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“Thank you for helping me. I know it’s late,” I say. “I just… I want to see her as someone other than who hurt me. Even though I know it wasn’t actually her, it still hurts.”

“I know, I’m glad you came to me. I’ll always be here for you, day or night,” Grandma says.

“Okay. This is sweet and everything, but the zombie is staring at me,” Leli says. “Can we rid Ashara of this rogue bitch?”

“Yeah,” Grandma laughs.

Grandma turns to her daughter’s body and snaps her fingers. She falls to the floor. We move her to lie on her back. She makes a circle of salt big enough so that we can sit around her body. Grandma lights draegunblud incense and sage, letting the smoke fill the room. Leli and I light candles and place them at the four cardinal directions of the salt ring. Grandma places a lapis lazuli on Mom’s throat, as it represents spirit and truth.A small apophyllite crystal is placed in the center of her forehead. I have my necklace on, as do Grandma and Mom. Leli has a necklace that has her mother’s family symbol on it. We all hold hands and focus on imagining the negative spirit leaving Mom’s body as Mom’s spirit reenters. Her body begins to glow a soft, hazy blue as we sit in complete silence and picture this transition on repeat. We feel the shift in the room only to look down and see that Mom’s eyes are open. She looks around the room, almost confused.

“Ashara,” Grandma says softly as she removes the items off her throat and head.

“Momma,” she says tearfully as she sits up. She hasn’t seen Leli or me, so we don’t move. I can’t imagine how confused she feels right now.

“Oh, sweetie,” Grandma says as she hugs her. After a second, she sits back and cups her face. “I missed you so much, Ashara.”

“I tried to stop him, Momma. That damn collar blocked my powers before I could,” she explains between sniffles.

“I know, Ashara. You’re a fighter. You never gave up,” Grandma says with tears streaking her cheeks. Mom glances over and sees Leli. It is taking her a second to get a hold of her surroundings.

“Leli?” Mom asks. Leli nods with tears also running down her face. Mom grabs her and hugs her tightly. “God, you’re all grown up now.”

“You should see Bolt and Volley now,” she laughs through her tears. “They have mates now.”

“So do you,” I say.

“Oh, right. I have a mate,” Leli says. Mom pulls away and turns to me. I realize she knew I was here all along but saved me for last, knowing she’d be overwhelmed with emotion. She presses her palm over her mouth to keep her audible cries in before I pull her into a hug.

“I told you I’d bring you back, Mom,” I say tearfully. “You deserve a happy ending too.”

“Thank you so much, Lilith,” she says, pulling away to look at me. “Gods, you girls are so grown up.”

“You want to go to the house and see everyone?” I ask.

“They’re here?” she asks.

“Yeah,” I say. “The only one who knows what we’ve been up to is Vash, Leli’s mate. My mates know it was your body that came into that room, but with everything going on I think they forgot, or assume I am ignoring it.”

“Your brothers too?” she asks.

“Yep, and their mates. Dad, Aunt Sana, Striker’s daughter Sylvie Brenna, and Freya are here as well,” I tell her, and she smiles. “It’s not even four in the morning, but I’m going to wake them when we get back.”

“They’ll be more than thrilled,” Grandma says as she stands up. Leli and I stand before helping Mom up.

“It’s weird being back in my body,” she says. “At least I’m still hot.” We all burst out laughing at her light humor of the situation.

“Come on,” I say, hugging her. “Let’s go wake everyone.”

When we get back to the house, I put the illusion spell back on Mom so we can get everyone sat down first. Leli goes to get Vash while Grandma gets Dad, Brenna, and Aunt Sana. I go down the hall and start with Striker and Maple. I knock on their door before pushing it open.

“You okay, Sis?” Striker asks as he sits up and rubs his eyes.

“I’m perfect,” I say with a smile. “Get up. I have a surprise for everyone.” I turn on the light, and Maple groans. “Sorry. I promise it’s worth it.”

“It’s so bright,” Maple mumbles with her eyes squeezed shut.

“You have lost your mind, Lilith. It’s the middle of the night,” Striker complains.

“I swear to the gods, it’s worth it,” I say. “I’m going to wake up Volis and Kira.”