whipping up a mood, Tjalfe laughs.  "The lady in the lake ?"  “You have met the giant over the wind and seen a lot of fire that a certain person can con

  *Soleil* The next day, I feel battered from sitting in the car for so many hours. Even though I had gone straight to bed, I am not at all ready to wake up when the cell phone alarm rings.  I get up mechanically, take a shower, put on my clothes and go to school. It strikes me again how hard this double life eats at me. How am I ever going to make a normal everyday life work when I am constantly under pressure as a witch ?   It is impossible to take the social studies teacher seriously when she is preaching market economics and free trade. If Zac continues his insane plan to let all the hamram he can find survive, then there will be no such thing as economics. Not to mention the dark ones. If the politicians knew that almost all the money in the wor

 *Soleil* "Hey, Sol, how are you ?" Twigs’ big laugh greets me as I open the car door.  For a moment I completely regret that I had agreed to this. Alone with Luca and Twigs in a small car ? Stupid idea.  "Fine, what about you ?" I try to smile just as big.  "Also fine".  His smile fades slightly as I push the seat forward and crawl into the back. He had probably figured out that Luca would be the first out of school. It suits me quite well, for then I will not have to crawl past him.  "Hey, what's up ?" It sounds a bit forced from Twigs when the door is reopened