The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
by Sangu Mandanna
Contents
Chapter Twenty-Four
Overview
Mika exhumes a hidden skeleton beneath the sunflower patch and confirms Lillian is dead. Jamie reveals the will would send the girls to Peony, prompting their cover-up and Edward’s looming visit. Learning she was recruited to impersonate Lillian and never fully trusted, Mika decides to leave but vows to help on the 26th.
Summary
Mika returns from the beach, following firefly lights to the sunflower patch. Using magic, she lifts the flowers and soil to reveal a skeleton wrapped in a striped blanket with a silver locket marked L, confirming Lillian Nowhere’s death. Jamie arrives, shaken, questioning why only bones remain; Mika explains the earth took a witch’s body and gave sunflowers in return.
Pressed by Mika, Jamie recounts Lillian’s sudden death in June and her will: money to Ken and Lucie, the house to Jamie, and guardianship of the girls to her sister Peony. Fearing losing the girls and unable to fight the will, they secretly buried Lillian to buy time. Edward, holding the will, announced a December 26 visit, threatening to report Lillian missing if she didn’t appear.
Jamie admits they contacted Mika after seeing her videos, hoping she could tutor the girls and perhaps glamour herself as Lillian to deter Edward. Mika, devastated, challenges the deceit, especially after sharing her history of manipulation and growing close to Jamie.
When Mika asks why they kept lying, Jamie confesses they couldn’t trust her not to tell other witches. Resolute, Mika restores the grave and the sunflowers, declares she is leaving, but promises to return on the 26th to help handle Edward. She packs, takes a hidden silver key from Primrose’s book, and departs with Circe, as Jamie apologizes, unable to stop her.
Who Appears
- Mika MoonUncovers Lillian’s skeleton, learns the will’s stakes and Edward’s threat, feels betrayed, and leaves, promising to return on the 26th.
- JamieExplains Lillian’s death, the will favoring Peony, their burial cover-up, Edward’s impending visit, and admits they didn’t trust Mika.
- Lillian NowhereDeceased; her skeleton is found beneath the sunflowers, confirming the secret at Nowhere House.
- EdwardSolicitor holding Lillian’s will; plans a December 26 visit, pressuring the household to prove Lillian is alive.
- CirceMika’s dog; torn between Mika and Jamie, ultimately leaves with Mika.
- PeonyLillian’s sister named guardian in the will; her claim threatens the girls’ place at Nowhere House.
- IanKnitted the blanket around the remains; first contacted Mika hoping she could tutor and potentially impersonate Lillian.