Page 129 of The Whispering Night
“Thanks for doing this, E.”
“Like I said, Winona”—Erica grins in a way that’s almost a grimace—“I owe you. And Ireallyowe your dad. Now let’s just hope this spell actually works.” She slides a white postcard from her jacket. It’s exactly like the birthday cards—exceptnota birthday card.
Rather, this is Dad’s final clue.
It was hiding in plain sight all these years. He even said as much in the very first card Winnie found:
Happy 1–3-Th birthday, Winnie! I wish I was there to see you. It was only last year that things were normal and right, framed like that picture of us in the living room. Stay safe.
Love, Dad
There was more there than just a coded message that read,I Was Framed.It was an arrow pointing to the old family photo, moved into Mom’s new office on the Wednesday estate. When Winnie opened the back, she found the postcard. And on the card is a spell for transmutation into an animal.
It would seem Dad knew he might have to change into his crow form; he also seemed to know he might be in no position to ever change back out of it. Because without a source, without access to magic…
Well, he has been like this for four years.
Winnie gives Erica’s shoulder a squeeze. “Thanks,” she murmurs. “And good luck.” Then she turns away to join Mom, Darian, and Jay outside. The nodding wakerobins watch her stalk by.Tsk, tsk, tsk. You sure you should be doing this?
“Shut up,” Winnie tells them.
“Huh?” Jay blinks at her. He leans against the shed, his pose not so different from one he made against her locker a month ago. He looks just as haggard, just as pale. Because no matter what happened two days ago in the sleeping spirit, he remains a nightmare. He remains only half human.
Son of forest, son of pain.
Winnie hasn’t told him about Mario’s theory yet. She will eventually, but now isn’t the right time. Jay has more than enough to process. They both do, in fact, which is why she moves to him and glides her hands over his flannel-covered waist. He is warm. He is solid. He is safe.
Winnie kisses his neck, on a secret spot beneath his ear, then she withdraws.
Jay sighs, but he releases her so she can go to her mom—who puts her arm over Winnie’s shoulder while Darian slots into place on Mom’s other side. Together, the three Wednesdays stare at the lone window above the shed door. Winnie thinks she sees light flickering within. Shedefinitelyfeels magic plucking at her arm—and the smell like burning plastic now overpowers the smell of delicious cholesterol.
Jay soon joins the trio, taking Winnie’s hand in his. And they all stand there like that, three bears and a sparrow, waiting for a bell to finish bringing a Diana home.
A yelp cracks out from the cabin. Then a thud like an anvil falling in a cartoon. Then a screechy, “OH MY GOD IT WORKED, BUT WINNIE HE HAS NO CLOTHES ON. OH MY GOD. YOUR DAD HAS NOCLOTHES. I DIDN’T SEE ANYTHING. I’VE COVERED MY EYES. BUT PLEASE HELP ME!”
Mom leaps forward, Darian beside her. And Winnie, her heart bursting into her skull and punching light beams out of her ears, can’t do anything but laugh and laugh and laugh. Clap and clap and clap. And wait for Darian to bellow a choked-up, “He’s dressed now! And holy shit, Win, it’s really Dad!”
Then Winnie, with Jay just behind, darts for the shed door. Finally,finallyAgent Wednesday solved the case. Finally,finally,she has finished what Dad started four years ago.
Well done,the nodding wakerobins say as she charges past.Now please tell your father we need more fertilizer. The Thursdays haven’t been taking good care of us at all.
CHAPTER
50
What Winnie soon learns is that on the night her dad disappeared, events unfolded as follows:
When Mom found Dad in the middle of the living room with a glowing light in one hand and a piece of paper in the other, Daddid notin fact try to run. And Momdid notin fact give chase—because her ankle was busted.
Instead Dad said, “I am so sorry, Fran. I’m only trying to save the town.”
“What do you mean?”
“Dianas,” he answered. “Alegatum.But if it all goes to plan, I’ll be back soon to explain. If it doesn’t…” He shook his head. Then magic slashed out. Averba circumvolensspell mixed with a mild attack spell—to keep Mom from explaining what she saw.
To protect her, in the end, in case a Crow like Martedì ever came calling.
When Mom awoke, shediddrag herself to the Tuesday estate—hoping she could get help for her husband. Hoping she could alert Jeremiah to alegatumin Hemlock Falls.But she couldn’t explain herself, and by then it was all too late. Dad’s plan failed; Jenna died; Dad got Grayson away…
