Page 68 of Untraced Magic
Why would my father order Betty to take me away from him if my mother was locked up in an institution?
I clenched my hands together, knotting them between my thighs. “But...”
Betty’s hands gestured into the air. “Somehow, Helena convinced the psychiatric hospital that she was of sound mind, and they let her go within a month. Soon after, she started asking questions about your father’s lineage, and the power passed down throughout generations that could possibly come to you.”
Helena.My mother’s name is Helena.
“Between that, and this maddening talk of hers about this other world, he felt it was best to remove you from such an unstable situation. That is when he told me to leave and take you with me. He could not risk your safety, Morgan.”
I couldn’t form words. My mind a jumbled mess of new knowledge. I pulled my hands from between my thighs to find them clammyand pale. They were quickly scooped up and cradled between Betty’s own.
“You need to know that this was a tremendously difficult decision for your father. Believe me when I say it ripped his heart open to do so, but he had to. I’msosorry Morgan, but it had to be.”
I nodded, blinking away tears that threatened to fall.
I stared into mygrandmother’sweeping eyes.
“Where are they now?” I questioned, with unsteady breath.
Her lips pressed into a hard line. Her head dipping to our hands clutched together between us then returning to mine.
“I don’t know for certain, but my guess would be back at our family homestead, which is a two-day’s drive from here. I’m hoping to find someone who could check for us, as we can’t risk being seen ourselves.”
“Wow. This is all so hard to believe.” I mused.
“Well believe it my dear, it is allveryreal.” Wrinkles creased her forehead, as her expression hardened. “If your father was right, and you have been gifted obsidian magic, the threat to your life is very real, Morgan. You need to know that.”
I nodded in understanding, unease churning my stomach.
Betty shifted in her seat, giving me her full attention. “When your magic comes to you, mine will also return to me. It is of utmost importance that you need to stay here, in Cutters Cove, until we can teach you everything there is to know about your gift. You are in the best place, surrounded by myself and your new group of friends to support you.”
I felt the weight of the world lay heavy on my shoulders, shoveling me into the ground.
Had I suddenly become a liability to Tyler? To my friends? Was having this ‘gift’ as Betty mentioned putting everyone around me in danger also?
I let go of a steady breath. “I understand. Thank you for everything, Betty.”
“You are most welcome, dear. I know it wasn’t the most pleasant of chats, but now that we have that out of the way, I do hope things will be a lot moreenjoyable.”
She gave a final squeeze of my hand before standing.
As we went our separate ways, I had the nagging urge to find out as much as I could about witches and their history. About covens. Anything that could give me a fighting chance at fending off anything that threatened myself or my friends. I knew just the place to start.
Determined to do some research of my own, I tugged my jacket tighter around me, heading in the direction of the library. I knew it was on the outskirts of Cutters Cove, on one of the quieter back roads according to the town map, and I didn’t mind the walk.
As it came into view, my gaze roamed over the building, a manor with walls of stone painted a regal cream.
Its surrounding grounds were immaculately landscaped, with boxed hedging and a large water fountain at its center. A striking difference against the allure of the thick forest breaching its rear. A wrought-iron balcony framed the second story above the entrance where I stood, a sign on the door reading ‘Library.’
I heaved my weight against it, moving it open, where instantly my senses became awash of aged tales buried within its walls for no doubt centuries. I loved libraries for their smell alone and inhaled its history as if it were the only thing I was to survive on.
“May I help you?” a male voice asked.
I nearly jumped a foot, my hand firmly planted on my chest, not expecting the voice that seemed to have come from nowhere.
Spinning on my heel, I found a striking set of dark eyes staring at me from behind a large desk. They had a familiarity about them I couldn’t place.
“Hi. I uh…”
