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“I really only know what I’ve read in the family grimoires and what’s been told to me through the years about your immediate family, Jonas,” Sandra continues. “But I do have something for you.”
She fishes around in her handbag, which is big enough to swim in, then pulls out a spell jar, a rose quartz sphere, and a bottle of sage, all before finding what she’s looking for.
“Ah, here it is.” Sandra sets her bag back on the floor and passes Jonas a flat brown box that has clearly seen better days.
He opens it, and then his eyes fly back to Sandra’s.
“What is it?” I ask, trying to see over the flap of the box.
“Letters,” he says quietly. He has to swallow to continue speaking. “From my mother to my sister.”
“There are about twenty of them there,” Sandra confirms. “And I believe they were sent while your sister was in hiding in Boston during the hysteria. I don’t have the letters that Katrina sent back to her, but—”
“This is absolutely incredible,” Jonas says. “I can never repay you for this.”
“They belong to you,” Shelly replies simply. “And I suspect it’ll be nice to hear—or at least read—your mother’s voice for the first time in so long.”
“You have no idea.” Jonas looks up at both women. “Katrina and my mother would like you both very much.”
“And I know that we would like them,” Sandra says.
Breena sniffles, and her mother passes her a tissue. “This is just the sweetest thing.”
“Oh, sweet Breena,” Shelly says with a smile. “Since we couldn’t make it up for the wedding a few months ago, I brought wedding gifts with me.”
“Gifts?” Giles asks. “As in, more than one?”
“Of course,” Shelly replies. “You’re our babies. We’ve known you your whole lives, and we share the family of the coven. Did you think we wouldn’t spoil you senseless?”
“I’ve missed you both so much,” Breena says, tears still falling. “You coming here is the only gift I need.”
“I think we’ll be moving back,” Sandra declares, and Shelly stares at her mother in shock.
“But Florida is better for your arthritis,” Shelly says.
“But Salem is better for my soul, and that’s what matters. Besides, this young man needs a grandmother.”
“Hi,” Xander says, waving at his grandma. “I’m still here, you know.”
“Don’t start getting jealous now,” Sandra says with a laugh. “There’s plenty of me to go around. Now we have to go house hunting.”
“There’s room here,” Hilda offers. “At least while you’re getting settled and looking for a more permanent place. You know we’d love to have you with us.”
“Yes,” Sandra says with a delighted grin. “It’s much better for my soul.”
Chapter Fourteen
He’s so strong. So powerful. Yes, killing that ridiculous woman and pulling her energy was the right decision. In doing so, he gained almost all the energy he needs to incarnate and kill every witch in Salem if he wants to.
And yes, he wants to.
They all deserve to die.
Perhaps there’s no need to wait until Samhain to get the job done. He heard them talking about the coven meeting, and what better time to destroy them all than the present? They’ll be together.
It’s as if the universe has choreographed the perfect opportunity for him. And if that’s the case, if the gods themselves are gifting him this moment, it would be disrespectful not to take advantage of their offer.
Excitement fills him, fueling the adrenaline he’s been running on since he sucked the soul out of the woman they called Marydell.
Today is the day.
Chapter Fifteen
Xander
“This apple cider is absolutely divine,” Mom says before taking another delicate sip. “Percy, you always made the best cider in Salem.”
“I’m glad you think so, Shelly.” The older man looks pleased as others in the group agree that his cider is, indeed, the best around. “I brought extra bottles in case anyone would like to take some home.”
I love my coven. They’re as much my family as my mother and grandmother, and I’ve been their leader since Grandma moved to Florida. I didn’t think I would be chosen to lead, but it was unanimous among the witches that they wanted me to be the one to guide them. I was so honored, I readily agreed.
There have been moments when I’ve wondered if I made the right choice.
Particularly in the past year.
But I know, without a doubt, that if I asked any of them, they’d say they made the right decision, which fills me with pride.
I love them, and they love me. Without question.
“Before we go,” Giles’s mom says, turning to Breena, “what is the progress report on the tapestry? I don’t mean to put any pressure on you, of course. I’m just curious.”
“You guys.” Breena sighs and suddenly looks defeated and so forlorn. “I forgot to tell you. It was going great, coming along at a wonderful pace, but then the loom broke, and I haven’t been able to fix it. Of course, I immediately ordered a new one, but it won’t be here for another week or so. I’ll still be able to finish by Samhain, I promise that won’t change, but it’s put me behind.”
