"Well, I know she must be new around here, because I know everyone in Ferntree, and I've never seen her before," Kat said. "Maybe we should call the sheriff..."
"No," Mindy said flatly, her tone final. She stood, took the bowl of bloodstained water over to the sink and poured it out. "This is witch business, our business, not sheriff business." She refilled the bowl with clean, warm water, and added lavender, speedwell and rose oil to the water. "We will take care of her, not leave her to die in the sterile surroundings of a hospital with strangers. She is a witch, and it is our duty to make sure her death is celebrated in the customs of her clan. Until we find her people, we will be her people. We will stand up for her."
The pocket watch still hanging around Kat's neck began to whirl and she picked it up. "What does this mean, exactly?" she asked, holding it open for everyone to see.
Chapter 15 – Have Faith.
The branches on the old tree above the gazebo creaked and sighed, like a tired old man wanting nothing more than his bed.
"But you only just got here," Kat said, holding D'Artagnan's hands. "It isn't fair if you have to leave already. Why can't you stay for just a little while longer?" Kat turned around with a pleading look in her eyes and looked at Alexandria. "Please tell him he can stay here at Witchwood," she implored, grabbing hold of his arm now, afraid if she let him go he might disappear. "He could protect us if he stayed."
"It's not my decision," Alexandria said apologetically. She walked up and pecked D'Artagnan on the cheek. "Thank you so much for your help, earlier. I couldn't have done it without you."
D'Artagnan bowed, kissing Alexandria's hand. "You would have found a way," he said. "But I'm glad I was here and able to help. And I'm quite sure we shall meet again." He turned and looked at Kat. "I will most certainly see you again, my sweet Kat."
Kat looked from Alexandria to Mindy. "Aunt Mindy, can you please do something? Make this confounded watch stop," she said, dragging the chain over her head.
"It isn't my decision, either, dear," Mindy said, shaking her head. "We should go. Let you say your goodbyes to D'Artagnan in private..."
Kat stamped her foot defiantly. "No. Wait. If he can't stay, then I'll just go with him."
D'Artagnan turned Kat to face him, kissing her on the cheek, her lips, brushing a tear from her face with his thumb. "This is not our time, Kat. If we are destined to be together, then we will be. We'll find a way, I promise you."
"But I want to go with you, and this is my decision." Kat pressed the pocket watch into Alexandria’s hand. "This is yours. All the time you have it here with you, I can come back. Just don't expect me any time soon."
D'Artagnan shook his head. "I can't let you do this, Kat. My world, my time, it's so very different to yours. You'd never—"
"It's okay," Mindy said suddenly. "If Kat wants to go, I think she should be able to go."
Kat flew into Mindy's arms. "Thank you, Aunt Mindy. Thank you. Will you explain everything to my mom and dad?"
Mindy held Kat's face in her hands and kissed her forehead. "Of course I will. Your parents were young once. I'm sure they'll understand. You go have some fun, but don't forget about us, okay?"
"You can't let her do this," Alexandria said, shocked that her aunt would let Kat go so easily, and with a man she barely knew. She turned and looked at D'Artagnan. "No offense, D'Artagnan, but you guys only just met. And what about that guy, the one you came through the portal with? What about him. Shouldn't he go back with you?"
D'Artagnan shrugged. "When your vampire friend tracks the villain down, and I know she will, she has assured me she will send him back ... in one piece."
Kat kissed Alexandria on the cheek. "I'll be fine. I'll be better than fine. When you know you're in love, you'll do anything to be with that person. Anything. One day you'll know exactly what I mean. Say goodbye to River and Andrew for me, okay?" Kat turned and hugged her aunt again. "You're the best, Aunt Mindy. I love you so much." She fetched her phone from her pocket. "I'll text every day, I promise." She kissed Mindy on the cheek. "I'll text you, too, Alexandria. Every day."
"Your phone won't work where we're going, Kat," D'Artagnan said softly, wrapping his arm firmly around her waist as the orb's gravitation pull grew stronger.
"We have to go," Kat said, motioning towards the glowing orb, the wind whipping her hair across her face. She handed her phone to Alexandria. Look after this for me, okay? It's got River's number in it. You should call him. He's a good guy."