Page 104 of The Filigree Key

The magic glow that came to my hands wasn’t green this time. It was that glittering opalescent light of the oak tree, pearly white with flecks of every color in between. Gold sparks, too, a remnant of my heritage.

Hugging the bear, I poured my love and protection into him. The rapier quivered slightly as the flesh firmed around its tip, but it did not dig in any deeper. The bear grunted and slumped lower onto his paws, much of the tension in his body draining away. With a low rumble of thanks, the bear’s eyelids drooped as he finally found the peace to sleep.

The glow flickered out from my hands as I pulled them back. Then I thought better of it and checked on the snail. Apparently being in contact with the bear when I’d imbued him with my magic had affected the snail too. The garden snail’s shell, formerly the size of my thumbnail, was now the size of walnut. Auggie munched and slobbered all over the heretic’s fork with its caustic saliva, and I hoped it would be enough.

Turning, I found every eye trained on me.

“You’re not the green witch who came into my shop all those months ago,” Emmett said, awed.

“Nor the hearth witch that got me hooked on those apple butter cinnamon rolls,” Cody agreed.

I gave the old raccoon and beaver a warm smile. “I couldn’t have made it this far without you. Any of you. But there is further to go. Is that magic hunter still unconscious?”

Flora whacked Alec on the back of the head with the skillet. “Yep.”

“Magic hunter?” Emmett stumbled back a step as another memory broke through the fog of the Caer powder. The term seemed to spark something in Cody as well, and the two old animals clung to each other. “Why do I know that term?”

“All is not as it seems,” Shari told them.

“You don’t say,” Emmett snipped, clearly frazzled.

“But you get used to it.”

“Jehosaphat! What is going on here?” Cody demanded.

Leaving the bear, I joined my friends and crouched down to their level. Then, in a whisper: “I go to Elfame alone tonight.”

Sawyer immediately attacked my ankle with his claws, giving me a vicious two-pinch no.

“Gah! Of course you’re coming.” With a flick of my foot, I dislodged the cat. “Now listen. Ossian does not get to abuse this realm and terrorize our home and just leave without paying a price. He will attack Redbud in retaliation—it is his nature. Protect the bear. Protect the summoning mirror. I have a plan to trap him, but in case that fails, you all must help Redbud defend itself while I’m gone. I will return with the Samildánach and free Marten, and then I will deal with him personally.”

“I’m not sure I follow all that,” Cody said, “but that last part . . .. Well, it’s about time!”

Emmett nodded, spectacles flashing. “Agreed.”

My smile was fleeting but full of gratitude—I was glad to have them on my side even if they were still under the effects of the Caer powder. For now, it would be safer for them to keep their memories foggy so they could have plausible deniability.

“Sawyer.” My brave cat was the first to receive his assignment. “Go back to our old rooms. I’ve hidden a few things in our secret place. Bring them to me.”

The cat made to leave, then lifted a paw. Will I be needing thumbs?

Good point. It would be tough to carry all those crystals and vials back in his mouth.

Shari spun a slow circle at my request, and I examined all the crafting supplies impaled upon her quills. Swatches of fabric nestled between a ball of yarn and some spools of thread. I teased one loose and gave it to the tabby tomcat to use as a kind of knot-up tote.

Sawyer gave Ame a brief nuzzle and loped away.

“Flora,” I said, “tonight you’ll take the servant passageways to the access port Sawyer made above the dungeon. There’s an entrance to the passageways in the hallway just left of the side door in the wall—the stone is smoother to the touch. Just press it and it’ll open. Help Lewellyn free everyone and get yourself clear. And don’t forget my grandmother—she’s confined in the cell right of the silversmithy. The door isn’t locked, but it will lock behind you, trapping you both inside.”

“So don’t get trapped inside. And chew on some magic hunters’ legs on my way out. Got it.” Flora grinned with each and every one of her sharp teeth.

“Daphne, you will take Shari, Cody, Emmett, the hobs, and Mrs. Bilberry to the farmhouse.”

“What about Charlie?” Shari interrupted. “He’ll be bringing beer to the castle for the wedding feast.”

“Charlie too, and Cohen if he’s helping.”

“Dear, I’m only one horse,” Daphne said. “And I’m no filly. I can’t make that many trips.”