by Ware Wilkins
It’s hard to see past the betrayal. Everything he’s saying feels true. It feels honest in a way we’ve not been able to be with each other, ever. Which makes the next question hard, because I’m beginning to suspect why my dad and Oliver fought. “Why did you stop talking with my dad?”
Oliver sighs and it’s filled with pain. “I thought you should be killed.”
The words are knives that slice at me, whittling me down to the core. “Because of what I am.”
“Yes.” He waits a minute, as if trying to collect himself and I get that, because I don’t even know how to start picking up my own pieces. “I was wrong. I’m glad he didn’t listen to me. You aren’t your mother and you aren’t a bone witch.”
If he’s going to be honest, then I should be, too. Knowing that doesn’t make it any easier. “Yeah, I am. I... I don’t think I can stop it, now.” I lean down and pull up my pant leg. Oliver winces as he sees how much of me is marked already. “Right now I’m okay, but soon the need will come back. It’s written in my DNA, maybe, this hunger for the magic. For the rush of it.” This is the hardest part. “There’s a pact, you see, between Bone Witches and their maker.”
He sucks in a breath. “What are you talking about?”
“The Bone Mother. She gives us power like you’ll never know. But she takes, too. In the end, Baba Yaga will have my soul and my body will be a spectre for her to use.”
“How do you—”
“I can’t put all my cards out on the table just yet, Uncle. I’m telling you this because I don’t want to become a bad person. I just want answers.”
“What kind of answers?”
I hold up fingers as I list them. “Who killed my parents? Who hired David to come find me? If there’s a cure for what I am?”
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Okay. I’ll help you with those. You’re my niece, after all.”
In the end, we hash out a small plan. Oliver feels it’s important for me to maintain appearances. Which means that, even though my debt to Tee is paid off, I need to keep my after-hours practice. Any teeth I get as payment will go into an enchanted box. Oliver’s supplying that, and it’s to keep me from being able to just grab the teeth if the hunger gets too bad.
He’s going to disappear for a while. My uncle, the hermit, is leaving Grimloch. He’s got some old acquaintances that are less than savory, but the people we’re searching for are the Bone Coven, and they’re the ones who give monsters the willies. Less than savory seems like the best place to start.
While he’s gone, I’ll be doing my own investigating by playing into whatever Ms. Nickles has planned. Someway or another, I’m going to find out about my mom.
It’s going to be hard sticking to life-as-normal with all the revelations that I’ve had, but in a way, there’s a sense of relief. Alec finally called, and the lycanthropy is taking in Abe. I’ll be able to be here for Abe when he recovers. Finally get that kiss I’ve been dreaming about for years. Benji and I can hopefully stay friends. Ingrid and I can spend time together like we used to before I was overworked and stretched too thin.
Maybe I can even look into some online school to get started in dentistry.
My world feels too big right now, with too many unanswered questions. Grimloch, with its small-town feel, is the perfect remedy. Routine. Familiar faces. One day at a time until I’m ready to start hunting my demons.
When that happens... the world had better watch out.
Epilogue
“Dr. Winston’s office, Sadie speaking, how may I help you?”
“Oh, Sadie.” Ingrid’s voice is thin and fragile. “Oh, oh, oh. I think I’m in trouble.”
This shoots me to high alert. My thoughts go to the box tucked in my office at the apartment. I only have a few teeth in there and Oliver never told me how to get into it. But I’m prepared to hammer that shit if I need to. “Do I need to call the police?”
Abe’s still not working. The word is he’s in India doing a yoga retreat and finding himself. The sweet, hippie townsfolk of Grimloch love that story. The truth is he’s still wrestling with controlling his wolf and the pack is keeping him hidden and safe. Which is great, except, you know, I miss him. And I feel guilty still. But it also means he’s not available to help Ingrid.
“It’s not that kind of trouble,” she sniffles. Oh god, she’s crying. “I had a vision.”
I relax a little, but try not to let her hear it in my voice. “Oh, okay. Tell me about it.” Ingrid’s visions have been just as off-mark as usual since the incident with David. Something’s freaked her out, sure, but I doubt it’s worth this amount of worry.
“It was clear, Sadie. Clear as a bell. And I don’t know what I’m going to do!”
Ingrid sounds too worked up to get a detailed description out of. Calming her down feels more important. “Okay, what do you need me to do?”
A long pause. “Ingrid?”
...
“I need you to pick up some pregnancy tests on your way home.”
THE END
Thanks goes to Ranie Carson, for her assistance in research. To Jessica Fullerton, who made me laugh and got pumped about this book when I was feeling particularly fragile. To Tiffany Webb, for supplying baked goods, childcare, and a listening ear.
Thanks also goes to Leah Riley, for her expert opinions and observations. Also Olea Mills, who has read many of my manuscripts and still manages to want to be my friend. Lauren J, Caitlin H, Courtney B, too.
To Zack, for all the reasons.
About the Author
Ware Wilkins lives in Raleigh, NC. When she’s not writing Urban Fantasy, she writes some other romancey type stuff, and when she’s not writing at all she’s probably napping. Other hobbies include binge-watching tv (TNG, yeaaaaaaah!) and going on adventures with her daughter, Evey.
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