Chapter 49 Hector #2
Hekate lifted a hand, to silence her or accept her thanks, I wasn’t sure. “Hector, you must decide for yourself.”
It was, all in all, an easy decision. I wasn’t ready to die yet. Even faced with the promise of my family that had been taken from me years ago, I still had a family I’d leave behind.
A coven who needed me as equally as I needed them.
I jutted my chin, trying to keep as calm as I could. “I think you know what I want.”
Hekate tipped her head, flashing the crown of night upon her brow at me. “Then it will be done—”
“Wait,” I shouted, not meaning to interrupt the most powerful deity who stood before me.
Hekate’s face drew into a tight scowl. “Is it a trait of a Briar to interrupt their Queen?”
I refused to look away, to cower in the face of her sudden formidable fury. “You are rewarding me for destroying Bahmet, who was once your burden, right? Bahmet belonged to you, he tricked you and thus became our problem down the line. I did the very thing you couldn’t.”
“Your honesty cuts deep, but yes.”
My breathing became erratic, as though the air in this place was running out. “But you see, I wasn’t the only one who can take credit for destroying Bahmet. There was another. Someone I couldn’t have gotten this far without.”
“Ah,” Hekate exhaled, closing her eyes. Beneath her thin eyelids, I could see her eyes flickering around in search. “Kai. He waits for me to speak with me next. Is that who you speak for?”
I nodded. “He deserves a reward as much as I do. I’m not the only one who sacrificed life. If anyone deserves another chance, it is him.”
Kai had given me back the shard of Bahmet I’d been burdened with, knowing without it his chance of staying alive would be taken from him. Hekate had pretty much confirmed that he was in this realm too, waiting for her guidance on the crossroads. Which meant, like me, Kai had died too.
“I see your point,” Hekate said, “and I do not disagree. However, I still would like to speak with him. Give him a choice before a reward. Just as you have faced the crossroads and decided your fate, it would not be fair that you make that same decision for him.”
She was right. Of course she was. “Do you promise to offer him the same reward when you see him?”
“I am a Goddess, far beyond the need of promises. However, I do believe in the power of word. And my words, spoken or thought, are final. Speak it, and it shall be. So yes, Hector Briar, your friend will be rewarded for his sacrifice if that is what he decides he wants.”
I bowed again, deeper than I had before. “Thank you. For everything.”
“I accept, but first I must ask something of you. There is much work to be done within the mortal realm. Just because you survive this encounter, does not guarantee that the hard work is over. Take the lessons you have learned, and use them, Hector Briar. Show the world why witches are not the enemy. Too long have we dwelled in the shadows. It is time we face the light, as one.”
“I will try,” I said, knowing what state the real world was still in. “It will be hard but…”
“All that is hard, is worth it in the end. Humans fear what they do not understand. They see power, thanks to those who already control them, as a negative concept. Show them that they are wrong. Your ancestors once burned for simply healing the sick or helping their neighbours. Many burned who were not even tied to my legacy. Expose the mortal world to its sins, and teach them how to right them. In fact, guide them… take those who fear us by the hand and show them how safe the crossroads can be. Do it with the right intention, and I sense that in time, hate and fear will crumble.”
“Gosh,” I stammered, feeling the urge to laugh. “Not a big ask then. Anything else you want to add onto that extensive list?”
“Hector,” Mum hissed. “Time and place for the sarcasm, my darling.”
Eleanor giggled into her palm. And to my relief, Hekate smiled.
“Actually,” Hekate said, “there is one more thing I require of you. Witch-kind have been severed from me for a long time. It will take someone with the fire you possess to show them back to my path. Can you do that for me?”
“No,” I said, “not for you. I’ll do it for witch-kind. Just as I know you would want. Choices. You’ve hammered that into me pretty clearly.”
“Bravo.” Her eyes narrowed, gaze flaying through flesh, muscle and bone until my very heart was exposed. “That, Hector, was exactly the answer I wanted.”
She turned her back on me, cloak sweeping, dark hounds following behind like shadows. “When you are ready, simply follow the path that calls to you. Oh, and Hector?”
“Yes?”
Hekate looked back briefly. “Caym sends his love.”
With that, a crow of obsidian feathers flew overhead, sweeping down so low that I felt the kiss of air against my upturned face. Beady, knowing eyes regarded me as it swept past and landed upon Hekate’s outstretched hand.
I lifted a hand, choking on sudden emotion, and waved.
The crow let out a keening cry, that was more like a laugh that I’d known well. And then it faded into the light, Hekate and her hounds with it.
A soft hand fell on my shoulder and squeezed. “I too am proud of you, Hector. Until next time, so mote it be.” Eleanor released me, and walked into the light, joining Hekate in disappearing.
That left me and my mum.
Her arms opened for me, beckoning me into them. I fell willingly into her embrace, glad to be swaddled up in arms that felt so perfectly made for me. She kissed my brow, holding me there for a moment of silence.
Silence that broke when my name was being called. This time the voice was notably masculine, deep and rich and full of desperate love.
We both looked over our shoulder into the mist towards where that loving voice had conjured from.
“It seems Hekate has just shown you your path home,” my mother said, gesturing towards the phantom cry of my name.
It was Arwyn. I knew it was. Deep in my soul I sensed him tugging, willing me to find my way back to him.
“What if I changed my mind?” I asked, “What if I want to stay with you? To go and see Dad, and… and…”
“We could lie to one another and pretend that is what you really want, but it would be pointless.” Her hand stroked down the back of my head, sorrowful yet proud eyes fixed on me.
“There will be a time, one day in the far, far future, when we will see each other again. But I want it to be when you have far more stories to tell me. I want to hear of your life, how you’ve spent your freedom.
I forbid you to seek me out until then, do you understand? ”
I nodded, sniffling. “I do. Even if it hurts.”
“Life is supposed to hurt, darling boy. It gives it purpose. Makes enjoying the good times even more special. Now, I think it’s time you follow his call, and leave this place.”
She kissed me on the forehead again, and I did the same for her. “Tell Dad I love him,” I said. “Like really love him, and miss him. So much.”
“I will, my darling. And I want you to tell Arwyn that I forgive him. He is not to carry any more shame for his actions, when we all know they were never truly his. I want you to love him, care for him, and enjoy life with him just as I did with your father. Make something special of your time together, but most importantly, I want you to live.”
“I will.”
Mother winked. “I know.”
Like smoke on the wind, my mother faded away from me before I could reply. In hindsight, I would know she did that on purpose, to stop any more hesitation as to what I needed to do.
Where I needed to go.
Who I needed to return to.
I turned towards the voice I recognised even on the precipice of death, tears in my eyes and hope in my heart, and followed it.