Sisters of the Coven (Daughters of the Warlock 1)

I rolled my shoulders back and took in a deep breath. “I’ll get straight to the point, Aunt Alison,” I said, my words tumbling over each other. I didn’t know why I was nervous. I knew this woman. She was practically family. “My mother passed away this morning.”

Her gasp and surprise were authentic. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m so sorry.”

She reached for me, taking one of my hands in hers and using the other to pat it.

Something tightened around my heart but I pushed through the pain. “Thank you,” I said. “Uh, I’m reaching out to those who knew her. I’m sure you’re aware she didn’t have many friends, but of the ones she had, you were the one we knew. I’m here to—I don’t know—try to learn more about her as a way to learn more about my sisters, if that makes sense.”

“Of course, it does, honey.” She gave me another smile. “What can I help you with?”

“Did you know my mother, from... school?” I asked. I figured it was best to start with an easy question, one that didn’t seem loaded with unspoken meaning.

Alison gestured at the coffee table in the living room. “Would you like something to eat?” she asked. I couldn’t tell if she was being genuine with her offer or if she was avoiding the question. “Or drink?”

Was she suggesting that she magic something up for us? Or would I soon hear the whistle of her kettle going? I was assuming the former, but considering her house was real, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

She didn’t wait for me to respond. Instead, she waved her hand and a pot of steaming tea and a plate of cakes materialized from her magic

My stomach rumbled as I looked at the feast she’d laid out. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten.

I smiled as she used her magic in front of me. Nothing said trust and family, like revealing magic in the human world. I relaxed a bit and scooted to the edge of the couch, leaning forward. The sweet scent of buttermilk icing filled up my senses and made my mouth water.

“Thank you,” I said.

“This tea is a special brew and will soothe your soul.” Alison poured me a cup and I took the gift she offered.

I hesitated. The tea smelled sweet and intoxicating. A single shiver of worry passed through me. Could I truly trust this woman? I didn’t know her, not well. I just knew she was someone my mother had introduced us to. She was referred to as my aunt. That implied family. And yet...

No. I couldn’t be suspicious of everyone. I would never get where I wanted to go if I didn’t trust anyone. I pushed aside my hesitation.

I leaned forward and inhaled again. The tea smelled of home, and I sipped it gratefully. The warmth spread through my chest, and a sigh escaped my throat. I felt calm. I didn’t think I’d felt calm since before my mother died.

“Thank you... that’s lovely.”

Alison sipped from her own teacup and wiped away a tear that slid down her papery face.

“I knew your mother was unwell, but I’d hoped it would pass,” she said.

I placed the cup down on the coffee table and focused on her. I cleared my throat. It was difficult for me to formulate the right words to express what had just happened to us.

“I’ve been trying to put all the pieces together, but Mother told us so little,” I said. “I don’t have much to go on.”

Alison’s smile was sad. “Yes, she did keep you in the dark,” she said, looking down at her cup of tea. “I didn’t agree with it, but it wasn’t my choice to make.”

I took another sip of my drink, grateful for the calming influence it was having on me.

“Do you think she died because she used up all her magic maintaining the house, and us, in our own realm?” I asked.

I was scared to know the answer. I didn’t want to be the reason why something like this had happened to my mother. I didn’t want to be the reason she had died.

Alison picked up a piece of lemon cake and bit into it. Then, she shrugged. “Perhaps,” she said. “It takes a lot of concentration, a lot of one’s individual magic to withstand such a load.”

Everything inside of me stopped. I closed my eyes, letting the weight of her words sink in. I shouldn’t be surprised. I was waiting for her to tell me exactly this. And yet, my insides clawed against each other and it was difficult for me to think of grabbing a piece of cake. I didn’t even want the tea anymore.

“Why did she do it?” I asked, shaking my head. I didn’t understand her choices. None of this made any sense. “Why didn’t she keep us in town, here, with you?”

Wouldn’t that have been just as safe? Easier?

Alison sighed. She set her teacup down, careful not to drop any crumbs from her lemon cake in her other hand on the floor. She plucked another piece of it, popped it into her mouth, and turned to look at me with her full attention.