We will speak to them, Snow White. They will be given a choice. A choice only they can make. They will decide what to do, and we will honor it and use our powers to enforce their will. We promise you.
“I don’t understand! How will they know they have the choice? How will we know what they want?”
They are in the place between, and they are listening.
Circe and the odd sisters were sitting at their table in the kitchen in front of the large round window. Outside, they had a view of Maleficent’s crows perched peacefully in the apple tree.
Siting on the table was a magnificent birthday cake, and Mrs. Tiddlebottom was puttering around in the kitchen, making tea.
“Where are we?” Circe asked, confused.
Mrs. Tiddlebottom laughed. “I don’t know, dear. I thought you would tell me.”
“We’re in the place between,” said Lucinda.
Circe hadn’t thought it would look like this, the place between.
“It looks any way we wish, Daughter,” said Ruby, putting a saucer of milk on the floor for Pflanze.
“Pflanze!” Circe was happy to see her until she realized what it meant. “Oh, Pflanze. Are you okay?” The cat didn’t answer.
“She can’t speak with you, darling. She is too weak. She is barely holding on, but we will do what we can to keep her here, won’t we? We won’t let her pass beyond the veil, not for us. Just as we won’t let you go into the mists with our ancestors.”
Circe suddenly felt as if she were young again, sitting with women she thought were her sisters in the kitchen on a bright sunny morning. She was so happy she had made the right choice. She was happy to see her mothers this way, as they were meant to be.
“We, too, are happy to be ourselves again,” said Lucinda. “But we wish it didn’t take your death to achieve it.”
Mrs. Tiddlebottom brought the witches a pot of tea and some cups. “Here you go, dears,” she said, putting down the tray. Circe looked up at her.
“Oh! Mrs. T! What are you going to do? Move forward beyond the veil or back to your old life?”
Mrs. Tiddlebottom laughed. “I’ve lived far too long already, but the ancestors have one more task for old Mrs. Tiddlebottom before she goes. I’m to look after the flowers should you and your mothers decide to use them. I’ve only just stopped by from my own corner of the place between for a spot of tea before I make my way back home. And to ask you a favor.”
Circe smiled. “Of course, what’s the favor?” But Lucinda answered for the old woman.
“She would like us to make our choice quickly. She is ready to go beyond the veil.” Lucinda smiled at Mrs. Tiddlebottom. “I’m sorry our ancestors have interfered with your passing.”
Mrs. Tiddlebottom patted Lucinda on the shoulder. “Oh, you’re not the same witch I remember. Not at all. I like this version of you much better.”
Lucinda laughed. “I like myself better, too.”
“But what choice are we talking about? I’ve already made my choice! And why are you here, Mothers? Why aren’t you in the dead woods? Why aren’t you living the lives I gave you with the sacrifice of my own?”
Lucinda took Circe’s hand.
“Because, my Circe, we are in the place between, and we have been given a choice. And all we have to do is listen to hear it.”
THE END
SERENA VALENTINO has been weaving tales that combine mythos and guile for the past decade. She has earned critical acclaim in both the comic and horror domains, where she is known for her unique style of storytelling, bringing her readers into exquisitely frightening worlds filled with terror, beauty, and extraordinary protagonists. The books in her best-selling Villains series are best enjoyed when read in the following order: Fairest of All, The Beast Within, Poor Unfortunate Soul, Mistress of All Evil, Mother Knows Best, The Odd Sisters.
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