The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
by Sangu Mandanna
Contents
Chapter Fourteen
Overview
Terracotta secretly levitates, triggering a dangerous magical backlash. Mika diverts the blow to save Terracotta and is knocked unconscious, entering witch “hibernation.” The household decides against calling an ambulance, settles Mika in the attic, and rallies. Jamie confronts Terracotta and his own role in her defiance, prompting an apology and fragile unity.
Summary
Jamie’s day begins badly: work issues stack up, household tensions flare, and he’s tired yet eager for more attic talks with Mika. From the library, he spots Terracotta levitating high on a branch despite prior warnings. Mika orders her down as wind rises; Terracotta taunts, insisting she doesn’t need Mika.
The branch jolts. Mika casts to bring Terracotta down, but Terracotta resists. A blinding magical backlash erupts toward both witches. In a split-second choice, Mika clenches her fist and redirects the blast away from Terracotta, taking the full force herself and crashing to the ground as Altamira screams.
Jamie races outside. Terracotta is shaken but safe; Mika lies cold and unresponsive. Jamie finds a pulse and demands an ambulance, but Ian warns of unanswerable questions. They notice a tiny green leaf sprouting at Mika’s throat; Ian recognizes it as witch “hibernation,” a healing shutdown he saw in his mother.
Accepting this, Jamie carries Mika to the attic bed while Rosetta and the girls help. Circe curls beside Mika. The household keeps vigil, hoping time will heal her. Altamira whispers to Mika; Terracotta, remorseful, admits responsibility.
Jamie calmly but firmly lays out the consequences: Terracotta ignored repeated warnings, endangered everyone, and Mika protected her at great cost. He also owns his part, acknowledging his distrust of Mika influenced Terracotta. Terracotta apologizes to all, sparking bickering with Altamira over a missing puzzle that breaks the tension into shaky laughter.
The chapter closes with a group hug around Jamie and the girls, Mika still sleeping upstairs, and Ian proposing tea, the family unified but anxious for Mika’s recovery.
Who Appears
- JamieLibrary keeper and guardian; witnesses Terracotta’s levitation, carries Mika to safety, rejects ambulance, confronts Terracotta, admits his influence.
- Mika MoonTutor witch; diverts a magical blast to save Terracotta and enters healing hibernation with a leaf mark at her throat.
- TerracottaDefiant young witch; attempts levitation, resists rescue, triggers backlash; later apologizes, shaken by consequences.
- IanCaretaker; runs to help, identifies Mika’s hibernation from family experience, steadies the household through crisis.
- RosettaCaretaker; tends to Mika, helps move her, supports the girls during the emergency.
- AltamiraYoung witch; horrified witness who cries out, later quarrels with Terracotta, easing tension with familiar bickering.