Page 84 of Rogue Witch

If Grams left the book for Olympia…. Why leave this information for the Grand Witch? So she could follow in Grams’ footsteps and blow herself to bits, too? Even if Grams is right—and there’s no way she can be—and the god of the angels is in Hell, there’s not a damn thing anyone can do to free Him.

Maybe. Over the years, some have tried. The Zidruhin, in particular, have made it their mission to try. But no one has come close to succeeding. No. This isn’t about anyone following Grams into Shadow Hell. This is about the Grand Witch understanding what happened to her. We know Grams was practicing Shadow magic, but we don’t know why—or, I guess, I should say, we assumed she wanted power, but we couldn’t know for sure. I’m also betting the Grand Witch doesn’t know that Yahweh is in Hell. Then again, what do I know? Maybe she does. Grams didn’t seem to think so.

I grimace. I’m acting like this insanity is real. My head begins to throb. I’m out of my depth here. I should turn this book over to Olympia. But I won’t.

Two hours later, Stony lays on my bed snoring and I’ve read most of Grams’ book, which contains thoughts on how The Shadows would return sooner than we think—yeah, thanks to people like her who are practicing Shadow magic—and how the gods are experiencing nightmares again—I have no idea what that’s about and I’m not sure I want to know. Still, I read on.

Olympia, you, and I know, to save Margidda, we must open the Hell Gates. Tell the world otherwise, but I was there with you when Raith and Ethan fought The Shadows in the dream world. We kept quiet and allowed Margidda to continue to believe that Damien needs Hades to control The Shadows. But Damien only needs his Demon Bride. She’s close. I felt her. You felt her.

Perhaps I should have told someone. I know that’s why you distanced yourself from me. Had we told anyone that opening the Hell Gates is Margidda’s salvation, our powers would have been stripped from us. I don’t blame you for distancing yourself from me. You knew I wouldn’t be able to remain silent forever. At least this way, you needn’t worry that I’ll take you down with me.

You and I are the only ones who can open the Hell Gates. But without you, I can’t break our spell. I know you’re betting on that keeping you safe, and you are right.

I jerk my eyes back onto the words our spell. Our spell? Grams and the Grand Witch cast a spell? I jump to my feet. My chair topples over and thuds to the carpet. Stony stirs, but I ignore her, my heart thundering, eyes on the book. What the motherfucking hell is going on? Grams is—I choke on the thought. Grams is saying—

I can’t even think the words. It’s not possible. It’s just not possible.

Stony snorts. I whirl to face her.

Her black eyes bore into me. “What’s wrong?” she says in perfect English.

I can only shake my head. She looks from me to the book, then jumps from the bed and trots to the desk.

“No, Stony.”

I take a step to the desk, but she bumps me with her sizeable rump and I fall on my ass. She rises up on her hind legs and braces her front hooves on the edge of the desk, then reads the page. I remain seated and hold my breath. A moment later, Stony snorts a true piggie snort that has no meaning, then twists her head and looks at me over her shoulder. Night howler pigs can live to be centuries old, but I have no idea how old Stony is. Until we returned to New York, I hadn’t known what she was, nor had I seen her in her true form. Even if I had, I wouldn’t have been able to guess her age. How could I know what a young or old night howler pig looks like? At this moment, however, despite the fact that pigs really don’t have any facial expressions, something in her demeanor tells me that she is very ancient, and I am suddenly very thankful.

“I don’t know what to do,” I whisper.

“Believe,” she replies.

I stare. “Believe that my grandmother was one of the original sorceresses that locked the Hell Gates? That’s—that’s insane.”

“Why?” she snorts.

“Stony,” I whisper, “the sorceresses have never returned to Earth. They’re believed to be trapped in Shadow Hell or maybe ascended to another plane.”

“You don’t know that they have never returned. No one knows that. Your grandmother and the Grand Witch are powerful witches. They are good candidates.” She returns her attention to the book and uses her nose to turn the page.

I hesitate. Should I read more? Aw, hell. I jump to my feet and stand behind Stony.

Your position as Grand Witch may survive the coming battle. Then again, you may fall. Strange, isn’t it, that we’re now on opposite sides?

The Shadows will rule Margidda and eventually the human world. Do you think you can survive if Margidda falls? I can’t wait any longer. We must have a fighting chance. I must give Leilah a chance at a real life.

My heart thunders. She must give me a chance at a real life?

“Stony,” I whisper.

Stony drops back onto all fours and sets her butt on the floor, as my eyes catch the final lines in the book,

If I don’t return, you must follow me. You must try where I failed. You must save us.

I command the power of the darkest Shadows,

Open your door and let me safely enter.

I yank my eyes from the spell. “Did you see that?” I say in a hoarse voice.