“You are never alone, Marsilia. Ayden will stay closer than he has been.”
“Will that be enough.”
“Grisandole has never seen Emmaria. This gives us an advantage.”
“Yes, but to what extent. The hags will continue to comb the streets.”
“No doubt.”
“Doesn’t that worry you?”
“Yes, it does. Marsilia, you know this will change everything.”
“No Professor. Not yet. She isn’t ready!” Grammie cried out in fear.
The Professor thought for a moment. “Very well. She has until the end of the school year. After that she must begin her search.”
“I don’t mind telling you that I’m opposed to this.”
“Your protest has been noted, but it makes little difference. The safety of every magical being is at stake here. We have run out of time.”
Grammie turned and looked at Malka who paced. “I’m aware of that Professor, but it doesn’t make things any easier.”
“It was never meant to be easy. You know the importance of Emmaria’s survival.”
“Yes, but we are trying to keep her safe for different reasons.”
“You are protecting your granddaughter, and I am trying to protect the world of witches. Now I think you should go home. Malka and I will finish up here.”
“Of course, Professor.” None too pleased, Grammie left the mall. Her priority was Emmy’s continued training and safety.
CHAPTER 38
A TOUGH DECISION
The cab pulled into the driveway. Ayden paid the fare and escorted Emmy to the door. His eyes surveyed the area, always on alert to the possibility of danger.
“Wait here while I have a look around. We don’t know if they’ve found this house. I’m not taking any chances.”
“I didn’t bring my key.”
“Not to worry.” He passed his hand over the deadbolt and heard the familiar click. He opened the door and stepped inside. Ayden walked around the main floor and went upstairs. Once he’d swept the house, he returned to Emmy’s side. “It’s safe to enter.” He closed the door behind them.
“This is crazy.”
“What is?” Ayden led the way into the kitchen.
“Being too scared to enter your own house.” Even as Emmy spoke the words, her belief wavered. How could she explain everything that happened today? She never thought her life would mimic a novel, but it did.
“I understand your feelings, but this is how things are, at least for the time being.” He led Emmy through the living room and into the kitchen.
Emmy took two glasses from the cupboard and a pitcher of juice. “Ayden, those women at the mall, who were they? And why did they attack us?”
“They may belong to Grisandole’s coven or they joined her. Either way I’d wager they were sent to capture you.”
“How did they find us?”
“I’d like to know the answer to that question as well.”
Emmy wondered at the finality of his words. “I know they want the wand, but I don’t know much about it. Will you tell me about the Crystal Wand?”
“Hasn’t Grammie told you about it?”
“She told me a little, but I want to know the truth about the magic hiding in this wand.”
“I know your anxious to have all the answers, but there are many secrets held within the wand, and no one person knows what magic lies within… except perhaps Celestria.”
“Then why does everyone think I’ll know how to use it.”
Ayden thought for a moment. “I don’t know, but the witch who wields the wand, will know its power. The Valittu will instinctively know how to wield the Crystal Wand. Only then will she know all the secrets held within.”
“Huh! I thought you had all the answers.”
He laughed. “Not quite. The Professor and I are always searching for answers, but we don’t always find them.”
“What do you do?”
“We keep searching.”
“Do you enjoy that kind of life?” Emmy wondered what it would be a part of such a fantastic existence.
“Yes, I do.”
“But the Professor isn’t your father?”
“If you mean by blood, then no he is not. But to me, he is more than a father. He’s my mentor, my friend and yes, in many ways, he is the father I don’t remember.”
“I can tell you care about him.”
“Yes, I do.”
“I hope I get to meet him one day.” From what she saw at the mall, the Professor was fascinating. She wanted to know more about him.
“You’d like him, and I know he’d like you.”
“I’m sure I would, but I don’t think he wants to meet me.”
“Why would you say such a thing?”
“Everyone knows him, except me.”
“When the time comes, the two of you will meet. I’m sure he stays away from you to protect you. Grisandole and her hags know him. They fear him, but they know him, and if he was seen with you, they would know you were the Valittu.”
“I guess I can understand his motives, but I’d still like to meet him.”
“And you will.”
Emmy looked at the clock on the wall. “I hope Grammie’s all right.”
“I’m sure she is. The Professor’s arrival would have scared Grisandole’s hags away. I’m certain Grammie will be home presently. They had a lot of work to do restoring the mall to its original state.”
A while later, the front door opened, and Emmy ran to find Grammie standing inside the foyer, looking tired.
“You’re home!” Emmy threw her arms around her grandmother’s neck and held her for a moment. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Child.” She returned her granddaughter’s hug.
“You need to sit down.” Emmy led Grammie into the kitchen.
She landed in the chair with a tired thump and smiled weakly when a cup and saucer landed before her. Grammie took a sip relishing the feel of the hot liquid trickling down her throat, but at this moment she didn’t have the strength to answer questions. She took a deep breath. “We need to talk.” Her pale eyes bore into Emmy’s causing instant concern.
“Okay.”
“Perhaps I should take my leave.” Ayden stood.
“No Ayden, I’d like you to stay and hear what I have to say, after all this concerns you too.”
He sat back down. “As you wish.”
She leaned back in the chair, and studied the cup she still held, absorbing its heat.
Ayden and Emmy looked at each other and wondered what news she had for them.
It took Marsilia a few minutes to compose her thoughts. “Something’s troubling me.”
“I can tell.”
“What happened today has started a new chain of events. The Professor moved up his schedule.”
“I don’t understand.”
“But she isn’t ready,” Ayden chimed in.
“I don’t think it matters. Grisandole’s hags know who you are, and that makes staying put far more dangerous than we originally thought.”
“I know they saw me, but it doesn’t mean they know who I am. At least we have that.”
“It’s not enough. The Professor feels the time has come to begin the search.”
“Okay, now you’ve lost me. What search?”
“The search for the Crystal Wand must begin.”
“Where am I supposed to look for it?”
“I don’t know, but once we leave, the Professor will know where to begin the search.”
“Leave? Why do we have to leave? Where is the wand?” She couldn’t believe this was happening. It was hard enough dealing with being a witch hunted by another coven, but now all her dreams were dissolving.
“Emmy, it’s fa
r too dangerous for us to linger in Salem.”
Her shock was short lived, knowing one day this would happen, but it happened sooner than expected. “Where will we go?”
“Wherever we must?”
“But what about school?”
“I want you to finish your year and then we’ll leave.”
“Can I still go to graduation?”
“I don’t know.”
Emmy’s saddened expression hurt Grammie. “The last thing I wanted was for you to miss your one and perhaps only graduation. But we can’t risk allowing you to leave the house for any reason. I’m so sorry this happened, but there’s nothing I can do.”
“But Grammie, you promised I could go. I have a date and a great dress.” She looked at Ayden who sat quietly and listened to the exchange. “Please?”
Telling Emmy, no, broke her heart.
“This was the last thing I wanted, but Grisandole doesn’t seem to care about anything except finding you. Since we can’t allow this to happen, I… we must to do whatever we can to protect you.”
A tear slid down Emmy’s cheek.
“If I may interject,” Ayden broke the sudden silence that descended upon the small kitchen.
“Only if you don’t tell me that everyone else knows what’s best for me,” Emmy said dejectedly.
“On the contrary,” Ayden stated with a quirky smile, which seemed to irritate Emmy. “I think we should go to your graduation.”
“What?” Grammie was as surprised as Emmy by Ayden’s comments. “Have you lost your mind? You know the dangers waiting for her out there.” Grammie pointed out the window for emphasis.
“I do, but I’m escorting Emmy to the graduation, and I’m prepared to give you my word that I will keep her safe. We will go to the school, and when the festivities have ended, I will escort Emmy safely to the door. Once we arrive at the school, Emmy will be dressed up, as will all her classmates. No one has seen her up close yet, and that gives us quite an advantage.”
“I don’t know Ayden. Everything is different now.”
“Yes, I know. This has been a trying day, but I will speak with the Professor and I will ask for his opinion on this matter.”
Grammie thought for a moment. “I’m not comfortable with this.”
“Please Grammie.” Emmy begged.
“Emmy…”
“If the Professor feels it is safe enough to attend, will you give your consent?”
“I suppose, but I won’t make any promises.”
“But…” Emmy wanted Grammie to give her a firm answer.
“I think that’s more than fair,” Ayden told her.
“Thank you. Perhaps you can convince the Professor to explain what will be expected from Emmy. I’m certain the fear of the unknown is harder to bear than knowing the truth.”
“I will do my utmost to convince him of this, but you know how secretive he is about the search,” Ayden said.
“Yes, I do. But if Emmy were told what the search entailed, she may begin to understand the dangers inherent in presenting herself to Grisandole and her hags. I want you to understand what we are doing.”
“I will discuss this matter with him.”
“Excellent.”
Ayden rose from the table and went to the front door with Emmy.
“Thanks.”
“For what?”
“For what you said in there. I appreciate you’re trying to convince everyone to let me go to my graduation.”
“There is no need to thank me. I’m looking forward to this evening as well.”
“Really?”
“Don’t look so surprised. I think this will be fun for the both of us, and I believe we’ve earned an evening out.” He left the house.
Emmy returned to find Grammie sitting in front of the TV, searching for news of the commotion at the mall.
“Please sit down, Emmy. We need to talk.”
Emmy did as she was told.
“You can’t run away from this. This search is far too important. The life of every witch in every coven depends upon your recovering the wand before anyone else.”
“What if I don’t want to participate in this search?”
“That is not who you are.”
“Are you sure about that?” Emmy looked up.
“Yes. I’ve always known who you are, even if you have doubts.”
Emmy looked at Grammie. A small smirk crept over her lips. “I guess.”
“Come on.” She took the remote and turned off the TV. She offered Emmy her hand. “I want you to have faith in me and in yourself. You are far more important than you know.”
“Okay.” Emmy took the offered hand and followed her grandmother into the kitchen, willing to listen and learn. After all, magic was something she loved to do. But in the back of her mind, the fear of the unknown haunted her. How could she be so important? It didn’t make sense to her.
If finding this wand was vital to their existence, why hadn’t Celestria left instructions for her to follow? Instead she seemed to be facing one unknown factor after another. If she’d been older that might make sense to her, but at thirteen, Emmy didn’t know what to believe or what to expect. There were too many secrets… too much fear crawling around her life.
CHAPTER 39
EXAMS
Finals were upon the students of Salem’s Junior High School. Excitement and fear flowed through the halls. Eagerness for the end of school was felt throughout, but fear of the exams energized the hallways. Ever since her powers had developed, she’d been more attuned to the emotions of those around her. Her senses were piqued.
“Emmy!” Sarah waved and called her over.
“Hi Sarah.”
“I was wondering if you’d make it today.”
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world. I want to graduate with you.”
“I didn’t know if Grammie would let you out of the house.”
“I can leave the house. I’m not a prisoner.” Emmy knew how this looked, but she couldn’t divulge her secret to Sarah, no matter how much she wanted to blurt everything out.
“You barely leave the house. I don’t see you, except when I bring you your homework.” She waited for Emmy’s reply or explanation, but it never came.
“Things are getting better.” Emmy hated lying to her friend, but after everything that happened, she wouldn’t even know where to begin. Too many changes took place. and she still had difficulty putting everything into perspective. Her life changed in ways she never imagined.
“Are you going to the grad party?” Sarah asked, in a suspicious tone.
“I hope so.”
“You mean you’re not sure?” Sarah couldn’t believe what she was hearing
“Not really.” Emmy saw the hesitation on Sarah’s face. She wanted to tell her the truth, but as a member of the Coven of Orenda, she was sworn to secrecy. “But I thought you had a date with some hunk.” Sarah stood there, tapping her foot with impatience.
“I do, but Grammie could change her mind.”
“Why would she?”
“I… I can’t tell you.” Emmy’s eyes were downcast.
Sarah looked at her best friend. “I have to say something, and you might not like what I have to say, but I’ll feel better for saying it.”
Emmy stared at Sarah. “I think I know what you want to say, but go ahead, I’m listening.”
Sarah took a deep breath. “I don’t even know you anymore. Ever since you left school, it’s like I don’t have a BFF anymore. You never call. We don’t hang. Nothing. It’s like I don’t even exist, and that makes me feel hurt and pissed at this whole secrecy business. I can’t stand it. If you don’t trust me, then there’s no friendship left.”
“I know how this looks and I’m sorry, but...”
“But you
still won’t talk to me.” She slammed her locker shut.
“Sarah,” Emmy reached out, but Sarah turned away. “I don’t want you to hate me.”
“I don’t hate you. I’m hurt…hurt that you don’t trust me.”
“That’s not true.”
“Yeah, it is.”
Emmy didn’t know what to say as tears fell from blue eyes. Without another word, she walked away. Dejected Emmy entered the classroom. She saw Danny sitting in his seat. He turned away when her eyes met his. She followed his stare and saw Debbie smirking at her. She took her seat and looked at her teacher who was a fellow sister.
Miss Norris smiled at Emmy. Her reassurance washed over her like a summer rain shower. Her body melted into the chair, as her mind cleared, so she could concentrate on what lay ahead.
At the day’s end, Emmy decided to give her friendship with Sarah one more try. She searched all her friend’s usual haunts but to no avail. She even waited by her locker hoping Sarah would return. Saddened, Emmy left.
Ayden waited for her and approached when he noticed the sadness in her eyes. “What’s happened?” He took her hand in his trying to reassure her.
“I lost my best friend.”
“I can’t believe that.” He led her away from school.
“Believe it.”
“Tell me what happened.”
Emmy recounted her tale. Tears trickled down pale cheeks. She wiped them away. “I can’t do this anymore.”
“Do what?”
“Live with this lie.”
“There’s no lie here.”
“Okay, so let’s call it a great big secret.” The last thing she wanted was to show weakness in front of Ayden, but, with the way she felt right now, she didn’t care if she cried. She had every right to feel this way.
“Emmy, the need for secrecy isn’t being done to hurt you. The need for secrecy is what has and will continue to keep you safe. You must do whatever it takes to survive, and if this means guarding a secret, so be it.”
“I want things to go back to the way they were. You know, before I had powers, before I was deemed a witch, before I met you.” Shamed she turned away.
Ayden let her hand fall away from his. The hurt in his eyes nearly crushed Emmy, but her anger seemed to get the better of her.
Emmy and the Coven of Witches Page 22
