Page 114 of Spellbound & Speechless
Mac
The Hawthornes may not beready to celebrate, but I am. I was only a teenager when I became obsessed with killing the corrupt witch, but I didn’t know how to do it. All I knew was that she hurt my mother, my family, andme.
The Hawthorne witches are why I’m free; I’ll help them have the same freedom.
My steps are lighter as we walk through the house, but Aspen is quiet beside me with her hand in mine. My mother sits in the living room, as peacefully as possible. It was hard for her to keep from tearing the witch apart, but that wouldn’t have helped anyone. She would only come back.
“Is it done?” she asks, her voice shaking.
I exchange a look with Aspen and nod. “She’s gone. Banished to an endless existence in Hades. She can’t come back.”
My mother sighs. “I suppose that is as much as I can ask for.” She stands and locks eyes with Aspen. “Thank you.”
“I didn’t—” Aspen starts.
“Yes,” my mother says, “you did. You all playedyour part. No one person can take a corrupt witch down. Trust me. I tried for years. We tracked her down countless times. I’ve stabbed her and gutted her—I’ve done everything you can imagine to that corrupt witch.”
Aspen flinches.
“Nothing worked until I met you and your sisters. So, again, I thank you.”
This time, Aspen accepts the compliment, bowing her head. “I’m not a big fan of violence, so I can’t pretend to be happy about how this ended, but it’s my pleasure to help you find your peace.”
I wrap an arm around Aspen and pull her closer to my side.
“And you,” my mother says, turning her attention to me. “Did she use your father’s wolf on you?”
My nostrils flare. I nod. For the first time since I started tracking her down, the corrupt witch used the dirty trick against me—the same trick she’s used on my mother countless times.
The words don’t come for a few moments. “I knew it wasn’t him, but…”
“It was jarring, nevertheless, I’m certain. The heart has a harder time knowing than the mind. She’s done the same to me, you know.”
I shake my head in disgust. Good riddance.
“It’s over now,” I say, sitting on the couch with Aspen. “She can’t use him against us anymore.”
“Indeed. It finally feels like your father’s spirit can rest after a decade of fighting for him—and against him.”
“That meansyoucan rest.” Aspen lifts her head. “I know this will make me sound like a typical love witch, but have you had time to focus on self-care? Like, when was the last time you had a facial?”
My mother’s lips twist. “Never.”
“And your skin is fantastic!” Aspen rushes to say. “Really, but…”
“You’re worried about me.” She chuckles. “Can’t remember the last time I had someone worried about me.”
“I worry about you,” I say.
My mother scoffs. “You couldn’t worry. Not like this. You weren’t taking care of yourself, much less me.”
“Ma!” I rub a hand over my face.
“You were getting into the same things I was. The same danger.”
“What I’m trying to say is…” Aspen effortlessly draws the attention back to herself. “We want you to stay in Starbrook. I hate the thought of you being alone, and there’s no more need for you to hunt down the corrupt witch. You can stay here and relax.”
I know Aspen’s offer is from the good of her heart. She’s generous. A regular person would accept her offer, but there’s no saying how my mother will take it. Without trying to, it may seem like an attack on my mother’s independence.
