Page 7 of Hallows End

I need the aunts for that.

Lorelei’s and Breena’s moms, Astrid and Hilda, live in a cottage outside of town near the sea. They moved in together several years ago with my mother when they all decided it was high time they were old witches together for the rest of their days.

If you look upeccentric witchin the dictionary, a photo of the three of them would likely be there.

It’s early, just past dawn, when Nera and I walk through their gate and up the steps to the old house. Roses and ivy climb the outside of the building, and it justlookslike something old witches would live in.

It’s absolutely divine and totally life goals for when Breena, Lorelei, and I are old ladies.

“Good morning, darling girl,” Astrid says with a smile as she opens the door. “We’re having strawberry rhubarb pie for breakfast.”

I raise an eyebrow and immediately feel calmer and safe. “Count me in.”

Hilda’s in the kitchen, cutting three slices of the pie and setting them on plates.

“The coffee’s hot,” Hilda says and gestures to a mug on the counter. “Help yourself. What a lovely thing to have one of our girls visit so early.”

“I had an odd experience,” I say as I pour the coffee, set the spoon to stirring, and accept a plate from Hilda. “And I need to tell you about it.”

Nera has already curled up under the table, hoping for one of us to drop some crumbs.

“We love odd experiences,” Astrid says with excitement and claps her hands with glee. She has her long, gray hair pulled up into a messy bun on the top of her head this morning. “Tell us everything.”

And so, I do. I tell them all about the dreams and walking out to the garden to find the man in the woods. By the time I finish, I realize that none of us has eaten any pie, and the aunts are watching me very closely.

A door closes in the other room.

“Yes, it’s beginning,” Astrid whispers.

“Is that Mom?” I ask and immediately try to open my mind, towillmyself to hear her.

“Of course, it is,” Hilda says and holds my hand in understanding. “She may not be here physically anymore, but she still lives here all the same. Still as bossy as ever, too.”

“Is the man I saw last night in the woods the same one who killed her?” The words come out in a rush.

“No,” Astrid replies immediately, then seems to listen to someone speaking in her ear. “Darling, you know that a witch is killed in Salem every year. It’s been that way forhundredsof years.”

“I know,” I whisper. “We all live in constant fear of it. Last year, it wasmymother who paid that horrible price.”

“But it wasn’t the man you saw,” Hilda says. “We can’t tell you much more. Honestly, I thought all of this was nothing more than legend.”

“It’s true,” Astrid disagrees. “And it’s begun. You’re about to take the journey you’ve been training for all your life. To be successful, it will take all three of you, plus the others you bring along the way. Trust yourselves. Listen to your guides and your ancestors. They won’t lead you astray.”

“This soundssoominous. Or like a Marvel movie.”

They both smile.

“It’s much, much better, darling one,” Hilda says. “Or, it could be the ruin of us all.”

Nera whimpers under the table.

“No pressure or anything,” I mutter.

ChapterTwo

Jonas

She saw me.