Page 72 of An Oath at Midnight

She slid my plate her way. “I’ll be right here when you’re ready.”

* * *

I double-checked the spell book, making sure I’d added everything. Satisfied, I started filling the glass vials with the potion.

What I was about to do, it’d be even more difficult than my trip into Oldwood and my visit with the mother, so I’d taken what Agatheena said to heart. The only way to succeed was by embracing who I was, by walking the path between dark and light, and thanks to the ingredients I’d gotten from the demon store, I was more than ready to do it.

“What are you making there, pumpkin?” Else said from the door, startling me.

I slammed the spell book closed and dragged a rag over the vials.

Else limped closer and sat on the wooden rocking chair she used by the fire when she needed to take a load off. “You know there’s nothing you can’t tell me, don’t you, Mags?”

Guilt filled me. “I know.”

She nodded. “There’s nothing that you could do or say that would change how much I love you, how much we all love you.”

I nodded.

She nodded as well. “Iris let slip the mother called you, and about your trial. I wish you’d trusted me enough to tell me yourself. I know I can’t help you, but anything you need, anything at all, in here or in the library, anything, you help yourself, okay?”

“I do trust you. I should’ve told you. I’m sorry.” I let out a shaky breath. “Does Mom know?” I was closer to Else than almost anyone, and she was right, I should have been the one to tell her.

“Nope.”

Mom was a different story. Else would know the right things to say, the best way to break it to her. Mom worried about me so much, and she’d already had to watch my sisters go through this, feeling terrified and helpless. I wasn’t sure how she’d handle it this time. “I know I should do it myself, but would you tell her for me? I can’t bear to see the worry in her eyes.”

“I’ll tell Daisy.” She studied me for several seconds. “I don’t know what you’re about to do, or what you’ve got under that rag, pumpkin, but whatever it is, whatever you have to do during this trial—it’s the right thing. Trust your gut, what’s in your heart, and it will lead you right, understand?”

I nodded.

Then she stood, but before she left, she turned back. “I’d feel a lot better if you had Bram with you, though.” Her lips quivered. “You’re the toughest witch I know, Magnolia Thornheart, strong and unstoppable, like your grandmother. Goddess, so much like her. I don’t know how the hell you got to the mother and back on your own that night, sheer stubbornness no doubt.” She smiled shakily, then sniffed. “But we need our familiars at times like these, and if you’re lucky enough to still have one, you hold them close. Promise me no more going it alone, that you’ll take Bram with you.”

“I will,” I said and gave her a shaky smile of my own. “As a matter of fact, I’m on my way to get him right now.”

* * *

An hour later, Ash and I were deep in Oldwood Forest. It was a different part than where I’d met the mother, and Ash had driven me in as far as she could go. I took in the dense forest that lay ahead. I had to go it alone from here if I was going to do this right, and I was determined to do just that.

“You sure about this?” Ash asked.

I grabbed my pack and checked my knife. “Yes. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” I looked at her across the cab of her truck. “I need to do this.”

She nodded, her gaze growing intense. “I respect that, and I won’t get in your way, but you need to keep your head on straight. Focus at all times, control your emotions, don’t let your anger take hold.”

I thought she’d stop me. I thought she’d go to Draven and rat me out. She hadn’t. “I’m focused. I’m in control.” For the first time in a very long time, I wasn’t confused. I had a better handle on my anger now than I had for a long time. I knew exactly what I wanted. The other stuff was there—the fear, the memories, the pain—but I wasn’t going to let them stop me, not this time.

We got out of the truck, and I pulled on my pack and strapped my knife to my thigh.

“You want me to keep an eye on the prom committee while you’re gone?” Ash asked.

I shouldn’t be going. It was reckless, time I didn’t have to spare, but I couldn’t not. Without Bram, I would fail this task—because I was only half alive, half a soul, without him. “Thanks, but I’ll be quick. There and back in a flash.”

She nodded and leaned into the truck, taking something from under the seat, and tossed it to me.

I grabbed it. “What’s this?” I unrolled the canvas. A dozen small throwing knives shone up at me from their harness.

“Strap them to your chest,” she said.