Epilogue
GRAMMY KNOWS BEST
Ilift the watering can, sending a shower over one of my potted plants. It’s been a bit colder than normal for the end of December, but my plants are safe inside the greenhouse. And if they ever are in danger, I’m not above asking one of the coven members to help nudge a lagging plant along.
For a moment, a pain pierces my chest, and I reach up to clutch at my blouse.
Opal hops frantically around my feet, nose twitching furiously.
I wave the adorable rabbit off.
“Don’t worry. It’s emotional pain, really.
Just facing the unpleasant truth that, even if it’s only in small ways, sometimes we do resemble our adversaries.
Starla told me that her father utilized magic to keep his plants green year-round at his manor.
But it’s fine. Our differences far outweigh any of our similarities. ”
One key difference being that I am not in deep trouble with the Magikai. He’s spending his New Year’s Eve in a cell at some government compound, and I am spending mine at the coven house.
I can’t help feeling pity. Not for him, but for the daughter who deserved better. I only hope I’ve been enough to help bridge the gap.
With a sigh, I set the watering can on a side table, opting to sink into one of the plush chairs and finish the chore later. Opal hops up next to me, and I pet the rabbit’s silken fur.
“There are some problems that are unique to a seer but also some that exist as a grandmother. I wish I could have spared Starla any pain. And Leena. I’ll admit, I saw a lot, but I didn’t realize Starla would be the one who was needed to break Leena’s curse.
Perhaps I’m losing my touch. Or, perhaps, the magic knew better than to give me every detail. ”
Too many people take magic for granted. But it has intelligence, and a soul.
And I think it’s protecting me. If I had known my granddaughter would not only have to face down her father but also learn that she’d inherited the same cursed legacy as Leena, would I have had the strength?
Would I have been able to do it without intervening to the extent that it could have affected the outcome?
I’m still not sure how my granddaughter will handle her growing new abilities, but I do trust it will be for the good of those she loves.
I’m experienced enough at this point to know that I would have been in danger of trifling too much and risking their safety.
“Thank you. I’m grateful that you protected me from my own hubris,” I say to the magic that weaves through everything.
The door to the greenhouse swishes open.
“Coven Leader?”
“Yes, Lacey?” I don’t have to look to recognize the voice of the forty-something witch with long straw hair and a key based upon water. I know all my witches.
“There are visitors here for you.”
“Show them in. Four people, is it? Let’s host them in the front sitting room with the large bay window that faces the beach. Please put out some tea and sandwiches. Cookies as well, I think.”
“Of course, Coven Leader.” Lacey’s voice relaxes at my response, no doubt realizing that I’ve already seen at least a portion of this visit.
In fact, I’ve been anticipating it since my granddaughter returned. I knew someone was coming, and the vision wasn’t hostile, so I’m not too worried.
Even better, I didn’t see any hint of connection to Leena, or Starla, or Carolina Beach. Whatever this is about, I think they’re here to ask that I use my key and not to seek out members of my coven or my other loved ones.
I heave myself off the chair, plucking my rabbit-topped cane from beside the doorframe on my way out of the greenhouse. My limbs are creaking, and I am under no illusion about the fact that I’m nearer to the end of my time than the beginning of it.
No matter. The coven will be in good hands. Shanell, for all her blustering, is proving to be an excellent replacement. She’ll take over fully in the new year.
My cane clacks on the tiles as I make my way to the room I’d mentioned to Lacey. When I arrive, I see the backs of four individuals, all facing the window and watching the waves wash up against the shore.
“It’s rather lovely, isn’t it?” one of the individuals says.
There are three women, and a man who is taller than the ladies. The woman who spoke has her hair wrapped in a bun. All have a magic weaving around them beyond that of a typical supernatural.
“I’ve always enjoyed it,” I say.
All four spin around.
One of the women smiles warmly at me.
“A gorgeous spot. You must enjoy the serenity of the beach. Although I suppose it’s also powerful.”
I nod.
“Precisely. Relaxing and wild, humbling and uplifting. The ocean is many things. It gives many things, provides many things, and can take many things. What can I provide to you?”
The man steps forward, offering his hand.
He’s got dark hair with just a hint of curl and wave to it, along with green eyes.
He could be anywhere in his thirties based on looks alone, but I’m not such a fool as to trust looks in supernaturals.
He might be forty, four hundred, or four thousand years old.
In my younger years, I’d have been drawn in by his aristocratic features and sharp-cut suit. As it stands, I simply offer him my own hand.
Instead of shaking it, he bends down in a bow. Not kissing the back of my hand, but looking up at me with respect.
“Thank you for hosting us. I am Feral, and these lovely ladies are the Fates.”
“Ah, so you’re the Founder who assisted my granddaughter. You have my thanks.”
The genuine happiness at meeting the deity who assisted them helps me to hide my surprise at the other tidbit he mentioned. When people seek out a seer, they are not expecting her to be shocked. But I do have a reputation to maintain.
I compose myself.
“The Fates. Well, that is something. I should have prepared fancier fare,” I joke as a couple of my witches bring in the requested tea, sandwiches, and cookies.
One of the women, the one with the bun, licks her lips.
“Oh no, no, this looks scrumptious. My fellow Fates and I are not picky.”
Thank the tides. I wouldn’t want my first meeting with the gods to get off on the wrong foot. Speaking of which.
I stare back at the man, narrowing my eyes and leaning closer. He smiles, and the edges of his form begin to shimmer.
“Who are you?” I ask.
He nods in understanding.
“God of wisdom, but I don’t know everything. Just like I’m certain you don’t see everything, and I mean no disrespect with that statement.”
I relax a bit as the sincerity of his statement lands. That’s one pesky bit of formality out of the way.
“Very true.”
“I’ll get right to it. A recent issue has come to our attention.
The gods are … going through a bit of a renovation period, if I may put it that way.
There are several things that have been neglected for far too long now, and we are trying to put them to rights.
The Fates have keen insight into what needs to be done and have sought out my input on prioritizing and how to implement our desired changes. ”
I don’t offer any opinions yet, content to let him reach his own point. I’ve found over the years that silence is an effective way to get people to share more. My efforts, or lack of effort, since standing with my lips shut takes very little, pay off almost immediately.
The god in front of me takes in a breath, leaving me wondering if he really needs to breathe, before barreling on with the rest of his speech.
“Even so, none of us is so arrogant that we think our opinions are the only ones that matter. That’s part of how the gods got into the mess we’re in to start with.
We’re carefully selecting some wise supernatural voices to chime in on a few of our issues, as a means of ensuring our actions are moving things in the right direction.
One of balance, and fairness, and that honors magic. ”
The last bit gets my attention. He’s talking about magic as I would, as the living and real entity responsible for all of us. Different supernaturals may have their various beliefs. Werewolves and the moon, naiads and the tides, but magic is magic.
“And I made the list? I am honored,” I say, walking toward the seating area that surrounds the trays of food and steaming cups of fresh tea.
I gesture for my guests to sit, and my creaking joints are endlessly thankful when they do so without fuss and I’m able to take a seat as well.
“You have a reputation for accuracy and fairness, without dramatics thrown into your readings,” Feral says, taking a sip of his tea.
“I’m flattered.”
He dips his chin. The Fates dig into the sandwiches, and each take a few cookies. Fates have a sweet tooth. Who knew?
“One project we have chosen to prioritize involves the Underworld,” the shortest Fate says, chewing on a bite of cucumber sandwich.
Again, I manage not to outwardly react. I’m not surprised that it would exist. Fae is real, gods are real, and I think magic does not just cease to exist when supernaturals die, so it must go somewhere.
The slenderest and tallest Fate, silent up until now, opens her mouth.
“There is a group of individuals who exist in Limbo, attached to the Underworld. We call them Enders. They are something in between the dead and the living. Acting on behalf of those supernaturals who have been wronged. And their existence is … complicated.”
Feral grimaces, hiding the expression by lifting his teacup again.
“We were, uh, not all aware of their existence until quite recently. Their roles are taxing. Ironically, given their titles, their jobs are endless. We’d like to pursue our goal of bringing balance by presenting an alternative existence.
A way out of their never-ending roles, should they desire such a thing.
But we want to get your insight on how that may impact things. If you’re willing.”
I decide to press my luck. How often does one interact with the gods? I want to know the character of those I’m dealing with.
“What if I’m not willing?” My hand tenses around the top of my cane as I gather my nerve.
Feral doesn’t miss a beat, and the Fates keep right on eating, unbothered.
“We would continue using the Fates’ abilities to search out other supernaturals who might provide us their opinions on the matter.
You should know, you are the first person we have approached.
But this is not a forced position. As I stated before, we are trying to correct the errors of the gods.
We cannot do that if we act only with intimidation and force.
However, if you help, we would be honored.
And, of course, in respect of witch culture, we can pay. ”
The use of witch keys is not free. Witches sometimes get a reputation for greed, but it’s incorrect.
We simply don’t live long enough to acquire wealth the way dragons or vampires can.
Charging for the use of our keys makes us a living and gains us a level of respect among the supernatural community that protects us a bit from harm with our weaker physical statures.
He delivers the offer in a calm tone, as a genuine offer, not a slight.
I let my eyes flicker. I do my readings around my orb to center myself, but that doesn’t mean I can’t see without it.
With my key, I do a quick read on the individuals in front of me.
And it’s enough to assure me they are acting from a genuine desire to do good.
That doesn’t mean their plans will end up that way, but that’s what more in-depth reading is for.
I extend a hand.
“I’ll have my witches draw up a contract. It will be a pleasure doing business with you.”
Feral takes my hand, giving it a firm shake.
I smile.
I’ll read their futures and make sure their plans won’t cause more destruction than good. But I don’t think I’ll share with him just yet something I saw while reading them just now.
A small connection to my granddaughter and Leena after all.
When looking at Feral, I saw fleeting images of Councilman Taylor’s manor, but for once they didn’t cause me pain.
The visions leave an echo of an image floating in front of me.
A woman with steel grey eyes and determination on her face.
One introducing herself to Leena as an Ender.
And in front of me I see a lonely god of wisdom with a complicated self-image.
My ability tells me that both individuals have a past that will need to be faced in the future.
Futures that are intertwined.
I do enjoy when magic shows me love. A positive light in the times to come.
He won’t be so lonely for much longer.
But I don’t think I’ll tell him that.
Some things are meant to be experienced as they come.
He’ll find out soon enough.
THANK YOU for joining Leena and her friends on their adventures.