Chapter 49

I hold up an old box, which, when opened a little ballet dancer figure twirls around to a haunting melody. What caught my eye though was my name carved into the back of it.
"That, my dear, is a jewelry box, promising luck and love for an eternity," says the girl in full sales pitch mode. I thrust the box into Chris’s chest. He examines it and sees what I’ve spotted. This results in another one of his deadly glares. This time at the young stallholder. I point out my name, "Kayla Grace." What are the odds of me finding my name on a box in the Fae realm? "Where did you get this?" Chris demands.
"From Rose at the florist store in New York City."
"And the necklace?" He points to my chain.
"Bad, bad omen brings death and destruction," she answers with fear in her eyes.
"Never mind that. Where did you get it?" Chris raises his voice.
"From a woman named Lillian. I do not know where you can find her, so do not ask."
"Lillian gave you, my pendant?" I ask, more out of shock than anything. I thought she was a prisoner like me and could never leave the castle. Why would she give my necklace away?
"That is what I said, girl."
"Watch your tone," says Chris, glaring at her. He throws a few notes on the table and grabs my elbow, spinning me around. I think about protesting and giving him a piece of my mind. Then I see the stares of the fae and think better of it.
More to myself than anything, I whisper, "I cannot believe Lillian gave my pendant to her."
"You know this, Lillian?" Chris asks, stopping in his tracks and causing passers-by to divert or crash into us.
"She was my maid at the castle. I thought she was a prisoner like me." I look at the floor feeling foolish.
"Come, let’s head back and grab something to eat. We will come back bright and early tomorrow." The fae gives us ice cold look, and I nod my head. Two items that once were mine were for sale. There must be a reason behind it.
***
At times, I could kill my brother. “Where have they gone, James?” I ask as we enter his room. The telling off we have just received from our father has put me in a bad mood.
“I have no idea. Chris never tells me anything.” James shakes his head.
“Hey, what are you guys playing at?” Rory asks as he enters the room and plops onto the bed.
“Hey, little bro, listen, Rory, no offense but we are kind of busy.” I try to get rid of him nicely. Rory has been feeling lonely lately. He wants to join in and help us. But he is the baby of the family and too young for the responsibility of a Guardian just yet.
“Yeah, yeah, you guys are always busy.” He slinks back out, slamming the door behind him. I must make some time for him, even if it is just a game of chess.
“You tried talking to him?” James asks, glancing at the door. I nod my head.
“Yeah, I have been singing to him and everything.” James laughs because Chris is always telling me to shut my cake hole when I am singing. This brings me back to the matter in hand. Right now, I am terrified. What is the use of being able to talk telepathically? Why is he not answering? My mind keeps whirling through possibilities.
“We need to find him,” I declare and go in search of Mom’s book, which I find in its usual place in the attic.
I try the different spells that are all written in neat copperplate handwriting. None of them work. Why Mom keeps a witch’s book to hand is beyond me. Angels and Guardians cannot perform spells. Every time I try, I fail.
“Hey, sweetheart, what you are doing?” Mom asks from the doorway.
“Oh, I was just looking at your spell book. I was bored and looking for something to read.” The attic has been turned into a sort of makeshift library, so she never notices the lie. And if she did, she never let on. She takes the book from me.
I head for the door and leave Mom in the attic. I make it down the first two steps when curiosity creeps over me. I stamp my feet on the step and make it sound like I have walked downstairs and creep back up the steps to peek through the gap in the door.
Mom sits crossed legged on the floor with the book open on her lap. She closes her eyes and starts to chant in witches’ tongue. An image like a hologram project into the room, it shows Chris and Kayla walking around what looks like a market. I gasp.
She hears me gasp and leaps to her feet. The image disappears, and the book clatters to the floor. She stares at me for a second, then places her hands on her hips. “Spying on people, Misty, is an unforgivable sin.” Her voice is slightly high-pitched. I push the door open fully.
“Yes, Mother, and lying is too,” I say coolly. She sighs and sits back down, patting the space beside her.
I give her a cautious smile. She can’t have given in that quickly.
“You’re right, Misty,” she says as I sit down. “You have figured out that you cannot do the spells in the book and the reason why, haven’t you?”
I bite my lower lip while nodding. My heart pounds. I know the answer. On the one hand, I want her to say it, and on the other, I don’t. I want to run out of the room. If she doesn’t say it, then it is not real. Right? Once the words are out in the open, there is no taking them back.
“I am half Witch and half Angel.” Too late. She has confessed.
I bow my head as tears spring to my eyes. “Who else knows?” I whisper.
“Only your father, Hope, and now you.” She lifts my chin with her fingers and forces me to look her in the eyes. “I was an orphan. I grew up much like Kayla did with a loving foster family. When I turned sixteen strange things started to happen. I discovered I could move objects with just the power of my mind. I never told anyone because I was afraid.
“When I turned eighteen, and I went through the change I was rushed to the hospital. That’s where I met your father. He was working as a doctor at the time. The warriors needed more men, and your father was gathering worthy souls.
“He knew what was happening to me and helped me through. Not long after, I received my full powers. I saw colors swirling around him, and I knew he felt lonely. All I wanted was to wish the feeling away. It sounds silly now. As soon as I made the wish, he was on his feet like lightning.
“He gripped my shirt and asked me how I’d done it? I didn’t know what he was talking about at the time.
“I soon learned that not only was I a witch, but I was half angel too. It didn’t take me long to fall in love with him. He was and still is a handsome, charming man.
“He begged me not to use my witch powers and to always keep them hidden. I believe you know the reasons why.”
I nod my head in understanding.
“He introduced me to everyone as an angel. To this day that is who everyone perceives me to be. That is the story. You know what will happen if anyone finds out?” She looks deep into my eyes. I nod. I know extremely well. She would be killed. The law states that no half-breed should live.
“Promise me you will keep this between us.”
I feel so confused, conflicted, and angry at this bombshell news. “I don’t understand. Dad gave Chris a huge lecture about the law and angels and witches. Yet now I discover the same rule doesn’t apply to him.” I am annoyed at my parent’s lies and contradictions.
“Your father is doing what he thinks is best to protect him,” Mom says. All I can think is if it is good enough for him then he can’t tell someone else it’s not. I know Chris struggles with his feelings for Kayla. I can see it in his eyes.
I look away not wanting to get into another full-blown argument.
“Promise me, Misty,” Mom pleads again.
“I think James and Chris have a right to know.”
Mom pales, and her hand shoots to her throat. “Misty, you don’t understand. The more people that know, the more chance there is of word getting out.” I can hear the desperation in her voice.
I hate hiding things from my siblings. They have a knack of knowing when I’m keeping a secret.