---
After a few minutes, Anne nudged me and leaned in to whisper. "What did they say?"
I glanced over at McKinley, who still looked confused by what had happened. "They said McKinley messed with their home, which is why they're attacking us. But if it happens again, they'll attack for real."
Fear flickered across McKinley's face. "What do you mean, 'attack for real'?"
I sighed. "Imps are servants of witches, so they know how to cast curses. You're lucky they forgave you right away, even though you used fire, which they hate the most. If they hadn't, they could've punished you by cutting off a finger. Or worse, depending on how mad they were, they might've gone for your whole hand—or even taken away your abilities for a week."
McKinley's face drained of color. "T-then why didn't you tell me this sooner? I thought they were just messing with us!"
