Witch, 95

“I still believe that re-connecting the two clans so suddenly is a radical step.”

“And I still believe it is a necessary one.”

“I did not say it wasn’t necessary. Merely that it is radical. There will be friction.”

“There is friction now.”

“Clearly.”

“Must we go in further circles, Amaryllis?”

“No. You did not let me finish. I am willing to attempt your plan.”

The forest erupted in music as Amaryllis said that, and Ron was completely shocked. She’d been so completely against a full reintegration of the clans just yesterday, and now suddenly she’d agreed to it. Had going to see the thing in the cave really been that convincing for her?

Witch, 93

“They’ll be here any minute.”

“Yeah, I can hear them coming.”

“Yes, they’re quite loud, actually.”

“In all senses of the word, yes. Speaking of which, can we trust the centaurs not to clomp through the garden or should I go tell them not to step on Howie’s shoots?”

“I think we can trust Estelle to know better than to disrespect our garden.”

“I think so too,” Ron admitted, stroking the table to calm it down. Everyone was going to be getting here for the meeting soon. Their family was already here, standing by the house and waiting. Ron could hear the faeries approaching from the east and west, at the same speed and distance. They must be able to sense each other, and of course neither of them wanted to arrive first and be made to wait.

Witch, 74

“So.”

“So?”

“So it’s James’s power that makes these grow?”

“Yeah.”

“Does it make them grow in your other hair too?”

“Gross, Jay.”

“It’s a valid question!”

Ron shook his head, went back to weeding the garden. Tana and Jay were helping him. “It doesn’t.”

Witch, 73

“Ron?”

“Yeah?”

“I’d like you to come outside with me.”

“Okay.”

“Aren’t you going to ask why?”

“I assume you’ll tell me anyway.”

“I will.” James smiled. “There’s a ritual I need your help with.”

Witch, 72

“Ready?”

“I’ve been ready since we got here.”

“Me too, but let’s not tell them that.”

“I think they know.”

“Still, it’s rude.”

“And we wouldn’t want to be that.” James let out a sigh. “We’ll have to come back a few times, no doubt.”

“And have them over to our place.”

“They’re probably just as happy about that as we are.”

Witch, 68

“I feel like our entire relationship is you stealing my clothes.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

“I don’t know that I’d qualify it as good.”

“Really? I hear you like it when witches steal your clothes.”

“You shouldn’t listen to every rumour you hear, especially the ones your cousin spreads.”

“Heard it from Spike, actually.”

“Come on, he’s about as trustworthy as a fire shoot.”

Jay laughed as Ron handed over his pants. “It’s impossible to get rid of fire shoots, you know. You can uproot them and they’ll still grow back in the same spot in a few years.”

Witch, 43

“We’ll come see you again soon.”

“Past experience has made it hard for me to believe that.”

“We will. Maybe after Ron’s birthday in a few weeks.”

“All right. Well, you know you’re always welcome here.”

“I know.”

“You’re not always welcome at our house,” Jay said.

“I’m coming over anyway.”

Whisper Terror into the Minds of Children Who Dream

“She’s going to have the same birthday as you. That’s a powerful sign.”

“What does that mean?”

“Being born on the same day as someone else means that you two will have a bond—souls aligned with one another.”

“Oh.”

“You’ll be able to do great things together, things that you might not have been able to do by yourself.”

“Even though she’s a baby?”

“She won’t always be a baby, James.”