The crowd cheered. The sound of their voices rising in unison made Jacob’s heart fall in his chest, though he wouldn’t let it show in his expression. He dodged open water bottles filled with piss, and a even a couple of dirty diapers. That sorely tempted him to give this city the middle finger and just leave for good. But, what would Karina say if he quit when things got tough? And his family was an old witching family, with roots and a history here. And then, there was Aria. He believed he could build something here with her. No, they weren’t going to run him out of his city.

  “Bruno Jones! Bruno Jones!” the man on the bullhorn yelled.

  Jacob would engage men like this from time to time, if only to expose their stupidity and hatred. He could understand someone being wary of him because of his powers, and wizards weren’t all good or perfect. But behind much of their rhetoric was a desire to either blame others for one’s misfortunes or reach for power that was within their grasp. Would Bruno Jones have run for mayor in any other situation? He’d never know the answer. However, now was not the time to ponder hypotheticals. He needed to focus on what was more important to him. He needed to reach Aria and make sure she was safe. He needed to confront Harry and understand why people were claiming he was a wizard, and if he was truly an ally or a danger to them all.

  9

  Aria

  “T here’s gotta be a special place in Hell for the woman who decided to drop you off and leave you,” Harry mumbled. He made a sharp turn of the steering wheel, swerving to avoid an animal carcass in the road .

  Aria gave him a perplexed look, still wondering why some of her potions stash—particularly mixtures meant for physical healing—had been used in the middle of the night by Harry. Did he feel ill? Did the spirits inside him cause physical deterioration? He seemed okay, now. Perhaps he’d tell her about it when he was ready.

  She sat in the passenger seat of his Maverick, dividing time between checking text messages on her phone and eyeing the long stretch of highway. They barreled toward Blythe Meadows to see the woman whom apparently Harry thought ought to be damned. Aria couldn’t bring herself to feel that way, at least not completely. She felt torn between a desperate need to be loved and accepted by Clare, and resentment over the fact that her birth mother handed her over to the Shriveners for training as a sin eater and never looked back—in ninety two years. Still, it was for her to decide how to view Clare; she didn’t need Harry’s opinion on the matter. What was going on with him anyway?

  “I know you’re trying to be supportive, Harry, but...I don’t want to talk about it.” Aria looked over her shoulder to the backseat. Margot bobbed her head up and down as she tapped her electric blue nails against her headphones. Well, at least someone enjoyed the car ride. Aria’s hands trembled and her chest ached.

  Harry rubbed his chin. “I think now’s the perfect time to talk about it, before you get to that house and talk to that woman.”

  “I already know what I’m going to say.”

  “Yeah? Run it by me.”

  She didn’t know exactly what she was going to say. Why couldn’t he just shut up and drive? “I’m...going to be honest. Introduce myself and explain that I just wanted to meet her.”

  “Listen, kid, there’s a reason she cut off all ties with you. And just because it’s been almost a hundred years doesn’t mean she’s going to bake you cookies and shit. I just want you to be prepared for the possibility that this could all go south.”

  She gritted her teeth. She hated when he called her “kid,” knowing good and well that she was decades older than him. At first she thought he did that because he took on a protective, almost paternal stance toward her, but then the way she’d sometimes catch him looking at her convinced her that there was something more to his attitude toward her. Maybe he wanted to hide the fact that he had feelings for her.

  She exhaled after taking in a slow, deep breath. “I know she’ll probably shut the door in my face, or worse, hit me with a spell. But...I have to try.”

  Harry nodded. “Your Shrivener, Edwin, he never mentioned anything about your mother?”

  She shook her head. “I remember the day I was in Edwin’s home, and there were three or four other children with the sin eater’s mark on their right palms.” She traced the wine-colored S-shaped birthmark on her hand. “Their parents came to visit, asking to see their training and progress, and I just stood there waiting for my mom and dad. They never came.”

  “So, when the Shriveners take you, they don’t make you cut ties with your families?”

  “No...which is why I want to know what my mother saw in me—or not—that made her completely turn away.”

  “Have you thought of that new community he’s supposedly rebuilding? You ever think about leaving and going to be with other sin eaters?”

  She smirked. “Aww, Harry, but then you’d miss me.”

  He chuckled. “I’d visit you even if I had to ride out to a nuthouse.”

  A faint smile crossed her lips. “I don’t think Edwin is building a community the way you might think he is. He’s preparing for war, like the Guardians and Watchers, but on a grander scale. Besides, I chose my side already.”

  She wasn’t ready to give up on humanity just yet. Edwin figured he could let the vampire Cedric Astaroth and his kind cull most of humanity because he was sick and tired of sin eating for ungrateful and corrupt people who believed they could get a spiritual “Get Out of Jail Free” card without any penance or enlightenment. However, since moving to Miracle Falls, Aria had come to know some of the most wonderful people, both wizard and non-wizard, who made her willing to stick by humanity.

  She felt Margot’s arm drape across her shoulder in a hug. “Love you too. And, if Clare Knight doesn’t see how awesome you are...I’ll kick her ass for you.”

  Harry grinned in Margot’s direction. “Now I see why you two are friends.”

  Margot turned off her music and pulled off her headphones. She wrinkled her nose at Harry. “And yet, I wonder why you’re Aria’s friend. Can you let up with all this negative talk? She doesn’t need that in her headspace right now.”

  Harry bristled. “Says the daughter of of Bruno Jones, head of the Watchers.”

  “Harry,” Aria said, “that’s not fair. Margot’s nothing like him.” And she was glad she wasn’t, because Margot was sarcastic, supportive, and fiercely loyal. She was glad none of Bruno Jones’s crap rubbed off on her.

  Harry slowed and came to a halt at a stoplight. They had crossed the city line and were now in Blythe Meadows. He cleared his throat. “I’m just a realistic guy. I call it like I see it, sweetheart.”

  The light turned green and Harry accelerated. Aria felt her stomach lurch along with the car, with each dip or bump exacerbating the queasiness in her belly. She barely touched breakfast that morning. Her heart nearly stopped when they pulled up to a two-story home in an upper-class neighborhood. The street was quiet, though it was midday. As if this were all a dream that would be taken away at any second, Aria unfurled the note Edwin Kovar had given her. It simply stated her mother’s name and address, and her gaze went from the paper to the house Harry had parked in front of.

  This is it. I’m finally going to see her…

  Margot, with her skinny, petite frame, climbed into the front and squished in next to Aria, wrapping her right arm around her. “Listen...not only are you the strongest woman I’ve ever met, but you genuinely care about others and help them. I think that’s going to shine through. Even if this doesn’t work out the way we hope, at least you’re finally getting this over with and won’t have to spend the rest of your life asking ‘What if…’”

  Aria nodded. She leaned into Margot, as there wasn’t much room to give her a proper hug. “Thanks.”

  She tensed when Harry reached for her hand and squeezed. Not because of the gesture itself, but because it felt like a dozen pin pricks. She didn’t know if her magical senses were off and needed fine tuning, but something was going on with Harry. She’d have to ask him about that.

  She stepped out of the car with Margot and turned to face Harry, who still sat in the driver seat of the Maverick. “Are you coming?”

  He shook his head. She caught a tinge of apprehension in his eyes. “I’m not good with this type of emotional family stuff. Have I told you about my brother who works for the feds? Our last get together ended with him beating my ass and shoving me out a window.”

  Aria grimaced. “Oh my God, how high was the window?”

  Harry sniffed. “Don’t worry, I got better. Just text me if you need me.”

  Margot rolled her eyes at him before grabbing Aria’s right hand and giving a supportive squeeze. “I’m here with you. Let’s do this.”

  “Thank you.”

  Aria’s heart beat wildly in her chest as they passed through the front gate and walked across the front yard. Each step up the cobbled stone steps felt like an eternity. She almost wanted to turn back, to run away and hide, but Margot’s resolute expression gave her courage. She pressed the doorbell button and waited. Within seconds, a tall, beautiful woman with dark hair, sprinkled with streaks of silver, answered the door. The air chilled, and Aria knew she was in the presence of a very old witch. The things she could learn about Clare, and even learn from her. She hoped this worked out, for both their sakes.

  “Um...excuse me, I’m sorry to bother you…” Aria stared into the woman’s eyes, which were so much like her own. “Are you Clare Knight?”

  She knew what the answer would be, but she wanted to ease into introducing herself.

  The other woman’s full lips parted slightly as she took in the view of Aria and Margot. “Yes, I am Clare. May I help you?”

  Margot nearly squealed in response to Aria’s fierce grip of her hand. Aria gave her friend an apologetic glance and let go of Margot’s hand, letting it fall to her side. She licked her lips, and her voice cracked as she spoke up. “I’m Aria. Edwin Kovar gave me your address. I’m your…”

  “Oh…” Clare’s hand trembled as she covered her mouth. Her eyes widened and she took a step back, which made Aria’s insides freeze.

  Here it comes. She’s going to shut the door on me…

  Instead, Aria felt a light touch of Clare’s magical aura reach out to her own. It felt a little prickly at first, but then her mother’s magical energy enveloped her like a warm blanket. She realized the woman was reading her—perhaps to confirm who she was? After a few seconds, Clare’s shoulders slumped forward, and she pulled Aria into an embrace.

  Aria had promised herself that she was going to be calm about this, but before she knew it, the tears streamed down her face, and she shook with sobs. She felt like she didn’t have to keep up a pretend wall of strength.

  “Aria,” Clare sobbed, still clasping her in her arms. “My baby...welcome home.”

  * * *

  * * *

  Even Margot had teared up and had to wipe her eyes a few times as Clare ushered them inside her home and had them sit in the living room. Although the dark green curtains blocked out much of the sunlight, Clare had drawn them open so that natural light could beam through. Aria caught a whiff of vanilla incense wafting through the house, and in the background, the low hum of magical wards and protective spells laid around the property. She wondered if Blythe Meadows had the same issues that Miracle Falls did.

  Aria glanced around the living room, noting the framed pictures on the walls, as well as beautiful, handcrafted talismans that Clare must’ve picked up from traveling over the years. The furniture seemed modern and up-to-date, though it all clashed with Clare’s window treatments. But, she wasn’t here to critique decorating choices, she wanted to connect with her mother and finally meet the sister she never knew she had.

  Aria muttered thanks to Clare as she brought a cold glass of iced tea for her and Margot. It was a miracle her best friend wasn’t yapping away, asking Clare questions and regaling her with stories of how she and Aria first met. Clare sat in a large rocking chair just across from them, eyeing Aria with both wonder and sorrow.

  “I never thought I’d see you again, Aria, but looking at you now...I can’t even begin to apologize…”

  “It’s not about that, really.” Aria sipped her iced tea, hiding her quivering lip behind her glass. She wasn’t there to condemn her mother, but it did feel good to hear that Clare was sorry for giving her up.

  Clare rubbed her temple. “Still, I owe you an explanation.” She stood and went over to a large, oak bookcase against the wall. She pulled out a worn photo album and brought it back over.

  “Wow,” Margot said as she watched Clare open the album and place it on the table between them. “These are amazing.”

  Aria nodded in agreement. “They’re beautiful.”

  Each page stood intact, featuring a youthful Clare in 1920’s era clothing, and without a single gray or white streak in her hair. There were pictures of her from different occasions and at different ages, as well as images of a tall handsome man.

  “That was your father.” A brief smile crossed Clare’s lips as she caressed the picture with her index finger. “Robert Day was his name.”

  “What happened to him?” Aria asked.

  “He died before you were born...and before we could get married. And, being an unwed mother in the 1920’s didn’t grant you the best type of life, so when I saw you had the mark of the sin eater, and Edwin Kovar came along, I knew that he’d take care of you and you wouldn’t have to worry about the stigma.”

  Margot leaned forward, studying Clare. “Are you a sin eater too? Is that why you’re able to live so long?”

  Clare shook her head. “Just a witch, but our family’s bloodline is so strong, that our lifespans can rival the sin eaters.”

  Aria stifled a chuckle when Margot elbowed her and winked in approval. She faced Clare. “So, it looks like I would’ve been able to remain youthful even if I hadn’t been a sin eater. Nice to know.”

  Clare smiled. “Certainly. You have my eyes, but you definitely have your father’s nose. Now, I wonder which of our personalities you’ve inherited.”

  Margot raised her hand. “I’ve got all the dirt on Aria. I can definitely tell you what she’s like.”

  Clare wagged her finger. “Oh no, I’m going to find out on my own. I want to experience it for myself. I…hope that’s all right.”

  Aria couldn’t help but wear a goofy grin. It warmed her heart to hear that. “I hope it’s okay that we’ve visited. I didn’t mean to thrust all this upon you so suddenly.”

  “What were you going to do?” Clare leaned forward to grab the carafe and refill their glasses of iced tea. “Were you going to call ahead of time and tell me who you were and schedule a visit? Don’t worry, I understand. This had to happen, and I’m glad it did. Part of me feared this day, but a bigger part of me wanted this more than anything.”

  Aria shifted in her seat. She felt the same way, though for different reasons. “Does my sister live here? Or, does she live somewhere else?”

  Clare’s expression fell. “Oh...sweetheart...I thought maybe Edwin had told you. Your sister, Mira, died when she was five.”

  Aria groaned, the disappointment hit her like a swift punch. “I’m sorry...I...Edwin’s note made it seem as if I had a living sibling. He didn’t say if she was still alive or not.”

  Great. it hadn’t been ten minutes yet, and Aria was already upsetting Clare with memories of her dead daughter.

  Clare looked ready to cry, but held it in. “It’s all right, you didn’t know.” She turned a few pages in the photo album to reveal a young girl who looked very similar to Aria when she was a child.

  Margot blew a low whistle as she leaned into Aria. “She could’ve been your twin...or mini-me. Which of you was older?”

  Clare closed the album. She seemed slightly agitated. “Mira was our first-born. Robert was devastated when we lost her.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss.” Aria clasped her hands together, unsure of where to take the conversation next.

  “Thank you.” Clare gestured toward the drinks. “Would you like a sandwich or anything to go with those drinks? I just prepared lunch.”

  “Oh, I’m fine, thank you,” Margot said in her syrupy voice that only Aria knew was her fake one. What was wrong with Margot?

  “I’m good.” Aria swept her dark hair aside. “Clare...is it all right if I visit from time to time? It’s okay if you don’t want me to, but I just thought—”

  “Yes. I’d like that. Here, let me get these glasses out of your way.”

  When Clare placed the glasses and carafe on the serving tray and hauled them back to the kitchen, Aria turned to Margot, giving her a critical eye. “Okay, what gives? Why were you using that sarcastic voice with Clare?” It still felt weird to refer to her as “Mother,” or “Mom.”

  “Aren’t your spidey senses tingling? Don’t you feel something’s off?”

  Aria grunted. She didn’t need Margot’s newfound skepticism to rub off on her. Though Margot’s father, Bruno Jones, hated wizards, her friend had forged her own path and had been a confidante to Aria, loving and accepting her for who she was. So why couldn’t she keep her nose out of what was going on with Clare? Why couldn’t she just be happy for her?

  “Margot,” she lowered her voice, “Why are you so suspicious of her? She has magic embedded around here, like any other wizard protecting their home. Jacob has it, even I have it in my apartment. Maybe that’s what you’re sensing, the magical wards.”

  Margot pouted and said nothing further.

  Aria knew things wouldn’t be perfect, and there might even be bumps along the way, but she also wanted to prove that she was worth keeping around. Though she was a grown woman, she still felt like an anxious little girl afraid that she’d say or do something to scare her mother away.