Page 3 of Scarred

“Today her daughter would have been six months old.” Amma still felt the grief of losing one so young, and she knew her sister was devastated. Unlike other women, those in her family line psychically connected with their children in the womb and could speak to them without words. The bond was unbreakable. When her sister’s baby died, Dhakiya had felt every second. Dhakiya hoped to find her little girl on the other side and encourage her to return for another chance. Amma worried. It could kill a witch’s soul to spend too much time searching the world of the dead.

“Tina is in the hands of the Goddess, and she will rejoin us when she is ready.” Lily said. “For now, Dhakiya needs to join in the celebration and renew her magic.”

“Talking about renewing magic?” Joy strolled into the room munching on an apple. “There’s a new feeling in the air. Like something cool is coming.”

“What you are smelling is the Autumn Equinox.” Lily gave her a kiss on the forehead. “You did your morning blessings, didn’t you?”

“I have,” Joy answered. “I cannot wait to do them with everyone else.”

Lily ruffled her hair before turning back to the stove. “It will be glorious. The house will be filled with powerful women all giving of their magic to keep the land fruitful and safe.”

“Fruitful and safe?” Amma snorted. “Remember last year when Jill and Raven started fighting? They almost destroyed my balcony!”

“Your balcony survived,” Joy said around a bite of apple. “Every other day we must be so careful without magic. This week we get to let our hair down and have some fun. Well, everyone but Jo.”

“I heard that.” Jo leaned against the door jamb and smirked as red smoke started swirling around her hand. “I control my magic better than anyone here.”

Lily smiled over her shoulder. “Jo, that is a beautiful display of your magic. I love the red.”

“I learned how to change color.” Jo flicked her hand and the smoke turned green.

“Now that’s control,” Joy said. “Why do you get pretty smoke and I get sparkles?”

Jo grinned. “Because your magic is fluff.”

“I’ll show you fluff.” Joy raised her hand, but someone caught it before she could push her magic.

“Young lady, how many times have I told you not to use your magic when you’re mad?”

“Auntie?” Joy spun to face their auntie, Charlotte. “I wasn’t going to do anything.”

“Yes, you were.” Charlotte was Lily’s younger sister and a seer. Amma found talking to her to be a little crazy because she never said what she meant.

Joy huffed and snatched her arm back. “I was leaving anyway.” She stormed around Charlotte and out the back door.

“To think she’s the light witch,” Jo snorted.

“She needs to grow a little more,” Charlotte said. “She is going to be a force to be reckoned with.”

“Jo,” Lily tried to snatch back the bacon Jo was stuffing into her mouth. “Get out of here before I take a spoon to your backside.”

“Auntie, that hasn’t worked in years,” Jo said around the bacon. “I can put up a shield faster than you can pick up the spoon.”

Charlotte opened the fridge and took out a soda. “Jo, you are immensely powerful. One day you will learn just how strong you are.”

“I know,” Jo said and rolled her eyes. “Destiny.”

Lily stood on her toes to kiss Jo on the cheek. “Hey, chin up. Your magic will one day save our family.”

“If you say so.” Jo turned and left a little more melancholy than when she entered.

“I had hoped no one was blessed with the powers she has.” Lily poured the eggs into a pan. “It isn’t a burden anyone should have. I know you girls get tired of hearing about destiny, but our family was given our powers for a reason. Jo is going to be the woman all generations look to.” She shook her head.

“Sister, we shouldn't burden them with this today.” Charlotte hugged Lily with one arm. “Give them time to celebrate before the world intrudes.”

“I think that’s my cue to get out of here,” Amma said as she turned toward the door. “See you when breakfast is ready.”

“Amma,” Lily called, “make sure you do some practicing.”

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