“Yes,” I replied.
“Call me Master,” he mocked
“Yes, Mas …” I couldn’t finish it.
“You will address me properly,” he demanded.
“His will is too strong,” remarked Cassius.
“Do it now!” he bellowed.
“Yes, Master,” I said with his control strong upon me again.
“Now, be on your way. Oh, and make sure you are extremely unkind to that evil witch. She deserves it.” Both men began to cackle.
“Nice touch,” cheered Cassius.
“Be quiet!” And then all grew still as the mirror returned to normal. I shook my head as the glaze faded from my eyes.
“What just happened?” I exclaimed, shaking my head as I left the room.
“Maybe I’ll go home. I don’t really feel like myself right now,” I said bumping into Ms. Matilda on the way out. “Watch it, old lady!” I hissed as my eyes tried to glaze over again.
“Excuse me,” she retorted.
“What? Oh, sorry, Ms. Matilda. I’m going to go home. I’ve got a bit of a headache. Not feeling like myself,” I confessed as my eyes returned to normal.
“What were you doing in my room?” she asked calmly.
“Whatever the heck I wanted!” I hollered.
“You are not going to speak to me in that manner,” she scolded before pausing. “Matthew, dear. What is wrong with your eyes?”
“My eyes?” I responded as I rubbed them.
“Never mind, they look fine now. Maybe I was seeing things,” she said, giving me a look. “Go home and get some rest. I will clean the paint up for you.”
“Paint? What? Huh?” I said, feeling like I couldn’t think straight. “Bye,” I mumbled, holding my hand to my head.
“Will you be able to drive?” she asked.
“Drive? What? Huh?”
“Matthew, maybe I should take you to the doctor?” she suggested full of concern.
Act normal, hissed a familiar voice in my head.
“No thanks. I’ll be fine,” I assured her and got in my truck to go home. But I wasn’t fine. Not in the slightest. It was like I couldn’t function right. I snapped at customers, right and left. I even snapped at Uncle Bart. It was like this feeling of being angry at the world was trying to take over me. I couldn’t understand what was going on and decided to go to bed early that night.
CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
MATILDA
I HAVE SEEN EYES LIKE THAT BEFORE
Something was wrong with Matthew. I would stake my reputation as a Moon Witch on it. I do not know what was bothering him, but something was really wrong. I know in my lifetime I have seen eyes like that before. I would have to not think about it for now, because I needed to go check on Amelia. As I walked down the hallway from my room and up the steps to the second floor, I ran into Luna. “Hello, Luna. I was just going up to check on her. How is she doing?”
“Not good,” remarked Luna sighing. “It’s like she has given up. She would never be able to fight the Darkness in this condition, much less train. I finally was able to lull her to sleep. I thought she needed the rest.”
“Good job. I agree.” I said.
“What did our friends who live in the woods have to say when you visited today?” she asked.
“Let us go to the sitting room. We can continue our conversation there. I need to rest.” We walked in silence down the steps and through the hallway. “Let us sit on the couch,” I suggested as we entered the room.
“All right,” she agreed.
I took a deep breath before beginning. “Well, I talked to Sophia. As you know, she is the leader of the coven. She said that she knew of nothing else to help with such a strong hex. They will remain loyal to us, but there was nothing she could do to help me regain my strength and powers back faster. I just have to continue to bask in the moonlight as much as I can and hope nothing happens that I cannot handle between now and then,” I said frowning.
“Oh, Matilda,” exclaimed Luna. “I will just have to increase the amount of time I’m patrolling the area.”
“Oh, my dear. You do so much already. You need your rest, too,” I said, smiling at her.
“I know, but protecting you and Amelia is my duty and I will do it,” she said, jumping off the couch.
“By the way, did you notice anything different about Matthew today?” I asked.
“I was in Amelia’s room most of the day. Why do you ask?” she asked.
“Oh never mind then. Do not worry about it,” I replied as I got off the couch to sit by the window and take in the splendor of the moon.
“I’ll be back later,” shouted Luna, running from the room.
“Be safe,” I said softly.
The next morning I went to check on Amelia. Luna must have come in at some point late last night because she was passed out at the foot of the bed instead of on a pillow like normal. “Amelia, honey, time to wake up,” I urged soothingly as I shook her.
“Oh, why bother? What good is another day? It’s just going to be the same as yesterday, depressing as ever.”
“Amelia, the day will be what you make it. Now, get out of bed. You have mourned for that boy long enough,” I advised.
“Grandmother,” Amelia exclaimed.
“Now, you listen to me. No granddaughter of mine is going to lay in bed wallowing over any boy.”
“He’s not just some boy! I loved him, if you can understand that!!” she retorted.
“I understand very well. Before I explain myself any further, let me make one thing clear: you will not speak to me in that tone again,” I scolded.
“Yes, Grandmother,” said Amelia apologetically.
“Now, I know your heart hurts. If you recall, I lost my Ernest, your grandfather, so believe me when I say that I know what a broken heart is. You made this decision, Amelia. You can either choose to try and make it work …”
“But he will die,” she interjected.
I cleared my throat. “You can try and make it work and hope for the best, or you can try your best to live with the decision you have made.”
“Is it not all right to mourn?” she asked, wiping a tear away.
“Mourning is fine, my dear. Believe me, I did my share of it, but do not let it take over your life though.”
“All right, Grandmother,” she said, trying to hide her tears.
“Never forget I love you,” I assured her, kissing her forehead as I looked her in the eyes, causing her to throw herself into her pillow and cry all the more. “What did I say?” I probed surprised at her reaction.
“He used to do that,” said Luna stretching.
“I am so sorry, Amelia. I did not realize … oh dear … why, I guess it is my fault you are crying now … I guess one more day will not hurt,” I proclaimed.
“No, it’s not your fault, Grandmother,” she admitted in a soft voice. “You’re right about everything. I’m going to take a long shower. I might be a little late for breakfast. He’s not coming today is he?”
“I am not sure,” I answered, bowing my head. “I apologize if I made it worse on you, Amelia. I was only trying to help.”
“I know,” she remarked as she crawled out of bed and hugged me.
“I am going to go down and make pancakes just like you like,” I announced as I hurried out of the room and down to the kitchen.
CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN
AMELIA
THE MYSTERY THAT HAS BECOME MATTHEW
I knew she was right. I truly did. It was just hard to choose to be happy, as she put it. I turned on the shower and stepped in after undressing. The hot water felt so good running down my head. I closed my eyes, wishing it would wash away my sorrows in the process. “I know it was my decision, but I am so afraid of something happening to him,” I confessed to myself.
“Fear and faith can’t live in the heart at the same time, Amelia,” said Luna, catching me off guard.
“Oh!” I exclaimed surprised. “I didn’t know
you were in here,” I peeped out from behind the emerald green shower curtain.
“I heard what you were saying, and I came in,” she responded.
“Well, what do you mean by what you said?” I asked.
“Amelia, you can be so brave for just about anything, except Matthew,” she said.
“Okay, but …”
“No buts, Amelia … are you happy like this?” she interrupted.
“No, I’m …”
“Well, then you have to decide, is life better or worse with Matthew?” she insisted.
“Better of course …”
“Okay then. Fear or faith, Amelia, pick one. You can sit and wallow in the self-pity that you created by letting your fear take Matthew away from you, or …” she paused.
“Or I can have the faith that nothing will happen to him,” I said, finally understanding what she was saying.
“I’m not saying nothing will ever happen, but have the faith that it won’t be anything too big for you to handle. You were made for greatness, Amelia. Never forget that,” she clarified as she turned to exit the bathroom.
“The Darkness is so powerful though.” I mumbled, causing her to spin around.
“He is only as powerful as you let him be,” she shot back.
“What does that mean?” I asked.
“I mean …” she snapped, stopping and trying to calm her voice. “Look, I know he has done some vile things. Ick,” she gagged, as if thinking of some of them. “And that has caused people to fear him. Fear can be a powerful ally for those seeking power. He uses it to control so many with it. Don’t let him control you too. Be ready for him. Train. Prepare. When he comes—and he will one day—you’ll be ready. I believe in you, Amelia. You just have to believe in yourself,” and with that she waltzed out of the bathroom door and down the hall.
“You prissy little thing, you,” I shouted to her.
“You know it,” she teased.
It felt good to laugh. I pulled my head back under the water as I rinsed off and began to think of everything that had been said. “I know Luna is right. They both are. I just have to get my head straight. Maybe Matthew won’t come today so I can,” I whispered, shocking myself that I said his name without crying. “Today is going to be a good day. I declare that to myself and anyone listening,” I announced.
“Hear, hear,” agreed Luna from somewhere down the hall, maybe my room.
“That cat has some bionic hearing,” I laughed as I continued to shower.
As I finished dressing and had started down the stairs, there came a knock at the door. Not a light, polite knock, but a pounding, let-me-in-this-house kind of knock. “Grandmother, were you expecting anyone?” I asked loudly to her from the steps so she could hear me in the dining room.
“No, child, I am not. Who is at the door?” she answered.
“I don’t know. I’ll check.” My heart began to thump harder and harder in my chest as the pounding got louder and louder. As I reached for the door handle, it stopped. I asked whether to open it or not, for fear of what may be on the other side. “Here goes,” I murmured, cracking the door open an inch to find a very slovenly dressed Matthew. I had never seen him like this before. His hair was unkempt and he appeared to still be wearing the clothes from the day before. He had dark circles under his eyes from what appeared to have been a rough night sleep.
“Matthew, are you all right?” I asked alarmed.
“No, no, I’m not all right. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I-I-I just don’t feel like me,” he stammered.
“Would you like to come in?” I offered, gesturing toward the door.
“Yes, no, maybe, I don’t know,” he uttered. He closed his eyes and put his hands to his head as he shook it, as if trying to quiet an inner battle going on. “Yes, I think I’ll go in. I would rather not see Ms. Matilda today if you don’t mind though,” he snarled, which was very much not like him.
“Why?” I probed.
“I just don’t, okay?” he countered.
“Matthew what’s wrong with your eyes. They look funny,” I asked.
“Oh, umm, I’m just tired,” he claimed, rubbing his eyes which appeared normal again.
“Umm, all right,” I said slowly. “Well, wait out here and I’ll go distract her. You can run up to my room and wait for me, I guess,” I instructed, slipping into the house and making sure to leave the door cracked.
“Luna!” I exclaimed alarmed, almost tripping over her.
“I didn’t expect to find you there,” I added laughing nervously.
“Amelia, I live here,” she remarked cocking her head as if to examine my strange behavior.
“Oh, right, you do. Ha-ha-ha-ha. Whew!” I said, unable to hide my nerves. I had never been a good fibber, if you could call it that. I had a tendency to laugh at the wrong moment when I was trying to cover something up. That is why I never got away with anything as a child because Grandmother could always tell I was lying. I hoped Luna wasn’t paying attention to it this morning.
“Who was at the door?” she asked.
“Huh? Oh, the door. Ha-ha-ha-ha. Uh, no one. That was the wind.”
“The wind?” she repeated sarcastically.
“Yep, the wind,” I insisted, trying to control my urge to laugh again.
“Okay, Amelia,” she responded, turning to walk to the dining room. “Why did you leave the door cracked though?” she probed, peering around me toward the door.
“My mistake,” I lied, shutting the door harder then I meant, but not locking it. “Now, come on, you silly kitty,” I said, scooping her up and halfway jogging to the dining room to get away from the door. As I was about to place her in the chair, I heard the door open and slam shut.
“What was that?” said Grandmother and Luna in unison.
“What?” I said, fighting with all that I had in me not to burst out laughing again.
“It sounded like the door, Amelia,” responded my very fatigued looking Grandmother.
“I guess it was the wind,” I fibbed with a fake smile.
“The wind?” they both echoed, looking at me, and then each other.
“Amelia, are you feeling all right, dear?” asked Grandmother sincerely.
“Umm, no, I’m not. I think I need to, uh, go lie down a while. Yeah, that’s what I need to do,” I replied anxiously.
She simply nodded with a concerned look on her face. “Go ahead, dear.”
As I placed Luna in the chair and gazed at my grandmother, I could see she was no longer the strong woman who had raised me. Sadly she was becoming a frail shell of the person she once was. We needed to find a cure and fast. I just didn’t know where to look. If only the moon could shine on her for a longer period of time than she was getting now, she would surely be well in no time.
“Do you need me to help you to the sitting room?” I asked before leaving.
“No, thank you, dear. I would like to finish my tea and attempt to eat some breakfast,” she answered with a weak smile.
“I love you, Grandmother,” I said, running to hug her.
“Oh my,” she exclaimed, hugging me back. “Now, do not fret child. I will be fine. You go upstairs and rest. I love you,” she assured me.
“Uh, maybe I should stay down here with you,” I said, feeling conflicted about who needed me more at the moment.
“No, no. You go on upstairs. Luna will keep me company,” she insisted as Luna bowed her head in agreement. I slowly walked out of the room, down the hallway, and up the stairs.
We are only going to talk, I thought to myself. “I want to make him feel better. Then, I will spend more time with Grandmother. That sounds fair, right?” I reasoned with myself.
As I entered my room, Matthew was laying on my bed staring at the ceiling. I shut the door and leaned against the dresser drawer. “Never imagined I’d be in this room,” he admitted sadly.
“Wasn’t planning on it,” I remarked.
“Neither was I … at least I don’t th
ink I did,” he said closing his eyes.
“Matthew … are you okay?” I asked.
“I’m fine,” he assured me forcing the answer out.
“I don’t understand what’s going on with you today,” I proclaimed.
“What’s going on with me?” he muttered, sitting up on the bed quickly and snarling. “That woman downstairs is what is wrong with me,” he added as his eyes became glossy looking.
“Don’t you dare speak of my grandmother that way!” I hollered. “What’s wrong with you?”
“I’m sorry, Amelia,” he said, getting up from the bed as his eyes returned to normal.
“Something is not right with you. Maybe you need to go home and rest.” I suggested, staring into his eyes, trying to uncover the mystery that had become Matthew.
“No, what I need is …” he paused to calm his tone. “What I need is us,” he cooed as he pushed me up against the dresser and began to kiss me like he never had before. I didn’t like this kiss. It wasn’t my Matthew’s. The passion was replaced with what seemed to be an almost aggressive desire to prove I was his.
“Stop,” I said, gently pushing him back a little.
“What? Don’t you want to kiss me?” he teased, flashing an almost sinister smile that scared me a little.
“Of course I do …” Before I could say another word he was on me again, kissing me harder this time. I pushed him back again as I pleaded, “Can’t we talk?”
“Talking is overrated,” he countered, almost hissing as he glared at me before picking me up and throwing me on the bed before I could run to the door.
“Grandmother, help me!” I screamed. “Matthew has gone insane!”
“Don’t you say that evil witch’s name while you are in my presence,” he seethed, eyes fully glossed over now.
“Who are you?” I exclaimed, looking up at him. I felt completely terrified, but at the same time, I felt this deep sense of pity for him.
“I’m your boyfriend, or I was until that evil witch broke us up!” he roared.
“She had nothing to do with this. Stop calling her that,” I demanded angrily. “I broke up with you. Not her.”
“She probably told you to do it. She never liked me like she did him,” he said almost crying. Before I could even question who he was referring to, he had my hands pinned on each side of my head on the bed as he aggressively began to kiss me again. I didn’t know what to do. Things were moving in the direction I assumed I was ready for, but clearly I was not, at least not with this Matthew. Tears began to stream down my face. His eyes remained the same, but he looked conflicted for a minute at the sight of my tears, but continued to kiss me as if to keep me from screaming.
Amelia and the Secret of Stoney Manor (Amelia Series Book 1) Page 19
