Page 85 of The Nowhere Witch
Oscar squinted, staring at my head. “When did that start?”
“Not sure,” I said, tucking some hair behind my ear. The streaks had grown substantially since the dome. There would be no missing them now.
As I continued to scan the perimeter, my eyes kept getting drawn back to Zark. There wasn’t going to be a good time for this conversation, so I was better off getting it done.
“Give me a second. I’ve got to go talk to Zark.” I walked away from Zab and Oscar.
Zark parted with his company, as if he had a sense I needed a private moment with him.
I tucked my hands in my pockets as I stood in front of him. “Thanks for coming after everything that’s happened.”
“I said I would,” he responded in a gruffer-than-normal tone.
“I’m sorry about your boy. I’m guessing you already know what happened?” I asked. Word spread fast in Xest, and I’d slept an entire day away.
He nodded. I’d never seen Zark too choked up for words, but he was struggling to talk. “Hawk came by and explained what went down.”
“I was there at the end,” I said, hoping this part wouldn’t be a surprise. When he didn’t say anything, I continued, “Gregor wanted you to know he was sorry for hurting you. I wanted you to know he tried to save me in the end. He turned on them at the last moment. That’s how he ended up trapped in the dome with me.”
Zark’s chin lifted. “He did?” Zark dragged in a shuddering breath.
“He died a hero.” It was a fat lie, but at least he’d be able to hold his head up with his buddies. It was all I could give him.
With a whoosh of air, the hags’ building appeared and all conversations fell silent.
“I’ve got to go,” I said.
“Thank you.”
I gave Zark a wave, hurrying over to where Lead Hag was already stepping outside of the building. Zab was waving me over, telling me to hurry up.
She looked about the area, silently counting heads before she looked at me like a professor about to tell you that you’d failed the most important exam of your life.
I stopped in front of her.
Her eyes ran the length of me, and then she paused to stare at my hair for a second. “Tippi, also known as the Whimsy witch who wasn’t, also known as the Nowhere witch, please step inside.”
Zab stepped forward. “She’s allowed to have an audience to witness the trials.”
Lead Hag looked over her shoulder, appearing even meaner than normal. “The door will remain open, but do not cross the threshold.”
Just knowing I had Zab, Bibbi, Oscar, and Musso right there within eyesight helped. I walked in, and every head that could fit in the door did, along with more at the windows.
Lead Hag stopped in the middle of her room, beside her two sisters.
“Are you still employed?” Lead Hag asked.
“Yes. Actually, I have an even better job. I’m now a broker.”
There was a lot of humming as they looked at each other. No one seemed overly impressed, but maybe a tad surprised?
Ringlets tapped the air. “And your residence? It’s been brought to our attention you are no longer living at your previous address. That you were asked to leave.”
“I’m also living at the broker’s office, as I have in the past. It’s quite convenient for work purposes.”
The three hags looked at each other before Lead Hag stepped forward. “The first test is a time-reverse potion. Write whatever you need down on the parchment and it will be supplied. Anything you ask for has to be used. You have fifteen minutes to prepare it.”
I glanced at the door, seeing Zab fighting with Oscar and Musso for space. I gave him a smile. He gave me a nod. I didn’t know how he’d guessed, but he’d saved my ass.