Page 99 of Impractical Magic

“Be that as it may. We were just discussing how utterly foolish and dangerous it is. I knew you’d want to be here to help us talk some sense into her.”

Nate stared at Scarlett over his tuna. She met his gaze, her eyes pleading silently. Don’t do this to me, she thought at him. You definitely could . . . but please, please don’t.

“Scarlett,” he began, his voice soft but clear, “I know you. I know your heart, your strength, and your determination. And—”

“Yes, of course,” Mama said soothingly. “That was never in question.”

“If you’ll let me finish.”

“I’m so sorry,” she said. “The floor is yours.”

“Right.” He returned his gaze to Scarlett. “This is a grave decision. No one in the room wants to lose you after finally getting you back after so long.”

“But Nate . . .” Scarlett pleaded. She sensed some hardcore emotional blackmail was coming and didn’t like it.

“Listen to me, Scar.” He paused to gaze around the table; all the witches sat on the edge of their seats like this was the last sixty seconds of the World Cup Final. “If you truly believe this is the only way to save the grove . . . then I support you, completely and without reservation.”

The dining room erupted. Mama’s face went slack with shock, her eyes wide and disbelieving. “Nate, how can you say that? Don’t you understand the risks?”

He raised a hand, silencing the clamor. “I do. But I also understand Scarlett. She wouldn’t suggest this if she didn’t believe it was essential. We need to trust her, to believe in her abilities.”

Scarlett felt a rush of relief and gratitude wash over her. She suddenly felt like she could take on the world.

Around the table, the witches erupted into a renewed frenzy of arguments and counter-arguments, their voices rising to a crescendo. All the while, Scarlett and Nate just stared at one another, smiling.

Just as the debate reached a fever pitch, the stage manager of the Gilbert and Sullivan crew burst into the room, his face flushed with annoyance. “Ladies, please!” he cried, waving his arms for silence. “The performance is about to begin. You don’t have to attend, although, of course, your presence is desired. But for the love of all that is holy, you must quiet down! You’re disturbing everyone!”

Duly chastised, the witches stood, most of them heading to the ballroom for Pirates of Penzance. On her way out, Mama turned to Scarlett, her eyes narrowed in determination. “This isn’t over, young lady. We will discuss this further.”

Scarlett nodded, her expression polite but resolute. She knew, deep in her heart, that the decision had already been made.

As the witches filed out, Luna and Delilah pulled their sister aside. Del grabbed Scarlett by the shoulders and pulled her in, so they stood forehead to forehead. “This is stupid, and reckless, and a terrible mistake . . .”

“Don’t care,” Scarlett replied.

“. . . and I love you, so don’t fuck this thing up.” Del abruptly turned and fled the room.

Scarlett turned to her baby sister and lifted an eyebrow. “There’s nothing like a Delilah pep talk, is there?”

“Listen carefully. I’ll keep Mama off your back for tonight.” Luna’s voice was low and urgent. “While she’s at the play, you should get ready. Go upstairs to our old bedroom. Meditate, prepare yourself mentally for the spell. We’ll go tomorrow morning—anything I can do to help, I will.” The sisters hugged, and Luna joined the other witches in the ballroom.

When the dining room was empty of witches, Scarlett flew at Nate. She threw her arms around his broad shoulders and pressed her lips against his, hoping to convey a depth of gratitude far beyond what she could express with words.

When they pulled apart, breathless, he said, “That was not the kiss of someone who’s about to dump me.”

“But I am dumping you,” she said with a grin. “I’m turning myself into birds and flying away. Maybe forever if my mother is correct.”

“Well, that is the most extreme breakup method I’ve ever heard of.” He pulled her close and whispered into her hair. “Forget your mother. I know you can do it.”

One last embrace, and then Scarlett slipped out of the dining room and made her way to the lobby stairs.

Nate followed her out. “Hey, Scar.” His voice was tinged with a forced lightness. “I’m not going to wait around, you know. I just want to make sure that’s clear. You go do this bird thing if you want, but you better come right back.”

Halfway up the stairs, Scarlett turned back. Despite everything, a smile tugged at her lips. “As you wish.”

Chapter 38: Streaming Service

While the witches of Oak Haven enjoyed the tale of Frederic among a band of pirates with oddly stringent apprenticeship requirements, Scarlett was sitting cross-legged on the worn wooden floor of her childhood bedroom. Flickering candle flames cast dancing shadows on the walls, and the air was heavy with the scent of sage and lavender, the herbs burning slowly in a small brass bowl beside her. As a teenager, she’d scoffed at all the mood-setting accessories of meditation—the candles, the herbs, and all the rest. Tonight, however, she wanted all the help she could get.