Page 113 of This Witch Is Not Wicked

“Where did you come from?” someone shouted from the back of the crowd.

The man with the broken nose I’d seen several times now stepped forward. “You just appeared out of nowhere. Same way you disappeared right before our eyes a few weeks ago with that man. How is that possible, witch?”

I gave them my most terrifying smile, and a few of the townspeople stepped back, shooting each other unsure glances.

“Follow me, and you’ll have all the answers you seek.”

Before anyone could respond, I turned and took off through the bog.

“Get her!” a feminine voice called from behind me, the crowd of people roaring in response and the pounding of feet hammering the ground.

I jumped over a smaller channel, landing easily on the other side. A few garbled yells and the splashing of water told me some of the townspeople hadn’t been so lucky.

This was already far too easy.

My feet flew over the damp land, boots sinking into the soft ground only momentarily before I was yanking them out and moving forward.

Another scream echoed over the bog. “I think I broke my ankle,” someone yelled.

Fools. They were all fools if they thought they could actually capture me. They had no idea what I was capable of, but if they tried to hurt me or Fairwitch Isle, they’d find out.

I leapt over a log that was hidden behind tall grass, remembering its positioning from previous encounters. The townspeople, however . . .

“Oh, godwitches! I’ve twisted something.”

A few more yells rang out, and I glanced over my shoulder to see a group of the townspeople piled on top of each other after tripping over the log.

The burial mound was still a good distance away, and that meant I had a lot more tricks up my sleeves. So many ways I could show these humans that they would regret ever setting foot in the Cragh. So many ways to ensure they’d never do it again.

I approached the mud pit where Nevan had gotten trapped, and I sped up, gaining momentum before I leapt into the air and sailed over it. I didn’t have to look behind me this time to know that several of the townspeople had gotten trapped.

“Pull him out!”

“I’m trying!”

“He’s sinking!”

This was actually far more fun than I’d anticipated. It couldn’t take away the pain of leaving those I loved, but it could temporarily dull it. That wasn’t nothing.

Soon the familiar mound of green land with the portal appeared in the distance. I looked over my shoulder, confirming my suspicions that the townspeople were far, far behind. At this rate, I’d be waiting at the mound for ages. I didn’t even see them anymore among the tall grass and cattails. They were probably still at the mud pits, trying to pull out those who had fallen in.

I slowed as I came upon the hole cut into the mound, completely black. I didn’t actually know what would happen when I went through. I didn’t know how long I’d have to climb in the dark or how it would feel when I was pulled into the Otherworld.

After all these years, I was finally going home.

I thought of Fairwitch Isle. Except it wouldn’t be home. Not really. I reminded myself I was doing this to protect Fairwitch Isle. To protect Nevan. It would be worth it. Besides, I couldn’t wait to shove all the helpful uses of my plants in my mother’s face. It would be fun showing them how wrong they’d been about me all along.

I’d find a quiet corner of the Otherworld, plant a garden, and live out my days in peace. The thought was far more depressing than I’d expected, and I had to shove it to the far reaches of my mind.

“There she is!” Bald Man stood thirty or so paces away, jabbing a finger at me. “Get her!”

“Good luck!” I wiggled my fingers. It was obnoxious and petty, but I didn’t care.

I moved my foot back into the hole, but it hit a wall. The townspeople inched closer, almost like they were afraid I’d use this magic they were convinced I had.

I wanted to tell them that since they were such idiots, I hadn’t needed to. I glanced behind me, frowning to see my foot pressed against the black hole. I should’ve been able to enter. I kicked out my leg again, but it hit some kind of barrier.

“She thinks she can escape us and go to the Otherworld,” someone said, and everyone laughed.