Page 79 of Prodigal Son

She pointed to the candles with a shaky finger. “How did you do that?”

Venus’s lips twisted and she shrugged. “Did you honestly think we made a living off of crystals and tarot cards alone?”

Still in shock, she looked back at the candles, wondering if her mind exaggerated what she actually saw. “Do something else?”

“Are you listening to a word I’m saying?”

“Yes, but it’s a lot. One thing at a time. I can handle the witchcraft. Show me something else.” The kitchen window flung open and the curtains went wild. “Jesus!”

“You weren’t high and hallucinating in the woods, June bug. You were coming into your power. It happens around this age for all of us, but you have to know how to harness it or the blessing will turn into a burden. I can help you.”

Her chin trembled. “Do you think I hurt my teacher? Did I hurt Trent?”

“Energy moves like dominos. Sometimes one little push can make a big mess. Whatever happened, you didn’t do it on purpose, so don’t beat yourself up over it too much. We’ve all made mistakes. What matters is that you learn self-control. Once you have that, no one can take your power away.”

“What about my dad, Niro, or whatever?” She’d always wanted a father, but learning hers was the reason her mom abandoned her changed that. “Is he dead?”

“No. That’s another growing pain you’ll experience, I’m afraid. They say it happens around adulthood.”

“What happens?”

“The, um, appetite.”

She drew back in revulsion. “No.”

Venus waved off her concern. “It won’t be that bad. By the time it happens, you’ll want it. Sort of like sex. Boys used to be gross, but then—poof!—we can’t resist them. You’ll get there.”

Juniper dropped into a kitchen chair and rubbed her head. “This is too much to process in a day.” She wished Aunt Bel were around to guide her.

“Hey, it’s gonna be okay.”

She looked at her aunt and wondered how she could even joke that any of this would be okay. “No, it’s not. I just wanted to go away to college and be normal.”

“Normal’s overrated. You’re growing into an extraordinary young woman, June bug. Give yourself time to get there. You’ll see.”

She sniffled. “I have to tell you one more thing.”

“What’s that?”

“That guy, Jonas, he said he could track me.”

Aunt V frowned. “He could only do that if he had your blood. We won’t let him get that—Oh.”

“I’m sorry,” Juniper apologized. “I didn’t know any of this would happen. I didn’t mean to—”

“Hush.” Venus pulled her into a hug. “I know you didn’t. Vampires can be terribly manipulative. They cannot be trusted.”

She sniffled, at odds with her own identity and feeling somewhat removed from her lineage since learning the truth. “You hate them. And I’m one of them.” She always thought she despised being a witch, but now she understood there was something much worse.

“You’re different. You’re nothing like Niro or the others. That part of you will never take over the rest. That’s why your roots as a witch are so important and why we must start practicing control right away. It’s the greatest protection you’ll have against other natural urges.”

“What about the Amish guy, Jonas?”

“He’s after a cure, but there isn’t one. Not the way he envisions it. The laws of nature require balance. Everything living must eventually die, and once the rot sets in, there is no unsetting it.” Her mouth curved with a maniacal grin. “Now there is a debt to be paid, and I will demand full compensation for the life he stole from us. He may get exactly what he asked for after all.”

CHAPTER 23

He was there. Close. Cybil sensed him in the darkness. Fear gripped her tight. Why? Why was he doing this? He was always there in her dreams, seemingly as blind as she was rendered mute with fear.

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