Page 118 of Last Witch Attempt
“He won’t.” I had to make her see. “We’ll bind his powers.” I gestured to Scout. “The two of us will arrange things so he’ll never recover them. He will have no influence in prison because his assets will be seized to pay the victims’ families. His life will be terrible.”
“Not as terrible as if he died,” she persisted.
“It will be over if you kill him.” I knew, deep down, that if she insisted on killing him, I would allow her to. “If we strip his powers and take his money, it will be a long, slow, painful death. He’ll suffer more.”
The naiad cocked her head. “What about me?”
“I already told you,” Scout answered. “I’m opening that door for you. Both of you.” She glanced at Millie. “You can start new lives. Whatever is on the other side of that door, I guarantee you it’s good.”
“You can leave this world behind,” I said. “You won’t live in Aunt Tillie’s shadow,” I said to Millie. “And you’ll be able to mourn your sister and hopefully find the rest of your family. This is the best way. For all of us.”
“It’s the only way,” Scout insisted. “We need to be able to sew this up on our end too. I know it’s not what you want, but it’s what needs to happen.”
The naiad was quiet for so long I thought she was going to stand like a statue until we agreed to her terms. Instead, she nodded. “I will trust in your process.”
I exhaled heavily. “Thank you.”
She glared at Greg. “It’s what needs to happen for all of us to have the best outcome.”
I bobbed my head. “I wholeheartedly agree.”
“Come on.” Scout clapped Millie on the shoulder. “We need to get you out of here. Landon will start melting down soon, and we don’t want you here when the cavalry shows up.”
“I’m ready.” The naiad glanced at Millie. “You’ll be welcomed by my people. There’s no need to be afraid.”
“I’m not,” Millie replied. “Anything is better than the alternative.” Her eyes moved to me. “I have a message for Tillie. Tell her that life doesn’t have to be as hard as she makes it. She’s old enough to retire. That’s what she should do.”
Under different circumstances, I would’ve laughed. “I’ll tell her.”
“She won’t retire, will she?”
“No. She’s only middle aged.”
Millie let loose a disgusted sigh. “How can we come from the same place and be so different?”
“I think it’s the dichotomy of life,” I replied. “There are many paths you can follow. One single choice changes the path.”
Millie started toward the water. “Let’s get this over with. I’m ready to go home.”
I watched her back as Scout opened the door. She didn’t look over her shoulder as she left.
Once it was our group—and the warlock who would bear the brunt of what was to come—all eyes turned to Greg.
“Now, little piggy,” Scout said as she hunkered down again. “What are we to do with you?”
29
TWENTY-NINE
Scout was smart enough not to leave marks when she tortured Greg. He was green with nausea and sweating like a pig in a sauna when it came time to cast the memory spell.
“Landon is only a few minutes away,” Gunner said as Scout and I sat cross-legged on the ground in front of Greg. “I tried to get him to give us a few more minutes, but if he doesn’t see Bay with his own eyes, he’s going to have a fit.”
“It’s nice to be loved, huh?” Scout teased.
I nodded. It was indeed nice. “Does he have Steve and Spencer with him?” I asked.
Gunner lifted one shoulder. “There was no keeping them out of it.”
