Wild is the Witch (75)

I’m shocked at her openness, and my eyes burn as she speaks. I’m not sure where she’s going with this, but I want to hear it. I need to hear it.

“I don’t want to carry the burden of putting another young witch on trial. Certainly not one who once felt like family. So here’s how this is going to work: if you plead guilty to the reckless use of magic charge, my recommendation to the council will be to forgo a trial and sentence you to sixty hours of service in the witching community.”

I open my mouth to reply, but I don’t know what to say. It’s far lighter than what I deserve.

“That’s extremely lenient of you,” Mom says when I still haven’t managed to speak. “Thank you.”

“Like I said, I don’t want the burden. But Iris, you are forbidden from ever engaging in your grandmother’s ritual again. No more spells, and no more curses. I don’t care how minor it seems. You are absolutely forbidden. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” I say, twisting the sheets in my hands. I know it’s reasonable, and it’s a small price to pay for Cassandra’s leniency, but it hurts to give up. Then I remember Leo’s tradition of throwing wishes into the fire, and it makes me want to cry, this incredible gift I’ve been given. I have a replacement for my grandmother’s ritual, and suddenly it doesn’t hurt as much.

“The level of control and strength you displayed when Pike turned is nothing short of impressive. The truth is that many witches would not have been able to withstand the amount of magic you did, and I know it was in service of trying to protect another person. You should be proud of yourself.”

“Thank you,” I say, keeping my voice steady. It makes me wish for the millionth time that I could go back to that night on the lake and change it somehow.

“Finally, we feel that Pike is your responsibility, and thus, that you will serve out your sixty hours by being the one who helps him learn his magic.”

“What does that mean, exactly?”

“It means that you will have to teach Pike how to be a mage. You will teach him how to use magic and how to be responsible with it. You will teach him the laws and rules, what is acceptable and what isn’t, and help him into this next chapter of his life. And until we feel he is ready to practice on his own and no longer needs supervision, we will hold you responsible for him.”

Teaching someone how to use their magic when they’ve acquired it later in life is a huge undertaking, especially at first. The council employs witches whose job it is to do this full-time, and Pike would have to agree to it. The council has no legal authority over him because he hasn’t done anything wrong.

“Don’t you think it would be better to have someone help him who’s done this before? I don’t know the first thing about teaching a mage how to use magic.”

Cassandra shifts in her seat and rests her hands on her folio. “The Alder family has a complicated past with witches, and Pike has made it clear that if he is going to put his schooling on hold to learn to use his magic appropriately, he wants to learn from someone he trusts. And he trusts you.”

I look up at her. “He said that?”

“Yes, he did.”

The words settle my stomach and fill me with warmth. After everything, Pike trusts me.

“Okay,” I say, meeting Cassandra’s eyes. “I’ll do it.”

“Good.” She stands. “We’ll get you set up with someone from the council who can help you get started.” She walks to the door but pauses before leaving. “I’m sorry for what you went through. Please know that I speak on behalf of the entire council when I say we are all inspired and impressed by the level of pain you endured to try to stop this from happening. You saved his life, Iris. Don’t be too hard on yourself.”

“Thank you,” I say. Cassandra reaches for the door, then turns to my mom. “It really was good to see you.”

Mom nods. “It was,” she says. Then she stands and pulls Cassandra into a hug. She whispers something I can’t hear, but Cassandra closes her eyes and squeezes them tight as my mom speaks.

When she pulls away, Cassandra straightens her jacket and clears her throat.

“Hey, Cassandra?” I ask.

She looks at me.

“Do you think Amy would be open to hearing from me?”

A small smile tugs at her lips, so faint I question if it’s even real. “There’s only one way to find out.” She opens the door and looks at me one last time. “Heal well, Iris.”

Then she’s gone.





Twenty-Nine


I’m released from the hospital a week later, and Mom drives me straight to the refuge so I can see Winter. I’ve only been away for a couple weeks, but spring has brightened everything. The greens are greener, and the soil is richer. Wildflowers push through the earth and songbirds sing for hours on end. I look up to the trees, then remember the owl I’m searching for isn’t there. Still, I scan the branches for a moment longer before letting myself into the forest where the wolves roam.

Winter hears me right away and comes barreling toward me, jumping around my legs and nudging my hands when she reaches me. She gives me my distance, careful not to knock me over or dig into my skin, and I kneel down and pet her chest, resting my head into hers.

“I missed you,” I say, and she licks my face.