Christabella shrugged.“No one has stepped up.It’s a big job for untrained witches.”
Ma came down as well, frowning at our little gathering under the stairs as if we weren't allowed to congregate without her.“You’re well suited to be a light weather witch, Christabella.And Giselle, perhaps you can volunteer as well.”
This was out of nowhere.“I don’t think my skill set is suited for weather simulation,” I said.
“Nonsense.We’re one of the founding families of Witch Village.Even your grandmother played the role of a weather witch for a short time.We live under the First Oak.It only makes sense for us to step up in a time of need,” Ma said.
My eyes rolled.I couldn’t help it when Ma went off on completely unfounded pride.Grandmawas the one who helped found Witch Village.She deserved the pride, the credit.We just happened to be related to her.And Ma didn’t even like Grandma half the time.
“No,” I said.
Ma set her jaw.“No?”
“I’m going to rest.”I walked past Ma to the stairs.She grabbed my sleeve, holding tight even as I made a move to extricate myself.
She glared at me with a furrowed brow.“Where did you go this morning?”
“I went to find out about the weather,” I said evenly.
“If you’re idle, our neighbors have mending to be done.I’ll tell them you can help.”
“I don’t want to—”
“I don’t like you traipsing around with that human boy,” she snapped.“Your place is here.It always has been and it always will be.”
My frustration mounted.“No it isn’t Ma!”
“You have a duty to this place.To your family.When did you become so selfish?”
I clenched my jaw.Everything I did justhadto be for someone else.The one time I did something for myself, I was painted as the villain.Ma didn’t understand what I was feeling.She never did.
“I’m too old to be manhandled,” I said, wrenching my arm away.
There was a fire in her eyes now.It was a look she gave me frequently during childhood.Like she hated me for not being the daughter she wanted.I ran up the rest of the stairs, biting back tears until I reached my room and shut the door.
***
THE NEXT DAY, I WASawoken by whispered murmurs outside my window.Squinting, I pushed aside the curtains and peered down.Behind a bush of lavender, I spotted Christabella’s bright dress and braids and a familiar dirty linen shirt.
“I’m tired of meeting in secret and not hearing from you for weeks at a time.I miss you,” Alexander said, his voice faint.
“I miss you too,” came Chrissy’s soft reply.“Why don’t I tell Ma I need something from the fields and we can meet at your place?”
“I have extended family staying over.They came unannounced yesterday.How about we meet in the village square?”
“There’s no reason for me to be at the village square!Stepping out of the house isn’t easy for me.Ma always asks where I’m going.She’s been extra protective since the blackout.”
“Then tell her you’re seeing me.Tell her we’re engaged.”
“Not so loud please,” Christabella pleaded.
Alexander made an exasperated noise.“Why can’t you just tell her the truth, Chrissy?”
“Why do you keep pressuring me?”Christabella asked, her voice wavering and frustrated, like she was on the verge of tears.“You don’t understand!”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Alexander said, a note of panic in his voice as Christabella began to sniffle.
I stepped away from the window when he murmured something in a more intimate tone, my brows raised.A clandestine meeting right in the backyard?Rookie mistake.Ma’s room was quite literally right above them.
