by Marcus Brown
Many years later, Selena’s mother, Sabina, arrived in town – the Gypsy clans were fighting with Kane and needed help. They wanted Selena to return and assist with a spell they weren’t powerful to perform without her.
So, after a while, Syeira consented, and Selena left Vancouver – heading back to San Diego. One condition had to be agreed on, Selena would only leave town if her own daughter travelled with them.
Upon agreeing the terms, Selena, her daughter, Amina, and mother, Sabina, left town, heading across the border and towards her old home.
She remembered the excitement, and had never forgotten her old friends in the clan.
Pulling up to the camp, she jumped out of their rental car. Her friends had been waiting for her, their smiles welcomed her home. She rushed toward them, her arms stretched wide, a smile across her face and jumped into their arms – it had been the happiest she had felt for a long time.
She was overjoyed to see them, but thrilled to know her daughter would finally know where they came from.
However, her joy was short-lived. Selena sensed the tangible atmosphere around the camp – what had the clan become involved with, and why had the coven permitted it?
*
Later that night, sat around the camp fire, Selena questioned her mother.
“We had no choice, Selena. Do not judge us -- to keep the many safe, we had to sacrifice one.”
“He’s just a baby, his mother will be going out of her mind.” Selena was horrified her mother was complicit in the kidnapping of a baby.
“He will know no different,” she said coldly, her tone contradicting the kind face looking back at her.
“Would you say the same had it been me?”
“No, my daughter, I’d have walked the Earth to find you, but we have no choice. Kane chose him personally.”
“But you went along with it regardless,” she spat. “You’re not fit to call yourself a mother, and after I leave tomorrow, you’ll cease to exist in my life and must never call for my help again.”
“So,” she said, seemingly resigned to her daughter’s decree. “You’ll help us?”
“If it means innocents will be saved, yes, but it will be the last thing I ever do for you.”
Her mother reached for her hand, but Selena pulled away.
“Kane will arrive for the ceremony this evening – you must hold your tongue whilst he is here.”
“I will not bend to your will, but before he arrives, what do you wish me to do?”
“We need you to capture the boy’s soul, and bind it to Kane.”
Selena jumped to her feet, aghast. “No, Mother, never, I won’t do it – you know full well it’s forbidden, and the price I’d pay for committing such an act...”
“But you must, child,” she replied, standing up. “He will slaughter us all if you refuse.”
“Why would you ask me of all people, you own daughter?”
“You’re the strongest of our coven – only you have enough power to do what he needs.”
“But you allowed the coven to send me away because I was too powerful, and now you bring me back because you need what you were all once so afraid of,” Selena reminded her. “So, why should I help any of you?”
“Because if you don’t, he will take your child instead.”
Repulsed by what she was hearing, she snarled. “You led us here knowing what could happen to your own granddaughter, how could you?”
“To preserve our line, we did what we had to.”
“I should kill you where you stand.”
“Once you’ve done what I brought you here for, you’re free to exact your own judgement. I’ll do nothing to stop you.”
“Witch,” Selena screamed and watched as the flames from the camp fire flickered and blew out in the wind.
Silence fell over the camp as Selena’s daughter ran to her. “Mommy, I’m scared,” the little girl said.
“Don’t be scared, Amina, nothing’s going to happen to you here.”
“Come to Grandma,” Sabina beckoned, her arms open.
“No, my precious one, stay away from her, but stay close to me, do you hear me?”
“Yes, Mommy.” The little girl clung to her long skirt.
“He is coming, Selena.”
“Correction, Sabina, I am already here,” Kane said as he slowly glided over the trees before landing expertly.
He spied Selena and walked toward her.
“That’s far enough, demon,” she cried out. She could feel Amina shaking behind her.
“You must be Selena,” he said, tilting his head from side to side, obviously scrutinising her, “So beautiful, your mother wasn’t lying when she told me of your beauty.”
Selena glared at her mother. She was more complicit than Selena realised.
“Don’t mistake my beauty for weakness. I’m strong enough to stop you,” she threatened.
“I don’t doubt you for a moment my beautiful one, but are you strong enough to stop Empusa?”
The name seemed to encourage fear from those present.
“I’m not scared of a fallen deity.”
“Oh, my dear,” Kane said, approaching slowly. “Empusa is so much more than that.”
“I don’t care what she is, I won’t do what you’re asking.”
“You’d sacrifice everything for the insignificant life of a child you’ll never know…”
Selena looked around at the fearful faces scattered across the camp. “I won’t do it -- I’d be no better than you are.”
“You’re a witch, Selena. What else are you going to do with your magnificent power?”
“Stop you from taking an innocent child’s soul.”
Sabina approached. “Silence, daughter.”
“You have no authority over me.” She pushed her mother away with the power of her mind.
“My, my, you are stronger than I dared hope.” Kane clapped his hands. “I’d have come to find you long before now if I’d been lucky enough to see a full demonstration of your gifts. You would have come in quite useful a few years ago.”
“I’d rather die than help you, or any of you.”
“If that is your choice, I’ll happily oblige you.” Kane called the wind and flew at Selena.
Chapter Seventeen
“Kane, no, you mustn’t,” Sabina screamed.
His feet touched the floor once more. “Give me one good reason.”
Sabina rushed over to Kane, and stood on tiptoes, whispering into his ear.
Selena watched as Kane’s eyelids gradually lifted, until his red eyes met hers.
“Very well,” he said. “Selena, this is your last chance. Help me, or I’ll take away what is most precious to you.”
“Don’t threaten me, demon, I’m too strong and you know it.” Selena raised her arms in the air, the elemental magic never failing her, as the wind blew in from all corners of the camp. Chairs flew across the grounds like tumbleweed and trees uprooted themselves, crashing toward the ground, as people ran, screaming for their lives.
“Selena, stop, please,” Sabina begged.
Selena raised her hands and lifted off the ground, her feet just inches from the floor, aware Kane was watching the events unfold, a maniacal grin spread across his face. “I call on my ancestors. Hear me now. Give me your powers so I may protect my daughter. I call on you now, come into me, I command you.”
Sabina screamed as she was lifted from the ground by an invisible force and thrown into the air, her bones cracking as she hit the ground with deadly force.
Even from a distance, Selena knew her mother was dead. There would be a price to pay for such a display of power, and for the murder of one of her own, but she couldn’t worry about that there and then.
Kane stood in amongst the carnage, seemingly watching the events unfold as the wind died down and the camp was once again quiet.
“I won’t stop you, Kane, but I won’t help you either.”
“Then you have sealed your daughte
r’s fate.”
In the confusion, Selena hadn’t realised Amina had left her side. Frantic, she began to call for her.
“Amina, where are you?” she shouted. “You don’t have to be afraid anymore – it’s all over.”
“Your daughter is gone, Selena.” Kane’s voice was solemn. “It’s too late.”
Blinded by rage, she ran over to Kane, raining blows into his chest. “Where is my daughter?”
“Gone, forever. You should have done what I asked.”
Selena screamed into the night, anguished, terrified as to what had happened to Amina. Calling on her ancestors for help once again, they didn’t answer her, and at that moment, Selena knew she had paid the worst price of all – the loss of her own daughter.
She had taken Syeira’s child away, and they had taken hers as revenge.
*
Selena didn’t want to cry, but seventeen years had passed and she had grieved every day for the child she lost.
Syeira had forgiven Selena’s part in her daughter’s demise and searched over the years for her great-granddaughter, but it had been futile. Amina was never seen or heard from again.
Kane’s voice brought her back to the moment. “You still grieve for her, don’t you?”
“Of course I do, she was my only child – I loved her with all of my heart, and losing her is the sole reason why I’ll never help you.”
Kane seemed to consider her words. “What if I told you I know where your daughter is.”
“Liar,” Selena answered, the words hissed through her teeth. Her strength seemed to have diminished as Kane walked away from the door and stood in front of her.
“I speak the truth.” He lifted her chin, and looked her in the eyes.
“You murdered my daughter, and now use her memory against me.”
“I could no more bring harm to my own granddaughter than I could have harmed you on that fateful evening.”
Selena held his gaze. She knew when she was being lied to. Witches could feel it in the pit of their stomach, and although she had no such feeling she continued to accuse him. “Liar.”
“I swear to you on all that I am… your daughter lives.”
“Then tell me where she is.” Selena didn’t dare hope.
“On two conditions, my daughter.”
“I won’t help you, Kane.”
“Then you will go to your grave never seeing her again.”
“Where is she?”
“In Vancouver as we speak.”
“Take me to her,” she said desperately.
“Two conditions.”
“Name them.” Selena swore she would rather die than help Kane, but to look on her daughter’s face, if only for one minute, would be a dream come true and she would betray every other living soul for that one chance.
“First, you will help me locate Kyle. I know he’s here and Constance found a way to cloak him from me.”
“I’ve seen the boy…”
“When?” Kane asked.
“A few days ago, using the phone across the square.”
“Did you speak to him?”
“I told him I knew who and what he was – he is here for the girl.”
“His sister, yes, I thought as much. I’m afraid we’ve both been lied to. I want the boy, find him.”
“I can find him, but what is the second condition?”
“That you banish this disgusting, wrinkled, old façade I see before me, and return yourself to your true form.”
“Very well,” Selena agreed.
She rubbed her gnarled old hands together and chanted under her breath.
“Restore me to what I once was,” she shouted as the dirty and dusty chandelier above her head began to swing back and forth, casting light into the four corners of the entrance hall.
She opened her hands palm up and pressed them to her face. Her figure suddenly began to shift. The wiry-thin grey hair began to grow, long and lush, turning a dark shade of auburn until it was halfway down her back.
Her slightly hunched form began to straighten, the saggy breasts lifting into pert, perfectly formed bosoms, giving her an impressive cleavage.
The chandelier stopped swinging. Blinding light shone down from the ceiling, covering Selena’s entire form.
Kane shielded his eyes and Selena guessed he was unable to stand the brightness.
Seconds later, the light faded and she stood facing him. Looking the same as she had during their first encounter, she knew he was impressed. Beautiful bone structure and full red lips, mesmerising green eyes and a dazzling smile greeted him once again.
“Just as I remembered, Selena,” he gasped. “It’s good to see you again.” He smiled, seemingly amazed by the display of power.
A girlish voice replaced her croaky one. “Admittedly, it’s good to be in my own form once again.” She rubbed her hands over her body, happy to be rid of the stunted old woman’s shape. “Now, if you want my help, tell me where my daughter is.”
Chapter Eighteen
“Will we be safe there?” Lara asked. “I haven’t been there in years.”
“It’s the only place I can think of, Mom,” Chloé said. “Grams left me the house when she died three years ago. It’s in the middle of nowhere, off the beaten track. I bet nobody from here even knows the house is there.”
“It’ll do for now,” Eduardo said, taking charge. “We should leave now, before Kane finds us.” He rushed into the kitchen, grabbing whatever he deemed could be used as a weapon.
Kyle stepped forward. “It’d be so much easier if I went to Kane. I’m all he’s here for. I go to him and all this mess goes away. Then you can get on with your lives.”
“Cody, no, you’re coming with us,” Lara ordered.
“My name is Kyle. I haven’t been Cody for a long time.”
“Okay, Kyle it is, but please, there’s so much I want to know. I’m your mother – you don’t know how much I’ve missed you.”
“My mother is called Constance Benitez, the woman that raised me.”
A crashing noise could be heard from the kitchen. Eduardo pushed the swing door open, standing in the doorway, stopping it from closing. “Constance Benitez, she raised you?”
“Yes,” Kyle answered. “What of it?”
“She took you away from us?”
“Ed, who is she?”
“Her sister, Rosario, used to clean our house, do you not remember her?”
“Oh, my God,” Lara said, the realisation evidently dawning upon her.
“That bitch took our baby. I’ll tear her apart.” Eduardo banged his hand against the door frame.
Lara and Chloé jumped back as plaster tumbled from the wall, the door frame hanging off.
“Daddy,” she said, rushing over to him and holding her hands against his chest, “Calm down.”
“I’m sorry if I scared you, sweetheart.” Eduardo moved away from the door, feeling guilty for frightening his family. “You called me Daddy.” He smiled, and wanted to cry, but held the tears back, the blood tears would be too hard to explain.
“You will not harm Constance, swear that to me, or I’ll walk away from you all now. You don’t know why she did what she did.”
“Then explain it to me,” Eduardo asked.
“Romeo mistreated her, beat her black and blue, so many times. She never stood a chance against him, but she loved me, and did the best she could for me. You will not harm my mother.”
Lara stepped forward. “Ed, whatever she did, Constance is his mother and you won’t harm her, agreed.”
“But,” Eduardo was about to protest.
She walked over to her husband, straining to look up at him. “Don’t mess with me, Eduardo Beck, or else. You might think you’re something special these days, but I’ve been head of this family for five years and you’re not walking back in and taking over just like that. Got it!” Lara’s face said it all – he wasn’t going to argue with her.
“Got it.” He grinned, amazed, the
woman he’d fallen in love with all those years ago hadn’t changed. “Kyle, I promise, your… mother, is safe and no harm will come to her.”
“And you’ll help her if she needs it?” Kyle asked.
“As though she were my own family,” Eduardo answered.
“Thank you,” Kyle answered. “Then, I’ll come with you.”
“Right,” Lara said, “Let’s move our asses, and once we’re safely away from here, we can talk properly. I want to know everything. There’s been too many secrets in this family.”
Chapter Nineteen
Selena watched anxiously as the huge limousine pulled up outside her house.
The beautiful young woman stepped elegantly out of the car, her confusion at being summoned evident.
She walked slowly up the path and looked surprised as the door appeared to open on its own.
“Come inside, Amina,” Kane called. “I have somebody that wishes to see you.”
Amina stepped inside.
Selena rushed forward, tears flowing down her cheeks and pulled her daughter into her arms. “My darling child,” she choked, “How I’ve missed you.” She covered the girl in kisses.
Amina pushed her away. “Get away from me, woman. I don’t even know who you are.”
Selena turned to look at Kane. “What have you done to her?”
The building began to shake, causing the chandelier to swing, the dust dropping into Selena’s hair.
“Calm yourself, Selena, and allow me to speak,” Kane requested.
“Master, what am I doing here?”
“Silence, Amina. You will speak when spoken to.”
“Do not issue orders in my home. My daughter will do as she pleases.”
“Your daughter?” Amina asked. “You’re crazy -- I’ve never met you before.”
“Come to me, Amina,” Kane ordered. Selena watched as he held out his hand and waited for Amina to take hold. “Look in my eyes and listen to me.”
“Yes, Master.”
“I release you from the compulsion – take your mind back to the night I found you running from the campsite. Do you remember?”
