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Gideon’s eyes narrowed, but he vanished without another word through the door.

They had not been forbidden or given permission, which put the guards at a further loss. “We can’t give you long,” said one.

“Or privacy,” said the other.

The man Saga had taken for the court reporter shifted awkwardly. “I’m afraid I can’t cease the recording until the accused has been removed.”

“That’s all right,” Audrey said. “I’m grateful for whatever I’m granted.”

“Oh my dear girl.” Saoirse hugged Audrey tightly.

“Please don’t cry, Mum,” Audrey whispered. “It will be okay, I promise.”

The adolescent Leigh tried to wipe away her own tears, but all she could manage was repeating a frustrated, “This isn’t fair. This isn’t fair.”

“I left him little choice,” said Audrey.

“To take all of that away?” Leigh spat. “Who will you even be?”

Audrey pulled her into a hug. “Still your sister, I hope.”

Leigh lightly hit Audrey’s shoulder with a clenched fist. “Always.”

“And our daughter,” promised William. Saga missed the way his voice made everything sound like it would be all right.

Audrey dropped to her knees, face-to-face with six-year-old Saga. “But I don’t know if I’ll be someone worthy of being your mother.”

Saga watched her younger self put both hands on either side of her mother’s face. “Don’t be sad.”

“We’ll take her,” said Saoirse firmly. “No matter what happens or who you are on the other side, we’ll make sure she knows who you were—who you really are.”

“No,” Audrey said quickly, and the severity of her expression finally matched that of the woman she’d grown up knowing. “Please, you have to swear to me, all three of you, you can’t tell her about this. At least not until she’s ready. I’d rather she think I was coldhearted than fear this world or resent it for taking me from her. This was my doing and mine alone.”

William frowned. “Audrey—”

“Swear it,” Audrey hissed. “Swear when you get home you’ll ensure it’s never spoken of until she hears it from me.” She turned to the recorder. “You. Is this public? Will this be accessible in the archive?”

The recorder looked startled by the direct acknowledgment. “Um, yes?”

“Good.” Audrey took a deep breath as she formulated in her mind how precious her time left was. “When she’s ready, show her this.”

“If that’s what you want, when we return home, we’ll make a pact, the three of us,” promised William. “You have my word.”

“Thanks, Dad.” Audrey smiled tightly. She took little Saga’s hand, and present Saga walked beside them as they took a few steps away. Audrey kneeled, and so did Saga, to be on eye level with her child-self. Her mother’s smile wavered, both grateful for the opportunity and heartbroken to need it. “I am so sorry. I just wanted to give you everything. You deserve everything. I wish we’d had more time. All of us.”

“It’s okay,” Saga found herself whispering to the woman who could not hear her.

“I don’t know what our future holds. I don’t even know who I will be to you.” Audrey’s breathing staggered, the fear of that unknown creeping in. “But I can tell you this: You are Saga Trygg,” she whispered firmly. “You are the daughter of a hero and Brigid’s fallen favorite.” She gently brushed young Saga’s hair from her eyes. “You are a gift. You were blessed by her grace with eyes that would never be clouded or fooled. You will be strong, because you are forged in her fire. You will bring healing and joy wherever you go, like your father did. And when you love, it will be with all of you, my darling girl.” Audrey kissed young Saga’s forehead.

Saga pressed her fingertips to the same place on her own brow. Was she remembering that moment or just desperately wishing she could?

“You are the triumph of so much love. Never forget that. When you’re ready, Grandma will make sure you’ll find what you need. And when you see this… No matter who I am then, no matter who I have become, know that I will always love you.” Her eyes shifted from one side to the other, almost meeting Saga’s gaze exactly. “I will always love you.” She repeated the words, firmer, willing them to transcend through the recording to their intended modern-day recipient.

“Love you…” Saga could feel the tears streaming down her own cheeks as she watched her mother lead her younger self back to her grandparents. “Oh gods…” Her hands raised to wipe her eyes, and Avery’s arms came around her, holding her tightly.

They were back in her apartment as if nothing had ever happened, and yet nothing would ever be the same again.

40Very powerful magic is surprisingly without theatrics. Among the magical community, it is widely agreed that the show and smoke of most spells are the equivalent of getting a running start before a large jump, or a master of ceremonies vamping because the main act isn’t quite ready yet.