Page 84 of Spell Ya Later

“Yes. I figured Draven would see the act of mercy as an olive branch, as a warning from an old friend. I was very, very wrong.”

“Banishing my brother as an act of mercy? If you only knew...”

“You act as if I killed him, when he’s probably back and has been for years,” Mom spits. “But I’m not a murderer. Not like you.”

The way he focuses on her, the way his eyes track her every movement, it’s as if no one else is in the room. After all this time, after everything, some part of him loves her still.

“You knew how close I was to Drinek. Youknewhow he looked up to me, and yet you still cast him away like some sort of object. Like he meant nothing. And then he died in the pits of Hell you banished him to.” The flame flicks up his arm, an uncontrollable burning that flashes with each word he speaks.

Mom visibly deflates, any strength she’d pulled together drifting away on the whistling wind through the rafters of the warehouse. “That was not my intention.”

“And so I took what was owed to me. A life for a life. But you, Peanut, you took it further, didn’t you? Tell them how you couldn’t let sleeping dogs lie. Tell them what you’ve been doing for the last thirteen years. What you did after I left.”

For the first time tonight, the space is silent. The wind stops whipping, the leaky pipe in the corner stops dripping, and all eyes are on Mom. Even the moon is drawn to her, shining its light down on her alone.

“I’ve hunted down every goddamn daemon or warlock I could find, and I destroyed them, and that is why Draven has returned. To stop me.”

There is no remorse in her tone, despite Noah lying on the floor because of her actions. Because of Draven’s action.

Because of both of their actions. Despite Dad dying because of them.

She took my magic away and has been out here daemon hunting. Putting all of us at risk for what? Her own hypocritical vendetta?

“You two are disgusting.” I’m unable to hold my tongue. “You are twisted together in a vile tangle that has dragged everything and everyone good down into the depths. Your obsession with each other has killed multiple people, and while many of them have been daemons, one of them was our father. And I refuse to be part of it any longer. I refuse to let Noah be more collateral damage in your obsession.”

For once, Grandma seems to be speechless. Her mouth opens a few times as if she’s finally formed the words and then closes again. Laura stands still at my side.

Finally, Mom turns to me. Any light that ever lived in her eyes is gone. “I have no intention of letting anything happen to Noah. I promised that before we came, and I plan to uphold that.”

Draven’s right eyebrow raises, flame calmly receding to his fingertips. As if he’s amused by her attempt.

Calmly, Mom walks over to the three of us. “I apologize for my actions. I can’t ever atone for what I’ve done, for the choices I’ve made. But I will attempt to do so today.”

She hugs Grandma, looking for the first time like a daughter seeking comfort from her mother. “Mom, I pushed you away because I knew if I kept you too close you’d know exactly what I was up to. And my pride, my self-righteousness, couldn’t handle the mirror you’d hold. You’d force me to see my hypocrisies. Thank you for not letting me disappear completely.”

She releases Grandma and takes Laura’s hands, tears welling in her eyes. “Laura, you are beautiful and far more intelligent than anyone gives you credit for. I know I created a hostile home for you, and my only hope for you is that you learn to trust someone again. Anyone. Even just yourself.”

She touches my shoulder, and I feel her drawing on my magic. Feel it filling her up alongside Grandma and Laura’s. “Hazel. Thank you for challenging me, thank you for findingyourself and being the strength that I couldn’t provide for you. Protect Noah with everything you have, which is more than you could ever imagine. You are powerful, you are strong, and you can do anything you set your mind to.”

Without waiting for any of us to reply, Mom turns and effortlessly glides toward Draven—who, despite his insistence that he wants us all to suffer, hasn’t taken his eyes off her this entire time. He doesn’t stop her; he welcomes her as she approaches. She takes his hand.

“Forgive me.”

In a moment too quick for us—or Draven—to do anything, they’re encased in a globe of water.

And the water collapses.

And they’re gone.

Chapter 31

No Shit I’m Not Focusing

There is no time to mourn, to question, or to make sense of anything that’s happened in the last few minutes. Not for me.

“Noah!” I race to his side, falling to my knees next to him. He hasn’t woken up. His breathing remains labored as he lies on the cold concrete.

Finally Grandma shakes her head and moves, placing a trembling hand on my shoulder. “We need to leave. Immediately.”