Witchy Secrets

by Dominicka Alexander

  “But if we don’t actually need men, why are they still around? Why haven’t we just learned to live without them?”

  “Because they have the monopoly of the creation of our species.”

  “So why do they need us then?”

  “Because women hold the power and men need to drain that from us in order for them to survive. Not many of us live beyond the age of 40. I’m sorry.”

  “Mom’s dead then?”

  “I’m sorry. Yes, she is.”

  They drove along in silence whilst Alice gave Blaise time to absorb the momentous information she had just imparted. Blaise felt numb. She couldn’t allow herself to let her feelings of bereavement filter through yet. She had to assimilate the fact that life as she knew it had ended too and even through the haze, she knew she was suffering from shock. She didn’t know at what stage she must have fallen asleep. The shock had left her body and mind exhausted and sleep should have offered some refuge, but she was plagued by images of what she imagined the devil would look like. And he was chasing her.

  When she sensed the car stopping, she woke up and discovered that night had fallen like a black blanket surrounding them. It made her feel safe as if they were hiding.

  “Hello there, sleepyhead. We’re here at last. We’ll stay here until I can teach you what I know.”

  “And then what Alice?” Blaise felt fear grip her because she already knew the answer that was coming.

  “We go back and face him. There is no way to escape him. There is no other way. But there’s time to plan for that later. For now, we’ll get something to eat and rest. We have plenty of work ahead of us.”

  As Blaise got out of the car, she took in the place that would become home over the next few weeks. It was a wooden shack and the only noise that existed, now that the car engine was turned off, was that of insects in the undergrowth. Although she was used to luxury, she welcomed the shack’s simplicity. Life without Agatha would be like flat Champagne for evermore, whatever the surroundings. Without the electric street lighting, she felt closer to the stars, which winked back at her in all their untouched glory. The last time she had paid any attention to the stars she had been in the Italian countryside with Agatha. But now those same stars still shone as brightly, just not for her.

  Once inside, she found that the furnishings were comfortable enough and the simple act of helping Alice to prepare food was comforting. The chopping of vegetables was calming and therapeutic, although nothing could ever heal the gaping wound across her heart. They ate in silence. Both seemed to recognize the fact that there was plenty of time to discuss the future. But that time wasn’t tonight.

  Incredibly, Blaise slept soundly, despite the fact that she had slept for four hours on the way down. She had no idea where they were but felt no need to ask either. Breakfast was a simple affair and was taken unusually early for Blaise. Normally, she wouldn’t rise until at least 8 am but it was still dark outside as she swallowed the last bite of bread. After clearing away the breakfast things, Alice instructed her to don her coat because they were going into the woods to collect herbs to commence her training in earnest. Blaise found it odd as she became conscious that she knew all the names of the herbs. When Alice told her to collect a specific herb, Blaise didn’t need to be told which one it was. Somehow, she knew instinctively. She found that being close to nature made her feel better and she felt as if she were being nursed back to health by the living things around her.

  The days and nights seemed to pass seamlessly for Blaise. She didn’t ask Alice any questions, apart from ones about herbs. She knew that Alice would tell her when she knew that she was ready, but she hoped that day would be soon. She felt imbued with the necessary strength to take on Manneau. All she needed was the crucial information from Alice on how to defeat him. She would avenge Agatha and her mother before her. Or die trying.

  On the seventh day, as they sat sharing the dinner they’d cooked together, Alice said that Blaise was ready, and the young woman felt her heart leap within her.

  “You must know by now Blaise that we must return home if we are to conquer Manneau. You are 18 now.” Blaise had completely forgotten her 18th birthday and it had passed without note but Alice had felt that she would not be up for celebrations under the circumstances.

  “For people like us – and women especially – 18 is the most important age. In the eyes of our community we become adults. Each clan – and we are all over the world – has a clan leader. Our leader is Jacques Manneau. In order to survive he gifts a child to the women of the clan when they are 18. Our people believe that it is woman’s work to raise the children. He gifted you to Agatha and Agatha to your grandmother. Now it is your turn to carry on the family banner.”

  “And if I refuse?” Blaise asked.

  “He will take you away and I will never see you again. There is no room for disobedience in the clan. Or we would not survive.”

  “What do I get out of it?”

  “A child. A lovely place to live and a lavish lifestyle. Everything you could want.”

  “Apart from someone to love and share my life with. How can I bear to bring a child into the world if I know it will die before it is 40 if it is female? What happens to the male children?”

  “They go on to become elders of the clan. But their numbers are regulated or the clan would grow too big. Their lifespan is much greater than that of humans.”

  “And you? How have you survived? I’m not being rude, but you seem to be over 40.”

  “You’re right. I’m 243 years old.”

  Blaise’s mouth dropped open in amazement. “243. But how? I don’t, I can’t understand what you’re saying to me.”

  “I know, it must be difficult. I always told Agatha to tell you about your background as you were growing up. It wouldn’t be such a shock to you now, but she insisted she wanted you to grow up knowing some joy instead of having this hang over you constantly.”

  “I see. And you, Agatha? What is your story?”

  “My story? I made him fall in love with me. Just like Agatha told you. She thought that you will be able to do the same. I was spared because I raised a son who became the apple of his father’s eye. Very few women are chosen to raise sons. Our son, Joseph, begged him for clemency when it was my time and Jacques granted his wishes because he loved our son so much, he allowed himself to be indulgent. It had never happened before and never has since. Do you think you could make him love you Blaise?” She looked directly at the younger woman whilst Blaise considered the question.

  “Is there an alternative?”

  “You could wait until you get a chance to poison him or put a knife through his heart. But when that chance arrives, you would have to act immediately without second thinking it. Could you do that, do you think? Could you kill him? Besides, there is little chance you would be able to get close enough or have an opportunity to poison him. He always finds out. Somehow, he always knows when not to trust someone. It’s like he can see into their hearts.”

  “I will try my hardest. It is what my mother wanted, and I want to appease her memory. She loved me so much and I don’t know if I can ever recover from the loss of her.”

  “You will. Give it time. Time cures all ills, it’s true.”

  “Did you ever love him Alice? Did you ever love Jacques Manneau?”

  She watched her great aunt’s face as it contorted, seemingly in pain. Finally, she whispered, “I still do love Jacques Manneau.”

  A twinge of doubt and fear crept under Blaise’s skin and sent a tremor of dread down her spine. How could she trust her great aunt if Alice’s loyalties were so divided?

  Chapter Three – Destiny

  The two women returned to the empty house whose dark windows looked like empty eyes watching their approach. An unbearable sadness overtook Blaise as she stepped over the threshold and she wondered if she would ever feel happy again. The days passed uneventfully and quietly without interruption for a week and then, as Alice had pre
dicted, Jacques Manneau drove up in his sleek black Jaguar. If he had arrived on horseback, it would not have surprised Blaise. His appearance was suave and sleek and charismatic. She waited in the morning room until Alice showed him in.

  There was no doubt he was handsome. His looks were Mediterranean like her own, but his eyes were mid brown rather than green like hers. Fleetingly, she felt a frisson of attraction towards him and silently rebuked herself for the inappropriate feeling immediately. How could she be attracted to such a monster? She must hold her resolve and play along with the game, gaining his confidence.

  She took a seat near the open fire and waved an arm expansively to invite him to sit in the chair opposite her. It was difficult to say how old he looked, she thought. Around 40 would have been her guess, but she had no reason to doubt what Alice had told her.

  “I have waited patiently to meet you Blaise. You certainly are your mother’s daughter. You look just like her.” His voice was silky smooth, and Blaise felt as if he was hypnotizing her. She lowered her eyes so that he could not read what was there.

  “I understand Alice has told you of your destiny. I had always begged Agatha to tell you when you were a child, but she was adamant she shouldn’t. I can fully appreciate this must now have come as a dreadful shock to you. Nevertheless, as Alice has also no doubt told you, I will soon be gifting you a young baby girl to raise. The child is yours until she is 18 and then the cycle will begin again, and you must come with me. Up until then, you are free to live your life as you will. Travel, as you did with your own mother if you wish. Money is no object, of course.”

  “And what if I say no? What if I refuse?” asked Blaise, sounding much more confident than she felt.

  “Oh, my child, do you imagine that this is the first time I have heard that question?” He shook his head, amused and tilted it to one side, awaiting her response.

  She shrugged her shoulders to intimate her confusion and looked back down in dismay. Manneau rested his elbows on either arm of the plush armchair and steepled the top of his elegant, long fingers together, resting his chiseled chin upon the top of them. “What, no idea? Well, allow me to enlighten you. You would have a choice of two outcomes. I would either punish Alice or I would have to kill the child and make you watch. Now, which would you prefer me to do? Or, if you are stubborn, I might have to resort to both.” And he laughed cruelly and tipped his head to one side again.

  It had been worth a try thought Blaise, but now she must resort to Plan b. She would take the child and raise her with all the love and care with which Agatha has shown to her. But she would have 18 long years to plan how she would rescue the situation and sabotage Manneau’s plan to remove her from her child when it reached the age of 18. At this stage, she didn’t know how, but she had years to work on that.

  “What’s it to be Blaise? It’s a tough decision I know. But you should remember that it is I who hold all the power. After you have had time to consider the way of our community, you will see that our rules work much better than those of the human race. There is no overpopulation, no sickness, no wars – well, only occasionally, and that was soon quelled effectively.”

  “You’re right sir, of course. These ways are new to me and I am still becoming accustomed to them. Please forgive me for my naiveté. I am still learning. I am a novice, but I hope you will teach me and educate me in the ways of our people.” She did her best to smile at him prettily and look through her long eyelashes up at his handsome face. “I would very like you to become a regular visitor. I feel bereft already. It would be very welcome to find a new friend to take my mother’s place.”

  “Are you looking for a new parent my dear?” he asked without intonation.

  “Oh, certainly not. That’s not at all how I see you. How could I?” and she lowered her eyes coquettishly once again and even blushed.

  “I see. Then it would indeed be a pleasure to visit you. Of course, I will return tomorrow with your daughter. At least you don’t have to face the perils of childbirth like the human race. We get to have the best bits, don’t we? And I’m sure you’ll be delighted with your daughter. What will you call her, do you know?”

  “I shall call her Estella.”

  “Mmm, I have heard the name before but I’m not sure where.”

  “It’s from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. Do you not enjoy the classics Sir?”

  “Some. But perhaps I shall make a point of reading that one. And please, call me Jacques. Sir is far too formal if we are to become friends. Which I hope we are. Do you think that is possible?”

  “I do hope so,” Blaise said dishonestly. “And we have an excellent supply of books here should you want to take advantage of it. I’m slowly working my way through it. Reading is one of my great passions.”

  Blaise could feel his eyes on her as he regarded her profile, as if assessing her for the first time. She turned to look at him and found that he held her stare. Incredibly, she felt that same tingle of excitement run through her and rebuked herself for harboring such thoughts.

  “There seems to be a lot to discover about you it seems. A woman of many talents,” Jacques said.

  “I hope they continue to grow. And now I am to add motherhood to them which is most unexpected, I must say.”

  “Did Agatha never tell you what would happen? What would be expected of you at the age of 18? It has always been this way for our people.” Blaise shook her head, determined to hold back the tears, which threatened.

  “Then this must be incredibly difficult for you Blaise. I’m not a monster and I do understand how you must be feeling. But I have been tasked with certain duties too and if I did not uphold the order, then our clan would collapse. Alice says she has begun to teach you our ways, about herbs and incantations. You will soon be mixing ancient concoctions like the rest of us no doubt. Did you enjoy your new lessons?”

  “I did indeed. And I have started to study it in much detail. But I am struggling to cope with the loss of my mother. I miss her so very much.” She stopped talking abruptly because a sob caught in her throat and Blaise was loath to show her emotions to Manneau.

  “I know it must be hard. It’s so much to take in so suddenly. And you Blaise, will you tell your daughter what is expected of her in our community?”

  “I’m not sure. I have to tell my daughter that I must die as soon as she reaches 18. People don’t normally know when they are going to die. For me too, this is all very new and alien.”

  “Die!? Who told you that?”

  “My mother. And Alice. Is it not true?”

  “Die is a very final word. I suppose you could describe it as dying but not in the sense that I think you mean. When your daughter is 18, you will be taken away. Any memories you have made of this place and your life up to then will be eradicated and you will join the human community. You will be given false memories so that your new life feels familiar, but you will have no memory of what you’ve known here. I suppose in a way it is like human death. They come back after death in a new body and don’t remember what’s gone before. It’s very much like that although for this particular death, you are reborn on Earth.”

  “But it only happens to the women? I don’t understand why.”

  “Because men are the powerful beings. This is the way of the human world too. It has always been that way. Well it has until recently anyway. Things have changed so much but that doesn’t mean to say that they have changed for the better does it?”

  “It’s difficult for me to say. I don’t know any different. But are you telling me that Agatha is still alive somewhere?”

  He stared at her for a few moments, considering whether he should continue with the conversation. “Yes, she is. But it is pointless trying to find her. She has a new name and a new family and even if you did track her down, she wouldn’t know you. She would think that she had some crazy woman who had turned up on her doorstep and call the police.”

  “But who do this new family of hers think she is? Won’t
they think that she is rather odd too?”

  “No. It’s all been thought through meticulously and has worked beautifully for thousands of years. She and everyone with whom she will come in contact with has been mentally re-programmed. You have much to learn Blaise. Your people are far superior in intelligence to humans than you could ever imagine. Our methods are foolproof. You asked me a little earlier what would happen if you refused to do my bidding. Of course, I wouldn’t hurt Alice. I certainly wouldn’t bring a baby here and kill it. I make those babies myself. You would be re-programmed too but your human life would be meager as a punishment.”

  “I see. It’s fait accompli then?”

  “I’m afraid so. Cheer up Blaise. At least here, you have every luxury you could dream of. Alice will take care of you. And tomorrow you will have a baby to love too. It could be so much worse.” He rose from his chair quickly, which made Blaise jump and sink back in alarm into hers.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll let myself out. Goodbye for now.”

  Blaise heard the door close quietly behind him. There was so much to assimilate, so much new information to take on board. And yet the only thing that was uppermost in her mind was that Agatha was still alive. There was no room for college in her life now, not with a baby to look after. But there was so much more to learn, and Alice could teach her some of it. The rest she’d teach herself. She could feel the blood sizzle in her veins with excitement. Only a few short hours ago, her life had been at an end but now she was filled with renewed hope and anticipation of what was about to unfold.

  She would get as close as she could to Jacques Manneau and she would learn as much as she could from him. Then she’d show him just how much the female of the species had to offer.

  Chapter Four – A New Life

  True to his word, Jacques Manneau arrived with Blaise’s new charge the following day. Alice had brought out Blaise’s cot, which had been carefully stored away along with baby clothes. She had already bought baby food and bottles, anticipating the baby’s arrival. A room had been prepared as a nursery and both women had been waiting anxiously for the child to arrive.