Page 83 of With This Witch
Her answer is like a wound starting to heal. He’s never wished for anyone to die, but hearing that that monster is no longer terrorizing the underworld eases a small part of him. “I’m sorry you’ve lost someone you cared about,” he says diplomatically.
“Thank you. Anyway, I won’t keep you, but let me know when and where you need me, and I will follow through on my offer. You know how to reach me,” she responds, turning and disappearing before he can thank her.
He pulls out his phone and sends a text to his love.
Lachlan
We have Grog.
Sliding his phone back into his armband, he takes one last look at the lake before running home.
CHAPTERFORTY-ONE
Petra
Petra stares, gobsmacked, at her phone. The message from Lachlan only sparks questions and curiosity. How? What does he mean?
“Earth to Petra,” Daisy calls, waving her hand in front of Petra’s motionless face. She snaps her fingers next to Petra’s ears, finally breaking her out of her thoughts.
“Sorry, sorry. I’m here.”
“Questionable. What was all that about?”
“Lachlan found a way to out Grog. Somehow. Somewhere. I’m not sure. All he said was this,” she says, showing Daisy the message he sent.
“That’s huge!”
Surprise floods through her, sending shockwaves of excitement from her head to her toes. This is real. They can put an end to Grog’s terror. The realization makes her giddy, restless tension filling her body.
“I feel like I need to celebrate, but I’m not sure what exactly to celebrate or how,” Petra laughs.
“Do we need a reason? Let’s celebrate you!” Daisy responds, leaping up from the floor to make drinks. She returns a moment later with two mixed drinks. Petra doesn’t bother to ask what’s in them, trusting Daisy’s expertise. “To you!”
“To me!” Petra responds before taking a sip and coughing. “Smooth,” she rasps.
“Sorry. May have been a bit too excited and made it a heavy pour.”
Clearing her throat, Petra smiles. “S’all good.” She takes another sip, this one more tentative, letting the mixture of whiskey and bitters linger on her tongue before swallowing. “Delicious.”
“So what’s the plan?”
“I’m not decided on all the minute details, but I think the plan is to out Grog at a council meeting. We hope to present our information to the council and push for an emergency vote on his position.”
“Do you think it will work?”
Petra shrugs, taking another sip, the burn of the alcohol more welcome now that she knows what to expect. They continue to discuss what becoming Premier Witch means, what she hopes to accomplish in the role, and what changes she would like to implement in the council.
As they continue talking, a slow realization dawns on Petra. Wanting these changes and thinking about all the things she can do with the position of Premier Witch is wonderful. However, she recognizes she will have to do it all without Gammy guiding her. She won’t be here to see what she can do, how she can improve their world, or how she will continue to grow into her powers and abilities. A wave of grief takes over her, tears forcing their way through her shell.
“Wait. What’s happening? What’s wrong?” Daisy asks, noticing the change in Petra’s demeanor.
Sniffling, angrily brushing away the escaped tears, she slumps forward, her face in her hands. “Gammy.”
“Oh.”
“Gammy isn’t here,” she says.
The loss of the family matriarch and the person who has cared for, shaped, and loved her isn’t easy. In moments like these, the reality of a future without Gammy hits her and leaves her wondering if she’s ready. Wondering if Gammy will be proud of her.
