"Daphne, I found a tape in Charming's office that shows the giant destroying the farmhouse. Now we have proof that he and the giant are working together," Sabrina said.
But before she could finish her sentence, the door burst open and the Tin Woodsman was pushed inside. Behind her was Charming, looking murderous. He slammed the door and took a crossbow from the wall, where it was hanging like a piece of art.
"I'm sorry," Daphne apologized. "He snuck up on me before I could warn you."
"Who are you?" he demanded.
"I'm Momma Bear," Sabrina lied.
"Is that so?" Charming sneered. "That would be interesting, since it's almost December and you should be three weeks into your hibernation by now."
"I didn't want to miss such a lovely party," Sabrina stammered.
Next to the door sat a quill of arrows. Charming selected one, inserted it in the crossbow, and pulled the bowstring back. Then he aimed it at Sabrina's heart.
"I'm going to give you until the count of five to tell me who you are or your head is going to join the others on my wall," he threatened coolly.
Chapter 10
'm not playing any more games with you people," Charming said. "I've told you already I'm not interested in joining the Scarlet Hand. Your revolution is not for me."
"We don't know what you're talking about," Daphne cried.
"One," Charming began counting.
Sabrina looked over at the clock. There were only seconds left before the magic would wear off, but more than the five Charming had promised them.
"We're Relda Grimm's granddaughters," she blurted out desperately.
“Two.”
"We used a magic wand to change our shape so we could sneak into your house," Daphne cried. Oily tears leaked from her eyes.
“Three.
"We're not part of any revolution!" Sabrina begged. "We just want our grandmother back!"
“Four.”
"We're not lying to you!" Daphne sobbed.
“Five.”
Sabrina closed her eyes tightly and awaited her death, wondering if she would be stuffed like the other bear in Charming's office or if her body would change back after her heart had stopped beating. But when nothing happened, after a few more moments, Sabrina bravely opened her eyes. She and her sister had magically transformed back into their normal states. The only evidence of their disguises was the oily smears on Daphne's cheeks.
"Ladies, I could toss you into jail and throw away the key for what you've done," Charming said, removing the arrow from his crossbow. "You've used a magical item to help a known criminal escape from jail, infiltrated an Everafters party without an invitation, impersonated Everafters, committed espionage against a government official, broken into my home, put the Ferryport Landing Ball in serious jeopardy, and ruined two pairs of Sheriff Hamstead's pants."
"We didn't ruin your stupid party," Sabrina argued.
"If that crowd downstairs sees the two of you here, the top of this house will fly off," Charming replied. "The only way we're going to prevent a mob is to have Hamstead toss you in some old sacks and carry you out the servants' entrance. He can take you down to the jailhouse and let you cool off in a cell."
Sabrina lunged for the video camera. The wires came with it and the image of the giant faded from the television screen.
"We're not going anywhere without our grandmother and Mr. Canis," Sabrina said. "This tape is all the evidence we'll need. How do you think those people downstairs are going to feel knowing you intend to buy up this town and smash anyone that gets in your way?"
Sabrina expected Charming to fight for the tape, but instead he only laughed.
"You are just like your parents." Charming chuckled. "Henry was always shooting his mouth off before his brain could catch up and Veronica was the suspicious one. What an unsettling combination you are."
Suddenly, something moved in the window. Sabrina turned her head, but nothing was there. "Did you see that?"
"See what?" Charming asked as a giant, puss-filled eye peered into the house.
"ENGLISHMAN!" a booming voice growled, shaking the windows in their frames.
"That!" the girls shouted.
Charming calmly picked up the phone on his desk and dialed a number. "Mr. Seven, are you aware that there is a giant outside?" he said into the receiver, as if he were informing a waiter that there was a hair in his soup. "Oh, you didn't know. Well, now you do . . . No, this isn't some kind of emergency drill . . . Well, I agree, we should do something about it before the guests panic. Maybe you should send the witches out to put a protection spell on the house . . . Well, of course it's a good idea!"
Charming slammed the phone down, crossed the room, and dragged both girls roughly out of the office and down the hall.
"Where are you taking us?" Sabrina demanded.
"Keep your heads down and don't say a word," the prince sneered. "I'm taking you outside."
An acidy fear rose up in Sabrina's throat as they stumbled out of his office and into the second-floor hallway. "You can't take us out there with that thing!" Sabrina cried, pulling at Charming's vise-like grasp.