Page 111 of Last Witch Attempt
“It’s the right thing to do.”
“And in return?”
I held my hands palms out. “I don’t want anything. Well, other than you staying out of Aunt Tillie’s way so we don’t have another fight before your big goodbye.”
“I can just start over in another world?”
“It’s no different than what you’re facing here. It will actually be easier. Aunt Tillie will always be an obstacle here.”
Millie swished her lips back and forth. “How can I trust you?”
“Deep down, you know you can. Otherwise, you would’ve run the second I sat down.”
Millie let loose a tortured sigh. “I wish I’d known this sooner.”
“Would it have changed anything?”
“Just one thing.” Millie looked genuinely apologetic. “It’s too late. I’m … I’m really sorry.”
Confusion knit my eyebrows. “For what?”
“For bringing me in,” a male voice replied behind me.
Confused, I swiveled, but not fast enough. A hand grabbed my hair, and another shoved a cloth in my face. The scent of chloroform overwhelmed me. I only had time to register two things: Millie had paired with the warlock, likely believing he would be her best chance at freedom, and I wasn’t coherent enough to call ghosts to help me.
27
TWENTY-SEVEN
Iwas on the ground near Torch Lake when I opened my eyes.
I found my hands bound behind me, and everything hurt. I had to contort to roll to a sitting position.
“Look who’s awake,” Millie trilled as she appeared in front of me. Despite her determination to put on a front—she was part of Aunt Tillie, after all—she looked apologetic. “You okay?” she asked. Her tone was remote but there was concern in her eyes. “You were out longer than I expected.”
Rather than answer her, I turned my attention back to the water.The sun rises in the east and sets in the west,I said to myself. It was common knowledge, but I was trying to clear my mind of the aftereffects of the chloroform. When I got my bearings, I realized it was much later in the afternoon. We were about two hours from the sun setting.
“How long have you had me out here?” I asked dully.
Millie shrugged. “A few hours.”
“How did you get me off the bluff?” What I really wanted to know is how they managed to get me off the bluff without anyone coming looking for me.
I’d sent Evan away. They’d managed to transport me in the time he was getting Scout. I’d sent Spencer back to the inn too. Nobody was expecting me because I told him that I had something I needed to get through first. By the time they realized I was missing, I was long gone.
“I’m sure they’re fine,” Millie offered, drawing my attention back to her. “We didn’t go after them. You’re our best bargaining chip.” Millie darted a look to the trees to my left, then focused on me. “If you do what he says, he won’t hurt you.”
My eyes narrowed. “It’s funny,” I said. “You’re part of Aunt Tillie, but you’re not the same.”
That earned a smile. “Thank you.”
“It wasn’t a compliment.”
Her expression fell, anger swooping in. “Excuse me?”
“Aunt Tillie never would’ve done what you did.” I tested the ropes holding my hands. I was tied tight, but the magic they’d used to ward them wasn’t very strong.
I decided to play things slow. No doubt the others were looking for me by now. Landon was probably melting down. Heck, my whole family was probably melting down, with Clove and Thistle leading the charge. Scout would find me, though. She would use Evan and Gunner. They might already be in the woods deciding how to approach. All they needed was for me to buy them time to figure things out.
