Chapter 4 #2
“You should have come home immediately.” Home.
Their house isn’t my home. “Why did you not come home? I have called the full coven for an emergency meeting. You need to come home right now so we can protect you—Matthew, she’s at a hotel.
” Her phone rustles as she huffs, and she drops her voice to an angry whisper.
“I will not have our magicless daughter attacked by thugs.”
I roll my eyes. Does she hear herself? Magicless. Yeah, and woe betides anyone who messes with me. It would be a lovely sentiment if she wouldn’t take this as an opportunity to gain control of my life. She doesn’t recognise that she is the worst offender and the reason I avoid everyone in my coven.
“Mum, I am fine. Please don’t bother everyone. I didn’t want to bring this minor issue home with me.” The word home gets stuck in my throat.
“Well, it isn’t just about you,” she snarls.
“Why are you so selfish? They also came here, but our wards and powerful magic kept them at bay. After an attack on our coven, do you think I have time to be running around after you? Selfish girl. Look Tuesday, I know it’s not something you want to hear but being without magic makes you an easy target.
I knew I shouldn’t have allowed you to live on your own,” she mutters.
Oh, so my older sisters who can stir up a potion are fair game?
They sure as heck don’t live at home. To Mum, it is like being able to mix a potion makes you a superhero.
And as for her saying she shouldn’t have allowed me to live on my own, I moved out at eighteen, on my birthday.
She didn’t allow me to do anything. I’m now twenty-four, for spell’s sake.
I have never asked her for a bloody thing.
Yet it is all my fault? And I am the selfish one?
Don’t say anything, Tuesday.
“Another thing I shouldn’t have allowed was for you to work in that shop,” she continues.
I am a general manager in a big department store.
“You can work with Jodie.” I wonder if she will ever conclude that she is wasting her breath.
I mean, she is like a broken record. If I didn’t take her oh-so-helpful advice the first dozen times we had this exact conversation, I certainly won’t suddenly turn around and say, “What a great idea Mum!” after the hundredth.
“Heaven knows that girl needs a break. She works so hard. Honestly, I do not know why you insist on working with humans when you can help your sister.” Perhaps it’s ’cause humans are too busy trying to stay alive and keep their families safe than be bothered with me?
It’s so frustrating. I know Jodie is busy running the magic shop and working as a nurse, but I work hard too.
Apparently, what I do isn’t good enough.
I make a noncommittal sound in the back of my throat and stuff a piece of chicken in my mouth, so I won’t say anything I’ll regret. No wonder I avoid her like the plague. She can’t help herself.
My lack of magic—she can’t stand it. She takes it as a personal affront. I shake my head as I angrily chew. I’ve found it best not to argue, as what’s the point? She never listens. The sad thing is, I don’t care what she thinks anyway. Not anymore.
I lock away my hurt, channel my inner manager, and dig deep into my epic customer service training.
I smile widely. I hope the shape of my mouth will be enough to change the cadence of my voice.
“I am sorry, Mum. I didn’t know that there had been an attack on the coven.
I’m sure this misunderstanding will get sorted out, and I will be back in my flat in a few days. So please, don’t worry.”
“A misunderstanding?” my mum screeches. I wince.
Oops, bad word choice. “Breaking down your sister’s ward is far from just a misunderstanding, young lady.
If you answered your bloody phone once in a while, then you would have known that there was a security issue.
What you cannot seem to grasp is that we are witches, and our coven protects our weakest members.
Now, you will come home this instant so we can protect you, while the Hunters Guild deals with the problem. ”
My fake smile slips and I stare down at my food. I’m always going to be the coven’s weak link. I poke at my noodles, and with a sigh, I push the box of food onto the bedside cabinet. I am no longer hungry. I bring my legs to my chest and hug my knees.
“I must insist that you move back into the fold,” she continues.
“You need to come home.” I’d rather shove my head in a washing machine.
“We can get you a nice, normal job.” A job suitable for a witch, she means.
“And get you some help…” My mum continues and her words fade into the background, drowned out by my emotions.
My hurt.
I don’t care. I don’t care. I don’t care what she thinks.
Yeah, right. I’m the only one deceived when I try to convince myself. The hurt makes my throat tight, leaving me to swallow against it.
Times like this, I wish… Gosh, how I wish I was super strong, my magic dramatic, with lots of bells and whistles. Instead of meh, non-existent.
I clear my throat. “I appreciate that you’re only trying to take care of me, but Mum, you are smothering me. I have a well-paying job—”
“At a clothing store,” she scoffs.
“That clothing store has paid my bills for the last eight years.” I ignore her as she splutters and plough on. “I have never asked you or Dad for anything. I’m safe. I love you all and I will ring you next week.” More like next year.
“Tuesday, don’t you dare hang up—” I end the call. My tummy flips, and the Chinese food lies heavily in my stomach. I hug my knees tighter.
Today has been a nightmare.