“You remind me so much of your Aunt Vickie, may she rest in peace.” Grandma says as she stares at me, the light from the fire flickers across her face as she grabs the grimoire, opening the book carefully. She unwraps the rope, placing it delicately to the side. The book groans as it’s opened.
“We come from a long line of witches, who’ve escaped persecution many times. First in England, then again here in Salem. Our family moved for a time to the island of Possession.” She shows me the list of names and birth locations scrawled out in cursive along the sheets of paper. This grimoire has been passed down in our family for hundreds of years.” She says with a reverent tone.
“Why didn’t you tell me about this? Why keep it from me?”
“Because of what you’re capable of and because of who your father is.” She says, leveling me with a stern look.
“My… father? What does he have to do with any of this.”
“He has everything to do with it.” She says.
Mom chugs the glass, pouring herself another.
“Mom?” She ignores me, staying over by the cart.
“Your blood can unlock the veil that our coven helped to close, but more than that you have a rightful claim to the kingdom that lays beneath the veil.” Grandma continues.
“Once your mother and I realized that your powers were awakening, we did what we vowed to do. Protect the veil at all costs.”
“What are you telling me?”
“I’m sorry, Salem. But I can’t let you return to school. I know I advocated to have you attend Kildale, however, now that we know you have powers, it’s far too dangerous to let you go back there.”
“Let me?” I screech. “My whole life, you have shoved me in a box that I don’t fit in. You’ve tried to make me small when I’m anything but. You’ve controlled every part of my life, not letting me make decisions for myself, and now you’re telling me that you and mom did something to protect the veil? Did you send the fucking pie?”
She shifts uncomfortably. “We were bound by our oath. Trust me, you’re not the only one we’ve had to deal with.”
“Deal with? I’m something for you to deal with for just existing?”
“It’s your existence that’s a threat to us all. I’m sorry, Salem. I really hoped that the magic would skip you. You never showed any aptitude for it, until you went there. I had to be sure and sending you there was the last test. Unfortunately, you failed”
“Are you seriously admitting that you almost killed me? Mom?” My entire body shakes as this information worms its way into my heart, shattering it into a million pieces. We’ve never been close, this family and I, but murder?
She turns and gives me a small smile. I don’t miss that she’s lifted a knife from the table, holding it in her hand awkwardly. “You see, your mom was born with no magic. But her sister? Oh, she was riddled with it. We discovered a plot between her and the headmaster to open the veil. We were forced to take care of her, and now we’ll have to do the same to you.”
I stand, calling my magic to me, but nothing comes.What the fuck?
“Don’t bother. Your drink was laced.” Grandma Clementine says, rising to her feet and faces me, her face devoid of any emotion.
“How could you?” I ask, backing up. My back hits the fireplace mantel, I feel the heat of the flames licking against my legs. I reach over to the side and grasp a fire poker in my hands, holding it in front of me.
“You’d be surprised what you’re capable of when you have no other options.”
“Why are you doing this?” I ask watching my grandmother form a ball of fire in her hands.
“I told you. I took an oath.”
“Walker!” I call out, hoping that he’ll hear me as my grandmother readies her magic. I glance around the room as a feeling of fatigue washes over me. My vision dots with black spots and I sway on my feet. I grasp the fire poker with all I have, taking a swing at my grandmother who lobs the fire straight at me, singeing my dress. I pat the flames out, burning my hand.
“Fuck.” I cry.
My mother charges for me, knife raised. “It’ll feel so good to finally be rid of you. This constant reminder of my past. You even have his eyes.” She sneers down at me, and my metal poker meets her knife. I manage to throw her off, grateful for those drinks she’s consumed.
An idea forms and I can’t believe I’m even considering it. I reach inside of myself, searching. I recognize my slumbering magic, but in the corner something dark snags my attention. I prod at it, willing it to help me.
I feel the moment it stretches its power out through me, taking over. I embrace it, letting its power fill me where mine has been stifled.
“What…?” Grandma Clementine gasps, stumbling back. Black smoke leeches out of my hands, wrapping around both of their necks, squeezing.
