“N-No!” Dani clapped her hands over her ears, but tears were in her eyes. It couldn’t be true, could it?
“It’s the truth,” Beth answered her inner question. “And that’s why you couldn’t leave Kat alone. You told yourself it was just having fun with her, that it was her fault for being a typical, over-sensitive girl. But really, you envied her. You wanted everything she had.” Reaching out, she hugged Dani. “Well, now you don’t have to envy her anymore. You’re finally what you were meant to be, a girl, a witch. You’re free now!”
The mermaid shuddered. It all sounded so nice, so compelling. And yet…
Backing out of the embrace, she asked, “How do you know all this? You knew everything I did to Kat. Have you been watching us?”
Beth paused before answering. “Yes, I have. I spent years researching you all, making sure you were the right family for me. Once my decision had been made, I pulled a few favors to get the council to let me be your sister’s monitor so I would have a reason to be here at this time.”
“Why did you choose us?”
Another pause. Beth turned away with a shrug. “Your family needed me, just like I needed you. Your inner conflict. Patty’s, too. I just had to help, and now, I have. Our family is healed.”
Dani rolled her eyes. “Great, so my new sister is Mary Poppins. Look, my parents may have adopted you, but that doesn’t mean I trust you. All of us are like this because you convinced them that this is what they want, but I think you have other reasons. Whatever they are, I’m gonna find out.”
This got a giggle from the other girl as she drew closer again. “Y’know, you’re so cute when you’re serious! Sadly, you still have that pesky male mind, so suspicious is things it can’t understand. But I can wait. Someday, you’ll see that there’s nothing to worry about and that you’re much happier like this. When that happens, I’ll be here to welcome you. I love you, sis. I really do.” Leaning forward, she gave Dani a sisterly kiss on the cheek before swimming to the edge of the pool and climbing out. “In the meantime, you have your wand and the necessary spell. I suggest you get changed and join us for pizza.”
As Beth headed back towards the house, her smile faded as her expression hardened. Dani was proving to be more observant than she anticipated. This presented a problem that had to be dealt with soon. The girl had to be won over or removed as an obstacle. Either way, Beth could not let that girl’s resistance ruin her plans.