The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
by Sangu Mandanna
Contents
Chapter Twenty-Three
Overview
Jamie follows Mika to the beach, resisting their growing connection and claiming they are incompatible because he must protect dangerous secrets. Mika, hurt, accepts his refusal and walks away. Jamie reconsiders, chooses honesty, and confesses that they lied to her, promising the full truth—reshaping trust and belonging at Nowhere House.
Summary
In the dark garden, Jamie trails Mika to the dunes and pebbly beach, where Mika lights their path with conjured firefly-like sparks. The intimacy of the moment collides with their unresolved tension from the woods.
Jamie breaks the silence by warning that Edward’s arrival is imminent, but Mika presses deeper, noting his avoidance since their near-intimacy. He insists a relationship would not work: Mika “doesn’t do serious,” while he can only be serious with her. He predicts she will find new reasons to leave once hurt, and refuses to share what he is protecting, saying he is “protecting everything.”
Mika, eyes brimming, accepts his boundary and promises not to ask again. She turns away, her light dimming, and starts back across the dunes—resigned to being kept on the outside yet again.
Watching her go, Jamie realizes the cost of exclusion and decides to choose her despite the risks. He calls her back, admits, “We lied to you,” and begins to tell her everything, finally opening the door to the truth and to trust.
Who Appears
- JamieGuardian torn between secrecy and love; initially refuses a relationship, then confesses they lied and shares the truth.
- Mika MoonWitch and tutor seeking honesty; confronts Jamie about avoidance, accepts his boundary, then hears his pivotal confession.
- EdwardImminent visitor whose approach heightens Jamie’s fear of exposure and urgency around secrecy.