“And yet, Heather Briar, if his time is now that would mean you would be returned to one another. Is that not what you want?”
“I want my son to experience the freedom of life that his actions have awarded. I have waited all this time to see him again, what more is it to wait until it is his time, naturally speaking.”
Hekate swept her gaze to Eleanor. “And what have you got to say, Maiden? You know the pain of dying before your time. Would you sympathise with the Mother, or believe the rules of life and death, and covet them?”
Eleanor chewed on her answer for a moment, pinching the skin of her lips between slightly bucked teeth. “I believe, as I know you want me to, that choice is what matters here. Hector can decide where his path takes him next.”
Hekate smiled, humming as she did so. It took her a moment to focus back on me, so long I almost begged to be graced with her attention. “That is right. Hector, you may be seeking some reward for saving my children from the forces of darkness. I imagine you have a number of things you desire. And I wish to give something to you. But, before that, you must answer the most important question. Are you ready to leave life behind you, and dwell happily in my embrace, or are you not ready to give life up yet?”
I was being given a choice. I’d listened to them counselling each other about my future after this moment, but hearing it plainly from Hekate stilled me to my core.
“Are you saying I can go… back?” I asked, hope sparking in my too-still chest.
“That is exactly what I am telling you.” Hekate swept her cloak back, allowing for her hounds to walk free of her shadows. “I will reward you for your successful destruction of Bahmet bygiving you the chance to walk back off this crossroad. To step back into life and leave this place behind.”
“Thank you,” my mum breathed, relief evident in her cracking voice.
Hekate lifted a hand, to silence her or accept her thanks, I wasn’t sure. “Hector, you must decide for yourself.”
It was, all in all, an easy decision. I wasn’t ready to die yet. Even faced with the promise of my family that had been taken from me years ago, I still had a family I’d leave behind.
A coven who needed me as equally as I needed them.
I jutted my chin, trying to keep as calm as I could. “I think you know what I want.”
Hekate tipped her head, flashing the crown of night upon her brow at me. “Then it will be done?—”
“Wait,” I shouted, not meaning to interrupt the most powerful deity who stood before me.
Hekate’s face drew into a tight scowl. “Is it a trait of a Briar to interrupt their Queen?”
I refused to look away, to cower in the face of her sudden formidable fury. “You are rewarding me for destroying Bahmet, who was once your burden, right? Bahmet belonged to you, he tricked you and thus became our problem down the line. I did the very thing you couldn’t.”
“Your honesty cuts deep, but yes.”
My breathing became erratic, as though the air in this place was running out. “But you see, I wasn’t the only one who can take credit for destroying Bahmet. There was another. Someone I couldn’t have gotten this far without.”
“Ah,” Hekate exhaled, closing her eyes. Beneath her thin eyelids, I could see her eyes flickering around in search. “Kai. He waits for me to speak with me next. Is that who you speak for?”
I nodded. “He deserves a reward as much as I do. I’m not the only one who sacrificed life. If anyone deserves another chance, it is him.”
Kai had given me back the shard of Bahmet I’d been burdened with, knowing without it his chance of staying alive would be taken from him. Hekate had pretty much confirmed that he was in this realm too, waiting for her guidance on the crossroads. Which meant, like me, Kai had died too.
“I see your point,” Hekate said, “and I do not disagree. However, I still would like to speak with him. Give him a choice before a reward. Just as you have faced the crossroads and decided your fate, it would not be fair that you make that same decision for him.”
She was right. Of course she was. “Do you promise to offer him the same reward when you see him?”
“I am a Goddess, far beyond the need of promises. However, I do believe in the power of word. And my words, spoken or thought, are final.Speak it, and it shall be.So yes, Hector Briar, your friend will be rewarded for his sacrifice if that is what he decides he wants.”
I bowed again, deeper than I had before. “Thank you. For everything.”
“I accept, but first I must ask something of you. There is much work to be done within the mortal realm. Just because you survive this encounter, does not guarantee that the hard work is over. Take the lessons you have learned, and use them, Hector Briar. Show the world why witches are not the enemy. Too long have we dwelled in the shadows. It is time we face the light, as one.”
“I will try,” I said, knowing what state the real world was still in. “It will be hard but…”
“All that is hard, is worth it in the end. Humans fear what they do not understand. They see power, thanks to those whoalready control them, as a negative concept. Show them that they are wrong. Your ancestors once burned for simply healing the sick or helping their neighbours. Many burned who were not even tied to my legacy. Expose the mortal world to its sins, and teach them how to right them. In fact, guide them… take those who fear us by the hand and show them how safe the crossroads can be. Do it with the right intention, and I sense that in time, hate and fear will crumble.”
“Gosh,” I stammered, feeling the urge to laugh. “Not a big ask then. Anything else you want to add onto that extensive list?”
