Too late now.
I continued walking, concentrating on my innate compass that directed me to what my heart wanted. It wasn’t something I’d acquired, or built with time, but an ability I had been born with. It was something all witches had, or so my mother always said.
“It means you are never lost,” she would say. “It only means you need to figure out just want you want. Be as specific as you can, and then trust yourself to be led directly towards it.”
I followed my instincts down one street, around a corner, and down another. The entire way, I played with the locket hanging around my neck. I breathed in, breathed out. It almost felt like my mother was here, but instead of lecturing me of my ignorance or everything I was doing wrong, she seemed to offer support and assistance. I followed the feeling along tree-lined paths that smelled of honey suckle and pine needles. It was an interesting scent for a city, but one that I reveled in.
I stood outside a quaint little cottage that somehow looked familiar. It had a blue front door and wolfsbane growing from pots on the porch. I knew this was the place I was looking for, somehow. It was as though this place was a part of me, but I couldn’t understand how or why.
My mother had no living family, or so she’d told us, but Aunt Alison had minded us on occasion when we were little, and my mother seemed to trust her. If anything, she was the right place to start this quest.
I walked up to the large front door painted sky blue. Very similar to Bella’s eyes, actually. It was a happy, welcoming color. My heart twinged. I didn’t want to remember my sisters so suddenly. I didn’t want to feel guilt at leaving. I didn’t want to miss them so soon.
I knocked with the large golden knocker, surprised by how loud it was.
Suddenly, I was caught. Did I really want to do this? Would Aunt Alison even remember me?
My father left us—why? Maybe he didn’t want to be found. Maybe this whole goose chase was a bad idea. What if he saw me and he wanted nothing to do with me? What if he didn’t recognize me? What if Alison didn’t want to help because she knew Mother wouldn’t want us searching for anything?
My breathing came out shallow, heavy, quick. I ran my fingers through my hair and glanced to the side. I might be able to run off without her even knowing I was there.
“Coming!” came a woman’s voice from inside the house.
I knew that voice. Goosebumps pricked my arms. My heart hammered against my chest. I tried to calm my nerves, but I couldn’t. Suddenly, the door opened, revealing a face that I remembered well.
“Aunt Alison,” I said before I could stop myself. I let out a breath. It was so good to see her. All of my emotions at missing my mother bubbled to the surface, and before I knew it, tears pricked my eyes. I squeezed my eyes tightly shut, hoping to blink the tears away.
Alison’s brows drew low over her eyes. “Ava!” She sounded concerned. “What are you doing here?”
I hesitated. “Can I come in?”
“Oh, yes.” She seemed to shake herself out of her thoughts, and a smile slid onto her face, one that I remembered. “Of course! Where are my manners?”
I don’t know.
I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to interpret her odd behaviour in a negative light until I knew what was going on. In her defence, I hadn’t given her a heads up that I would be coming over. She probably hadn’t recognized me right away. And clearly, she had no idea what had happened to my mother. She had a right to be suspicious. She had a right to be confused.
I followed her inside and locked the front door behind me. It was this weird habit Mother had instilled in me. I didn’t know what lurked behind the shadows. I didn’t know if anyone had followed me. Mother had made sure we were all aware of the possibilities that could occur. We were trained to look at everyone with suspicion. We were trained to protect ourselves, whether it was with magic or with common sense.
I hoped Aunt Alison wasn’t bothered by it. I wasn’t trying to dictate what went on in this house without asking her first, but it was so ingrained in me that I didn’t realize I had done it until after it happened.
Luckily, she didn’t seem to notice. She led me inside her home, and I couldn’t help but look around. This place wasn’t a façade. This place was real.
The house was small, and colorful, and rather quaint. Not at all what I’d expect from a woman with unlimited magical abilities. But then again, what did I know about any witch brought up in the magical realm, other than my mother? It was strangely satisfying to know she could have done so much with this place but opted not to.
Alison turned to me, her dark eyes warm but guarded. My gut twinged. She was acting odd.
She gestured to the sofa. “Come,” she said. “Sit and tell me what brings you to visit me today. I have to admit that I’m surprised to see you here.”
Well, that was damn obvious.
I sat down on the comfy couch and Aunt Alison sat down opposite me.
I folded my hands in my lap, my back straight. Mother always emphasized good posture and how it helped magic work better than if one was slouched or otherwise sloppy in both dress and stature. Not that I expected to have to use magic with Alison right at this moment, but there was something off here, and I wanted to be prepared for whatever that was.
Alison’s long black hair was streaked with silver and it was piled on top of her head in an elaborate bun. Despite the softness of her exterior, I could feel the strength of her magic. It
hovered two inches above my body, as though it was giving me a silent warning.