Eva #3
The girls discuss how the word could mean many different things with Paige while Riley and I stand there silently. No doubt grappling with the same feelings I am. Even though my great-grandmother stood up to Martha Jessup, it still feels like the entire coven was complicit.
Paige moves onto the next topic. “The Rule of Three, one of you has got to know this one.”
Callista raises her hand eagerly. A swell of pride sparks in my chest. I love seeing their enthusiasm for witchcraft. It’s one reason why we need to get these lines open; these girls will never become the witches they’re meant to be if they stay closed.
“Whatever energy you put out, comes back to you threefold,” Callista recites with a smile.
“That’s right. Whatever you do, good or bad, will always come back to you. So think carefully before you act because once it’s been done, there is no taking it back.”
Why does this class feel like a lecture for my own irresponsible actions? Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Riley’s face drain of color. She’s feeling it too.
“Now let’s discuss consent,” Paige says, moving down the board. “It’s one of our most sacred traditions. We honor free will, and using magick on someone against their will is a serious violation.”
I may not have harmed Sorren, but I inadvertently cast a spell on him that night. I took away his free will. He’s handling it well and seems to be legitimately enjoying himself, but it’s still not okay.
More guilt piles on. Shit, if my ancestors weren’t bad enough, I’ve made my own fair share of mistakes to feel bad about.
Paige spends a lot of time discussing consent in everyday life, not just when it comes to magick. The girls all sit quietly, holding on to every word she says. Sweet little sponges absorbing all of the wisdom Paige is offering to them.
“Now finally, but no less importantly, let’s discuss intentions.”
This is one I struggle with. My intentions were good, but look at the chaos that has come out of it. Even with the best reasons, things can go horribly wrong. In some weird crack in the universe, my goal of opening the leylines brought a demon from Hell and planted him in my house.
I shudder at the thought of how powerful a witch with bad intentions could be.
“Girls, always remember, everything is interconnected. Be responsible for your magick, and most importantly—never forget the universe is bigger than you, and that sometimes, the right spell is no spell.”
Her words hit me like a gut punch.
“Callista, would you mind passing out this moon phase worksheet?” Paige hands the eager young witch a stack of papers. “Fill this out while I find out what these two witches are up to,” Paige instructs the class as she walks toward Riley and me. A ripple of giggling goes through the class.
“Who says we are up to anything?” I ask innocently.
“Evie, if you were any more obvious it would be written on your forehead. Now spill it. What’s going on with you two?”
The girls are focusing on their worksheet, but I still don’t want to talk about it here.
“Can we talk outside?” I ask.
“It’ll have to be quick. These witchlings are clever, it won’t take them long to finish their assignment.”
Paige, Riley, and I step outside. Riley sits on the cement planter outside the classroom and Paige stands facing us, her arms crossed.
“I take it you read the ledger entries on the dark magick.”
“How did you know that?” Riley asks, shocked at my aunt’s guess.
“Girls, you insult my intelligence. The two of you showed up last night, looking guiltier than a pack of racoons in a dumpster. The first thing I did when you left was figure out what you stole.” She holds out her hands to both of us, palms up. “I’ll need that Book of Vestiges back by the way.”
“You’ll get it back when we get the truth,” Riley says, summoning all her bravery to stand up to my aunt.
Paige’s eyebrow quirks up at the challenge. That’s all it takes, that one small telling twitch. She knows something. The realization hits me like a burning red slap across the face. My aunt lets out a tired sigh.
“It was decided that we wouldn’t speak of it until it became absolutely necessary.”
“What does that even mean? Our coven has been in crisis for years now, wouldn’t that mean it’s necessary?” I ask, my frustration getting the best of me.
“We don’t believe the leylines have anything to do with this.”
“Paige, I think you’re forgetting rule number one: everything is always connected,” Riley quotes her from just minutes ago.
Paige’s face contorts in anguish. “The coven split. Those who wanted to learn dark magick started their own coven in Holloway. That witch from the café the other day, Lena?” Paige pauses.
“She was your mother’s best friend.” She can see the questions building in our throats and cuts us off before we can ask them.
“I need to get back to the students. We can talk more later.”
She leaves us stunned speechless. I drop down on the planter next to Riley.
My entire perception of the world has shifted. Betrayal feels like anger. The coven should have told us, my family should not have kept this from me.
It’s not right to hide this history.
We’re getting answers at the next gathering.