Wicked: The Witch's Daughter #52

Instructions

Kendra's POV: I had been studying the spell in the Grimmerie for what felt like hours, carefully going over every word until I was certain I understood it. The spell was complicated, but I understood what it was supposed to do. If I performed it correctly, it would prevent someone from using magic. I closed the Grimmerie and took a deep breath. I was ready. Or at least as ready as I could be. I looked around the hideout, at the books and belongings Mom had left behind, and thought about everything that had happened since I escaped Kiamo Ko. For months, I had been hiding here, practicing my magic and trying to figure out how I could rescue Mom and Dad. Now I finally had a plan. I just needed to make sure I could do it. Before I could begin practicing the spell again, I heard movement among the branches outside. I quickly looked up. A moment later, Pip hopped into the hideout, followed by Nutmeg, and the fox appeared behind them. “Kendra!” Pip exclaimed. I smiled and hurried over to them. “What are you three doing here?” Nutmeg looked relieved to see me. “We've been looking everywhere for you.” I froze. “Looking for me?” The fox nodded. “Glinda asked us to find you.” My smile faded slightly. “Glinda?” Pip nodded. “She's worried about you.” I sat down, suddenly feeling guilty. I hadn't realized how worried Glinda must have been. She probably didn't know where I was or whether I was safe. “Did she say anything else?” I asked. “She wants to talk to you,” Nutmeg said. “She wants to know you're okay.” I looked down at the Grimmerie beside me. I couldn't leave yet. Not until Mom and Dad were safe. But I didn't want Glinda to keep worrying about me either. I quickly grabbed a piece of paper and a quill. “I'll write her a letter.” I sat down and began writing as quickly as I could, trying to put everything I needed to say into as few words as possible. I told Glinda that I was safe, that I had found a place to stay, and that she didn't need to worry about me. I didn't tell her exactly where I was. I couldn't risk anyone finding the hideout. But I wanted her to know that I had a plan. When I finished, I read the letter over once before folding it. “Can you take this to her?” I asked Pip. He nodded. “Of course.” I handed him the letter carefully. “Tell her everything will be back to normal soon. Better than normal, actually.” Nutmeg tilted her head. “How soon?” I looked toward the Grimmerie. “A few hours.” The fox looked at me curiously. “What are you planning?” I smiled nervously. “Something that might finally help Mom and Dad.” I didn't want to explain more. The less anyone knew, the safer they would be. Pip tucked the letter somewhere safe and prepared to leave. “We'll make sure she gets it.” “Thank you,” I said. I watched my animal friends disappear among the branches, carrying my message back to Glinda. Then I turned toward the Grimmerie again. The fear was still there. I was scared of what might happen, and I wasn't completely sure I could perform the spell successfully. But I had spent months preparing for this moment. Mom and Dad had been waiting long enough. I opened the Grimmerie to the page I had memorized and placed it carefully in front of me. “Just a few more hours,” I whispered. “Then everything changes.” I took a deep breath and began practicing the spell again.