Page 85 of Dead End

Maddie choked on her surprise, saying, “You mean we’re not going to kill him?”

I locked eyes with Cal, who was watching me with a perplexed frown. “No. We’re not killing him. We’re doing him one better. Ichabod will be banished to the mortal world forever, and then we will shatter this portal. No coming in or out of this world, unless it’s on Halloween night. It’s too dangerous. He can rot with the mortals—no powers, no allies, nothing, just the way he deserves.”

Cal stared at me, and I could have sworn I detected gratitude shining in his eyes. I knew he most likely hated his father now, but still, losing a parent wasn’t an easy thing. I had the power to kill this warlock where he stood, but I was making a choice.

“That’s right, assface, fuck you!” Jessica shouted as she raised one leg and pointed. I felt her crawl out from under my hair and smiled at her squeaky little voice, which provided me with much-appreciated back-up. “Have fun eating mortal food and paying taxes!”

“How do you know what taxes are?” Freddy asked.

Jessica snorted, rubbing her legs together in an evil manner. “I know things.”

I looked at my aunties and nodded. The two of them waved their hands in tandem, forcing Ichabod to his feet. He was straining against the magic, utterly worthless and weak. He was as mortal as we used to be, and he would never desecrate another grave again.

He teetered on the threshold now, and my aunties were waiting for the go-ahead, giving me the chance to have the final say. I stepped up to his back and raised up on my tip toes until I was at ear level and whispered, “If you ever even think of my mother’s name again, I’ll know. I’ll find you. I’ll suck the life from your veins and relish in it, you sick bastard. Have fun playing mortal.”

Then I pushed him into the portal. He screamed and toppled forward, the magic sucking him in and wrapping around his body like an embrace. It only took a few seconds for him to disappear altogether. I stood there in the sudden silence, breathing hard and fast. Tears pricked my eyes, but it wasn’t out of sadness. It was a relief. Ichabod was gone, and he was never coming back. I’d make sure of it.

I turned around and faced everyone who was watching in silence. My family. The only people I could trust with my life.

“It’s done,” I whispered, wiping away a tear that trailed down my cheek as my emotions caught up with me. Michael stepped forward and kissed me on my cheek, taking my pain with him. One by one, the rest of my guys did, too.

“We need to destroy it,” I said to the aunties, and they nodded solemnly and stepped forward.

We needed all the magic we could get to do this, so Michael stepped forward too. I heard a rustling noise, and we all glanced over to where Calvin was getting back to his feet. He staggered a little, and magic played along his fingertips, but he set his jaw and walked to my side.

“I need to help you do this,” he said, his tone grave, but I watched his throat bob. He had a power flowing through his veins now that wasn’t just about mixing potions and calling it a day. It was dark, and if he wasn’t careful, it could consume him just like his father, but I had faith he could handle it.

“Are you strong enough to do this right now?” I asked, looking him up and down with a raised bow. I would understand if he wasn’t.

He nodded. “I’m stronger than I’ve ever felt, thanks to you.”

I wasn't about to say, You’re welcome, not after I’d just banished his father to the mortal world, but we both knew it was something that would linger between us from now on.

We gathered together and joined hands, though Auntie Pip held my left shoulder as I held the grimoire in that hand. “We say it together, and we say it right. The portal will shatter forever.” The others nodded.

“Wait!” We all turned at once. Maddie came close, her eyes glossy with tears. She was biting down on her bottom lip, and she looked like she was shaking a little bit. “October…”

“What is it?” I asked, my heart falling into my stomach.

“I’m going back,” she said. We all sucked in a collective breath.

I blinked at my best friend. “What do you mean you're going back?” My voice turned raspy as my throat clogged with emotion. I couldn’t lose her either.

Looking guilty and so sad, it made me want to cry. Maddie took my hand and squeezed. “I have to go back. My family probably thinks I’m dead or missing. And to be honest, I still have to wrap my head around this whole witch thing. Everything’s been happening so fast, I don’t even know where my head is anymore. I need to do this... just for a little while.” Her eyes begged me to understand.

“B-But the portal—” I stammered, trying my hardest not to burst into tears.

“I will still be there on Halloween. I’ll come back on the bus, Toby, I swear. I’ll come right back at the stroke of midnight on Halloween. I just need to handle my shit before I choose to make a life here, ya know? Plus, someone needs to keep an eye on Ichabod for a while; make sure he doesn't terrorize the mortals.”

“You’re serious about this?” My heart was breaking, but I knew I couldn’t stop her.

“Absolutely. It’s what I need,” she said, and I saw the truth of it in her eyes.

“Here you go, Maddie girl,” Auntie Fe said suddenly with a sad smile. She reached into the pocket of her dress and pulled out a tiny compact mirror. “This is a witch's mirror, so it has the power to transcend worlds. Just whisper the words inscribed on the back of it here,” she gestured to the pewter siding, “and we can speak with you anywhere. It’s like FaceTime for witches!”

Tears rolled down Maddie’s cheeks as she took the mirror and held it to her chest. “Thank you, Auntie.”

Maddie looked at Baen, and I followed her gaze. His jaw was clenched tight, and so were his fists, but I could tell he wouldn’t say a word. They’d barely gotten to know each other, so he knew he had no say in this decision she was set on making. But his eyes were impossibly sad, and she looked away just as quickly. Her gaze flickered to Cal, her brow furrowed, and she turned back to me before she said something she might regret.

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