by Amy Boyles
I had no idea what alter ego had taken him over, but I raised my hand and shot first, smacking a tree in its center. The tree, not liking being hit, danced to the right, directly into Sherman, knocking him over and sending his magic firing straight into the night sky.
I shot again, this time much softer, and hit Sherman in the solar plexus. He reeled back, his arms pinwheeling. I raced after him and pulled the hairpin from my blouse.
I didn’t need it to keep my glamour, which I was thankful for. I chanted a growth spell and looped it around Sherman’s wrists, disabling him.
He kicked and whined. “Stop it! You can’t win.”
“Hold still,” I yelled.
But Sherman was too strong. He broke the spell on the hairpin and rose. He whacked me in the head. Pain shot down my jaw, clouding my thoughts.
I couldn’t think straight as stars filled my gaze.
Magic raged in Sherman’s body, oozing out his pores in orange flames.
Y’all, I’m not kidding. Sherman looked like hell was about to unleash from his chest cavity.
He extended a large glowing hand at me. His lips pulled back into a nasty sneer.
“I did it. I killed my mother. She never wanted me to learn my magic the way she had. She said it was for my own protection, but she lied.” He threw his head back and laughed. “And you—you thought you could win. You thought I would go down so easily. You were wrong!”
Power shot from his hand. I couldn’t process. I couldn’t move fast enough. I couldn’t stop him. I would die here, in the middle of the Cobweb Forest.
What a crappy end.
I raised my hand just as a bolt of magic hit Sherman squarely in the chest, sending him spilling back into a tree. His head slammed into the trunk, and he groaned, slumping to the ground face-first.
My heart raced. I hadn’t noticed its thunderous beat until now. My hands shook, and I forgot all about the pain radiating down my jaw as I looked around to see who had saved me.
I expected Rufus. I prayed it was Axel, even though I knew that was most definitely wrong. But I hoped and prayed that whoever had stopped Sherman was someone who was on my side.
A cloaked figure stepped out of the shadows.
I exhaled a huge plume of air. “Hermit?”
The iconic head witch extended his hand. “Are you all right?”
I nodded slowly. “He murdered Bee. I found evidence, and he ran. At first he said he didn’t do it.” I stared at Sherman’s unconscious body. “But then he admitted it. Said he had killed her.”
I dropped my head into my hands and wept. Hermit placed a hand on my shoulder. “Come now, Pepper. It’ll be all right.”
I stared blankly at him. “You know it’s me?”
He nodded slowly. “Rufus asked me to keep an eye on you. Good thing I did. You almost got yourself killed.”
I rose on wobbly legs and balanced myself on the strong hand Hermit offered.
“Come. Let’s get you back to the camp before anyone notices you were gone.”
“What about him?”
Hermit’s mouth formed a thin, angry line. “I’ll get him back. But now that it’s been proven Lacy didn’t kill Bee, expect her to come looking for you. Your time of avoiding her is done, Pepper. She’ll be coming for you now.”
TWENTY-THREE
I returned to camp as Slug. There was no way around it. I couldn’t disappear, and I couldn’t simply throw off my clothes and reveal that Slug was dead and I had created a glamour to learn their secrets.
I mean, I couldn’t, right?
Though it was tempting.
As Hermit carried a knocked-out Sherman over his shoulder, the moonlight illuminated his baby face. It seemed strange to me that he had spent so much time helping us. Sherman had even nabbed Slug and had seemed as surprised as we were about the gag spell.
Did Sherman even have the capabilities to create such a thing?
I got back to Slug’s tent and readied for bed. Everyone would be tucked inside their tents as well, and it would be easy to escape, or to at least meet up with Rufus, let him know what had happened.
I texted him, and we planned to meet.
I made a big show of turning my lights off. Stevie had been waiting for me when I returned. He’d scurried up to me when I entered, and I scooped him up and buried my nose in his fur.
The guinea pig I barely knew was my only comfort.
He barely even talked, for goodness’ sake. Turned out, Stevie didn’t have to. He offered comfort even in silence.
After a little while I started out for the Potion Ponds, where I would meet Rufus.
I wove my way through the tents. A few muffled voices floated out from them, but for the most part silence filled the night. Grass crunched beneath my feet, and I cursed it, hoping the sound wouldn’t betray me.
I had forgotten I wasn’t Pepper Dunn, semi-talented witch with little training. I was Slug, a powerful witch who could probably snap a tree in two with her power if she wanted to.
Not that I’d seen her do it, but she certainly portrayed an attitude that she could.
As I exited the camp, I had the feeling someone was watching me. I stopped for a moment, turned around, letting my gaze wash over my surroundings.
No one was outside. A few canvas tents glowed with light. The wind rustled the trees and the leaves blew, but that was it. Nothing else could be seen or heard.
“My imagination,” I murmured.
Shaking off the feeling, I made my way hastily toward my destination, slicing through the trees as a shortcut to the ponds.
But still the feeling that I was being watched lingered. I glanced over my shoulder several times but saw nothing. I had to push on, reminding myself that it was only my imagination.
I gritted my teeth, forcing away the eerie sensation, and crouched by the tree line.
Rufus would give a birdcall when he was in position.
The crystalline water reflected the moonlight beautifully. I sucked air as I realized the moon was full. I fisted my hands and cringed. Axel would be a werewolf tonight. So would all the others in the pack. They should keep each other safe.
I hoped.
I prayed that the peace he sought would be found. We needed proof of that peace if we were to get rid of the Order.
After a few minutes the call came. I slowly strode from the forest. If anyone had been following, they would see Slug walking to the ponds, alone.
I made a cutting gesture with my hand. Rufus would know to wait until I signaled it was okay for him to meet me.
After I stood staring into the pools for a few minutes, the creepy feeling that I was being watched vanished. I motioned for Rufus to come forward.
“You look terrible,” he said, his voice full of worry.
I glared at him.
He laughed nervously. “I’m sorry. That came out wrong. But you look like you’ve had a time of it.”
Rufus extended his hand. I studied his creamy skin for a moment before taking what he offered. Without thinking, I flung myself into his arms and let him hold me.
“Sherman killed Bee,” I said through gulps of air.
“You must be wrong.”
I shook my head. “No. I found the fire stone in his possession, and he admitted to the killing. He pretended to be our friend, Rufus. He was lying the entire time.”
Rufus’s jaw clenched. “Then he was an excellent liar.” He sighed. “We trusted the wrong man.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of. He knows our secrets. The things we’ve done. If Lacy gets ahold of him and he starts blabbing, we’ll all be in trouble.”
Rufus gripped my shoulders and gently pushed me back. “We’ve heard from Axel.”
Hope rose in my chest like a giant balloon. The pressure was so great I thought my rib cage would crack open.
“What did he say?”
“He’s made progress. I believe they’ve reached an agreement.”
The weight of his words released a boulde
r from my shoulders. “Thank goodness. We can be free of this mess.”
Rufus’s dark gaze bored into me. A shiver rippled down my spine. “Except for you.”
I cringed. “I still have to face Lacy. I asked for it. I know it’s coming. With Axel returning, we can reveal what happened to Slug, that Sherman killed her with the gag spell.”
Rufus traced a finger under his bottom lip. “Do you believe that Sherman has the talent to work a gag spell?”
I considered the bumbling wizard I’d only recently met. He had two left feet and his magic seemed to be all tangled up.
Meaning he was pretty sad, y’all.
“No, but he admitted it, Rufus.” I rubbed my temple. “That was strange, too. At first he said he hadn’t done it and then something snapped in Sherman and he starting blabbing about how he’d done it. He tried to kill me, and then Hermit appeared and stopped him.”
Rufus rubbed his chin. He stared into the pond, thinking. “I have a hard time believing that Sherman duped all of us.”
I winced. “Me too. He seemed so genuine in how he bumbled around. It didn’t feel like a role he was playing.”
“Even the best of us are betrayed,” Rufus said quietly. “Taken for a ride and cast aside at the end.”
I cocked a brow. “Bitter much?”
He chuckled softly. “I’m not trying to be bitter. I only came because you contacted me, remember?”
“I wanted to tell you about Sherman and find out what this would mean—at least as far as the next few days are concerned.”
“It means they’ll try him for his crimes. I’m sure they’ll do that first thing. If they have a confession, it will go quickly, but if they don’t, it may last awhile.”
“As in days?”
“No.” Rufus shook his head. The breeze picked up, and his coattail lifted into the air. “As in hours. They’ll torture him until he confesses, and even if he doesn’t. He should though. It’ll be better for him.”
I gasped. “They’re barbarians.”
“They’re witches, Pepper,” he said sharply. “You’ve been lucky. All the witches you’ve known except for a solid few have been pillars of the community. Good people. This Order? This is what witches can become. Once you have power and talent, the world is yours for the taking.”
“That’s Lacy all over,” I murmured.
He shoved a finger in my face. “And the rest of them, too. Don’t for a second think they wouldn’t do the same to you. Because they would, in a heartbeat.”
I swallowed a knot in the back of my throat. “Okay,” I whispered. “I know I’m lucky.”
He nodded curtly. “Now. Thank you for explaining what you have, but I suggest you return to your tent and get a good night’s sleep. There will be a trial, Sherman will be found guilty and then Pepper Dunn will have to face Lacy. There will be no other outcome.”
“What if Axel returns?” I said hopefully.
“It won’t get you out of it. You made a promise to Lacy. She will see it through.”
Bitterness filled his tone. I frowned to the point I could feel wrinkles forming on my forehead. “I don’t understand why you’re angry so suddenly. Have I done something wrong?”
Rufus shook his head. “Of course you haven’t done anything wrong. It isn’t you—it’s all of it.”
I placed a hand on his arm. “All of what?”
Rufus snatched his arm away. “It’s nothing.” Anguish filled his gaze. “Do not concern yourself with me. I was once the enemy, remember? No better than this Order. In fact, if I could have been, I would’ve become one of them.”
I shrank from him. “You’ve been bad, but you could never be them.”
Rufus laughed bitterly. “Ah, Pepper Dunn, always the optimist. You think so? You’ve only seen in me what I would allow. You’ve never truly seen my heart.”
“I have,” I argued. “I’ve seen the good in it. I’ve seen what you can do. How you’ve helped people and how you’ve saved me.”
Rufus shook his head. He pulled away and stared at the ponds. “I came because you asked. I’ve told you the news. You can be done with me now.”
Then I realized what this was about. “It was because I told you I’m going to marry him, isn’t it?”
He shook his head.
Exasperation filled my voice. “You said we should. You said Axel and I were meant to be. What do you think? I’m not any more confused? I have been. You’ve filled my head in a way I’ve never wanted or needed.”
I fisted my hands. “So if you think that gives you a claim to being bitter, then so be it. But I refuse to be angry, especially at you.”
“For so long,” he said quietly, “I tried to convince myself that you were only a friend. That I wasn’t really jealous of the wolf. Even when you tried to goad me the other night into revealing more, I wouldn’t do it. I’ve placed too many barriers over my heart. But yes, I suppose the power of your words has finally hit me, made me realize that I’ve lost something before I ever had it.”
He stared at me, his gaze drilling a football-sized hole in my chest. “And I don’t know which is worse—losing something I’ve known, or losing something I never had to begin with. I think it’s the latter.”
I stepped back. “I don’t know what took control of me that night. My magic—Hermit said I had to stop being confused about you.”
Longing and sadness filled his eyes. I wanted to fling my arms around him.
“You know I’ve been just as confused about you as you were about me, I won’t deny it, but—”
“But you and I would never work,” Rufus said. “Once you fully knew everything that I’ve done, all the evil, you would hate me. Despise me. You’d see me as a monster.” He hung his head. “And it’s true. I have been a monster. I don’t deserve redemption.”
His voice dropped to a whisper. “The wolf deserves you. Not me. I don’t say that so you’ll feel sorry for me. I don’t want your pity. That’s the last thing I need.”
Tears filled my eyes. All he required was my love, and I couldn’t give it to him, not the way he wanted.
But I was through being confused about Rufus Mayes. I wouldn’t survive my fight against Lacy if my heart was twisted with worry.
This needed to be put to bed, all of it. I didn’t want to worry about Rufus. He was a man, one who had chosen his destiny and was on the right path.
I crossed the distance between us and put my arms around Rufus, squeezing him to me.
He hesitated, but then did wrap me in a hug. He smelled leathery, and I rested my forehead against his chest for a moment before breaking our embrace.
I slid my arms down his until I reached his fingers, where we both held on for a long moment before finally letting go.
I gulped down the few tears threatening to surface and said, “Goodbye, Rufus.”
Before he had a chance to stop me, I slipped into the forest and disappeared from his sight.
TWENTY-FOUR
The next day I awoke to the sound of ringing bells. I heard others stirring in their tents.
I glanced down at Stevie. “Stay hidden.” I pulled on a robe and marched outside.
The witches had all gathered in the center of the camp. Lacy stood beside Sherman, who was locked in a wooden yoke called a pillory, his hands dangling on either side of his head.
“What is this? The Middle Ages?” I murmured, referring to the antiquated means of punishment.
“I charge Sherman Oaks with the crime of the murder of his mother, Bee. He has confessed, my friends. So all we need to do is find a punishment that is sufficient. Then,” she sneered, “we will take care of the Dunn woman and be gone from this place. Besides, I’m tired of this town, and food is becoming scarce.”
My own stomach rumbled at the mention of food. I worried about my grandmother and cousins, wondering what exactly they had to eat. But if I knew Betty, there were probably jars of fruits and vegetables hidden away somewhere in the house. You never knew when you mig
ht have an emergency.
Even witches had to be prepared.
“Burn him,” one witch yelled.
“Drown him,” called another.
“Please,” Sherman cried, “I’m innocent.”
I frowned. He’d only confessed last night.
“You confessed,” Lacy sneered. “You said you had committed this crime.”
He clenched his fists. “I don’t know what came over me. I don’t know why I said that. It wasn’t me. I wouldn’t have killed her. Please, I don’t have the talent to do such things like put a gag spell on Slug.”
Every noise in the camp seemed to stop. No bird sang. No fly buzzed. The grass even stopped rustling in the wind.
Very slowly, almost as if in slow motion, Lacy turned to scan the crowd until her gaze settled on me.
“What did you say, Sherman?”
His face was red with emotion. I could almost make out tears spilling down his cheeks.
“Please,” he begged, “I said I didn’t have the magic to place a gag spell on Slug. The one that killed her.”
He must’ve been delusional. He was tired. I couldn’t blame him for spilling the truth. Sherman had endured a lot in the past few days—Betty helping him with his magic, his mother dying, her wand disappearing and reappearing in his room. His denial about his mother and then his admission.
To be honest, I felt as confused as Sherman.
Lacy stared at me. Fortunately my confusion wasn’t enough to knock me from the present. I was quite aware that I wore the stolen face and clothing of a dead woman.
That would not be forgiven—not by Lacy.
“If Slug is dead”—her finger traced the sky until it landed on me—“then who is that?”
I tried to push down the panic, tried to forget that only about a year ago I had been a woman without the slightest trace of magic. I had been a loser, having lost everything in less than half a day.
I tried to push all that aside to remember who I was now—a witch with power, more power than even I had ever allowed myself to believe.
I threw off my own yoke, the glamour that shrouded me, and proclaimed for all to hear, “I am Pepper Dunn.”
