Page 95 of Jingle Spells

As they settled around the table, Luna was quickly brought up to speed on Jasper’s involvement in their predicament, though she claimed to have gathered most of the details about the magicians and Kelly’s kidnapping while in her lamp form.

“So you’ve been eavesdropping,” Scarlett accused.

“I prefer the term ‘passive reconnaissance,’” Luna replied. “And it’s a good thing I did, or I’d be completely lost now.” She turned to Jasper with a sympathetic expression. “I take it you’re the only one who can get us the spell we need. And when you do . . .”

“Well, it’s located out of town,” he said. “So . . . yeah.”

Luna’s romantic heart was clearly visible in her pained expression. “There has to be another way. I wonder if I could shapeshift into a version of Jasper. Would that⁠—”

“Are you able to become a perfect copy of another person?” Scarlett interrupted.

“Uh,” Luna sighed. “I’m not able to become a perfect copy of a lamp. So no.”

“I wish there was any other way, but I just—” Scarlett took Delilah’s hand, but then she abruptly paused, and her face went blank. “I’m . . . um . . . sorry, what was your name again? I’m sure I know you, but I can’t seem to . . .”

“Scarlett,” Delilah whispered, her heart sinking. “I’m Delilah. Your sister.”

Recognition flickered across Scarlett’s face, then solidified. “Right! Delilah! Sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me today.”

But the damage was done. The implications hung in the air, too awful to ignore.

“Oh, man,” Nate said quietly. “That’s so much worse than last night. You okay, Scar?”

Scarlett gave her head a little shake, like she had water trapped in her ears. “What just happened?”

Nate put his arm around her. “It’s okay, babe. You’re okay. You just forgot something for a second.”

“No no, that’s not possible,” Luna said, although she’d just seen it with her own eyes. “We’re witches. We’re immune.”

“The breakdown is accelerating,” Jasper said. “We saw a lot of evidence last night, at the um . . . you know, the place we were at. With the singing.” He sighed. “Oh shit. Me, too.”

“But that means . . .” Delilah began, unable to finish the thought.

“It means we’re out of time,” Nate finished for her.

“Mama,” Scarlett said suddenly. “Where’s Mama? Shouldn’t she be down for breakfast by now?”

“She’s been kidnapped by the magicians,” Delilah said gently. “Remember?”

Delilah and Luna exchanged stricken looks. “It’s happening to witches,” Luna said, horrified. “The forgetting should never, ever happen to witches.”

In that moment, Delilah knew there was no more delaying, no more hoping for another solution. The forgetting spell was collapsing around them, and with it, any chance of saving Oak Haven without sacrifice.

“We have to go,” she said quietly, taking Jasper’s hand. “To the county clerk’s office. Now.”

Jasper nodded, squeezing her hand. “I know.”

“I’ll go with you,” Luna offered. “Maybe between the three of us⁠—”

“No.” Delilah shook her head. “Stay here with Scarlett. If we have any chance against the magicians, we have to all get our powers back. That means putting an end to Saturnalia, which means breaking the magician wards up at the oak grove. You figure that bit out, and organize everyone for what comes next. We’ll handle this.”

Luna looked like she wanted to argue, but something in Delilah’s expression stopped her. Instead, she simply nodded, reaching out to hug her sister again. “Be careful,” she whispered.

“I will,” Delilah promised. They both knew the danger wasn’t physical.

As they prepared to leave, gathering coats and car keys, Jasper pulled Delilah aside, his expression solemn. “It’s going to be okay.” He kissed her then, soft and sweet and full of promises they both knew he couldn’t keep. “Let’s go.”

Chapter 27