Epilogue, for now

"Where are we going?" Lydia piped up when we were well away from the warehouse, when the world started to feel back to normal, daylight creeping over the horizon.

"You are going home," said Sabrina, no emotion in her voice. Her hat sat in the passenger's seat, her sunglasses on her nose.

"What?" I asked. "I thought she-"

"Lydia is seventeen and belongs with her mother," Sabrina said through gritted teeth. "Don't worry, I'll have a talk to dear Aunt Natalie."

Lydia didn't bother to ask, just gave my good hand a squeeze as our eyes met. On Sabrina's orders, she'd cleaned and wrapped my other hand and it now rested numbly in my lap. Sabrina didn't even ask about it, just made me drink a full bottle of water and keep my arm still.

"Wait here," she told me when we pulled up at the house Lydia lived. I obliged and returned the tight hug Lydia offered.

"Good luck," she said through tears and followed Sabrina up the steps. I sighed and rested my head back. My whole body felt drained. I even fell asleep and jolted awake when Sabrina returned with another car door slam.

She looked thoughtful and I wondered just how that talk with Mrs. Martin went, but didn't bother to ask. Sabrina took off her blazer and pulled her auburn locks up into a ponytail. Her blue eyes peeked up over her sunglasses and met mine in the rearview mirror.

"Come on, get in the front."

It made sense, at least I could fold the seat all the way back and sleep the entire way to…

"Where are we going?"

Sabrina didn't answer, just gave a short wave out the window as she pulled out onto the road. Lydia and her mom were on the steps, Mrs. Martin's arm tightly around her daughter's shoulder. Lydia would be okay; she was stronger than she looked.

"As I see it, you have three options," Sabrina said conversationally just before we pulled onto the main road. "You can go back to the Academy, grovel before Grandaunt Hester until your tongue bleeds, and get your training completed."

"Not an option."

Her lips twitched. "Didn't think so. Or you can try your luck getting an apprenticeship. Unfortunately, I'm not senior enough to take you on, but I'm sure someone will." Her unspoken words were: Someone either shunned by the family or deep in their roots.

Speak you little, listen much.

This voice, one of the softer ones I had in my head, always gave the best advice.

"What's my third option?"

My sister exhaled, checking the mirrors if anyone pulled up behind us. "There's one last way you can complete your training."

I blinked a few times. This was more than old-school, it was ancient. "The Wander."

She nodded.

"For how long?"

"As long as it takes," said Sabrina with a shrug. "Make your choice."

Like I had one.

"I choose to Wander."

We took the left turn, heading north.

Bide the Witchcraft Law ye must

In perfect love and perfect trust

Eight words the Rede fulfill

An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will

What ye send forth comes back to thee

So ever mind the Law of Three

Follow this with mind and heart

Merry ye meet, and merry ye part