Page 48 of Witch Way to the Diapers

Frustration coursed through Sayer. Every fiber of his being screamed to charge forward to find Vienna and bring her home. But he knew Luna was right—rushing in blindly could put them all in danger, including Vienna.

He forced himself to pause, turning to face the group. In his lion form, he couldn’t speak, but he met each of their eyes, trying to convey his gratitude and determination. They had come so far, risked so much, all for a child they had only known for a short time. It was proof of the strength of this community and the bonds they had formed.

As they regrouped, preparing to face whatever lay ahead, Sayer turned to Fia. He could feel her fear and worry mirroring his own. She’d been quiet, her focus solely on the path ahead. They had come so far in such a short time, from reluctant co-guardians to partners in every sense of the word. The thought of her gave him renewed strength, a fierce desire to bring their family back together.

With a low growl, Sayer signaled for them to move forward. Whatever Brooke had planned, whatever obstacles lay in their path, they would face them together. And they would bring Vienna home.

As they pressed deeper into the forest, the magical trail growing stronger with each step, Sayer’s resolve hardened. He may not have been there for his brother in his final moments, but he would be there for Vienna. He would protect this new family he had found, no matter the cost.

The trees began to thin, revealing a small clearing ahead. The air crackled with magical energy, and Sayer’s fur stood on end. Whatever awaited them, he knew this would be the final confrontation. With one last look at his companions, Sayer led the charge into the clearing, ready to face

TWENTY-FIVE

The air crackled with magical energy as Fia and her makeshift army of Whispering Pines residents approached the secluded magical nexus. Ley lines pulsed beneath their feet, their raw power almost visible in the ethereal glow that surrounded them. Fia’s heart pounded in her chest, a mix of fear and determination coursing through her veins.

“There,” Luna whispered, her silver-streaked hair whipping in the magical wind. She pointed to a clearing ahead, where the ley lines converged in a brilliant display of shimmering light. “Be careful, Fia. The nexus amplifies magic exponentially.”

Fia squinted, her eyes adjusting to the otherworldly brightness. In the center of the nexus stood Brooke, her dark hair wild and eyes flashing with manic energy. In her arms, Vienna whimpered, her tiny face streaked with tears.

“Brooke!” Fia called out, her voice carrying more authority than she felt. “It’s over. Let Vienna go.”

Brooke’s head snapped toward them, her lips curling into a snarl. “Stay back!” she shrieked, tightening her grip on Vienna. “She’s mine now. You don’t deserve her!”

Fia took a step forward, but Luna’s hand on her arm held her back. “Careful,” the older witch cautioned. “Any spell cast here could have unpredictable consequences.”

Nodding, Fia surveyed their group. Celeste, Tabitha, and Ivy flanked her, their faces set with determination. Behind them, the shifters – Sayer in his magnificent lion form, Kade as a hulking wolf, Roarke as a stalking panther, Reed as a commanding tiger, and Bram as a towering bear – formed a protective semicircle.

“Brooke,” Fia tried again, her voice softer this time. “Please. This isn’t right. Vienna needs to be with her family.”

Brooke’s eyes flashed dangerously. “Family?” she spat. “What do you know about family? Perfect Fia, with her perfect life and her perfect business. You don’t know the struggle to go through life wishing for only one thing. Only one. Well, now it’s my turn to have something perfect!”

“This isn’t the way,” Fia pleaded. “We can talk about this. We can get you help-”

“Help?” Brooke laughed, the sound brittle and unhinged. “I don’t need help. I need a child. My child. Do you have any idea what it’s like to want something so badly and know you can never have it? To watch everyone around you get the one thing you desire most?”

Fia’s heart clenched at the raw pain in her sister’s voice, but Vienna’s frightened whimper snapped her back to reality. This wasn’t about childhood grudges or even Brooke’s inability to have children. This was about protecting an innocent child.

“Now!” Luna hissed, and their plan sprang into action.

Ivy stepped forward, her hands weaving intricate patterns in the air. A shimmering barrier sprang up, cutting off Brooke’s escape routes. Simultaneously, Celeste’s emerald eyes glowed as she cast a protective spell over their group.

Fia locked eyes with Vienna, silently praying the toddler would understand. “Bubble,” she mouthed, reaching out withher mind through the blood bond Luna had helped her tap into. She projected an image of the protective bubble spell they’d been practicing.

For a heart-stopping moment, nothing happened. Then, miraculously, Vienna’s face scrunched up in concentration. A shimmering sphere materialized around her, causing Brooke to yelp and loosen her grip. Vienna floated gently out of her aunt’s arms, the bubble carrying her safely toward Fia.

“No!” Brooke screamed, her hands clawing at the air. She whirled on Fia, her eyes blazing with fury. “You think you’ve won? I’ll show you what real power is!”

Magic exploded from Brooke in a violent burst of energy. Fia barely had time to put up a shield before the first spell slammed into her, the impact reverberating through her bones.

The air around them erupted into chaos. Spells ricocheted off barriers, sizzling trails of light illuminating the ley lines beneath their feet. Fia deflected a bolt of crackling energy, retaliating with a binding spell that Brooke barely managed to dodge.

“Fia!” Celeste called out, her voice strained as she maintained their group’s protective barrier. “We can’t hold this forever!”

Luna’s eyes widened as she watched Brooke unleash spell after spell, each more destructive than the last. “Fia,” she said urgently, “we need to end this now. Your sister... she’s gone too far. If we don’t stop her, she’ll destroy everything in her path.”

“What are you saying?” Fia asked, deflecting another of Brooke’s attacks.

Luna’s eyes were sad but determined. “We need to shut down her magic completely. It’s the only way to ensure everyone’s safety.”

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