“I know you did. Now, I need you to go talk to Walt about the rules. That cagey old man is hiding things. In my younger days, I was ready to move in with him, you know? Maybe be a wife. Then I had to choose between being your auntie or staying here as a witch and wife. I chose you.”
Ellie felt tears on her cheeks now. No longer threatening, they were spilling down her face like a small river. “I’m sorry.”
“Pishposh. I’d choose you every time, Ellie. Being able to act like your parent all these years was one of the best parts of my life.” Hestia held a hand out toward Ellie, who moved to sit on the floor beside her feet as she’d done often as girl. “But this isyourworld now, Ellie, and I don’t have a place here. I’ll grow older, and they all won’t. You won’t. I had extra time before I was siphoned. That’s enough.”
“I can’t… you… what if they could give you some of your magic back? Is that a thing?”
“No.”
“But I don’t want to lose you. Without magic, you’ll get older and…” Ellie couldn’t even say the words. She felt like a child every time she so much as considered the loss of her remaining parental figure.
“That’s what people do. Get older. Die. The trick is to live a good life first, a full life, adventure.” Hestia touched her shoulder gently. “You stayed there with me long past when it was time to have your own life. You refused to move on, which isn’t what I want for you. I think being a witch is forcing you to move on like youshould.”
“I was content,” Ellie protested.
“I want you to be more than content. Behappy.Befulfilled.” Hestia gave her a gentle smile.
They had this argument so often that it was one Ellie couldn’t counter. Not really. Shedidwant more out of life, but she didn’t know how to have that sort of future.
Especially when Prospero is rejecting me.
“You have a place here, a woman who makes your eyes sparkle, and I want to go home. Back to my farmhouse. Back to my books and television, and maybe get some chickens.” Hestia laughed briefly. “And a goat. I always wanted a goat. They’ve been bothering me to teach a few history classes over at the high school. Maybe I ought to do that.”
Ellie sat there, silent as her aunt stroked her hair like she was a child. She knew she was clinging to Hestia, endangering her or trapping her if she stayed here. The rift spewed toxic air that would sicken Hestia if she went outside, so she was forced to stay inside the castle. That didn’t mean Ellie wanted to be apart from her.
“If you could change anything in your life, what would it be?” Ellie asked. “Usual rules.”
The “rules” to their game had always been that they never mentioned Ellie’s parents’ deaths. The game, Ellie now realized, might have been a side effect of the magic Hestia once had.
“Fuck the rules,” Hestia said. “I never wanted to wish your parents to stay alive. When your time is up, it’s up, but I used to wishtheywere witches instead. I used to imagine that they were swept away to Crenshaw, and I was givenyouinstead. It felt like a fair trade, a child to raiserather than magic. You were the prize, not a burden. I hope you know that, Ellie.”
“You wanted kids?”
“Eventually. Then I was a witch. No kids for witches. Then I was with you. I would’ve taken a dozen of you, lovey. A house full of grumpy kids who thought they knew everything.” Hestia grew silent then. “But my life has been amazing, El. I want it back. Tell them you are fine with letting me leave.”
Ellie laid her head on Hestia’s lap. “You’ll visit.”
“I will.”
“And bring me books to give Prospero and books for me and—”
“You can count on it.” Hestia sniffed. “I always thought you would move out sooner or later, but it feels so sudden. I’ll need to find a chicken sitter sooner than I’d planned.”
“We…youdon’t have chickens.”
“Yet. Maybe I’ll find me a nice young man who bakes. I did get used to those morning scones of yours.” Hestia smiled down at her. “When I visit…”
“I’ll make you scones. It’s a plan.” Ellie sat upright. “Okay, so we have a plan. How do we get it sorted out?”
“Atta girl! No time like the present. I suppose we talk to Walter. Explain that I am going home, but I’ll be visiting sometimes. You can send Prospero or Walt to fetch me.” Hestia straightened her sweater as if she were readying herself for a battle of wits. She had always liked to look polished before she went to debate anyone.
“Why don’t I go talk to him?” Ellie offered. She had a few questions for the chief witch anyhow.
Hestia gave her a look. “Be careful. Use the fact that he liked me if you need to, but don’t mistake him for harmless. He’s older than dirt and as wily as a snake.”
Ellie shivered at the tone in Hestia’s voice.
3Maggie
