Before the words are fully out of her mouth, I’m shaking my head, my hair brushing against my neck. “Mémé, I would never do that.”
“Not on purpose, or at first. Do you think every evil person was born that way? Little by little the dark creeps in, twisting, warping, and influencing. Life has a way of wearing a person down. We make choices we never thought we’d be capable be off. Don’t be so quick to say never.” She sinks into her white rocking chair. Worn with age it creaks as she sets it into motion. “Sit a spell.”
Seated next to her, I wait.
“Witches need other witches because we keep each other grounded. It’s the same reason we keep the council. Even in groups, we can reach too far, test boundaries meant to keep everyone safe, and take risks that may upset the balance. Not to mention the mistakes we need cleaned up. It’s an intricate system of checks and balances designed to keep as much as possible from slipping through the cracks. We need rules to keep us in line. You and your beau are nothing new. Witches have been falling for vampires for ages. They just made sure to keep it hidden, and if folks caught on, they turned a blind eye. Not you. It shook them. Add that to the fact that he went and leveled up to a capable Master Vampire, and you’re in line as the next leader of the Esçhete family?” Mémé whistles. “It’s a scary prospect. It reminds them too much of things in the past thought to be long buried.”
“Mémé?” There’s a volume worth of secrets hidden in that last sentence.
“Now isn’t the time for that story. When the phase arrives, I’ll be the one to tell it to you. Instead, I’ll tell you another tale about a very special friend of mine.”
Mémé might be ninety, but she’s running laps around me mentally, speaking in riddles, and withholding information like a character on Supernatural. Caught in a barrage of truth bombs, I can do nothing more than nod my head in agreement.
“When I was twenty, I met a man at the library while doing research for an old spell. He helped me locate the right information, and initiated a rousing conversation about history. He was dashing, in behavior and looks. Oh, he had the most soulful chocolate brown eyes I’d ever seen. His dark hair fell around a beautifully sculpted face.” Is Mémé swooning? “I was smitten. The fact that he was too old for me only made the crush more exciting. We became close. Things moved from library meetings to out in other towns …” Her voice trails off.
“You fell in love with him,” I whisper, leaning forward and placing my arms on my jean-clad knees.
“And he with me. I knew my family would never approve. But I couldn’t let him go. I feigned ignorance until he said the three words that severed our friendship. I love you.”
“Mémé.”
Tears roll down her face. “It was my catalyst for leaving. I was angry at the speciesism, my family, and my own cowardice. I wasn’t willing to fight for Percival, and I spent my entire life wondering what if.” Did she mean my Percival? No, she couldn’t have. “I’m not saying I want to go back and make a different decision. Your grand-père was a wonderful man. We had a steady love, built a family, and found happiness. When he died, Percival asked for a second chance.”
“Percival … on Cristobal’s court.”
“Yes.” She smiles.
“Wow. Mémé. I don’t even know what to say.”
“Surely, you can see his appeal?”
“I … Yeah, I can see it.” I can’t get the expression on Percival’s face when he mentioned Mémé out of my head. It was longing and worry. My God. He still loves her.
“That second time, I let fear take hold. I’ll always regret that. You followed your heart, and I couldn’t be prouder. Soulmates are a rare thing. A blessing not bestowed upon many. This is no coincidence.”
“Mémé. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. This old gal had a good life. Maybe not the best it could’ve possibly been, but good nonetheless. I want to see you have your best life. That’s why I’m telling you all of this. Changes comes with opposition. It’s uncomfortable and full of uncertainty. It takes a strong person to stand firm against that kind of unrest and hostility. I know you can do it.” She chuckles. “Everyone thinks I decide my own successor. It’s not true. The power inside chooses where it wants to go next. I knew it would be you almost from the moment you were born. You caught its attention, made it sit up and take notice. Then your accidental magic started at two, it confirmed what I’d suspected all along.”
“You never let on.”
“I knew how hard your life would be. I wanted to let you be a child for as long as possible. So, I treated you like just another witch learning our ways. Perhaps this is why we’ve always gotten along so well. Like attracts like, and our lives have unfolded in similar manners.”
“Mom’s furious and disappointed.”
“She’s confused and blindsided. Give her time. She’ll come around. You’re her only d
aughter. We missed you becoming a woman. She’s still expecting the young girl trying to learn her place in the world. It’s going to take time for everyone to settle in.”
“Mémé, do you think I’m doing the right thing?” I ask quietly. If I go down the wrong path, it’ll affect more than just me. My entire family’s future is at stake.
“The more important question is, do you?”
“I think I’m doing the best with the circumstances I’m given.”
“You answered that question for me.” She pats my hand, and I lean back and join her rocking back and forth. Mémé hums the old hymn, “Peace in the Valley”, and for a moment I forget everything else. She takes me back to a simple time when responsibilities didn’t rule my world. Picking berries with my cousins and the local children, the bonfires we’d have, and the gatherings. I used to think life was full of magic and joy. I don’t feel that way anymore.
My mother approaches us from the garden, lit by the twilight coloring the sky in shades of purple and blue.