Page 86 of Jingle Spells

“No shit.” Zahir lowered his voice. “Listen, whatever happens next, I want you to know that I get it. I get what you’re facing. Moses and I—our whole situation . . . I remember very well what it’s like. The thing is, I don’t regret it. Not for a second. Even if it couldn’t last, it was worth it when we had it.”

Jasper nodded. “I hear you. Still hoping it won’t come to that, but . . . Anyway. Thanks.”

Delilah pretended not to hear this exchange, though her stomach clenched painfully at the implication. Zahir understood what they were facing better than anyone because he’d been through it himself. The realization broke her heart a little—she remembered when Moses had left, and she remembered how terribly que será, será she and her sisters had been in response to Zahir’s misery. They hadn’t understood back then. But boy did she understand now.

“So what’s the plan?” she asked Scarlett, forcing her attention back to the crisis.

“I was hoping you’d come back with one,” Scarlett admitted. “We’ve tried everything to break through those wards. And we keep sending out messages for Luna. She never gave up her powers for Saturnalia, so she might be our best hope. But no luck so far.”

“Well,” Delilah said, “Jasper and I might have found something we can work with.” She quickly explained what they’d learned from Agnes: the portal spell that could potentially move the entire casino, and the magicians with it.

As she spoke, excitement spread through the group. Faces that had been bleak with desperation began to light up with hope. By the time she finished, the basement was buzzing with energy.

“That’s brilliant!” Scarlett exclaimed. “If we can get that spell⁠—”

“There’s a complication,” Jasper interrupted quietly. “Agnes hid the spell somewhere only I can retrieve it.”

He didn’t need to finish. Everyone understood what came next.

“Ah.” Scarlett’s excitement dimmed slightly. “Well, that’s . . . unfortunate.”

“Is there another way?” Zahir asked, glancing between Delilah and Jasper with obvious concern. “Did Agnes literally say that only Jasper could get it?”

“Not necessarily,” Delilah quickly replied.

“Delilah . . .” Jasper shook his head. “You know she did.”

“Maybe that’s not what she meant. She said it was where none with magic may find it. There’s a lot of people out there with no magic.”

“That’s most people,” noted Eleven. “Maybe the boys and I can go fetch it. How about that?”

“Hey,” Scarlett said brightly. “Maybe Nate and I can go. Perhaps I’ll get my heist after all.”

Jasper frowned. “I fear Delilah is being overly optimistic here.”

“Am not,” she shot back. “That’s exactly what Agnes said. None with magic can find it.”

“She was looking at me. Straight down the barrel at me.”

“Doesn’t mean anything.”

“Listen, you two,” Scarlett interrupted. “Who gets the spell is really a side issue.”

Delilah had expected the other witches to react that way. Hearing it from her sister was an open-handed smack across the face. “A side issue! How can you say that to me?”

“Del, the entire town is at stake. Let’s have some priorities here. What we do with the spell once we have it, that’s the real question. For now, let’s work with what we know. If we get this spell, we can send the casino—where, exactly? Some place where the magicians will definitely want to negotiate terms, so we can get Mama and the rest back home. The Grand Canyon? Or Mars? Can we open a portal to Mars?”

“Pittsburgh,” suggested Jerusha.

Everyone turned to stare at her.

“What?” the witch said defensively. “A lot of people don’t like Pittsburgh.”

The group began debating potential destinations, strategies, and contingency plans. Weapons were examined. Maps were consulted. Everyone had at least one opinion; most had several.

Through it all, Delilah stood silent, watching as her relationship with Jasper was reduced to less than an asterisk to the struggle to save Oak Haven. Even Scarlett clearly regarded Jasper as an acceptable casualty. And yes, logically speaking, Delilah understood. The fate of their home, of generations of witches, of their entire way of life, had to outweigh one man.

Logic, however, had very little to do with the cold weight settling in her chest.