Page 25 of We Are All Sinners

Maybe we were wrong. After the accident, we just wanted to protect you both.

As for your father, he was my brother, and before he became involved with the Saints, he was a good man. He wanted to protect you. I saw it in his eyes the night he brought you to me. There was no warning, he just showed up with you in the basket I always let you use for your dolls. He said you were our blood, and that was all that mattered. He urged me to keep you safe at all costs.

I saw a flicker of the man he used to be that night. I promised that as long as he never came back, that I would raise you as my own. Your gran was ecstatic to finally have a grandchild.

I was never able to conceive a child and up until that night had thought that I would never know that kind of love. You my darling girl were the love of my life!

Mark gave me your original birth certificate and a fake one that was never questioned, stating that I had you at the hospital in the city, with me as your mother and father marked unknown. We had already been shunned, so the coven never questioned whether you were mine or not considering your gran and I had turned into hermits, rarely leaving the house.

I honestly don’t know much about your birth mother, other than she worked for the Saints. My brother told me the night he brought you to me that he would always choose her, until you came along.

He was afraid for your safety if he kept you. She didn’t want you but instead of selling you, he gave you to me! It was his way of choosing you over everything to make sure you would be loved and away from whatever life he was involved in.

Unfortunately, there is no way out for you. Your soul was promised to Brixon’s the moment you were born.

Do you remember me telling you the real story behind the casket girls in New Orleans when you werelittle? That is the story of our ancestors. That is the story you need to remember to understand.

Every century or so, a LaBlanc Witch and a Blazendel Saint is chosen by the ancestors who suffered under their names. Blazendel brought our ancestor Dalina LaBlanc from Rome. She came willingly, leaving her coven and family behind, for love.

Soon after that, they worked to bring her family, and the witches who were being persecuted in Rome, mainly all over Italy. They brought them here to save them, but the Saints took them. Taught them to be whores and passed them around before finally choosing to marry them. The Saint’s only wanted the witches for their power.

The Saints’ laws came from the suffering of our ancestors, and they have sought retribution since.

Unfortunately, you and Brixon are the chosen. We knew from your birth marks. You both have the mark of a Saint on your inner right thighs, just as every chosen has.

Dalina LaBlanc decided enough was enough and sent the butterflies as a protection for you both. She used a witch to help her, but I don’t know who.

She told me that she had never seen a love like yours since Blazendel found her and she fell in love with him.

She was tired of watching her family still be persecuted for the mistakes she made back in 1728. She wanted to give you both a fighting chance. The ancestors went quiet that night.

Dalina believes that your love will be the thing that saves you both and future generations. You my darling will break the curse.

Typically, one or both of you would already be dead. The fact that you are both still thriving means that it’s possible.

Every spell, curse, magical doing, has a loophole. Find it! Unfortunately, I fell short of figuring it out before I had to leave you.

I know the ancestors have spoken to you all this time. I’m sorry I made you feel crazy along with everyone else. You have always known your truth. I had to keep you safe.

Things are about to change for you. Dalina spoke to me that night, letting me know what she had done. I explained it to Brixon’s parents after we found you both.

Brixon’s SUV had rolled several times and hit a tree. Red and blue butterflies covered that car, protecting you all.

When you all woke up in the hospital, we realized that we couldn’t lose either of you. It took us all night to find you and the others. When we finally did, and you were all clinging to life, I couldn’t lose you again like that. Ever. We made the decision when you woke up and didn’t remember each other.

Cami will remember you again when you see her. Rosie will help watch over you both as well. She has also made promises to keep you safe.

I know you lost a lot in this, but your life meant more to me. I know we could have chosen to break the spell when you woke up, but we knew one of you could die. We couldn’t take that chance.

Brixon’s family moved to Florida within a few days, and we moved on with life. You were sad most of the time, not knowing what to do with your free time, going to a new school, until you went to college. You became strong, fearless, and independent again. I’m so proud of you.

Now more than ever, I know you can thrive through anything. There is a small panel in my closet that is loose. Behind it you will find more answers.

Then get the large black trunk in the attic. These are your fathers’ things.

There is also a loose floorboard under your grans bed. She left you several things to help you through this.

We will always be with you Genevieve.

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