Chapter 27
Morgan relaxed in her wicker chair, gazing at the flickering flames in the firepit. She savored the smoky aroma of the crackling fire. Across from Morgan sat her sisters Celeste, Jolene, and Fiona on similar chairs, their faces illuminated in the firelight.
Luke put his arm around Morgan, and she leaned against him. ”It”s almost time,” he said softly. Morgan nodded, feeling both eager and apprehensive for the midnight hour.
Celeste sighed. ”I hope we”re doing the right thing. What if what we did makes it worse?”
”It”ll work,” Jolene said confidently. ”We planned this perfectly.”
Calvin stepped out from the house, holding a tray of mugs. ”Hot cider, anyone?”
”Ooh, yes, please!” Fiona said, taking a mug. The others followed suit, sipping the warm cider under the clear night sky.
Jake stretched and yawned. ”Well, if I pass out, someone wake me at midnight.”
”Don”t worry. I”ll keep you awake,” Fiona teased.
Jake grinned. ”I knew I could count on you.”
Sofie patted Maynard”s hand. ”We cannot thank you all enough for bringing us together again.”
Morgan met Sofie”s grateful gaze. ”We”re just happy that things got resolved.”
Maynard chuckled. ”All it took was a few centuries of feuding, stolen artifacts, and an impending apocalypse.”
”And a little bump on my head.” Sofie patted the back of her head and laughed.
Celeste glanced at her watch. ”Eleven fifty-eight. Just two minutes to go!”
The group tensed, turning their focus to the forest, which was barely visible in the moonlight. They waited.
”Here we go,” Mateo murmured. He and Jolene joined hands.
Johanna sipped her cider. ”Everything will be fine.”
At that moment, the clocks struck midnight. A pulse of energy rippled out from the woods like a shock wave. A flock of white doves burst out of the forest and flew off into the night. The wind gusted, blowing hair and rustling leaves. Morgan”s amulet grew warm against her chest.
Then, just as suddenly, the wind died down. The night stilled. Crickets tentatively resumed their chorus.
Fiona looked around. ”Did it...work?”
Morgan stood slowly, gazing toward the trees. ”I think...yes. The magical energy feels stabilized, harmonious.”
Celeste beamed, barely able to contain her excitement. ”We did it!”
”Woo-hoo!” Fiona cheered, giving Jake a high five.
Jolene pumped her fist. ”I knew we could do it!”
”Well done,” Maynard said warmly.
”This calls for a celebration!” Calvin declared, heading inside to grab a bottle of champagne.
Before Calvin got halfway to the house, the sound of sirens pierced the peaceful night air. Red and blue lights flashed through the trees as a police cruiser came screeching up the long driveway in front of the house.
Sheriff White appeared around the corner, hand on her hip near her holster. ”We got a call about some kinda disturbance out here. Wanna tell me what”s going on?”
Morgan exchanged a nervous glance with her sisters before replying. ”Oh, nothing, Sheriff. We were just having a little celebration with some friends.”
Sheriff White raised an eyebrow. ”Is that right? Neighbors said they heard fireworks.”
”Fireworks?” Fiona said innocently. ”No, we were just having some cider by the fire.”
”Really?” White seemed skeptical as she glanced around the lawn. ”Fireworks require a permit, and you don”t have one.”
”That”s because we weren”t lighting them off,” Jolene said in an exasperated tone.
White scanned the group, her narrow-eyed gaze settling on Sofie and Maynard. ”Well, isn”t this interesting. Finding you two here after you accused Mr. Reed and the Blackmoores of stealing your property.”
Maynard smiled politely. ”It was all just a misunderstanding. I spoke with Calvin here, and we cleared everything up.”
Sheriff White looked unconvinced. ”Uh-huh. Well, you folks best keep it down, whatever it is you”re up to out here.” She gave the group a pointed look. ”Don”t think I won”t be keeping an eye on you. I know you”re up to something.”
The group let out a collective sigh of relief as the flashing lights disappeared into the night.
”Well, now, I guess we can all really use this.” Calvin held up the two bottles of champagne.
They popped the cork and filled paper cups. Belladonna wound between everyone”s legs, purring loudly.
”To new friends and allies.” Sofie raised her glass, nodding to Maynard.
”To second chances,” Maynard added.
More cheers went up as they sipped champagne. The crisp night air rang with laughter and lively conversation recounting the night”s events.
As things wound down, Luke checked his phone and grinned. ”Message from Dorian—”Excellent work. The agency is impressed.””
Jake whistled. ”Look at us, impressing secret government agencies.”
Morgan sighed contentedly, snuggling against Luke. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a tiny snail inching across a leaf, its minuscule feet extended comically.
Wait… feet? She leaned forward for a better look and practically fell out of her chair.
”Whoa, there.” Luke pulled her back. ”What”s wrong?”
”Wrong?” Morgan looked at him innocently. ”Oh, nothing.” She glanced back at the snail. Yep, it definitely had feet. Probably just some overflow magic from before the alignment. Nothing to worry about. ”Nothing at all.”