“I can’t imagine how hard it must have been living with her,” I said, though I wasn’t sure if this was helpful. Maybe there was nothing helpful to say, and I should have stayed quiet.
Oaklyn lifted a shoulder, her eyes glassy. “I know she’s my mom…but sometimes, I hate her. Is that bad?”
Her lips puckered, like the words tasted sour.
I squeezed her hand. “It’s okay to feel that way.”
And it made what I had to do a little easier.
My heart beat faster, hammering against my ribs.
I had the power to fix this. To take that awful woman out of Oaklyn’s life and help Katie all in one swoop.
Pros of texting Sophia’s location to Katie:
+ Help catch the most dangerous known witch, who has hurt her own children, Natalie’s family, and innocent bystanders.
+ Oaklyn deserves better than Sophia’s bullshit.
+ Katie’s safety depends on this.
Cons:
- Send the only family Oaklyn has left to prison. Or worse.
- Oaklyn might hate me forever.
How can I even weigh those against each other?
There was one way forward. One thing for me to do, no matter how sick it made me.
On the drive back, I did it. And a chill spread through me the moment the message to Katie showed ‘Delivered.’
Now the Shadows will come for Sophia, and…
Well, whatever happens next will be my fault. I’ll be responsible for Sophia’s capture—responsible for Oaklyn losing the only family shehas left.
As terrible as Sophia is, she’s still Oaklyn’s mother, and the way Oaklyn talked about her… There was pain in her eyes, but also a complicated sort of love. The kind that comes from being raised by someone who hurt you but also made you strong enough to fight for what you believe in.
I texted Katie one more time and asked her to call me in the morning before doing anything with Sophia’s location. I wanted to talk to her, to make sure the witches weren’t going to kill Oaklyn’s mom—only imprison her.
My heart is beating hard with the realization that I’ve done something serious. Part of me wants to call Katie right now and take it back. Tell her to stop whatever the Shadows are planning. But it’s too late, and the information is sent.
And anyway, this is bigger than my feelings for Oaklyn. This is about keeping the world safe.
I just hope that when this is all over, Oaklyn will understand why I did it. But I don’t expect forgiveness from her.
Honestly, I don’t even know if I’ll ever forgive myself.
When we got back to her apartment, she pulled me close and kissed me with such tenderness that tears sprang in my eyes. “Stay tonight?” she whispered against my lips.
The guilt was as sharp as a blade between my ribs.
How could I say no? How could I walk away when this might be our last night together before everything falls apart?
I need tonight to commit her every contour to memory. To remember the way her breath sounds in my ear and the way her eyes glint when she smiles. Because after tomorrow, these memories might be all I have left of her.
Chapter 19
