Minutes l e n g th e n e d...

Kelty drummed up the courage to speak, "Papa, I..."

"Hsh," he said, as though scolding a cat.

Kelty froze.

"Did you have anything to do with this?" he rumbled, his voice low and menacing.

How he could know, how he could think he knows, Kelty couldn't understand. Of all the possible reasons why, her grandfather had cut through them right to the quick.

Kelty didn't say no because she didn't know how to lie.

"Sorcery," he said. It was a severe accusation. A condemnation. Damnation. "Witchcraft."

Kelty only shook her head, trembling with fear.