Page 82 of Death Card

“Gramps?” The question escapes my lips before my brain can catch up. “Am I dreaming?”

“No.” He rests his palm against the side of my head. “You’rehere, baby girl. This is no dream and it ain’t heaven either. You’re wide awake, breathing, and most importantly, you’re alive.”

“But how?!” I ignore his protests, forcing my way into a seated position.

The numerous intent gazes staring back at me send a jolt of shock through my core. Half the coven is here, along with a smattering of the Hightowers. Aria has her arm wrapped around a crimson-faced Joelle, whose bloodstained hands are hidden in the folds of a towel. I can barely make out a pair of still-twitching pale white legs on the ground behind the crowd.

I glance down at my chest, which was torn open and gushing blood moments before, to find fully intact skin. If it wasn’t for the giant gash in my shirt, you’d never know that I had been stabbed to death only minutes ago.

“Can someone please explain how I’m alive?” I croak. “Gazannol was supposed to die with me, so shouldn’t I be dead?”

“That demon will never walk this plane or any other ever again, thanks to you,” Aria says, squeezing Joelle’s shoulder.

Orion nods. “To answer your question: You were dead for about five minutes before we managed to bring you back. Fuck dying for the cause! We weren’t about to let you go.” He waves his hand. “And look at you now.”

I glance around at all the assembled witches. “But—but that isn’t possible! I’ve been told my whole life that once death claims you, there’s no coming back. Even the strongest healers have never been able to resurrect someone.”

“Look around you, girl,” Gramps says. “Can you feel the magic humming beneath your feet? You’ve got a whole field ofwitches gathered in one place with the sole goal of injecting enough magic into your veins to bring you back to life.”

“They acted as a magical defibrillator,” Joelle pipes up.

“Yes!” Gramps agrees. “Death knew it wasn’t your time yet, so he gave you back to us when we came to his doorstep calling.”

Oh my God. I stare down at my hands, curling my fingers into tight fists. I’malive.

I never counted on being brought back to life because I didn’t think it was something that could be done. Gazannol is really gone. The demon wasn’t just banished back to the evil, hellish world it came from to bide its time and wait for another fool to summon it. Gazannol died with me, ceasing to exist when I took my last breath.

Sparks fly from my fingertips as I wiggle them before my face. A rush of excess magic flows through my veins, fingerprints left by every witch who exerted their power to bring me back to life. Unlike the hateful trio, I didn’t have to steal this extra power; it was a gift.

“What about Britney and her friends?” I ask.

Orion rolls his eyes. “Come take a look for yourself.” He helps me to my feet, placing a steadying hand on my back when I sway in place.

The crowd parts to reveal Britney, Christine, and Tyler curled up on the ground in various states. Tyler’s chest is still as his gaze is permanently fixed upward to the sky through unseeing eyes. Christine is lying in a pool of her own vomit, emitting tiny gasps of pain. Britney looks the worst of all. Her limbs are splayed in unnatural positions, with several of her leg bones broken throughher skin. Her eyes dart back and forth beneath blue-veined eyelids as she sucks in ragged breaths.

I don’t feel an ounce of pity for them. They had no business messing with forces they didn’t understand. They gambled with a demon, and they lost. Serves them right.

“What do you want to do with them?” Gramps asks.

I whirl around to look at him. “Why are you asking me?”

“Because you’re our queen!” The voice comes from the assembled crowd. It’s Lizzie who speaks, and everyone else nods in assent.

Gramps crosses his arms over his chest. “You undertook a major sacrifice for this coven. You have more than earned your rightful place as its leader. Your ascension is at hand.” He steps closer to me and lowers his voice so only I can hear. “I never should have doubted you, Mikaela. I was wrong for that, and I hope you can forgive me. It isn’t my place to make sweeping decisions anymore. The throne is yours, baby girl.”

I hug Gramps as tight as I can. “Thank you,” I whisper. “For everything.”

He kisses the top of my head and releases me. I suck in a deep breath, taking in the sight of the trio once more. They’re not my responsibility. They chose their fate.

“We’ll call 911 anonymously and provide their location,” I say. “From there, whatever happens to them is out of our hands.”

Everyone murmurs their agreement as we begin to trudge through the forest, making our way to the road. I find myself hanging back with Orion, Aria, and Joelle.

Orion crushes me to his chest in a bear hug. We squeeze each other tightly, neither of us wanting to let go.

“Thank you for always having my back,” I whisper.

“I’m with you till the end of the road, sis. You know I’ll always be here for you.”