A different sort of feeling washed over Prospero.
“Yes,” Ellie said. Her voice was biting as she added, “So nice of you to meddle and announce that.”
“Whatever magic the boy scooped up came boiling over when you stopped his heart.” Walter looked around the room. “Your belly?”
“Healed. Barrier up at full unwavering strength,” Scylla answered.
“Memories?”
The headmaster’s wife said, “Intact.”
“Addiction?”
Axell answered, “Cured.”
“And I’m not dying anymore.” Walter stood and stretched. “Feeling better than I have in centuries. Be ready to collect Aggie tomorrow.” His gaze spanned the room. He paused. “Dionysus. That’ll beyounow.”
The Norwegian looked stunned. “Me?”
“And you,” he said, waving a hand at Dan. “You’ll take House Grendel. Siphon those who need it, weigh out justice. We’ll need some polish to do a better job of the siphoning, though. That attempt was a bit messier than we would typically want.”
Then he walked up to Prospero, kissed her forehead, and pronounced, “I’m done being chief witch. I’ll try to see to it that you get saddled with it next. Mark my words. I know it was you and”—he shota glare at Scylla—“and you who lobbied to sentence me to it. So I’ll be sure to toss this pile of dung to one of you. See how you like it.”
Then he left the room, cheerily calling, “I’ll summon you when I find Aggie.”
39Ellie
Ellie looked around the room. Her gaze fell on poor Ian. “Someone needs to get him settled.” She glanced at her wife. “He looks traumatized. Could you…”
Prospero gave her a disbelieving look. “Seriously?”
Ian was staring at the ashes on the floor. Allan’s bottom jaw was in his lap. “Witch boss?”
Prospero sighed, walked over to the new witch, and said, “Eyes up here. Hand me that.”
He held out the partial jawbone, and Prospero called, “Hobs?”
Several hobs popped into the room, and in the next few moments, the dust and scattered pieces of bone fragments were gone. One hob paused beside Dan and whispered to him.
Meanwhile, Prospero held Ian’s gaze.
A few moments later, Ian was all smiles. “So you’re all witches?”
“You’re in Crenshaw due to the awakening of latent magical traits,” Sondre said as he approached Ian. “These traits mean that, in due course,there will be a decision whether you are to remain here or return to your home location.”
They all watched as Sondre walked out of the infirmary, still talking. “As part of this process, you will attend the College of Remedial Magic, after which you will be brought to court at several points, whereupon the Congress of Magic will determine if you can remain or be siphoned safely. If you are selected to remain…”
The door closed behind them, ending the sound of the “welcome to witch life” speech.
Maggie looked over at Ellie. “I guess you decided to stay with her, despite everything?”
Ellie shot a smile at her wife. “Enough to break every rule, hurt anyone who tried to step between us…” She looked back at Maggie. “I understand why you wanted to go after your kid now. Love makes people do absurd things.”
Maggie chuckled. “I’m glad you were enough of a friend to help me get to him even when you didn’t understand.”
Ellie felt Prospero come up behind her and wrap her arms around Ellie’s waist. She put her hand over Prospero’s hand to let her know she wanted her there.
“Everything I said to you stands,” Maggie said, looking back at Prospero.
