Chapter 42: Chapter 42

Fallon POV

I am snuggled in the arms of the man I love when our front door comes open. Wind and rain blew inside the house. It has to be the ancestors. I guess they are coming to warn me not to give up the reaping or to be happy that Libby is taking my place.

I get up and walk toward the door with Ryan behind me. For some reason, Ryan grabs me and pulls me behind him. "What are you doing?" I ask him.

The ancestors would never hurt me, and he knows this. I can see the worry on his face, and then I see why. An older woman with long white hair walks through our door. The elements seem to follow her as she comes into her house.

"Who are you, and what do you want?" I ask her, but she does not get the chance to answer or explain herself.

"Back off, Talone," another witch screams.

Ryan and I back up. There is about to be a fight, and I do not think I want any part of it. "Get out of here," Ryan begs me.

I grab Ryan's hand. There is no way I will leave him in this mess. I can hear voices coming toward me. I hear Mother Agnes, Libby, and another small voice, but I have no idea who it is.

"Libby is coming," I say to Ryan.

The two older witches move their fight outside in my front yard and then into the woods. "What do you think they want? And how did they get in here?" Ryan asks me. He opens the front door that slams shut as the witches leave, revealing Libby.

Libby looks as if she has had the worst day of her life. "What is going on?" I ask her.

Libby shakes her head. "Probably a witch fight, and I think you might be the prize," Libby says.

"Who are they?" I ask.

Libby comes into the house, and Mother Agnes joins us before she can begin to explain. "Talone wants to speak with you, and Grace is here to stop it. I am not sure why those two are still fighting. They have been at each other for decades, and I guess they want to ensure the other does not get to speak with you. Let them fight. They are old, and they will get tired," Mother Agnes says. She looks exhausted, just trying to explain the two old witches.

"Was it a man?" I ask jokingly.

Mother Agnes erupts in laughter. "Actually, it was, but neither of them got the man. He took off with another witch," Mother Agnes says, smiling.

"Now what?" I ask.

The fighting comes closer. "As I said, let the two of them fight," Mother Agnes says.

Libby begins to tell us that Talone came to her house, and she became frightened. She knows that Talone means to kill her and her family. Talone does not want her to become the reaper. Mother Agnes listens.

"What are we going to do with Talone?" I ask.

Mother Agnes looks perplexed. "Well, after Grace tires her out, you can kill her, or you," Mother Agnes says, looking at me and then at Ryan. I guess she thinks one of us can handle the situation.

"I am tired of waiting, and I do not like my time with my wife interrupted," Ryan says. Ryan is irritated. I hate to see him that way, but it is understandable.

We hear a thud on the porch and then cackling. We rush to the front door, and Ryan opens it, shielding us behind him. Grace is on the front porch, and she is in pain. "She got away, but I was able to bind her temporarily. At least you can save the uncles before she kills them. She will be back with an army. I am just too old to fight anymore," Grace says.

Ryan scoops the old witch into his arms. "Can she stay here? She is a thorn in Crane's side, and it would be best to keep them apart," Libby pleads with Ryan.

Ryan growls but takes the old witch to one of the back bedrooms and lays her on the bed. Mother Agnes follows him, leaving me with Libby.

"Who is she?" I ask.

"Grace is a solo witch reaper. There are not many, she is special, and she is Crane's aunt. The family situation is complicated, and he already had to leave our home today. At least for tonight, while we figure out how to handle all of this, can she stay here?" Libby begs me.

"It would be easier if your family came here, and we sent her to the packhouse. Ryan is not going to like this," I say. I know Ryan will do anything for me, but this is going to bring the fight right to our front door.

Ryan rejoins us. "I like that idea, but the old woman needs to rest for tonight. Tomorrow she goes to the pack house or anywhere but not here. She is trouble. Mother Agnes does not want her here either, and to me, that says everything I need to know," Ryan growls.

Ryan steps out of the house. "Let him run," Libby says. I start to go after my husband, but Libby is right. I should let him run. I know Ryan is worried about me. I will be so happy when we can live a normal life. The two of us and our pack raise some kids, make dinner, and do all of the ordinary things with no witches or magic, just a family.

"I want a family and a life. I do not want this," I whisper.

"I know," Libby says. She pulls me into a hug. "I want you to have a family and a normal life, too," she whispers.

I look behind us and see Grace, but no Mother Agnes. "What do you want!" I scream at her. She keeps walking toward me. Grace is angry. Maybe Talone wasn't the one to worry about after all.