Page 4 of Scarred

Amma ducked back into the kitchen. “Why? I talk to animals. I doubt I’ll end up hurting anyone, unless we have cousins who are more animal than human.”

“Daughter, how many times have I told you that all magic can be used for bad?” Lily scraped the scrambled eggs onto a serving platter before turning around. “There is a story told of an ancestor whose magic manifested in husbandry, like yours. She was one of the women who caused our family to be hunted, because she would take over the minds of animals and cause them to attack people she didn’t like.”

“I would never do that.” Amma couldn’t imagine using her powers that way. Mike and Sam didn’t deserve to be turned into killers. No animal deserved that fate. It was one of the reasons she had started a rescue, caring for any animal that had been used in a fighting pit, arena, or anything else. Most of the animals went to loving homes, and those who were too damaged were taken to one of six sanctuaries around the country. She hoped to open some overseas in the coming years to save even more animals, especially her favorite– elephants.

“I know you wouldn’t.” Lily pulled down a stack of plates. “But I want you to remember that all magic is dangerous. Even mine can be used for evil.”

“Do I smell food cooking?” Grace, the youngest sister, skidded around the corner and almost ran into the counter. Charlotte snagged her by the back of her dress to stop a disaster they would all regret. At seventeen, Grace had a willowy frame, shaved head, and eyes of the deepest violet. She was a sea witch, and had the power to control water, water creatures. She could even breathe underwater. Amma had always been a little jealous of that, but Grace was so loving and upbeat, no one could hate her.

“Grace Ndiaye, how many times have I told you not to run in the house?” Lily wagged the spatula in the girl’s direction. “You are going to hurt yourself or someone else.”

“I knew there was no one inside the doorway.” Grace bounced on her toes as she eyed the dough Charlotte was placing on a sheet to bake. “Warm biscuits for breakfast, what could be better?”

“You cleaning your room?” Amma teased.

“I know where everything is,” Grace said. “That reminds me, I talked to Brea, and she will be staying in my room.”

“Isn’t Brea a potion witch?” Charlotte asked. “Last time I heard anything about her, she was causing trouble.”

Grace waved her words away. “Oh please. She was just having a little fun with the boys who teased her at school. They had the shits for a day. No harm.”

“Tell that to them.” Amma tried to swallow her laugh and failed. “I think they had trouble sitting for a week.”

“And they learned not to mess with Brea,” Grace said with a shrug. “I promise we will not put anything in the drinks to cause diarrhea.”

“You might not, but I know a few of the cousins who might,” Lily said. “Can you girls go make sure everyone is up and moving?”

“I’ll check upstairs.” Grace raced from the room, and they heard her feet pounding up the stairs.

“Ma, I don’t know how you do it. That girl never slows down.” Amma shook her head.

“She reminds me of you when you first got your magic,” Lily chuckled. “You were so excited when your power came in. You ran around talking to any animal who would listen.”

“Yeah, those were fun days,” Amma said. “There was something cool about learning how my magic worked.”

“You will continue to learn and grow,” Charlotte said. “Soon you will use your magic as never before and save many lives.”

“You mean the town or family?”

Charlotte smiled. “When it happens, you will understand. Now go, your mother and I need to talk.”

Amma wanted to ask more questions but knew it was useless to try now. A seer always talked in riddles, and often the riddles were riddles about riddles. She gave her mother a kiss on the cheek before rushing out the back door. The heat of the morning combined with the light breeze caressed her skin, bringing peace and the feeling of belonging. She took off her sandals and dug her toes into the grass. The power tingled and flowed through her. Even the air held the smell of power, and she wondered how much stronger it would feel once everyone arrived.

“Amma.”

She opened her eyes and smiled at her younger cousin. “Hey Shelly. How’s your magic coming along?”

“Boring.” Shelly was at that awkward age between teen and adult. Having graduated from high school at sixteen, she thought she knew all she needed to know about the world. “I talk to animals. Why couldn’t I get a cool power like Grace or Joy?”

“Because the Goddess designated this power for you,” Amma snapped. This was a common question asked at least once a week. “You need to stop thinking about it as something less than others. We are the voice for those with no voice.”

“Still.” The girl rolled her eyes and pretended to yawn.

“Stop that.” Amma grabbed her shoulders and shook her. “If you don’t want your power, there are ways we can bind it. Then you can go out into the world and live your life any way you want.”

“I didn’t say that,” Shelly’s eyes widened. “I never said I don’t want to be a witch, I just want a better power.”

“We have been blessed with one of the best powers,” Amma said. “We can talk to animals, and we can influence them. I’ve saved many who had been trapped in forest fires by leading them to safety.”

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