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“Oh, you should.”

We were all chuckling by the time we were standing naked in the middle of the cemetery.

Zinny started undoing her braid. “Hair down.”

We all studiously let our hair out.

“What does our hair have to do with it?” Willow asked.

“I’m not sure, that’s just how I was taught to do this, but you have to admit we look even more awesome,” Zinny said and winked. “Man, if we had like, a coven newsletter or something, a pic of us right now would be front page material.”

Mom groaned and Else snorted.

“I’m freezing my nips off,” I said. “Are we ready to do this?”

“We’re ready.” Then all humor fled from Zinnia as she held a blade over her palm. We did the same.

Tilting her head back, she started whispering every name in this cemetery, over and over again, faster and faster. Until wind whipped around us, icy and cold, whistling through the trees.

Zinny finally lifted her head and blinked several times. “Good…everyone’s here.” She turned to the vacant space beside her and smiled. “Hey, Gran.” She nodded. “I know. They’re kicking ass.”

Zinny turned to me. “Gran wants me to tell you how proud of you she is. She’s been with you. She’s been with all of you.” Zinnia looked at Willow, then Magnolia. “She’s proud of all of you, and she wants to make sure you tell Rose as well.” Zinnia listened again, grinning, then turned to Else. “Gran says a man is coming your way, Else, and he’s going to make you very happy.”

Else’s eyes went wide, then she shook her head. “She’s cracked. You’re cracked,” she yelled where she thought her sister stood. “No man, no thank you.”

Zinnia grinned. “She said, tough, it’s happening, get ready.”

“Hi, Mom,” my mother said. “I miss you.”

“She misses you, too, Aunt Daisy.” Zinny listened again. “She loves Art. She says his heart is pure and overflowing with love for you.”

Mom nodded, and her eyes filled with tears.

Zinny smiled at mom, then turned back to the rest of us. “Okay, ladies, alive and in spirit.” She turned to someone behind her and rolled her eyes. “And Uncle Herbert and Uncle Jacob.”

“They never did like to be left out,” Else muttered.

Mom giggled. It was one of my most favorite sounds and something I hadn’t heard much lately.

Zinnia clapped her hands. “Right, let’s get this poison out of here and finish what Selene started. Coven Thornheart has no place in it for dark magic.”

“Is she here?” I asked. “Selene, I mean.”

Zinnia turned to me, and her smile gentled. “Yeah, she is.”

“Is she listening?”

She nodded. “Say whatever you want to say, cousin.”

My heart was filled with love and understanding. That’s just how it was when Zinna was around, she had that effect on people. I took a steadying breath. “I’m so sorry, Selene, for doubting you…” I looked around, not sure where she was.

Zinnia pointed to a spot opposite me.

I looked straight ahead to where I thought she was. “Draven’s free, he knows you didn’t mean to hurt him.”

Sun broke through the clouds and shone down through the massive oak tree branches, throwing dappled light over us—and I saw her. Her soul, translucent and ethereal. Tears shimmered on her cheeks, and she smiled a gentle smile.

“She’s glad he has you,” Zinnia said. “And she wants you to tell him she’s sorry.”