Page 96 of Witch Please

“Same,” Danica muttered. “But…does that mean you’ve been a witch myentire life?” That didn’t even make sense. “Why did you turn my training over to Gram then?”

“I’m a vivimancer,” Minerva said, taking her hand. “I couldn’t train you myself. I learned from Aunt Gladys because Mother couldn’t teach me.”

“Then…the gardens…”

“Are my magic. I’ve always been low-key about it, and I do a fair amount of regular gardening as well. Because I wantedyouto grow up feeling like you had a choice. Not like me. I wanted you to see that it was possible to be happy with a mundane partner. Your dad hasn’t cost me anything, except a little of your grandmother’s favor.”

“This is batshit,” Danica muttered.

“I’m so sorry. I had no idea Mother would—”

“Try to brainwash Clem and me, threaten someone I love, and generally act like a villainous overlord?”

“Yes. If I’dknown, I would’ve stepped in ages ago. But the two of you were so close, and you hated it when we argued in front of you… I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.”

“Wait, if the curse isn’t real, why did my magic go haywire?”

I didn’t hallucinate that. It happened.

Mom nibbled a cookie, eyes thoughtful. “I can’t be sure, but stress and anxiety? It’s not as bad as drunk-casting, but doing spellwork when you’re agitated is a bad idea.”

Oh goddess.Danica realized she’d suspected that in the beginning, before Gram got into her head. A thought struck her then, and Danica brightened. “But…that means you’ve been practicing all these years. Living with Dad? How? Teach me your ways!”

“There’s a simple solution, Little Star. Tell him you’re Wiccan or pagan or new age, whatever modern verbiage you prefer. Then live openly as a witch, but don’t ever explain more than that.”

Danica blinked. She’d known Mom had told Dad that she was pagan—but she’d had no clue why. She’d always suspected it was Mom’s way of honoring what she’d lost, turning magic into religion so she could at least celebrate their festivals. And she’d believed that gardening had replaced magic in her mom’s life, but thatwasher magic. Danica’s heart sang with the unexpected brightness of it.

“Wow.” This revelation felt like a miracle.

Mom went on, “Meet with your ‘book club,’ as you always have. This circumvents the council’s ruling, and you don’t have to hide. I’ve been doing it for thirty-five years.”

“Oh goddess,” Danica breathed. “I think you might be a genius.”

Her mom sipped her lemonade. “Protective spells are quite literal, you know. When you’re a bit crafty, it’s easy enough to work around the rules, and the council leaves you be.”

“Everything I thought I knew was wrong. There’s no Waterhouse curse, and Gram is an incredibly bigoted asshole.”

“Well. Yes,” her mother said softly.

And it was so funny and sad that Danica didn’t know if she ought to laugh or cry. “She lied to me, my whole fucking life. Tried to make me hate people for no reason. I don’t know if I can forgive her.”

“I need to…speakwith your grandmother,” Mom said tightly. “Let me deal with her. I won’t let her off easy. Messing with my daughter?” Her tone turned steely. “I don’t think so. I wonder if Allegra knows.”

“I’m not sure. Clem fights with her more, so maybe?”

“Hmm. I’ll check into it. Leave everything to me. Your grandmother won’t bother you again. Oh, quick question, Little Star?”

“Sure.”

“Is your young man a virgin?”

Danica choked on her cookie because weirdly, her mother had been asking this for years. “What the hell, why is thatalwaysyour first question?”

Tapping her fingers, the other woman appeared to make a decision. “Since you’re sure Titus is the one and we’re being up front, I have a confession to make.”

Oh no.

“Don’t tell me Dad isn’t my—”

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