"They're all daughters of witches?"
"In a word, yes." She set a steaming cup of tea before Lily and pushed the plate of lemons toward her. "And if things had worked out the way they should have, you would be part of that coven now."
Lily took a sip of tea. She didn't even notice that it scalded her tongue. "This is unbelievable. I've never even remotely thought of myself that way."
"It's because your true self has always been suppressed. Like any talent, it needs to be nurtured and encouraged. Yours never was, but obviously things have happened recently. Things you don't understand?"
"Just little things. I didn't even notice when they happened, but now looking back... I think I can conjure up storms." She looked at Mandy, chagrined that she had been right. "Tell me I'm crazy."
Mandy sat beside her. She pushed a strand of hair behind Lily's ear and stroked along the edges of her cheek and chin. "You look so much like Rebekah. Seeing you is like seeing her come back to life."
"My father would never tell me about her. I thought it was because the memory was too painful."
"It probably was. He loved her very much, but he blamed what she was for her death. That is why he took you away from us, spiriting you out of town in the dead of night. One day you were here, and the next you weren't." She sighed. "You must have been all of eight months old, but already your powers were evident."
Lily remembered finding her birth certificate among her dad's papers after he died. He'd always told her she was born in Hampton, just an hour from where they'd lived in Gloucester,
Virginia. She was surprised to learn at nineteen that she'd in fact been born in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. And now, here she was ten years later learning yet again something she had no idea about.
"How do you mean? What could I do?"
"Oh, small things like having a stuffed animal float off the dresser into your crib, making the lullaby mobile turn on."
"But I don't understand how just taking me away from here would stop that. And why would it frighten my dad so, especially if he knew about my mother?"
Mandy waved her hand as if showing off a new appliance. "The atmosphere here is a conduit to the One, which is composed of everything it has ever created. The mighty Hecate, patron of witches and queen of the spirit world, guides us and nurtures us and protects us. It's not that we'd lose our powers by moving away. Once they've been strengthened, we never lose them."
Unable to stay still, Lily hopped to her feet. "You need to tell me everything."
"Let's move into the living room. The chairs are much more comfortable there." She took Lily's arm and led her out of the kitchen, placing her tea on the end table. As they settled into overstuffed chairs, a large black and white tabby immediately jumped into Mandy's lap and settled there. She absently stroked his fur.
"Your mother and I were both born and raised here. We learned from our own mothers about our Wiccan destiny. We come from a long line of healers dating back to the Middle Ages. It has only been relatively recent that anyone other than those in the coven knew who and what they were."
"What do you mean by recent? Like in the last twenty years?"
"No, it's been longer than that. Mostly it was husbands knowing, maybe a couple of close friends. And of course, the daughters."
"So everyone in your coven is the daughter of a witch?"
"Yes, and our daughters in turn will take our places."
"But you have no children."
"Yes, as a lesbian I had none of my own. Of course, these days being a lesbian does not preclude you from having children. It's still a secret, but Judith is pregnant."
"Oh my god, Judith? She's the biggest separatist I know."
"Well, she used an anonymous sperm donor and, of course, manipulated things to ensure she'd have a girl." Mandy laughed heartily. "If people only knew the real reason why women outnumber men."
Lily laughed too. She took another sip of tea. "I find it strange though that you're the only one left of my mother's generation."
Mandy was silent. For an instant, Lily could swear she saw genuine fear in Mandy's eyes. When Mandy next spoke, her voice trembled. "Starting with your mother, Rebekah, one by one all the others died until I was the only one left. The coven no longer existed, but each dead woman left behind a daughter. You were the youngest daughter left behind. Sage was the oldest; she was sixteen. The others varied in age, and those of us left helped to continue nurturing their powers. Until it was only me."
Lily shuddered. "This is too weird. Are you implying that someone killed them? And if so, why not you too?"
"I've asked myself that same question over and over. There's only one difference between me and the others—I am a lesbian."
"But everyone in the coven now is a lesbian, and if what you say is true, only Judith will have a daughter to take her place. How do you recruit new members? And if I was to take my mother's place, who took hers when she died?"
Mandy pushed the cat gently off her lap as she stood up. She paced the room. She nervously ran her fingers through her hair over and over. "First of all, we don't 'recruit' members. This is not like some country club."
"I didn't mean any disrespect."
"I know, child. I know." She smiled reassuringly at Lily. "I can't really explain how it happens. We are drawn to each other. We find each other. That is how Kathy's mother, Adrienne, came to be part of the coven. After Rebekah died, Adrienne came to me about two months later. She and Kathy had moved here from Salem the year before."
Lily raised an eyebrow. "Salem? As in famous-witch-trials Salem?"
"The one and only. And to this day I am convinced it was not coincidence, but I never had any proof no matter how much I called upon Hecate to guide my knowledge." She lowered her voice and looked nervously around the room. "I believe Adrienne or—and I hate to admit this—maybe even Kathy killed off the others one by one, for what purpose, I know not."
Lily could feel the hairs on her neck prickle. She got that fluttering sensation in her stomach as her heart began to beat faster. She too looked nervously around the room, feeling almost like they were being watched. She eyed the black and white tabby suspiciously. He seemed unaffected by the tension in the room as he continued to groom his whiskers.
"I still don't understand why you survived. It can't be just because you're a lesbian."
"I think she wanted to ensure the others had no more children. Daughters to be exact. I have no doubt the daughters would have been her next victims."
"God, that is just too spooky. I'm almost afraid to ask. What happened to Adrienne?"
Mandy looked grave. "She was attacked by a shark."
"What?" Lily gaped at Mandy in disbelief. She felt a shiver run through her body.
"It was strangest thing. It was late in the season, after Labor Day, so the crowd was sparse. Witnesses said there were other people in the water as well, but the creature seemed to go right for Adrienne. Pulled her under the water just like some reenactment of Jaws."
"That's awful. How old was Kathy when it happened?"
Mandy shuddered. "She was thirteen and on the beach that day. People said she stood staring at the ocean for the longest time.
When her mom was pulled under, Kathy didn't even react. After a few minutes, she just turned from the water, packed up her things, and went home."
Lily gasped. "You don't think—"
"That's exactly what I think."
Lily leaped out of her chair. She was more scared than she could ever remember. "Then why is she in your coven? Why do you have anything to do with her at all? And how can you let the others near her?"
"She frightens me, Lily. It's the only way I can keep watch on her. If she is as powerful as I think she is, or at least has the potential to be, then I am no match for her. The death of her mother probably stunted her ability. But even now I wonder how much she thinks I know."
"God, I'll never be able to act normal around her
again."
Mandy grabbed Lily's arms and stared hard into her eyes. "You can never let On that you know any of this. She may lust after Tara now—or at least, pretend she does—but it's you she covets. I've been able to deflect her interest, but if she truly wants you, I don't know what she might be capable of."
She wrenched away from Mandy's grip. "This is insane."
Mandy grabbed Lily again and ran her fingers lightly across Lily's forehead. Immediately, Lily felt a calm descend upon her. Mandy laid her hand upon Lily's left breast; it was if she reached inside to stroke her beating heart. "I will protect you," Mandy said.
"I know."
"I want you to go home now, to Jany. Continue what you started this morning." She kissed Lily's cheek. "I loved Rebekah, but she loved your father. And I will protect her daughter with my very life. Fate brought you back into my life nine years ago, and I won't lose you again."
Lily gave Mandy a hug and a kiss. Still anxious but confident in Mandy's ability to protect her, she left the house. Not one to wear a watch, she could tell by the sun's position that the day was growing late. She'd been at Mandy's longer than she'd intended. A side movement caught her eye. Sitting near the garden tools where Mandy had been working earlier, the black and white tabby stared intently at her, his deep golden eyes catching the sunlight. She heard some leaves crackle, and without warning the cat jumped. He came out from the bushes and walked to where Lily stood. Tail twitching, he opened his mouth and dropped a dead bird at her feet. She could see a drop of blood ooze from its slack beak. Covering her mouth with her hand, she ran the rest of the way to her car, feeling as if some evil thing pursued her.
"It was creepy the way the cat dropped that dead bird right in front of me," she said later as Jany prepared salmon steaks for grilling. Determined to show she didn't dislike her, Lily had invited Tara and her new girlfriend over for dinner.
"I don't see anything creepy about it," Jany said. "Cats do that. They like to give presents to their masters."
"We're not their 'masters.' And besides, it was Mandy's cat, not mine."
"Something happen today at Mandy's to make you so jumpy?"
Turning away so Jany couldn't see her face, Lily said, "No, of course not. We just had a nice conversation. She told me about my mother."
"Stuff you didn't already know?"
"Yeah. Did you know Mandy was in love with my mom? And that my mom was also a witch? They were in the same coven."
"Really? Wow, maybe that's where you get it."
Startled, Lily looked up. Jany was not watching her, but was concentrating on peppering the salmon. "Where I get what?"
"I've noticed little things, like how the lights always change to green when you approach, how your flowers bloom longer and brighter than anyone else's, how nothing in our house ever breaks down."
"You think I do all that?"
"Yup."
"Since when?"
Jany put the salmon on a tray to carry outside to the grill. "Since we started dating."
Lily followed her. "You never mentioned it before."
"It wasn't a big deal. Look, I grew up here. I know all about the witches and the covens. I heard the talk in school just like everyone else. No one knew who exactly was a practicing witch, but I was always fascinated by it all."
"But I didn't grow up here."
Jany kissed her. "No, but your mom did."
"We've been together five years now and you're just now telling me this?"
"Lily, my love, it's no big deal to me. And besides, I know you're not a practicing witch—not that I would mind if you were. I just think you have some untapped talents you probably inherited from Rebekah."
Lily felt like she was in a world she knew nothing about. In the course of one day, her whole life had changed. And it had all started with a little temper tantrum in Harold Jeeves' office. There was no telling what she had done in her life. Had she really been a grade A student, or had she somehow manipulated her scores? When she was competing for a slot on the cheerleading squad, had Jennifer Moore really slipped on an unseen wet spot on the gym floor? When her dad told her she'd not get her allowance until the yard was cleaned up, had Bobby Tyler really just happened along with that leaf blower? When her store's landlord was talking about raising the rent again, did he really just have a run of luck in Atlantic City? And most disturbing of all, had Jany really fallen in love with her all on her own?
"Hey guys!"
Pulled from her thoughts, Lily turned to see Tara and another woman coming around the corner of the house. Lily could only stare in astonishment at the long-legged, redheaded stunner that walked beside Tara. Though she usually tried not to let society's notion of beauty influence her, Lily had to admit the woman could rival any Hollywood starlet. She would kill for a body like that.
"I knocked on the front door, but no one answered."
"Hey Tara," Jany said. "We're just back here putting the salmon on to grill." She wiped her hands on a towel before offering her right one. "Hi, I'm Jany and this is Lily."
Tara's glamorous companion took Jany's hand. "Rhiannon. Tara's told me a lot about you."
Finding her voice at a last, Lily said, "You look very familiar," as she, in turn, shook Rhiannon's hand.
Tara grinned. "You're looking at this year's Miss Delaware. You might have seen her on the Miss America pageant."
"Get outta here," Jany said. "Really? Did you win? I can't say that we watched the pageant."
Rhiannon blushed. "No, I came in second. You almost had a gay Miss America. I think I flubbed my interview question. I should have answered 'world peace.'"
"Isn't that from—"
"Miss Congeniality," Tara and Jany answered together.
Laughing, the four women went into the house to get drinks. Merlin stopped chasing butterflies and left the yard. He took a roundabout way through town and finally met up with Mandy's black and white tabby.
"Good kitties," Kathy said as she bent to pet them.
Chapter 6
The Saturday of the protest dawned clear and mild. Out in the garden, Lily heard the weather report and was pleased. A nice day without the usual humidity would likely bring out more people. Of course, she'd always known they'd be competing with the lure of the ocean. A knock on the gate distracted her from her notes. She looked up to see Kathy. Squelching a sudden rush of unease, she smiled and waved her in.
"Hope you don't mind me coming by so early," Kathy said as she stepped around Lucifer and Morgan le Fay.
"Not at all. Would you like some coffee? It's fresh-brewed Kona."
"Thank you, yes."
Lily went into the kitchen for another mug and the coffee pot. She filled both their mugs and indicated for Kathy to sit. "So, what brings you by?"
"I wanted to offer my help with the Navy thing."
"I know that you and the others have done a lot to get the townspeople behind the rally. Yes, I know about you and the coven." Lily paused, wondering if she should confess to having seen them that night. Kathy sat calmly, but the muscled arms revealed by her tank top rippled ever so slightly. Her intense, dark eyes unnerved Lily. "I have to confess that I came by Lucy's one night—purely innocently—and I saw all of you."
"Really?"
"Well, I of course knew Mandy practiced witchcraft, as well as a couple of the others. I just didn't know who all were involved." She took a sip of coffee. "I have to admit though that I was bit surprised to see you there."
Kathy laughed. "Not my style?"
"On the surface, no."
"Well, since you know the whole scoop, then what I have to say won't come as a total surprise. Yes, we've been using our powers to influence the way people are thinking, though I know it is a very worthy cause and you probably wouldn't have had trouble anyway. A nice storm or two while the ships are here might help hamper their efforts."
"I don't think we'll stop the tests, but I want to at least make people awar
e of the issue."
"What if I told you that we could stop the tests?"
"How?"
Kathy's dark eyes seemed to blaze with light. "Mandy does not know how to truly harness our collective powers. I believe I can get the others to work with me to not just create a storm, but to destroy the ships."
Lily felt a prickle of fear. "We don't want to hurt anyone."
Kathy grabbed Lily's hand so hard it hurt. "To get what you want, sometimes you have to take drastic measures."
Lily pulled away, but she felt out of control. "Not that drastic."
Kathy sneered. "That's the problem with you and the others. No one wants to do what needs to be done. You all take the easy way out. Passive protest."
"Killing or harming people does not create change."
"Sometimes it's the only way to create change."
Wishing Jany would come down, Lily tried a different approach. "Look Kathy, I appreciate your help, but I don't want any violence."
"Can I have more coffee?" Kathy got up and poured another cup at Lily's nod. "All right, Lily. I'll do as you ask. Just know if you change your mind, I'm ready."
"Thanks."
"On another note, how are you and Jany getting along?"
Startled at the change in subject, Lily said, "That's an awfully personal question. And none of your business."
The intensity of Kathy's dark gaze was almost too much for Lily to bear. "I've always liked you, Lily. From the day you arrived in town. I could have made you fall in love with me, you know."
"Kathy, please. I don't like the way this conversation is going. I don't mean to be rude, but I think you need to leave."
Kathy looked her up and down, making her feel as if stripped naked. "I'll go, but just remember that if you want me for anything ... anything at all..."
Lily gathered her papers as she rose. "I'll see you at the march," she said and walked into the house. She was trembling. She wanted to look out the window to see if Kathy still sat in the garden, but she was afraid. Instead, she concentrated on grinding more coffee beans and willing Jany to come down.
"Good morning, gorgeous," Jany said.
Bell, Book and Dyke - New Exploits of Magical Lesbians Page 4