November 7, 2003 – Noon
"No! No, that's not right, she didn't do it," said Frank, handing the letter to his mother.
His hand was shaking as he handed her the letter. Molly was looking at him, worried. She grabbed the letter from his hand and frowned.
"Son, what is it?" said Molly, flipping the letter from one side to the other. "There is nothing written on it. Why are you saying that she didn't do it?"
Frank looked at his mother, frowning too. He took the letter back, and this time, he saw words appearing.
"This is odd. It's like the letters Audrey received from her school. I'll have to ask her about that."
Frank read the letter to his mother.
"OH MY GOD!" said Molly, bringing her hand to her mouth.
"This isn't right. I'm sure there is stuff she didn't tell me from when she went missing, but she wouldn't do something like that, at least not without a reason."
"Perhaps she was framed. A lot of people are after her. Blue is seen as a dangerous threat by her people, but I know she is harmless until provoked, or you wouldn't be you anymore, same for your sister."
"I agree. She's involved in extremely risky stuff and I know she's deadly. I mean, she is about to hunt down the witch that is ranked 5th on the Most Wanted Witch list. She probably was framed."
Frank put the letter on the table and took his phone to call her, hoping she would be able to answer.
Coralis was at a warehouse taking pictures and collecting evidence against Vladina. She was with Sebastian, Gus and the Fullemon twins. Her phone rang.
"Remember the gumball machine that isn't a gumball machine?"
"Yeah, the junk mail receiver. I mean, I set one up for our apartment, but that thing never collected anything useful. Something came in today?"
"Yeah, it was the first time I saw it active and it wasn't how you explained it. The entire thing turned fire red and shrieked."
"Holy gods from above, it must have been a fire letter. Did you have to explain anything to anyone?"
"I was with my mom, so no… but yes," said Frank and read the letter.
"I didn't do it. I was nowhere near his hotel when that happened. How in gods world can they even pin it on me?"
"I believe you. We think you're being framed. We have to go to Louis tonight. He wants to do something for Linda's birthday. Can you join us there?"
"If I'm not being followed on my way back, sure. Sebastian is with me, but I don't know when we'll be there."
Coralis told her friends about what Frank received when she ended the call.
"Holy gods from above, that's a serious accusation," said Gus.
"Frank didn't believe it, right?" said Erik.
"He didn't. I was tasked to protect Massina that day, along with Andrew and two others from the EBEE, but I was searching some warehouse with Andrew when that happened."
"I swear Blue, your man is a saint," said Sebastian.
"I know that, don't worry. Let's finish this, so we can go home and see what that stabbing mess is all about."
A few hours later, Vladina Murita's headless body fell on the ground by her feet, the head rolling to the other side of the room. Coralis wiped the blood on her sword off Vladina's clothing before sliding it back into its sheath. She sent a text message to Hendrick while Sebastian used his wand to place the evidence they brought in the middle of the room.
"All right, I think we're done here. Let's join Gus on the rooftop across the street," said Coralis.
"We'll need a shower before we head back if we're going to meet with the in-laws at Louis when we leave here."
"Agreed. They saw worse when we searched for Audrey last year, but yeah… we'll stop at my flat here to clean up before we leave London."
Meanwhile, Frank and Molly arrived at Louis and his cousin Rachel opened the door when he arrived.
"Hey, Rachel! I should have known you'd be here tonight!" said Frank.
"If I didn't know you better, I'd think that you're disappointed to see me, but you look more worried than anything else. Trouble in paradise already? Nat is here too, but hubby and kid aren't," said Rachel while hugging her cousin. "Congratulation, by the way… or not?"
"We might have to tell them about Coralis and Sebastian," said Louis as Rachel let them him after hugging Molly.
Stephanie looked at her brother and frowned.
"Did something happen to Coralis in London? You do look worried as if there's no tomorrow. She didn't get captured, right?"
"Why would Coralis get captured?" said Natacha. "Unless she's somehow involved in the so-called witch hunt going on out there?"
They all looked at each other while Frank looked down for a moment. Stephanie took her phone out to send a message to warn Sebastian.
"She didn't get captured… but it's a matter of time if she doesn't surrender," said Frank, choosing his words carefully.
He wanted to tell his family about the letter he received, but he was aware that his cousins didn't know the truth. Stephanie's phone beeped and she read the message she received from Sebastian.
'We just arrived at her London flat, we'll be on our way soon. We both needed to wash up before joining you guys. At this point, if you trust them with the information, go ahead and tell them. I trust you. Tell Frank not to worry, we'll figure this out, we always do. Love you.'
"Okay, now I'm thoroughly confused. What's going on?" said Rachel.
"Is it about this damn witch hunt going on? I don't see why else you think she'd get captured or have to surrender, unless she's involved with the mob or something? I don't even believe that the people being killed are witches, to be honest," said Natacha.
"Sebastian and Coralis aren't witches… they're something else, but yes, witches do exist and yes, they are involved in it. Have you seen the updated name lists posted by the UK and US governments lately?" said Stephanie.
"No. I looked at them when countries first talked about witch hunts, everyone was talking about them," said Rachel.
Louis grabbed the paper and opened it to the article showing the lists they were talking about.
"I heard today that Spain and Italy will also target the people mentioned on those lists, but I didn't check the names. Why? Are they on it?" said Natacha as she grabbed the paper her father was handing her.
She was sitting on a chair. Rachel stood behind her, reading above her shoulder.
"Hot damn! Is it your Sebastian listed on their Other Ones of Interest?" said Rachel.
Stephanie nodded. Linda handed Frank a drink as he climbed down the stairs.
"I don't see a Coralis on any of them. Unless there is another name she goes by? Or maybe she's not listed?
"She is listed as Blue Thunder," said Frank as he sat down.