Fly by Midnight (23 page)

“But you could convince them. You and your mother. The two of you could hunt the others down and end this for good.” His voice was high, squeaking.

Someone’s nerves are getting the better of him.

Never in her life had she heard such manipulative drivel. “Save it for the Hex Division’s interrogation. I’m sure they’ve got something special planned for you.” She settled down for the long trip back to Stargazer City with a smile on her face.

23

T
he days that followed were a whirlwind of activity for everyone involved. Hex Division took Min and the professors into custody, and a full investigation was underway. Jonathan Rainer was welcomed into the folds of the council, heralded as a hero of Everland. He and Jane were safely living in an undisclosed location until his entire knowledge of the wall could be documented thoroughly. Official statements from the council concerning the wall were not immediate, but Honora heard that a full disclosure was coming. Less secrecy and more transparency about the Otherworld were on the way.
It’s about time,
Honora thought.

Mildly guilt-ridden, Elspeth had made it clear to Honora on the way back to Stargazer City that she wanted to spend time with her daughters, immediately. With the unfortunate state of her apartment, Honora was camping out in her office for the time being. Once settled, she sent Barnaby with a message to her sisters, inviting them to meet up at Clover’s house for a welcome-home family dinner. The message was blunt—
Mom’s back, surprise!
She didn’t want her sisters to be blindsided the way she’d been in the North Woods. Best to avoid too much shock at once.

When they arrived, Clover raced down the front steps and enveloped Elspeth in her arms. Inside, the house smelled shockingly delicious. When Honora saw Derek with an apron tied around his waist, she wasn’t surprised. His apron read:
Wizard in the Kitchen
, and it was the truth. Beaming, Clover introduced him to Elspeth, and the young assistant practically blushed with admiration. “Traveling to the Otherworld must have been amazing. I can’t wait to hear about your adventures.” He wiped his palms off on his apron and shook Elspeth’s hand. The stove was covered in bubbling copper pots. A hot loaf of bread cooled on the counter. Derek moved effortlessly around the big country kitchen, whipping up a new drink concoction he called a blueberry smash martini, which he quickly handed out in chilled glasses.

The three women settled down on cozy sofas in front of a roaring fire in the family room. Clover cuddled up next to Elspeth. “I’ve missed you so much, Mom.” Tears sprang from her eyes, and she quickly brushed them away. “I’m acting silly.”

“Honey, you aren’t silly. I missed you, too.”

“It’s unexpected. We didn’t know what to think when you didn’t return with the other travelers three months ago.” Clover shrugged, fingering the silky fringe of a throw pillow.

“I know. I’m sorry.” Elspeth averted her gaze, squeezing Clover’s hand.

“Hold on to some of those apologies. Vivi just arrived.” Honora jumped up to greet her sister.

Vivi raced up the path and burst through the door, her arms loaded with satchels and bags pluming with colorful silk ribbons. “I brought tons of stuff for us to look at,” she said, shoving the bags at her sister. “Scrapbooks, photos, potions, and some clothes and personal stuff. I didn’t know what Mom needed now that she’s back.” Vivi’s cheeks were rosy with excitement. “Mom!” Vivi raced past her sister and threw her arms around their mother. “Where have you been? Why didn’t you send word you were back? Oh, I don’t care. I’m just glad you’re here now.”

After more kissing and crying, they settled down to catch up.

“I have a lot of explaining to do to you three about what’s happened over the past ten years.” Elspeth held her chin high, a determined steeliness in her eyes.

“I’ll say,” Honora said, taking a swig of her blueberry martini. Derek made the rounds of the room with snacks carried on a silver tray. He must have sensed the tension, and everyone knows hot artichoke dip goes a long way in calming nerves. “Explain away.” Honora shoved a hunk of gooey dip-covered bread in her mouth.

“Shh, Honora. This is a celebration,” Clover admonished as she sipped her drink.

“No, your sister’s right. I need to tell you everything. You girls need to know, to understand why I’ve done the things I’ve done.” Elspeth’s face was golden brown from the sun. The backs of her hands were freckled and weathered. She’d spent time outdoors, perhaps in rugged conditions. Her brow creased, causing a series of lines to form on her forehead. Precious time had been lost, but she looked good, healthy and radiant.

“Go on, Mom. We’re listening.” Vivi sat on the other side of her on the sofa, she and Clover bookending their mother. Honora sat across from them in an overstuffed chair that threatened to swallow her.

“Prior to leaving Everland ten years ago for the pilgrimage, I was approached by Hex Division. I was asked to join them and become a part of the organization. They offered me an assignment while I was working on my studies for the academy. At first I thought I’d be doing additional research on Otherworld species that I came in contact with, but I soon realized there was much more to it. While in the Otherworld, I trained with members of our division.”

“What about the other traveler who didn’t return? Min was on a team with you and another Hexer,” Honora said, confirming her suspicion.

“Yes. The third Hexer on our team was killed in an attack orchestrated by Min, and so was another one of the travelers—a naturalist. The real naturalist. That’s why only ten of us returned. I used a concealment spell to disguise myself as the naturalist, hoping Min would think that it was me who’d died. And it worked. When he and Jenny came to interview the naturalist that day, he was completely surprised and was forced to retreat after a few rounds of sparring.” A smirk played on her lips.

“Min betrayed his own team,” Honora said.

“Not right away. We had many productive years exploring the Otherworld. It’s complicated, but yes.”

“Hex Division is dangerous,” Vivi said. “They put you at great risk.”

“I took the risk gladly,” Elspeth said. “For the witching world, for you, for all of us. I relished my time in the Otherworld. Exploring and traveling have always been my passions.”

“You wanted to travel, and this opportunity added a layer of excitement.” Honora couldn’t help it. She knew she needed to be accepting, but the words bubbled out of her.

“Can’t you wait one day before you get snippy?” Vivi rolled her eyes.

Clover sighed. “Honora does have a point. Mom likes excitement, and she loves adventure even more.” She prodded her mother gently with her elbow.

Elspeth held her face in her hands for a second. “It’s true. It’s my nature. I’ve always been a wandering soul.” Her expression softened, her eyes woeful. “I’m asking you three to understand.”

Honora’s mouth twisted up. Her mother had a point. She could continue to nurse her grudge and hurt feelings, or she could snap out of it and be supportive, maybe even tell the truth. “I wish I could have gone with you. I wanted to follow you into the unknown, live the adventure with you.”

“I know. But you needed to start a life of your own here.” Elspeth smiled warmly at her. “We’re a lot alike. But you belong in Everland. Really, we all do.”

The tension eased from Honora’s shoulders, and she joined them all on the sofa in a group hug. She couldn’t be angry anymore with her mother. Their time together was too precious.

“Where in the Otherworld were you?” Clover asked. “We know so little about it. What’s it like?”

“Otherworld is a vast land. It’s at least three times the size of Everland. The human world is only one small part of it. The lands are filled with all imaginable creatures of the forest, skies, and seas. From the tales of the fairy to the fables of yore, it’s a wild and wondrous place. I enjoyed much of my time there, but dangers exist around every corner, as you’ve seen from the ghoul.”

“Is it a lawless place?” Vivi asked. “Do they hunt witches?”

“No. There’s an accord between the beings who live there. The land is divided among different species of magical beings and creatures. For the most part it’s a peaceful place. But, like all places, there’s despair and evil. There are beings who don’t like the fact that witches have established their own magical world.” Her demeanor shifted.

“The rumors are true.” Vivi wrapped her sweater around her and pulled her knees up to her chin. “During the fall, I had a run-in with a powerful and dangerous wizard. He calls himself the Darklander. He wants the worlds to be united and to let Otherworlders live among us.”

“I know of him.” Elspeth sipped her drink. “He’s not the one we have to worry about the most.”

“Who’s that?” Clover asked. “The one behind all of this?”

“We fear a descendant of the Black Bishop has returned to the Otherworld,” Elspeth said. “Securing the wall was the first step to ensuring our safety. But times are changing, and we must be strong. I want you girls to know that I love you, but you’re older now, and you must realize that we all have jobs to do. I won’t always be around, but I’ll always have you in my heart and mind.” Elspeth clutched her daughters’ hands.

“We know. We love you, too,” Clover said, leaning her shoulder against her mother. A foreboding silence filled the room. The fire popped and crackled in the hearth. They were together for the moment and let that be enough.

Derek announced dinner, and they all gathered around the huge table to eat and talk. The food was delicious, and the company even better. The warm conversation and jokes made it feel like old times.

“Where will you stay? Do you have any plans on what you’ll do next?” Honora asked, scooping up another serving of mashed potatoes.

“You can stay with me,” Clover said through a mouthful of buttery peas.

“I have plenty of room above my shop,” Vivi added.

“Don’t look at me. My place is a disaster zone. Barnaby and I are sleeping on the sofa in my office until the work is done to fix my apartment from the little tussle I had with a gargoyle,” Honora said with a snort, sending peals of laughter through her sisters.

“Only you would get into a sparring match with an inanimate stone creature,” Clover said.

“Hey, he was alive and kicking when I met him,” Honora said. “Magically speaking, that is.”

“I’m staying with the Hex Division,” Elspeth said. “They have accommodations for Hexers.” Her eyes blinked rapidly, and her face paled.

“What will you do now that you’re back? Teach at the academy?” Clover asked. “It’ll be so nice to have you home. I can’t wait to hear all about your travels.”

“Me too. I hope you kept a journal.” Vivi’s eyes widened. “I want to know everything.”

“You’re leaving again, aren’t you?” Honora asked bluntly. Her gazed locked with Elspeth’s before her mother looked down at her plate. Clover and Vivi stopped eating and exchanged a worried glance.

“The wall only opens once every ten years, but the council does make exceptions.” Elspeth pushed her food across her plate with her fork. “It won’t be right away, but I hope to keep up with my travels.”

“I knew it,” Honora said. Her lip curled up in a sneer. “You’re already planning another mission with Hex Division.”

“I can’t tell you all the details.” Her shoulders sagged. “I don’t like keeping secrets from you girls, but that’s the way it has to be now with Hex.”

“It’s okay. We understand,” Vivi said, blowing her bangs out of her face in an exasperated sigh. She set her fork down, her dinner barely touched. “You’re putting your life on the line for us and for everyone in Everland. But I want you to come and see my shop before you go.”

“Of course. I’m not leaving right away. We’ll have some time together, and I want to make the most of it.”

“Working with Hex is a great sacrifice.” Clover smiled as a tear trailed down her cheek. “As long as we get to see you before you go. I want at least a few good talks and some books and maps of the Otherworld,” she said with a wink. “You know how I like my research.”

Derek hurried in from the kitchen and cleared the dinner plates. “You all should go and sit by the fire. I’ll bring dessert in a few minutes.”

“Thanks, Derek,” Clover choked out.

“You two go on ahead. Honora will be right in.” Elspeth gave Clover and Vivi a few minutes to clear out before turning to her youngest daughter. “You know me better than anyone. You’re the strong one, my tough flyer witch.”

“I get it, Mom. I do. I just don’t like it.” Honora crossed her arms over her chest.

“I know you’re angry with me, and that’s okay. Be angry if you need to be. Don’t ever stop being you. Your strength is what makes you who you are.”

“I hate feeling this way.” Honora bolted out of the chair and paced the dining room. “I love you, but I’m angry. I wish you’d never left. I feel like you were waiting for the exact moment I graduated from the academy to take off. As if suddenly my being out of school got you off the hook from being my mother, right when I needed you the most.” Her hands were on her hips, her face growing warm.

“I made a mistake. I realize that now. I always thought you could handle anything, and I told myself that so I could follow my dreams. You were born a fighter, but I should have been there.”

“Well, I still am a fighter.” Honora cracked a smile at her own bravado. “But I’m a daughter too. Remember that.” Relief washed over her, having spoken her mind.

“I promise.” Elspeth squeezed her hand.

“The past is past. I probably would have followed my dreams, too. We are who we are.”

“We’re Mayhems.” Elspeth shrugged, a twinkle in her eye.

Honora’s apartment was crawling with designers, painters, and work crews. The place didn’t look too bad. In another two weeks, she should be ready to move back in. She was more than ready. Trendy office furniture did not make for comfortable sleeping. Surprisingly, the council picked up all of the cost of refurbishing in a goodwill gesture. Honora had a feeling it was due more to embarrassment and the hope that the generous apartment fund would help keep Honora’s mouth shut about Beatrice. And they were right.