Witchy Secrets

by Dominicka Alexander

  “You are a wise old soul Alice. I don’t know why I don’t talk to you more often.”

  “You see, we women do have our uses eh?”

  As Alice drove home, she felt as if the world was turning on its axis. She loved Jacques and she loved Blaise. She had her own part to play in this scenario and she must keep her nerve and do her best to make things work for the good of all her clan.

  When she got back to the house, Blaise was there with Lance. The baby was asleep beside them and Cerberus was in his favorite spot, in front of the fire. Alice thought it looked like the ideal family scene, they all seemed so contented. But she wondered how Lance would feel if he knew the truth about them. She liked the young man a lot, but he was not one of them. It wasn’t unheard of for women from the clan to marry mortals, but they did it with a knowledge that there would never be a chance of bearing children to their husbands and that their time together would always be short-lived.

  “Hello you two. You look cozy. Have you had something to eat?” Alice always assumed the role of mother, even though Blaise had become an accomplished cook herself and loved to create new dishes.

  “Yes, we have,” responded Lance. “This wonderful woman just cooked us the most delightful lunch.”

  “It was only pasta Lance. Don’t get carried away,” said Blaise, embarrassed at how easily Lance demonstrated his adoration of her to others.

  “But very good pasta. Prepared expertly.” Blaise smiled at him indulgently.

  “Well, shall I bring us all coffees through?”

  Blaise was surprised at Alice’s suggestion. Normally, she left the two young people alone together and didn’t intrude. It wasn’t that Blaise objected at all, it was just that it was unusual and immediately she sensed a change in Alice’s attitude. Something was imminent, but she wasn’t sure what, and it made her feel slightly uneasy.

  When Alice returned with a cafetière of coffee a few minutes later, Blaise’s qualms had not abated whatsoever. She sensed that Alice had decided to take some kind of decisive action which she knew would be of meaningful import to them all. Lance was totally oblivious, and Blaise did her best to catch Alice’s eye to warn her against any action, which might prove difficult to reverse. Alice noticed her expression but chose to ignore it and gave her head a subtle shake, dismissing Blaise’s protests silently but effectively. Blaise held her breath and waited.

  “I went to see Jacques this afternoon,” Alice began.

  “Oh really?” Lance remarked innocently, totally unaware of what was to follow. “How is he? He seems to be such a nice chap. You never told me how you know him Blaise. It’s clear that you’re all very fond of each other. Is he family?”

  “A very old family friend,” and she stole a surreptitious glance at Alice to gauge whether she would contradict her.

  “He’s rather more than that though isn’t he Blaise? You should tell Lance more about yourself. It’s only fair.”

  Lance shifted in his seat, obviously wary of the sudden change in atmosphere.

  “I rather think that’s my business don’t you Alice?”

  “No, I don’t. I think it affects so many people that you should be as honest with Lance as you can be. You would be if you really cared for him as much as you say.”

  “What is Alice talking about Blaise? I don’t understand.”

  Blaise was angry that Alice had put her on the spot without warning. She couldn’t imagine that Jacques had suggested this. She looked at Lance and knew that she was going to have to tell him the truth. His face looked puzzled and already full of hurt.

  “I’m sorry Lance. I had hoped that I would never have to tell you this and I have been desperately trying to find a way to resolve things but it would appear that Alice does not approve my course of action.”

  “Please Blaise, tell me. What is it? It can’t be that bad.”

  Blaise floundered, trying to find words that wouldn’t make the whole scenario farcical. Witches were mythical creatures as far as most mortals were concerned. He would think that both she and Alice were madwomen. Nothing had changed after thousands of years. Witches were still regarded as outcasts to the rest of society. Even she, as a witch herself, had done her best to thrash the concept from her brain, which had refused to accept it however real it had suddenly become. Whilst her mind was in turmoil, Alice interrupted.

  “I think what Blaise is trying to tell you Lance is that we are witches.”

  “Witches?” He pulled a scathing face. “What? What are you talking about?”

  “Alice! You had no right!” Cerberus lifted his head, sensing tension within the room, and sloped off to hide whilst the storm had blown over.

  “I had though Blaise. You are trying to disturb the order. I am a part of that order. That’s what gives me the right.”

  “But what does this mean?” asked Lance, bemused and a little scared.

  “It means that we are different to you Lance,” continued Alice. “We have developed many of our powers which mortals still have no idea they possess. We can intuit people’s feelings, predict the future, and heal. Cast spells to avert events.”

  “I see,” although clearly, he didn’t. “But why do I need to know this? I would never have known if you hadn’t told me.”

  “Oh, but you would. You see, when Faith is 18, Blaise will disappear. To you, it would be described as dying, but she would remain on Earth but in another community and all her powers would be subdued and her memory erased. You would never find her again.”

  “But I love you Blaise,” Lance said simply.

  When Blaise looked at him, her eyes were filled with tears. “And I love you Lance. I am trying to change the order so that I can remain and stay where I am. In our community, women are still second-class citizens. It’s outmoded and no longer useful as far as I can tell. But it’s tradition so the community stick with it because it’s what they’re used to. It offers safety and security.”

  “But it does Blaise. It upholds the hierarchy and that is important. How many wars has the world suffered because of greed for money and power? We never allow that. We quash it down before it can attempt to raise its head and reinforce the natural order. That’s why I have tried so hard to stop you making your bid for freedom. You will be stopped too.”

  “Not if Jacques loves me enough.”

  “What do you mean Blaise?” asked Lance incredulously.

  “She means that she will seduce Jacques so that she holds power over him and he lets her have her way.”

  “Seduces him?”

  “Not necessarily,” Blaise was quick to correct. “Jacques is a perfect gentleman. He has never even kissed me.” She looked at Lance who was looking back at her with distaste and disgust plastered on his face.

  “I don’t believe this. I can’t understand it.” He stood up, with a hand to his forehead and shook his head as if to clear the threatening thoughts from it. “I have to go away and think about this. I’m not sure I can handle this.”

  “Please Lance, please don’t go. Please let’s talk some more.”

  But he gave Blaise no chance to plead with him. He collected his jacket and almost ran from the house. As she heard his old van drive away, her tears spilled over and down her cheeks.

  Chapter Eight – The Reckoning

  It hadn’t taken long for Blaise to decide that she must visit Jacques herself and be honest with him. She no longer hated him for taking her mother away; if anything, she pitied him. She could see how solitary his life was and how alone and lonely he had become. Although she was angry with Alice, she could understand her reasons for doing what she’d done. Alice was threatened because the life she’d been used to for hundreds of years was now under threat of collapse. And that collapse was being brought on by Blaise herself. She empathized with Alice. They were very much alike but on different sides of the fence currently. She loved Alice and didn’t want to hurt her, but it was her duty to make a better future for her own child and others like her. She didn�
�t ask Alice to look after Faith in her absence but took her with her to Jacques’.

  As she drove up to the door, she saw that Jacques was standing there with it open, waiting to greet her. She collected Faith and climbed the dozen steps leading to the door. “I’ve been expecting you,” Jacques said, matter-of-factly. Blaise nodded, and entered the house.

  Its opulence never failed to impress her, but it gave her a sense of heavy solemnity. “I know that Alice has been to see you. She came back like a bat out of hell to warn Lance that he was in the clutches of terror. He fled, as she’d suspected he would.”

  “I’m sorry Blaise. I never wanted you to be unhappy.”

  “I know. And I sincerely wish things were different. That I could be obedient and accept the order. But I can’t. I must fight for what I think is best for her.” They both looked at the child, peacefully sleeping in her chair. “I didn’t know that the love a parent could feel for her child would be so encompassing, so overwhelming. I don’t think you can imagine it unless you’ve experienced it firsthand. Even though I didn’t give birth biologically, it feels the same. She is part of me.”

  “You might be surprised what I can understand.” Faith’s head swept quickly round to watch his face. “You are all my children, every last one of the clan,” he offered as explanation to her unasked question.

  “Oh, I see. Forgive me, but it’s not the same as having sole responsibility for something so fragile and dependent. Would it be so bad to change the way things have always been? The rest of the world has done so.”

  “And look at them. How one despot overthrows another and persecutes the very people he is supposed to look after and care for. How one country makes war on another. We have lived peacefully for so long. Would you destroy that?”

  “But at what price Jacques. To have our mothers ripped from our sides at the age of 18. Never to know a normal life where we can meet someone, fall in love and live happily ever after.”

  “Is that what’s happened to you? Is that what you want?”

  “Would that be so bad? We all need others, don’t we? Don’t you?”

  Jacques looked into her lovely face, her eyes pleading with him for understanding.

  “I have never even known a father Jacques. I am so alone.”

  “You have Alice. And you have Faith, and Cerberus. He hasn’t been that good at guarding the gates of hell, has he?” He laughed mirthlessly.

  “Nothing and no-one could keep me where I didn’t want to be Jacques. I think you know that, don’t you? But I have no wish to go into battle. Although I would if I had to. For Faith and all the other women in our clan. I know I was born for this reason. To change the order.”

  Jacques sat and stared at Blaise for a long time without speaking, considering what to do. “What do you want exactly?”

  “I want to live a normal life. I have no wish for immortality. I want to live my four score and ten and age like all other natural things of the world. I want to see my daughter grow up. I want to love a man and him to love me.”

  “How can you go backwards? You have some of the strongest powers I have ever witnessed in our community.”

  “I will use them for good. Let me live as a human with remarkable powers. Our clan will still exist. Women don’t have to be different from the men. The world is changing, and we must change with it. The rule designed to keep us together with drive us apart. It’s antiquated and obsolete.”

  Jacques steepled his hands again and rested his chin, which was a sign he was deep in thought. “You’re wrong to say I don’t know the love a parent feels. You see, I loved Agatha and she loved me. You’re my child, in every sense of the word. You weren’t gifted; Agatha gave birth to you. That is why your powers are so developed and strong. My weakness has come back to bite me and destroy me.”

  “I think I knew already. Somewhere deep inside of me, I knew that you were my father. I felt so enveloped by your love, always. And I do not want to destroy you or your world. Think how much happier we can be as a family. Faith needs a grandfather. We are still witches. It’s not a sign of weakness to share your power.” She went to sit beside him and touched his forearm prompting him to turn and look at her. He touched her cheek with his palm and stared into her eyes.

  Without warning, she felt a tremor through her entire body as if waves of the atmosphere were rippling through her. “You have your wish. I had to lose Agatha for my faith. I won’t lose you and Faith as quickly.” He pulled her to his chest and they sat like that until dusk fell and the fire had turned to embers.

  When Blaise let herself in, Alice was already waiting with a bottle of milk just warmed for Faith. Alice picked her up immediately and began to feed the greedy child who sucked gratefully. “You convinced him then?” Blaise nodded.

  “You have changed the course of history. Agatha always swore that you would.”

  “Did you know that he is my father?”

  “Yes.”

  “It must have been hard for you to watch him falling in love with my mother when you loved him so much yourself.”

  “Have you not guessed yet Blaise? You disappoint me.” Blaise put her head on one side, questioningly.

  “Jacques is my son.”

  “But you said your son was in Italy.” Alice just smiled. “You see, I had more things to protect than the clan. He is my flesh and blood and now you know what that means.”

  “Well, it makes you my grandmother. How could I not have known?” They smiled complicity at each other. “He will visit every woman in the clan and ask them to make a choice. It is fair. In future, all children will have the same rights and they will live mortal lives but retain our special powers. We have the best of both worlds.”

  “Well, only time will tell. Be careful what you wish for.”

  “I’ll take my chances.” She paused slightly before asking, “Have there been any calls?”

  “Lance you mean?” Blaise nodded.

  “No. I’m sorry I had to tell him Blaise. It’s only right he knows the truth isn’t it?”

  “Yes, it is. And if we can’t move past this, then he’s not the man for me, is he?”

  “Oh, I think you’ll find he is.”

  The next day there was a frost on the ground, but it didn’t stop Blaise getting Faith wrapped up well and walking to the park with Cerberus tagging along. She knew that Lance would be there, and she wasn’t disappointed. She started her walk around the lake and Lance fell into step with her.

  “Cerberus looks to have got the hang of things. Does that mean I’m surplus to requirements?”

  Blaise continued to walk on, pushing the stroller. “Only if you want to be. Personally, I’d rather you stick around.”

  “I was hoping you’d stay that. You’re not going to fly off on a broomstick then?”

  “Not today Lance. If I do, I’ll take you with me.”

  “And no potions in my nightcap please.”

  “Spoilsport.” Lance grabbed her arm and swung her around so that he could kiss her. It was her first kiss and she felt a tingling throughout her body and almost swooned.

  “Now that’s magic!” They laughed and continued to walk around the lake, happy to be back in each other’s company.

  Only six months later they were married in the village church. She’d never met Lance’s family, but they welcomed her with open arms. She wore her grandmother’s vintage wedding dress, which was ivory lace. Beside her was Jacques who proudly gave his daughter away to the new man in her life. As Blaise made her vows, she heard Faith cooing and sending her seal of approval on the match. She was growing into a beautiful child, already trying to communicate with everyone. Cerberus guarded her like the crown jewels and two would obviously be inseparable. Alice sat on the front pew, holding her and watching the proceedings. She had always ached to confide in Blaise that she was her granddaughter but had been torn with a fierce loyalty to her own son, whose duties she appreciated were heavy and onerous. She had chosen to live out her life as a
mortal too. Although she was 243 years old, her body was only around 50, which meant she still had time to see Faith growing into a woman. She would take her chances like the rest of mortality after that.

  Blaise still held her mother in her heart and when she found a quiet moment, she went into a self-induced trance. Again, she found herself in the woods and approaching the cottage and waited for Agatha to come down the stairs.

  “I’ve been waiting for you,” said Agatha. “But I knew you’d come. Tell me, are you happy?”

  “So very happy, mom. Life is everything I could have hoped for. My father is sorry that he had to sacrifice you and will never forgive himself. He wants you to know that.”

  “I do. He gave me the most precious thing he could: you. Even though he took away my ability to enjoy you, I had 18 years of bliss with you. And now you have changed it for us all. I am so proud of you. And Alice is there to look after you too.”

  “Would you like to come back?”

  “I have another family I must care for now. Which doesn’t mean I love you any less. I am still here whenever you want to talk to me and I will love you for eternity. That is something we have in common with the mortals, love. And we will meet again on Earth, trust me. Although we might well have a different relationship next time around. Mortals must return to Earth in different bodies until they learn all their lessons. We are a few streets head of them and have learned most of them.”

  “And I will love you for the rest of my days. And Faith shall know you too because I will tell her about what a wonderful grandmother she had and make sure she knows exactly who she is. I will make sure she grows into her powers and uses them well.”

  “I know you will my darling. I trust you completely. Things turned out for the best. I lost those precious years with you, but you have grown into a very wonderful woman who I will be forever proud. Time is a concept you cannot understand at the moment, but in the blink of an eye we will be sharing a life together again. Until then, enjoy the life you have. Lance loves you. Make sure you always love him back. He is one of us now and your souls will connect again. Love you.”