Magic tingles to awareness under my skin, and I feel the presence of those who came before settling into my cells. It is a knowing unlike anything I could’ve imagined. It’s like that scene in the Matrix when Neo uploads knowledge, skills, and understanding, to become more than he was.
My knees buckle, and I drop to the ground. Tears streak down my face, hot and fast. My hands shake as I press them against my chest, trying to steady my breathing.
“You are now the heir to the Hallowind legacy, sweet girl. Know that we are all here for you. Make us proud.”
My mother’s words are still ringing in my ears when Wylder kneels next to me. Rowan and Orion are there now too, concern etched on their faces.
Orion’s hand finds mine, squeezing tight. “Poppy, you’re scaring us. What happened? What did you see?”
I meet his gaze and childhood memories of the two of us spending countless hours flood into my mind like the rise of a tide. I swallow hard, forcing the words out past the lump in my throat.
The globe of blue energy still crackles, burning bright.
“My mother. She showed me the truth. And now I know exactly why Laurel sent me away.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The air around us feels heavy, charged with leftover magic and the weight of what just happened, both in the vision of my mom I witnessed from five years ago and with her coming to me, to give me back what was taken.
Wylder helps me to my feet, standing behind me, his grip firm on my elbows. Rowan hovers close, while Orion hasn’t let go of my hand.
I take a shaky breath, the bonfire still crackling in front of me, the flames dancing as if celebrating my breakthrough. But there’s nothing celebratory about what I need to say.
“My mom was trying to save everyone.” The words come out raw, scraped from somewhere deep. “She and Sebastian—they were working a dangerous ritual to seal tears in the veil between Emberwood and a demon trying to gain access to our realm. And yes, they had taken control of the spirits of the undead, but they weren’t being raised for power. The demons were using them as fuel to power their incursion. Mom and Sebastian had to take control of them to end their exploitation.”
Wylder’s expression darkens. “A demon incursion?”
“Yes.” I swipe at my face, clearing the tears. “Mom and Sebastian were containing it, binding the demon to his realmbefore it could fully manifest. But then—” My throat tightens. “Laurel and the coven leaders showed up. They barged in and tried to shut things down.”
Rowan’s breath hitches. “During an active binding ritual?”
I nod. “And Laurel brought my father. I remember that now. She showed up at our house that night and told my dad that my mom was in incredible danger and he needed to come. He was torn. Mom had told us all earlier that she had to do something dangerous, but she needed us to trust her. And if things went wrong, Dad would know what to do.”
Orion frowns. “But if he knew that, why would he go?”
“Laurel convinced him he was the only one who could save her, but the moment Mom saw him at the ritual, she panicked and lost focus. It was only a split-second of indecision, but it was enough. Her intention shifted, and the containment shattered. The demon broke free of the partial binding, and everything went to hell.”
I meet Wylder’s gaze, willing him to understand. “The mark on our bloodline isn’t because she summoned the demon or because she was in league with dark magic in any way. It’s a scar from the ritual going wrong—from her trying tostopit.”
The silence that follows is suffocating.
Orion squeezes my hand. “The coven got it wrong and blamed her for the very thing she was trying to prevent.”
“And now, if Sebastian’s right and the rifts are opening again...” I straighten my shoulders, feeling the certainty settle into my bones. “Iwillhelp him finish what she started. No matter what the coven thinks.”
The declaration hangs in the air like a challenge.
Wylder stares at me, confusion, anger, and grief warring in his expression in equal measure.
I have no interest in hearing his excuses for his precious coven. Orion’s hand is warm in mine, and I give it a squeeze.Despite everything, the fear, the fury, and the grief I feel for what was taken from me, I flash him a wide smile.
“Mom gave me another gift, too, Oreo.”
His silver-blue eyes widen, the feline pupils dilating. All the worry melts from his face, replaced by something bright and hopeful. “You’ve got your memory back?”
I nod, fresh tears spilling over, but this time they’re happy ones. “I’m back, baby!”
He pulls me into a crushing hug, lifting me off my feet. I laugh into his shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent of winter pine and something wild. When we were kids, I used to tease him about smelling like Christmas morning. Wow, I’d forgotten that. I’d forgotten so much.
