by Alicia Rades
Sondra whispered just loud enough for me to hear. “Ready when you are.”
“Perhaps I was wrong about you, Rachel,” Matias chuckled, wiping the blood from his eyes. “I thought you were strong, but you're weak for relying on others.”
“You're wrong,” I said boldly. “I'm strong because of them.”
He laughed. “You're nothing—”
“Now!” I shouted.
Matias lifted his palms, but we were faster. Sondra, Clarita, Zoey, and I used our magic to lift his body up in the air and bind his arms at his side. He struggled but couldn’t get out of our hold.
“You're making… a big… mistake,” Matias said through struggled breath.
“No,” I said firmly. “I don't think I am.”
Venn nudged my hand with his nose. I glanced down into his dark wolf eyes, and I was overcome with a sense of love—of belonging. Jenna came to my side in racoon form and sat at my feet. Warmth filled my chest.
My eyes swept over the others—the witches and shifters standing at my side and the spirits no one else could see. A magic I'd never felt before rose up within me. It felt strong, like electricity sizzling straight into my bones and across my skin. I knew what I had to do.
I walked forward until I was just feet from Matias's hovering form. “This is why your plan would never work. All you want is control.”
He let out a chilling laugh. “How else do you get people to comply?”
“You treat them like people!” I shouted. “You listen. You compromise. You love!”
Matias's features hardened as he continued to struggle out of the witches’ hold. “You can burn in hell, Rachel.”
I smirked. “I'll meet you there.”
I slammed my palm into his chest. Blinding white light shot out of my hand and into his body. He let out a scream so loud it echoed off the buildings around us. The white light built within him until his skin was lit up like the sun.
Boom!
Matias's body exploded in a dazzling array of tiny white stars. There was no blood. No flesh. Just a firework display of white light.
I dropped to my knees as all the energy drained out of me. The lights faded, and the city turned back to night.
I was vaguely aware of arms wrapping around me. It smelled like Jenna, then came Venn's scent as he knelt beside me. I looked up to Mom and Dad, who smiled back at me. A single tear streaked my face as the five spirits began to fade.
“I love you,” I whispered out loud.
The five of them whispered back in unison. “We love you, too.”
Then they were gone.
Jenna mistook my confession as directed at her. “I love you, too, Rugrat.”
I dashed the tears from my cheeks. “How did you get here so fast?”
“We all felt our magic return, and it gave us the edge we needed,” Jenna said. “We won the fight. But you were gone, so we came looking for you. We weren’t far when we saw your signal.”
Fiona knelt in front of me and drew me into a tight hug. “Did you get the Owl?”
My head snapped upward. “The Owl! We have to go back for—”
I was cut off by the sound of a helicopter coming in for a landing. I thought at first it belonged to the hospital, but then I noticed five other choppers hovering next to the building with guns trained on us.
Then came the sound of a voice over their speaker. “This is the DMR. Get down on the ground, and put your hands where we can see them.”
27
We were all covered in blood and bruises. None of us had any fight left in us. And so, we did as we were told.
Fear whipped through me. If the DMR arrested us, I may never see my family again. I had one last chance to say what I wanted to.
“I'm sorry!” I called over the sound of the chopper.
“It's not your fault!” Venn shouted back.
“No, I mean, I'm sorry for how I treated you.” I glanced between him, Jenna, and Ronark. “I overreacted. I should've listened to you.”
“Relax,” Jenna told me. “It's ancient history.”
“Cavanaugh offered me a deal,” I told them.
“A deal?” Sondra asked.
“A pardon,” I clarified. “The Owl for full immunity on our crimes.”
“No!” Fiona cried. “You can't take it. The Owl has to be destroyed.”
“I know—” I started, but I cut off as the helicopter landed and a woman in a red pantsuit stepped out onto the helipad.
“Don't take it,” Venn insisted. “We'll serve our time. It's not worth stealing magic from everyone else.”
“If anyone makes it out of here,” I said quickly, “the Owl smashed through an apartment window on Fifth Avenue. Get it, and destroy it.”
The sound of the helicopter blades quieted as they slowed. The woman stopped directly in front of me, with three guys bigger than Ryland behind her. I looked up and realized I recognized her. She was the vice president of the Department of Magical Regulation, the woman I'd recognized in the photo in Cavanaugh's waiting room.
“Rachel Collins,” she said in a tone I couldn't read.
“I'm not taking the deal, so you might as well arrest us,” I snapped.
She blinked a few times, then said, “I think you misunderstand my purpose here. I haven't come to arrest you. I've come to help.”
My jaw dropped. “What?”
Vice Pres Lady glanced around the roof. “It seems, however, you didn't need our help after all.”
I gaped at her. “Who… who are you?”
She reached out her hand and helped me to my feet. Slowly, my friends also stood.
“Don't you know who I am?” she asked.
“You're the VP of the DMR,” I answered.
She held her head high. “President now. Mr. Robertson couldn't take the pressure of recent events and resigned. But that's not what I meant. We met two years ago, and I've been searching for the Ravenite ever since.”
She didn't sound angry. She sounded… relieved.
And then it hit me. I knew exactly where I recognized her from. Her hair was different, and her features softer, but it was definitely the same woman.
“I saved you from Ivan Valerik,” I realized.
She nodded. “I'm Maggie Grover.”
“Cavanaugh called you for backup?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said. “I'm aware of the deal he offered you, Rachel, but he didn't tell me about it until after he spoke to you. He was under no authority to make the offer in the first place.”
I crossed my arms. “Doesn't matter. I wasn't going to sign the contract anyway.”
Maggie smiled. “I think you'll like my offer more.”
“Oh?” I asked curiously.
“You are free to destroy The Wise Owl, and I will wipe out all evidence Cavanaugh gathered against you. You'll walk free.”
Venn took a step forward, like he was protecting me. “In exchange for what?”
“Nothing,” Maggie said. “You've already done your part. You saved us. How could I possibly ask for more?”
I was so overcome with emotions that I couldn't speak. Jenna squealed and wrapped her arms around me. Everyone else followed suit and rejoiced, but I could barely process their voices.
“One more thing, Rachel,” Maggie said. Everyone around me quieted. “The Department of Magical Regulation will be changing now that I'm President. I've been working for years to create better, fairer laws. Now, I actually have a chance to see those laws put into place. I'd like to offer you a job as a consultant.”
Jenna and Fiona squealed again.
“What?” I asked breathlessly. “Why me?”
“I read through the files Cavanaugh sent me. You have always used your magic to serve and protect. We need someone like that on our team, someone who is willing to do the right thing for everyone. Plus, you know the magical community better than anyone else in our department. You can give them a voice for once.”
“I-I…” I couldn’t think straight. This was all
too much. It was like a miracle.
No, not a miracle, I thought. Synchrony.
I’d said it before. We were alive for a reason. Synchrony wanted us to restore the balance. And here was my opportunity to do that.
But then there was my family. I couldn’t leave them and move to another city to take the job.
“I’ll have to think about it,” I finally said.
“Of course,” Maggie replied. “Take all the time you need.”
The thing was, I didn’t need more time to think it over. I knew I’d take the job.
After tonight, nothing would ever be the same.
Epilogue
Three Weeks Later
“Every day is beautiful when you’re sitting next to me.”
Venn strummed the last chords on his guitar, and my heart melted. We sat on the back porch at the lake house, looking over the sloping lawn and out toward the water. The sun was warm on my skin, and a pleasant breeze rustled through the trees around us.
I took a deep breath of fresh air. “Venn… that was so beautiful. You really wrote that?”
He nodded sheepishly. “For you.”
I couldn’t help the wide smile that spread across my face. I reached over and cupped his face in my hands, then brought my lips to his. He fell into the kiss, his lips melting gently into mine. My heart lifted in my chest. I’d never felt so relaxed in my life.
I drew away from him but kept my hands on his face. He ran his fingers up and down my arm, soaking in the beauty of the moment.
“It was beautiful,” I whispered. “I’m glad you’re enjoying the new guitar.”
We’d lost everything when the Soulless captured the family. I was glad to see him so happy when we’d gone into town earlier to pick up a new one.
Venn sat up straighter and adjusted the capo, then began strumming again. “I am enjoying it. So much.”
I looked out over the lawn. Teagan leaned back in the grass and rubbed her belly. Fiona sat beside her, trying to perform a simple cleansing spell on a pair of flip flops.
Further down the lawn, Jenna and Ronark were doing yoga beside the water. Ronark instructed Jenna to stand tall, stretching her hands high above her head in Mountain pose. But Jenna’s arms didn’t stop above her head. They kept moving until they were wrapped around Ronark’s neck. Jenna dragged him closer to her, and their lips connected.
“Venn!” I pointed, and he looked up from his guitar to see Ronark hugging her back and deepening the kiss.
“Finally,” he said with a chuckle.
I scoffed. “Come on. They shared a room at Genevieve’s. Don’t tell me they weren’t fooling around then.”
Venn shrugged. “Maybe they were. At least now they’ve made it public.”
Jenna screamed as Ronark hoisted her up and threw her into the water. Her legs flailed, and she landed with a loud splash. I could hear Ronark chuckling from all the way up at the house. Jenna sucked in a deep breath of air when her head surfaced, then started for shore. Ronark reached out to help her out of the lake, but she pulled him in instead. The two laughed as they rolled around in the water and splashed each other.
I laughed while I watched them. “This is great.”
“What is?” Venn asked curiously.
“This.” I gestured around me. “Being with all of you. It’s just so… wonderful.”
Venn smiled. He set his guitar aside, then took my hand in his. “You’re wonderful.”
He leaned over and pressed his lips to the side of my face. Warmth spread through my abdomen. I tilted my head his way and met his lips again. God, I’d never get sick of kissing this man.
“Where’s Sondra?” I asked when he pulled away again. “It’s too beautiful to be inside.”
“She’s probably working on house stuff,” Venn said.
For all intents and purposes, the lake house was hers now, but she and Richard hadn’t finished the official closing paperwork yet. Plus, she’d been having to deal with insurance claims on the old house, and I’d gotten the feeling that was a long and difficult process.
“I’m glad she’s getting it all,” I said.
“What do you mean?” He shot me a questioning look.
“Everything she dreamed of,” I clarified. “Fiona told me all she ever wanted was to buy a house outside the city and lead a quiet life. This seems like the perfect place to do it.”
After a beat, I spoke again. “What do you think she’ll do now?”
Venn opened his mouth to answer, but before he could, Sondra stepped through the back door.
“I think I finally figured that out,” she said.
I looked up at her curiously. “You sound excited.”
“I am.” She bounced on the balls of her feet and held her sketchbook in her hand. She took a seat beside us and gave us a wide smile. “Fiona and I talked about it last night. We’re going to run retreats!”
“What kind of retreats?” Venn asked.
“Magical retreats!” Sondra exclaimed. “A place where witches can come to learn the basics of magic. We have to get approval from the Department of Magical Regulation, but I think with Maggie calling the shots, we have a good chance of this working.”
“Yes!” I scooted to the edge of my chair, excited by her idea. “This is a great idea, Sondra. We could set this kind of thing up all over the place. No one would have to fear their magic if they’re taught how to use it.”
“We also thought of running classes for non-supernaturals,” she said. “They could get a chance to interact with magic and learn more about it.”
I sat back in my chair and chuckled. “Maybe you should be the one moving to D.C. to consult with the DMR.”
She laughed and looked out over the water. “Nah, I’m good here.”
She turned back to us. “What are you going to do in D.C., Venn?”
We exchanged a glance. We didn’t tell anyone, as we only got the offer this morning.
He sat up straighter and rubbed his hands together. “Well… Rae talked to Maggie, and while she was discussing some of her reservations about working with the DMR, she mentioned the move out to D.C. and how it might be hard for me to find a job. So…”
Sondra’s jaw dropped. “They offered you one?”
I nodded eagerly. “Yes! Along with a huge offer. They want Venn on their consultant committee as a shifter spokesperson. I’ll be speaking for witches.”
Sondra tossed her sketchbook aside and threw her arms around Venn. “Oh my God. That’s great! You two are going to have so much fun.”
“I think we will, too.” Venn gazed at me with soft eyes.
“Hey,” Sondra said quickly, changing the subject. “I have something I wanted to show you.”
Sondra led us inside and told me to close my eyes. I covered my eyes with my hands, and Venn helped guide me over to the stairs. We stopped at the base of them.
“Okay. Open your eyes,” Sondra instructed.
When I did, I saw my own face staring back at me. Sondra had completed the drawing she’d been working on and had framed it at the bottom of the stairs. My jaw dropped. I was speechless. It looked exactly like me, as if someone had snapped a black-and-white photograph of my face and printed it out. I couldn’t believe her level of talent.
“Sondra…” I couldn’t find the words.
“I’m starting up the wall again,” she said proudly. “And I wanted your portrait to be the first.”
Tears rose to my eyes, and I welcomed them. I turned to her and drew her into a hug. “Thank you. It’s beautiful.”
“Guys!” Fiona’s excited voice came from the back door.
We turned to see her rushing into the house, waving her flip flops. She hurried over and shoved them into Sondra’s hands.
“I did it!” she exclaimed. “I performed the cleansing spell.”
Sondra looked over the flip flops. They looked brand new, not a spec of dirt on them. Her eyebrows shot up. “Wow. Fiona, this is great.”
“I know
! This means I’m officially a low witch, right?” She bounced on her toes.
“Yes,” Sondra said, sounding impressed. “You performed magic, Fiona. You’re officially a witch.”
“Booya!” Fiona did a little dance in front of us, then turned to Teagan as she stepped inside.
Teagan smiled, looking amused at Fiona’s dance.
“Told you!” Fiona hurried over to Teagan, then bent to her belly. “Hear that, little niece or nephew? I’m a witch!”
Teagan chuckled, then checked her watch. “Relax, Auntie Fiona. It looks like it’s time to go.”
“Oh, crap,” Sondra said, checking the time. “You’re right. Everyone in the van.”
Sondra’s brand-new minivan sat in the driveway, and we all piled in—after she performed a quick drying spell for Jenna and Ronark.
The drive only took about a half hour, but Clarita and Zoey were already there when we arrived at the Nocton Cemetery. We met them beside a fresh grave.
I bent down and placed my flowers below the headstone. We’d already said our goodbyes at the funeral, but it didn’t feel any easier facing his grave again.
“We miss you already, Ryland,” I said, already feeling myself choke up.
Venn placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “We’ll never stop missing you, bro. We’ll always love you, in this life and the next.”
Fiona knelt down next. She placed a kiss to the tips of her fingers, then pressed it against his name on the marble stone. “I’ll never forget what you did for me, Ryland. But the crazy thing is, I know you’ll be back. You told me when Mom and Dad died that I’d never have to live without you, and even though you’re gone in this form, I know you won’t be gone long. I love you, big brother.”
Sondra knelt beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “Fiona’s right, cousin. I can already feel you with us.”
Teagan knelt beside the two of them. Silent tears streamed down her face. She placed a large wreath beside his grave. “You were always there when I needed you, and I know you won’t let me down now. I finally decided on names for our baby.”
Teagan glanced down and ran her hand over her belly. Everyone was completely silent as she spoke to Ryland like he was here with us. “Ryland, if it’s a boy, and Genevieve, if it’s a girl.”
