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17

CALLIE

We wait a little ways out of the wards for as long as we can. We don't want to arrive too early and give Robert time to hurt us or do something freaking crazy before the Solstice begins. As long as he doesn't know exactly where we are, he can't do anything sneaky before it's time.

At least, that's the theory. I'm not completely convinced by it, but that's mostly because my uncle isn't exactly known for playing fair.

The forest dims as the sun sets, and there's no putting it off any longer. We have to go and face the music.

No. Not we. I. There's only one person who can truly stop the king. A small part of me wishes that wasn't the case, but the rest of me is surprisingly ready. I'm done with the games, the death, and the hurt. I'm ready for something to change. At least this time, I'm the one who can change things. I'm not stuck needing to rely on someone else. There's something reassuring about that.

I take a deep breath and summon the magic for a large portal, just like Fran taught me. It flickers into life in front of us, ready to take us to the clearing where everything will happen.

Nerves flutter in my stomach, but I ignore them. They're going to be my constant companions until this is over, anyway.

My power has expanded enough that the portal is easy where it would've been difficult before. I'm actually shocked I can do it without connecting to the earth and her magic.

The moment I'm through the portal, the seriousness of what's about to happen hits me. Oh well. There's no backing out. No changing the dates. I know how it works. It's today, or not at all.

My uncle stands in the middle of the clearing with a small ring of his devoted followers around him. An older woman holds the baby. I want to run forward and grab Robbie, my heart lurching for his mom. I'm going to do everything I can to keep my promise to her. If I win, I'll raise Robbie, and I'll tell him all about his mom's bravery.

I meet King Robert's eyes and almost recoil at the insanity I see lurking there. It's been evident for a while that he isn't the sanest person who has ever lived, but I don't think his craziness has felt as real as at this moment.

Despite the way it makes me feel, I straighten my spine and hold my head high. I can't show him any weakness.

"Hello," I call out as cheerily as I can.

The shock of my response registers on his face. He hasn't come to the same conclusion as I have. Either that, or he doesn't think I'm a threat and hasn't prepared for any kind of situation in which I am one.

If he isn't careful, that's going to prove to be his downfall.

I step over the stones onto the ceremony grounds. It's no longer soaked in blood, but the memory of the sacrifice there slams through me.

"Your mother sends a message," I say, louder this time. I want to make sure everyone hears. I'm not sure what the response will be from people who are already on my side, but I don't think those on his side will be all too pleased about kind messages of forgiveness from beyond the grave.

He opens his mouth to reply but falters.

I continue before he can think of a snarky reply. "She wanted me to tell you she forgives you."

He stares at me for a split second and then a portal opens behind him. The insane smile spreads across his face as Theresa walks out, leading a group of prisoners in shackles.

"I took many of these people from their homes over the last few weeks. When I kill them, I will be more powerful than you could ever hope to be," he retorts.

My stomach twists. He's going to completely ignore Nan's message, then. I suppose was to be expected.

He walks back and forth as the shackled people spread out behind him. More and more come through the portal, and the expressions on their faces break my heart.

I remind myself it's only temporary. I won't let any harm come to them, or any of the other people who have started to gather in the clearing. A part of me wishes they'd chosen to stay away, but I know a lot of them have come to see who the magic chooses.

Robert sneers at me. It's so easy to tell he thinks he's already won. "You have a choice. You can save them and use up your magic to do so. Or you can kill me, and they'll die. Your choice." He stops in the middle and stretches out his hands. "You have until the count of three to choose."

It's almost laughable that he thinks I have to choose. Has no one told him about the trees? The Earth magic? Or does he not believe the reports?

He holds up one finger.

I open myself up to the magic. Here in the circle, it's amplified even stronger than anywhere else, and I plan to make the most of it.

His second finger goes up.

Townspeople stream out of the woods, from across the street, and I see more coming up the road that leads out here. They're coming to support me. Though I suppose it's possible that a few of them will have decided to switch sides, but I doubt it. I truly believe I'm the better option for leading the coven. I plan to be just and kind. And I have my guys to make sure I do.

I push my thoughts aside and let the Earth’s magic swirl through me as his third finger curls upward.

Which is when it hits me. The magic has already chosen. It doesn't need a ceremony. It knew from the moment I got my powers back—as it turns out to be a stupid mistake on my Uncle's part—that it wanted me to be the catalyst. And there's nothing he can do about it.

Before his third finger is fully straightened out, I see my cat, sitting with her tail curled around her legs. I didn't notice her walk up, but she's here now. I smile at her and know exactly what to do.

The right thing.

I'm dimly aware that the townsfolk walk silently around the circle to gather behind me. But I ignore them. They're here to support me, but they're not in harm’s way, and aren't going to make a difference right now.

Instead, I focus on what I have to do to save the prisoners. I whip out my power and wrap it around all the people in shackles. I tug them forward so they're out of the circle, then command their shackles to break. There's a slight screech of metal as they do, but it's over within seconds.

The people I've freed murmur thanks as they melt into the crowd, joining the growing number of supporters behind me. I don't pay attention to the individual words. That'll be for later. Right now, I need to focus on my uncle.

"They’re free," I say softly.

A few more people came out of the portal behind Robert, but now the prisoners are gone, he really has a pitifully small number of people behind him.

Probably because I turned a lot of them into trees already. I try not to feel too bad about that.

When he doesn't respond immediately, I decide I can ignore him for the moment. Instead, I smile at Theresa and raise my hand. I resist the urge to laugh. I want to, but I think it might make me look as crazy as my uncle to the people gathered, and that's the last thing I want.

"Any last words?" I ask.

She scoffs. "You can't hurt me here."

I imagine her turning into a gnarled, withered tree, and the magic loves it. It takes the idea and runs with it, and when I snap my fingers, she is instantly shoved backward out of the circle, and then she and her three lovers beside her are transformed into equally ugly, dark trees.

My uncle watches with interest, leaning back to take in the sight of the trees. "Impressive. Saves me having to do that myself. She was getting uppity."

Is he seriously trying to bond with me now?

"Will," I whisper, knowing my voice will carry to where he's standing. "Can you light the trees on fire from here?"

He chuckles, then, without warning, all four trees are engulfed in flames. My Uncle and his followers jump away from them as the fire overtakes them. They're all taken so off guard that none of them think to put them out. I'm not sure they'll be able to, even if they want to.

My uncle's lips twist into a grin as his people gather in the circle with him. "Now, you don't have enough power to defeat me. It doesn't matter who the magic chooses if you're dead," he taunts.

Did he learn his battle etiquette from a guide for TV villains? Because it's laughable how many ways he's trying to cut me down with empty words.

He steps out of his circle, closing the gap between us. I watch him intently, noting how his eyes flicker over the people gathered just outside the circle. The ones who are clearly making it obvious they're with me and not him. He has a lot fewer people around him, and I'm sure he's starting to notice it.

"If you're wondering where all your cronies are, I planted them," I point out. "But don't worry, they'll turn back once they've learned their lessons." At least, I think so. I'm a bit confused about that part of the magic, but we'll see in time.

He narrows his eyes.

"In town?" I raise my eyebrows as if trying to explain something to someone very dull. "You understand what I'm saying?"

He finally snaps and flings magic at me, snarling as he does so.

Oh, yeah. It's on.