Hex You, page 23
“Yes, ma’am,” the kids muttered and shuffled to the tables filled with fat Magic Markers and cardboard.
Kirk wiped a hand across his moist brow and joined them. Stay close. Remind them of the sins of the Goode sisters … Like waves crashing on the shore, Kirk’s wise inner voice whispered to him over and over and over …
THIRTY-FOUR
Mercy readied herself to begin her good-byes. She didn’t need to look at her wound and the streaks of red spreading from it like a deadly spider’s web to know her time was getting shorter and shorter. She could feel it—or, more accurately, Mercy couldn’t feel much of anything, and as the numbness in her body increased her strength decreased.
I have to say good-bye to them, and then I just have one more thing to do. Freya will understand—so will Abigail. But Hunter won’t. At least she won’t until later …
A warm finger lifted her chin and she looked up at Khenti. She was snuggled against him, and when she met his gaze she saw worry there, along with compassion. He spoke softly so that only she could hear him over the current episode of Buffy. “You seem very far away.”
Mercy drew a deep breath, attempting to also draw strength within her numb body. “I need to talk to you, but privately.”
Khenti nodded, cleared his throat, and raised his voice. “Mercy would like to get some air. Could you pause this most excellent episode?”
Jax, who had arrived with pizza, nodded from his favorite recliner and bumped Hunter with his knee. She was sitting on a big pillow on the floor, leaning back against his legs. “H, you’ve got the remote. Pause it for Mag.”
“No, you guys go ahead and keep watching. I’m just going to take a little walk with Khenti. I won’t be gone long,” said Mercy as Khenti helped her stand.
“Are you sure?” Hunter asked.
“Totally,” said Mercy.
“Kitten, shall I get you a sweater? You should not catch a chill.” Xena started to rise from her perch on the arm of the couch, but Mercy’s words halted her.
“It’s okay. I’m not cold.”
Khenti put his arm securely around Mercy. “And should our Green Witch get chilled I will bring her right back inside.”
“Okay, but don’t wait until she’s too cold,” said Emily. She chewed her lip and stared at Mercy.
“I shall take great care with her,” said Khenti as Mercy motioned toward the front door. She was glad Khenti’s arm was around her. She could lean on him without everyone else knowing that she was actually leaning on him, and for a moment it was like Mercy was just going for a walk with her new boyfriend.
Boyfriend? Well, I guess I don’t have time to go slow after all …
Outside they paused on the wide front porch. Mercy had planned on going for a walk with Khenti. The night was soft with spring—not too hot, not too cold—and the air was perfumed with green, growing things, but she could feel her energy waning. My time is almost gone. The thought had her stomach tightening, and her thoughts skittered away from her looming death. Focus on now.
“Can we sit on the porch swing instead of walking?” Mercy asked Khenti softly.
“Of course.” He led her to the porch swing.
Mercy sat beside him within the circle of his arm. He felt warm and strong and filled with life. She envied him so, so much.
“It’s time for you to leave,” she said and felt surprise jolt through his body.
“I would prefer to stay until the end,” he said somberly. “Unless you truly do not want me here.”
She turned within his embrace so that she could look into his eyes. “I do want you here, but I am almost at the end.”
His face paled. “So soon?”
She nodded and then cleared her throat and continued. “I need to ask you something. A favor.”
“You may ask me anything. If it is in my power to grant it, I will.”
Mercy drew another deep breath. “I was wondering—would you mind if I joined you in the Egyptian Underworld?”
Khenti blinked several times in surprise. “I would not mind at all, but would you not rather be in the Summerlands with your mother, your goddess, and your ancestresses?”
“Well, yeah, but it’s complicated. Remember that I hexed your dad?”
Khenti nodded and his lips quirked up at the edges. “Yes, that I will never forget. But I must deal with my father. You cannot help me with that.”
“Oh, no. Sorry. I’m not trying to do some ridiculous white savior thing. I mean, please. I’m not even capable of saving myself. And I don’t want you to think I’m being a sticky-booger girlfriend and following you home like a lost little puppy,” she said.
His smile widened. “Girlfriend?”
For a second Mercy was almost glad of the poison coursing through her body because it kept her cheeks pale—instead of flaming red. “I know we were going slow, but I’m kinda running out of time and also I honestly really like you. As more than a friend. I want you to know that, but also I want you to know that if I do come to your Underworld that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with me forever.”
Khenti touched her cheek. “I like you as more than a friend, too. And I would never feel as if I was stuck with you. If we are together and more than friends that would be wonderful, but our friendship will stay strong—whether we decide we truly want more or not.” He paused before continuing. “I am not him,” Khenti said firmly. “Unlike the foolish boy who used and hurt you, I truly see you, Green Witch Mercy.”
“What do you see?”
“I see your strength and the ferocity with which you love. If someday I may be granted that ferocious love that would, indeed, be a gift beyond value.” Khenti smoothed back her hair from her face. “But I will be there for you. Always.” He bent slowly, giving her time to turn away.
Mercy did not turn away.
Their lips met and she was filled with a delicious swirl of desire—that just as quickly faded and was replaced by dizzying weakness. Reluctantly, she broke the kiss and then rested her head against his chest.
The front door opened and Emily stuck her head out. “Mag, you gotta check out Buffy’s hair. I do not know what the hell happened, but it looks like a newscaster’s hair helmet.” Then her fawn cheeks pinkened. “Oh, sorry! I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Mercy turned and smiled at her best friend. “You didn’t. I was just going to ask Khenti to go get you.” She met Khenti’s gaze. “Could you give Em and me a minute?”
“Of course.” He kissed her softly and stood. As he and Emily passed each other, Khenti touched her shoulder gently. “Just call if you need me.”
Em bit her lip, but nodded. She sat next to Mercy on the swing and put her arm around her best friend. With a sigh, Mercy leaned wearily against her. “Hey, are you cold?” Emily asked. “Should I get a blanket or something?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Does it hurt?” Emily said softly as she stroked her hair.
Mercy sighed. “No, not at all. It’s weird, though, because I can’t feel some of my body.”
Emily stifled a sob and had to clear her throat before she could speak again. “It’s going to be okay. Hunter is an amazing witch and Xena is, like, the best familiar in the world and totally filled with magic. They’ll figure out how to save you. I’m sure of it.”
Mercy said nothing. I can’t make Emily understand what I’m going to do. I can’t even really say good-bye because she’d try to stop me. They’d all try to stop me—especially Hunter. But she knew what she had to do. And Mercy had to make this as easy for Emily—for the rest of them—as possible.
“Em, thank you for being my bestie.” It was getting more and more difficult for her to speak, but Mercy had to. She had to try to say something that would comfort Emily after this was all over.
“You don’t have to thank me for that. We’ve been besties for ages.”
“That’s true, and we’re going to be best friends forever. I mean it, Em. You and I will always be friends. No matter what. No matter where you are. No matter where I am,” said Mercy. “I’ve been thinking about how much you like witchy stuff.”
“Hey, sorry about that,” Em said quickly. “I never meant to appropriate.”
“No, it’s not that. I think it’s nice. I’ve been meaning to tell you that. There’s no reason you can’t help with spellwork and can’t learn the Witches’ Rede. So, um, until I’m better I’ll bet H and Xena can start teaching you some basics.”
“Really? Oh, Mag! I would fucking love that!” Emily clamped a hand over her mouth. “Oops. I shouldn’t have said fuck. That was inappropriate. Was that inappropriate?”
“Well, I prefer British cuss words, but to each her own.” Mercy’s laugh turned into a cough that left her fighting for air as Emily held her tightly.
“You have to get well. You have to,” said Emily through tears.
“I’m going. To be. Okay. Promise,” said Mercy between gulps of air. “You’ll be. Okay. Too, Em. I know it.”
The door to the porch burst open and Hunter stepped out, holding a shovel like it was a wooden stake and she was part of the Scooby Gang headed to a graveyard.
“I know what I have to do! We’re ending this. Get in the car. I’m gonna kill a goddess!”
* * *
Hunter craned her neck around from the driver’s seat to look at Mercy, who was sandwiched between Khenti and Emily in the backseat of the Camry. “Mag, I really didn’t mean for you to come. I was just going to take care of this while you rested and watched Buffy.”
Mercy forced her numb lips to smile. “No bloody way I’m going to miss this.”
“I don’t know. You look really pale, Mag.” Jax peered over the front seat at Mercy, his eyes bright with worry.
Xena, who was wrapped in Abigail’s bathrobe and perched on Jax’s lap, patted the top of his head as if he really was a kitten. “Do not worry, Jax. We shall all look after Mercy.”
“Well, I’m not staying home, so let’s go. Call it a last request if you have to,” said Mercy.
Emily rounded on her. “Don’t say that! You’re going to be fine.” Then she leaned forward. “H, maybe when you take out Amphitrite you could snag some of her goddess magic and use it to cure Mercy!”
Hunter’s turquoise-blue eyes went to Mercy. The twins shared a look that only the two of them could translate. It was them against the world again—as it should always be—and they would protect their friends from sorrow as long as possible. Hunter nodded quickly before she turned her gaze to Emily.
“That’s a great idea, Em! I’ll definitely keep it in mind.” Hunter put the Camry into gear and headed toward the heart of Goodeville.
“Kitten, where exactly are we going?” Xena asked.
“To the park. That’s where I buried the Amphitrite poppet at the palms. I’m digging it up and then we’re going to take it to the Greek tree where I’ll summon that sea hag and be rid of her once and for all.”
“Good thing it’s late,” said Emily. “There shouldn’t be anyone at the park to see you dig up that creepy thing.”
Hunter turned onto the narrow street that wound through the neighborhood surrounding the park as she said, “Yeah, well, I don’t really give a shit about who sees me doing—” Her words broke off as the park came into view.
“That does not look like a deserted park,” said Khenti.
“What the bloody hell is going on out there?” Mercy leaned into Khenti as she stared at the park.
“Oh, shit! That’s my mom and her Bible study group!” Jax said.
“And Kirk with some of his football buddies. They’re with your mom, Jax,” said Hunter. “This looks bad.”
“Kitten, turn around. We can retrieve your poppet another time. I do not like how this feels,” said Xena.
“Yeah, I agree. I’ll get us out of here.” Hunter pulled into the parking lot, and put the Camry into reverse to back out onto the street.
“Hunter, wait!” Mercy grabbed her sister’s shoulder. “She’s here! Amphitrite! She’s at the park!”
“What? Where?” Hunter looked frantically at the artificially lit park.
“There. The goddess is hovering over Jax’s mother and their group at those picnic tables,” said Xena solemnly.
Hunter put the car into park. “Then I’m not going anywhere.” She turned and looked at her sister. “Stay here.” Her eyes swept the car. “All of you. I’m going to get the poppet and end her. Now.”
“In front of all these people?” Mercy shook her head. “No, H. You can’t.”
“Mag, what I can’t do is continue to allow that sea hag to poison our town. She’s already poisoned you! How many more people have to die because she is completely batshit and vindictive and in need of more couples therapy than money can buy? No. Stay here. I’m the Chosen One. I’m doing this.” Shovel in hand, Hunter opened the door. She didn’t so much as glance at the group of people, but walked quickly and purposefully toward the cluster of doum palms.
“The goddess sees her.” Khenti’s voice was steel.
Mercy’s gaze went to Amphitrite. Khenti was right. The goddess’s bloated, dripping head had swiveled as if she was a demented sea owl and she stared at Hunter. Then her insubstantial body drifted down, closer to the group of people at the picnic tables. Mercy could see her mouth move and didn’t need to hear what she said to understand what the goddess was doing.
The people stirred restlessly. They lifted cardboard signs from the tables and as one they turned to look at Hunter.
It was then that Mercy saw what was written on the signs, and her stomach felt sick.
“Open the door. Let me out!” she said.
Khenti quickly did so, helping her to stagger from the car.
“Come back, kitten! You must not overexert yourself!” Xena had crawled from Jax’s lap and her face was pale with worry as she spoke through the open window.
“Look at the people. They’re going after Hunter. Amphitrite is influencing them. We have to help Hunter!” As Mercy spoke she stumbled from the parking lot to the grass and fell to her knees.
Khenti was beside her in an instant. “How can I help you?”
“Just hang on a sec. I’m going to try to pull energy from the ley lines or I’ll be totally useless.” Mercy pressed her hands and knees into the grassy earth. She closed her eyes and sent a silent prayer to her goddess. Freya, I know my time is almost up—and I know you’re listening to me. Grant one last request from your faithful Green Witch. Let me draw enough power to help Hunter. Please, I beg it of you! Eyes still closed, Mercy shifted her concentration from Freya to the ley lines. She could feel them, thick and powerful, beneath her. They hummed with energy. Mercy tapped into them and completely opened herself as she beseeched, “By right of blood I ask you to fill me, Green Witch Mercy Goode, daughter of Kitchen Witch Abigail Goode, sister of Cosmic Witch Hunter Goode. By right of my ancestry I ask you to fill me. By right of a dying wish granted to one who follows The Path—fill me, strengthen me so that I may help my sister claim victory over She who would destroy those beloved to us witches three! So I have spoken. So mote it be.”
Mercy gasped as warmth rushed into her besieged body. There was pain, too. Terrible pain. But it was worth it. She gritted her teeth against the agony. Khenti’s hand rested on her shoulder.
“I am here. You can do this,” he said.
“As am I, my kitten.” Xena was there, beside her in the grass.
“We’re all here, Mag,” said Emily.
“You’ve got this,” said Jax.
Mercy drew a deep breath. She could feel her body and the energy of the earth. It hummed through her like she was a conduit for an electric current. She stood without dizziness and tossed back her hair. “That’s better.”
“Just in time, kitten.” Xena pointed across the park at the Bible group that had picked up their signs and marched angrily toward Hunter, who had just reached the palms. Above them, Amphitrite floated. Her transparent tentacles reached down to stroke Jana Ashley, who led the group with Kirk beside her.
“Witch! Your reckoning has come!” Mrs. Ashley shouted.
THIRTY-FIVE
“Let’s go!” Mercy strode into the park, followed by three of the four beings who meant the most to her in this world. As she hurried after the mob closing in on Hunter, she remained connected to the earth and the fat, pulsing lines of power that were—temporarily—lending her strength.
“Shall I summon my khopesh?” Khenti asked from Mercy’s side.
“Definitely,” Mercy said. “I don’t want you to have to use it on the townspeople, though.”
“I shall brandish it and intimidate them,” said Khenti.
“I’ll try to talk my mom out of whatever she’s up to,” said Jax.
Mercy didn’t spare him a glance. Her focus remained on the ley lines and the power that sustained her. “Jax, she’s under the influence of Amphitrite. Don’t be shocked if she won’t listen to you.”
“Or even turns against you, sweet Jax kitten.” Xena jogged to keep up with them.
“You guys, this is reminding me way too much of the kill the beast scene from Beauty and the Beast.” Emily panted as she hurried with them.
“We need to cut that group off before they get to Hunter,” said Mercy. “Khenti! I can’t get there in time, but you can. Run! Stand in front of them and summon your khopesh. Don’t let them get past you!”
“Gladly,” said Khenti before he raced forward.
“I’ll go with him!” Jax rushed after the demi-god.
Xena wrapped her arm through Mercy’s. “Are you well, my kitten?”
“Freya is letting me borrow energy from the ley lines. It won’t last.”
“I can help, too!” Emily went to Mercy’s other side and took her arm. “I’m not a real witch, but I understand intent and focus. And right now I’m totally focused on the intent of stopping this mob.”
Mercy nodded. “You help. Both of you help.” Her gaze went to her sister. She could just make her out in the deep shadows of the tree. She was on her knees by the trunk of the centermost palm. Good, she’s digging up the poppet. I just need to buy her time. She looked from Hunter to the hovering goddess and her stomach tightened. Amphitrite had outdistanced her mob and was heading toward Hunter.
