Page 86 of Hex You

“Just hang on a sec. I’m going to try to pull energy from the ley lines or I’ll be totally useless.” Mercy pressed her hands and knees into the grassy earth. She closed her eyes and sent a silent prayer to her goddess.Freya, I know my time is almost up—and I know you’re listening to me. Grant one last request from your faithful Green Witch. Let me draw enough power to help Hunter. Please, I beg it of you!Eyes still closed, Mercy shifted her concentration from Freya to the ley lines. Shecould feel them, thick and powerful, beneath her. They hummed with energy. Mercy tapped into them and completely opened herself as she beseeched,“By right of blood I ask you to fill me, Green Witch Mercy Goode, daughter of Kitchen Witch Abigail Goode, sister of Cosmic Witch Hunter Goode. By right of my ancestry I ask you to fill me. By right of a dying wish granted to one who follows The Path—fill me, strengthen me so that I may help my sister claim victory over She who would destroy those beloved to us witches three! So I have spoken. So mote it be.”

Mercy gasped as warmth rushed into her besieged body. There was pain, too. Terrible pain. But it was worth it. She gritted her teeth against the agony. Khenti’s hand rested on her shoulder.

“I am here. You can do this,” he said.

“As am I, my kitten.” Xena was there, beside her in the grass.

“We’re all here, Mag,” said Emily.

“You’ve got this,” said Jax.

Mercy drew a deep breath. She could feel her body and the energy of the earth. It hummed through her like she was a conduit for an electric current. She stood without dizziness and tossed back her hair. “That’s better.”

“Just in time, kitten.” Xena pointed across the park at the Bible group that had picked up their signs and marched angrily toward Hunter, who had just reached the palms. Above them, Amphitrite floated. Her transparent tentacles reached down to stroke Jana Ashley, who led the group with Kirk beside her.

“Witch! Your reckoning has come!” Mrs. Ashley shouted.

THIRTY-FIVE

“Let’s go!” Mercy strode into the park, followed by three of the four beings who meant the most to her in this world. As she hurried after the mob closing in on Hunter, she remained connected to the earth and the fat, pulsing lines of power that were—temporarily—lending her strength.

“Shall I summon my khopesh?” Khenti asked from Mercy’s side.

“Definitely,” Mercy said. “I don’t want you to have to use it on the townspeople, though.”

“I shall brandish it and intimidate them,” said Khenti.

“I’ll try to talk my mom out of whatever she’s up to,” said Jax.

Mercy didn’t spare him a glance. Her focus remained on the ley lines and the power that sustained her. “Jax, she’s under the influence of Amphitrite. Don’t be shocked if she won’t listen to you.”

“Or even turns against you, sweet Jax kitten.” Xena jogged to keep up with them.

“You guys, this is reminding me way too much of thekill the beastscene fromBeauty and the Beast.” Emily panted as she hurried with them.

“We need to cut that group off before they get to Hunter,” said Mercy. “Khenti! I can’t get there in time, but you can. Run! Stand in front of them and summon your khopesh. Don’t let them get past you!”

“Gladly,” said Khenti before he raced forward.

“I’ll go with him!” Jax rushed after the demi-god.

Xena wrapped her arm through Mercy’s. “Are you well, my kitten?”

“Freya is letting me borrow energy from the ley lines. It won’t last.”

“I can help, too!” Emily went to Mercy’s other side and took her arm. “I’m not a real witch, but I understand intent and focus. And right now I’m totally focused on the intent of stopping this mob.”

Mercy nodded. “You help. Both of you help.” Her gaze went to her sister. She could just make her out in the deep shadows of the tree. She was on her knees by the trunk of the centermost palm.Good, she’s digging up the poppet. I just need to buy her time.She looked from Hunter to the hovering goddess and her stomach tightened. Amphitrite had outdistanced her mob and was heading toward Hunter.

No, bloody fucking hell no! You are not getting my sister.

“Halt!” Khenti’s voice, filled with the power of a demi-god, was a clarion call across the park. The mob staggered to a stop.

“Hurry! Help me get to the front of that mob! We need to pull that sea bitch’s attention away from Hunter!” said Mercy.

“We’ve got you.” Emily nodded at Xena, then they held Mercy so tightly that her feet barely touched the ground as they raced around the mob.

At the head of the crowd, Khenti faced Jana and Kirk, his scythe-shaped weapon held up and ready. Jana’s eyes fixed on her son. Kirk’s did not leave the khopesh until Mercy rushed to join them, then his expression changed from wide-eyed surprise to a disdainful sneer.