Should he tell Amelia that he’d done all he could? That would be admitting defeat. Not something he liked to do.
He growled at the prospect. No. He was not ready to give up. Not when a better life for him and Gracie was a possibility. He would think of something.
He just didn’t know what that something was.
* * *
After a great lunch and falling more in love with Shadowvale than she had the day before, Em walked back into her aunt’s house, determined to find Amelia and have an honest talk with her. Em had come to a realization at lunch today. One she wasn’t all that happy about.
Her aunt had set Deacon up to deliberately turn Em off of this town. She was sure about it. Especially after seeing how different Gracie’s attitude about Shadowvale was. Gracie seemed to truly enjoy living here.
But really, Em had spent her life with a woman who went from one grift to another, and thanks to her mother’s conniving ways, she had developed a gut feeling for when someone was trying to pull something over on her. She’d vowed never to let it happen again.
“Aunt Amelia?” She stuck her head in the library. “Are you around?”
No sign of her there. She wandered deeper into the house, down hallways she’d yet to explore. She found all kinds of spaces. A ballroom, more sitting rooms, a music room paneled in beautiful walnut, a game room complete with a pool table and darts, a theater room done in navy velvet with touches of gold, and closer to the kitchen some offices and a wine-tasting room.
But no sign of her aunt.
Em went out to look in the garden, but stayed on the patio in case Thoreau was out there again. Aunt Amelia might not be intimidated by that enormous cat, but Em was still on the fence. “Aunt Amelia?”
Nothing. Thankfully, that included no sign of a tiger either.
Finally, she went back outside and walked to the garage. She knew there had to be a way to get there from inside the house, but since she didn’t know it, going outside was faster.
The wide doors were up, and Beckett was in the first bay talking to a man in a jumpsuit. A mechanic, from the looks of him.
Beckett smiled as she approached. “Hello, Miss Em.”
“Hi. Do you have any idea where my aunt is?”
“In her quarters, I’d imagine.”
“And those are?”
“Upstairs.”
“That would explain why I couldn’t find her.” She sighed. “I guess I’ll have to wait until she comes down.”
“Why? You want to talk to her, go on up.”
“I don’t know if I should. Go up there, I mean.”
“You should.” The muscles in his jaw tightened. He looked at the mechanic. “Thanks, George. I’ll talk to you later.” He put a hand on Em’s elbow. “Let’s go back to the house.”
“Okay.” Something was afoot.
As they walked, he spoke. “Listen, your aunt, for all her power in this town, is sometimes too fearful for her own good. Sometimes she needs a push in the right direction. If you leave her alone, she may not ever come down.”
Em nodded. “Except…she intimidates me.”
“Part of her would be happy to hear that. And part of her would be heartbroken about it. Especially from you. No matter the front she puts on, she is desperate for company. And, I think, even more desperate for that family connection.”
“But I don’t want to be a bother. If she wants time alone—”
“She’s had more alone time in her life than any one person could need if they lived to be a thousand. Go talk to her. She might seem bothered at first, but it’s exactly what she needs.”
Em didn’t want to sound ungrateful, but disturbing Aunt Amelia could backfire on her. She needed her aunt to want her around, not think she was a nuisance. “You’re sure?”
“I know her better than anyone else. Yes, I’m sure.”
They stopped outside the front doors.
“Okay.” She took a deep, cleansing breath. “Where’s her room?”
Beckett pointed up. “Second floor, opposite end of the house from the guest rooms. Other side of the rotunda. Double doors.”
“I’ve seen those doors. But I’ve never seen her use them. I guess we’ve just missed each other.”
Beckett snorted. “Her quarters also have a second stairwell and private elevator. She rarely uses those doors, if at all.”
“That would explain it.”
He opened the front door for her. “You can do this.”
She nodded, a little nervous. “I hope you’re right.”
Then she headed in and up the steps to the second floor. She walked around the rotunda, stopping at the double doors that led to her aunt’s quarters. She stood there, rehearsing different opening lines and trying to find one that would set the right tone and mood.
None of them seemed quite right.
Then the door opened, and Aunt Amelia was in front of her. “Yes?”
Em went with the first thing that came to mind. “Can we talk?”
Chapter Twenty-one
Amelia could sense the girl’s hesitancy, just like she’d sensed her niece’s presence at her door. Em was nervous, too, and Amelia felt for her. A little guilt came over her, knowing she’d caused that.
She nodded and smiled gently. “Of course. Come in.”
“Thanks.” Em looked around as she walked through the doors. “This is beautiful. Your whole house is, so it’s no surprise your quarters are, too.”
Amelia led her into the sitting room. “They say a man’s home is his castle, but a woman’s home is her sanctuary.”
They took seats near the fireplace, which had a few glowing coals in it but was putting out very little heat.
Amelia adjusted the fabric of her caftan. “What would you like to talk about?”
Em smiled weakly, then clasped her hands so tightly that her knuckles paled. “I…I know you don’t want me here. But I really, really need the chance to start over. I’m pouring my heart out to you, asking you to please allow me to stay. I promise not to be a bother. I’ll stay out of your hair. You won’t see me unless you want to. I just need a little time to get back on my feet. That’s all. Please.”
The heartfelt plea touched Amelia deeply. She knew the courage it had taken for Emeranth to speak her case. “Emeranth, if it weren’t an issue of personal safety, I wouldn’t give it a second thought. But there are forces at work here that you cannot possibly understand. Forces that would change the course of your life forever if—”
“Why couldn’t I understand them?” The pleading tone of Emeranth’s voice now carried an underlying edge of exasperation.
“Because they involve things beyond your experience.”
It had all been beyond Amelia’s experience, too, but she’d learned hard and fast what was going to be required of her. And she’d accepted it, without really understanding the scope of the cost. She would not allow that to happen to Emeranth.
“How do you know they’re beyond my experience? With great respect, I have to say that you don’t know what my life has been like. I’ve been through a lot. And survived. I’ve had far more experiences than most people my age.”
Amelia wanted to hug the girl. “I know because I’m not talking about life experience. I’m talking about your experience as a witch. Your knowledge of all things great and magical. And in that regard, you aren’t there yet.”
Emeranth’s mouth bent, and for a moment, Amelia thought she might cry, then realized it wasn’t a sign of weakness but of determination. “And how am I supposed to get that experience when I haven’t been initiated? You told me I’m a witch, and I believed you, but to leave me hanging…” She shook her head and looked away. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe it was a mistake to come here. But I thought the fact that we’re family would mean something.”
The weight of Amelia’s guilt increased. “It does mean something. It means that I want to protect you by keeping you free of this place.”
Emeranth barked out
a bitter laugh. “I’ve been free all my life. Free of a place to call home. Free of connections. Free of real friends. I don’t want to be free. I want to belong. But I guess you can’t imagine that. After all, you have a whole town to call your own.”
Amelia had no idea what the girl’s life had been like, but from Emeranth’s words and knowing Manda as she did, Amelia was getting a picture. “I’m sorry your life hasn’t been different. But it wouldn’t be better here. This place would become your prison. Just as it has for me.”
Emeranth looked at Amelia, narrowing her eyes. “Do you want to leave, then?”
“Yes. And no, I suppose. But it’s a pointless question.”
“Because if you leave, you die.”
Amelia sat back a bit. “How do you know that?”
“I ask a lot of questions. Enough to wear Beckett down.”
“Beckett.” Amelia shook her head.
“I like him. Even if he is here to claim your soul.”
Amelia’s next inhale was sudden and sharp. “He really did talk to you.”
“He did. And the truth didn’t scare me any more than anything else that’s happened in my life.” She sighed. “Aunt Amelia, why won’t you let me in? What are you afraid of? That I’ll betray you in some way? That I’m here for your money? I’m not, I swear it on everything you hold holy. All I want from you is a place to stay until I can afford my own. Charge me rent if you want. I’ll gladly repay you.”
Amelia felt herself waver. She stared at her hands. Having Emeranth around would be glorious. But not for Emeranth. Not for what it would cost her. “I—”
“You know what?” Emeranth said. “I lied. That’s not all I want from you. I forgot the most important thing I’m after.”
Amelia’s head came up, and she was instantly on alert. She braced herself for whatever truth Emeranth was about to give her. “What is that?”
“Family,” Emeranth whispered in a voice husky with emotion. “My mother isn’t…” She looked away, eyes shining with unshed tears.
Amelia put her hand to her throat as memories came swarming back. “To some extent, I know what your mother is and is not. I’m very sorry for that.”
Emeranth’s head whipped around. “You know my mother?”
“I do. She came here once. Looking for…help. Which I refused to give her because ultimately I thought it would do you both more harm than good. You, especially.”
Emeranth cleared her throat. “That sounds like her.”
They were both silent for a moment until Amelia couldn’t bear it any longer. “I can give you all the money you need if you just promise me to leave this place.”
Emeranth shook her head. “That’s very kind of you. And it would solve a lot of my problems, but not the ones that need fixing the most, so thank you, but no. I don’t want your money.”
“What if I promise to initiate you? To finally put you in touch with your birthright powers?”
Emeranth’s gaze narrowed. “I would have hoped you’d do that anyway, seeing as how you sprang the whole witch thing on me to begin with.”
Amelia sighed. “Yes, you’re right. I will do that much for you.”
“But you won’t let me stay here. Is that what I’m reading between the lines?”
Amelia wanted to give her a different answer, but a different answer would come at too high a price. “No, I cannot let you stay here.”
Emeranth frowned and sat back, crossing her arms. “You can tell Deacon he can drop the act, then.”
“What act?” Did Emeranth know?
“The one you hired him to put on. The one where he’s supposed to make me think Shadowvale is the worst place in the world for anyone to live.”
“It is. For you. I’m sorry.”
Emeranth got to her feet, the defiant set of her jaw reminding Amelia very much of herself. “I hope someday you think differently. That you want to have a relationship with me, because I would very much like to have a relationship with you, but I can’t let you decide my life for me. I’m staying in Shadowvale.”
Amelia admired the girl’s courage, but she refused to reward it. “I will not help you in that endeavor. Not financially or otherwise.”
“I don’t need your help. I’ve already found a job, and I’ll sleep in my car if I—”
“You found a job?” Amelia grabbed the arms of her chair as a chill swept through her. She’d had no idea things had progressed so far.
“I did. And it might not land me a house like this, but it’s a start.”
Amelia dug her fingers into the upholstery. Her options were disappearing. “You are determined to stay here, then? Your mind is made up?”
“It is.”
“Is there anything I can offer you that would change your mind?”
“Nothing. I need this fresh start. My mind won’t change even if you withhold the initiation from me.” Emeranth shrugged. “I’ve made it this far in life without being a real witch. I can survive the rest of it just the same.”
“Then there is no point in my keeping the truth from you any longer.”
Emeranth blinked a few times. “What does that mean?”
Amelia stood. “It means that you need to know the real cost of living here. At least the real cost for you, my descendant.”
“Excellent, thank you. I’m sure it’s all going to be fine.”
The sparkle in Emeranth’s eyes told Amelia that the woman had no idea what she was about to learn. “It won’t be fine. By sharing all this with you, your fate will be sealed.”
“That’s kind of dramatic, don’t you think?”
“Perhaps. But once all is revealed, you won’t be allowed to leave.”
The sparkle disappeared. “Do you mean the house? Or the town?”
“Shadowvale. You’ll have to remain here for the rest of your life, which will be quite long, as mine has been.”
Emeranth rubbed her brow. “This got really heavy really fast.”
Amelia understood that. So much so, she offered her niece an option she herself hadn’t been given. “You can think about it until the morning, if you’d like.”
“No. More time isn’t going to change the way I feel. I can live here for the rest of my life. I can do it.”
“You’ll never see your mother again, unless she comes here.”
“That won’t happen for another six to ten years anyway.” Emeranth nodded. “My answer isn’t going to change.”
“Very few of your friends will be able to visit you here. The gates are notoriously particular about who they open for.”
“I like that you assume I have friends.” She smiled. “Still good on that decision.”
Yes, Amelia thought. Emeranth was so very much like herself at an earlier age. So sure of what she wanted. So headstrong and independent and fierce.
If only she’d known then what she knew now. But then again, maybe it wouldn’t have made any difference. Pasqual was all that had mattered to her.
Thankfully, Emeranth was going into this without the encumbrance of love.
“All right,” Amelia said. “Come with me.”
Chapter Twenty-two
Emeranth recognized where they were headed a few minutes before they arrived. The enchanted forest. She couldn’t imagine what this had to do with Aunt Amelia’s big reveal, but she was too giddy with the news that she was being allowed to stay to care.
Her life was about to be so different. So much better. No one knew her past here. She could be herself, not Manda Greer’s daughter, with all the sideways glances and disapproving stares that brought.
And she already had a job. Things were really falling into place.
Maybe she’d even give a relationship with Deacon a shot.
Joy overflowed in her, bubbling up like fizzy champagne. This, she thought, was what freedom felt like. True freedom.
She glanced at her aunt. The woman’s solemn expression seemed more suitable for a funeral than anything else.
Why? Wh
at was she about to show Emeranth?
Even Beckett hadn’t said a word since he’d gotten behind the wheel to drive them.
But Em still couldn’t manage to feel worried. Whatever it was, she’d deal with it. And truth be told, she didn’t fully believe Aunt Amelia’s claim that she’d never be able to leave.
How could that be possible?
Beckett turned down a road that Em didn’t remember seeing from her drive earlier with Deacon, but then, she’d been too busy looking for faces on trees and winged foxes to be sure she’d seen every road.
Another couple minutes and he slowed, then brought the car to a stop on a wide area of the shoulder. “Here?”
“This will do,” Amelia answered.
Em didn’t see a sign marking the spot as anything special. In fact, this section of the forest looked no different than any of the rest they’d passed.
He exited the car to open Aunt Amelia’s door.
Em got out on her side, then waited for her aunt’s next move. The air smelled deeply green and earthy, the way things did after a good rain.
Beckett shut the passenger door before speaking to Amelia. “You shouldn’t go in alone.”
“I’m not alone,” she said. “I have Emeranth with me.”
He frowned. “You know what I mean.”
Amelia patted his arm in the most affectionate gesture Em had seen her make toward the reaper. “I do. And I appreciate it. But this is for Marchand eyes only.”
“I understand.” He looked at Em. “Be careful.”
She nodded, not really understanding what she needed to be careful about, but wanting to assure him anyway. “Always.”
Aunt Amelia started forward. Em spotted a break in the forest. A narrow, barely noticeable footpath. Amelia scooped her hand through the air. “Follow me.”
Em gave Beckett a little wave and went after her aunt.
Who proved to be far more fit than Em would have imagined. Her pace required Em to walk briskly and didn’t give her any time to dawdle for a better look at the interesting flora and fauna along the way.
Em imagined that was the point.
The path disappeared after a while. The forest, already dim, darkened further, but the light that filtered through stayed green and inviting. Plus, sprite moss dotted the trees at almost regular intervals, and green fireflies (no red lightning bugs, thankfully) danced in the air just out of reach.
The Trouble With Witches Page 15