Chasing Shadows (33 page)

The cloth itself was soft, like silk. It slid through my fingers easily as I carefully unwrapped whatever it had been protecting. Intricate designs and filigree covered the wooden box. In the center of the lid was a design that was oddly familiar: a rose with wings with a crescent moon and the sun on each side. I traced the design and a clasp on the box opened, startling me. Slowly, I opened the lid and gasped. What was inside fascinated me. A thick leather-bound book took up most of the space, but other small objects littered the box.

“I see you found your grandmother’s secret box.” I jumped at the sound of the voice, almost dropping the box on the floor.

“Huh?” I looked up as I asked.

“Your grandmother, my mom, she was like you. She was a witch,” my mom answered with a soft smile. “I always wanted to be like her, you know. But when the time came and I didn’t change, I ran away from the thought of supernatural creatures. Hid them away from my mind, and my mom hid it away from me as well. Until she found out I was pregnant with Zany. She went a little off the deep end, said that one of my children was going to be like her, that one of you would be the greatest thing the supernatural world had ever heard of. I didn’t want to hear it. I shut her out. When she promised to never speak of it again around my family, I agreed to allow her to see you.

“It was only after a year that I found out what she had done. She had snuck up here, it was an office then, and placed that box in here. Somewhere in the floor, and she wouldn’t say where for fear of me throwing it away. She said that when the time came and whoever it was needed it, the floor would open and they would be able to open the box.” She laughed a little and came to sit next to me on the floor. Even though my grandma had been around when I was a child, I had never thought that she was a supernatural. I had never thought that my mom watched her do magic when she was little. I had no idea that my mom even knew about supernaturals until I became one.

“How come you never told me?” I asked her.

“Because it never seemed right, and I was ashamed that I had turned away from my own mother because of what I wasn’t.” My mom looked down at the box and traced a design on the side. “She seemed to know who you were before any of us did. Grandma was always proud of you whenever you did something that amazed us all.” She blinked away tears at the memories of my grandma.

“I can’t believe she knew. Did you know about the stories of me? Who I was going to be?” My mind was still reeling at the fact that she had known.

“She told me a story about a special girl, like you. But when you were born, we had no clue. We didn’t even understand completely when the psychic told us what had happened. And most supernaturals believed it was just a bedtime story, a legend that would never come true.”

“What was the story? How did it go?”

“You really want to know?” she asked with a smile.

I nodded and she sighed.

“All right. Let’s see if I can even still remember.” She chuckled and thought hard about it for a moment. “I think I’ve got it. ‘In a time where the world is in danger from the shadows, when they are ready to burst through the opening, when all hope is almost lost, a child is born. She is born of light and peace; she is the greatest hope anyone in this world could ever have. With no knowledge of the world she truly belongs in, she grows up learning and playing like a mortal, like a human. During a hot summer when she is seventeen, she changes into three supernaturals all combined into one, a unique combination that will save everyone and everything on this planet. When she is eighteen, the world ends. Fire, devastation, and bloodshed consume her home, her world. Yet as broken as she feels, she perseveres through it all and rises to the challenge. As she strikes the shadows down one by one, she heals any she crosses paths with, creating hope and light everywhere she steps. And she will win.’” My mom finished the story and smiled at me. “That’s how grandma told it to me when I was a little girl, anyway. I don’t know if it varies in different families,” she offered up in case some of it was told differently.

“Wow. So it has been told that I am going to win?” I felt a little bit of pressure from the ending of the story.

“That’s what it says. But I can say that even if it is just to make a happy ending for a nice bedtime story, I still believe you can and will win.” She smiled proudly at me and got up to walk away.

“Hey, Mom?” I called before she left.

“Yes, Auby?”

“Thank you. And I love you.” I smiled at her.

“Anytime, and I love you too.” With that, she left and headed down the stairs.

I turned back to the box filled with secrets of past witches in my family. So much history of where I came from lay in a box that had been hidden my whole life, placed in waiting for me or my siblings. Officially distracted by what was in the box, I picked it up and took it to my bed. Careful not to damage the delicate items, I lifted everything out and splayed it across the covers. The last thing I took out was the grimoire itself. It was surprisingly heavy and felt powerful. Something somewhere inside of me clicked when I held it close, connecting me to those years of hidden magic, centuries of spells and abilities that no one knew of. Visions of the past and future filled my mind: witches being burned before they could hide; spells of healing, love, restoration, and even discovery of people and things; potions made in secret, candles used for many different rituals, stones and crystals placed for protection—all of it flooded my vision. Once it was over, I looked down at the book with a newfound respect for everyone who had used it, written in it, and passed it down safely.

A soft knock on the doorframe startled me out of my thoughts, and I looked up immediately. Sebastian stared at me in shock. At first I wasn’t sure where the shock came from, until I realized I was sitting in the middle of a magical storm. I smiled softly and began placing everything back inside the box. I wrapped it back up after I closed the lid and placed it in an empty box. “Sorry, I found my grandmother’s grimoire. I got distracted and started looking through it,” I apologized quickly.

“You don’t have to apologize. I’ve just never seen one. I know Clamora kept one, but she always kept it hidden and never talked about it. If you’re ready, let’s finish packing this stuff up and we can head home.” He smiled brightly at me and went to finish throwing books into boxes.

“Maybe we should search for her grimoire. Then we can bring it to her or keep it safe until we can get her into a safer place,” I offered up while I tossed the rest of my clothes and shoes into plastic bags.

“I guess we could. But I would think she would have it with her.” Sebastian sounded a bit hesitant.

“I don’t think she would, Sebastian. Think about it: Between getting attacked by the u da yv la dv and getting moved from the hospital to the hotel, when would she have had the time to safely get it? And besides, I want to use her spell on our home, as well as on the grounds of the warehouse so nothing like that ever happens again,” I explained to him.

“All right, we can do that tomorrow after school.”

We finished packing in silence, with the occasional question about tape or Sharpies. After two hours, we headed out with Sebastian’s car filled to the brim with boxes and garbage bags. When we were finally at home, I headed upstairs with my magical box and started thinking about hiding it. I knew that it needed to be kept in a secret spot. As I paced the room, I thought about where to hide it. Not in a safe or a hidden compartment in a wall, somewhere only I could open. If only I could hide it the way my grandma had done. Then it hit me: I had her grimoire where she recorded her spells. I quickly pulled it out of the box and opened the book. Papers fell out as I hurriedly searched through it for the spell when I noticed a photograph on the floor. I forgot about searching and picked everything up.

There were letters, notes, and photos. I shuffled through each until I came across a letter addressed to me. It was scribed in my grandmother’s intricate cursive. I smiled as a tear fell on my cheek at all the happy thoughts and memories of her. With shaking hands, I opened it and read it, her voice speaking every word in my head.

My dearest Aubrie,

You, my sweetheart, have grown up beautifully. I am probably dead if you are reading this and wondering what exactly it is that you are looking at. This box contains many secrets and spells from many incredible witches that are from our bloodline. There are many people who would kill to have our secrets. Keep them safe. Keep them close to you and memorize special spells that you may need in a moment’s notice. Don’t be afraid of what you have in your hands. It is a great power and responsibility that I know you will keep dear care of.

I need you to know a few things. First, you cannot blame your mother for not knowing who you were going to be. And do not blame her for turning away from me and the world in which you belong; after all, I don’t. She wanted so badly to be like us, to be a magical person who could take the pain away from everyone. When you were born with that dear sweet soul of your sister’s, I tried to tell your mother who you were, but she wouldn’t hear it. I already knew that one of her children would be the one, so I hid the box away with the purpose of keeping it safe for you. Anyway, I need you to understand something: This life of yours is precious, and it is beautiful.

I watched you grow into a fantastic and caring young woman; you have a strong soul that will change the lives of all—that will change the world. I’m so proud that I got the chance to watch you grow, to watch your first moments. You have always been in my heart and you always will be. You made an old woman’s heart beat proudly and stronger than it ever did before.

As I said previously, there are things you need to know. The next thing is that nothing is as it seems. Nothing is black and white; there are many different shades of gray in between. Each group of supernatural has heard of you and is suspicious that you are not real. After all, you are a myth in our world, which is silly because in the human world we are myths. Anyway, there are still some who believe in each group. Find them, and they can help you form allies in every group. You need these. Some of these allies will be your greatest help. Another thing: The shadows are terrible beings, in case you don’t already know. They will destroy each and every person who wants to help you, as well as those you care about. Keep them just as safe as you keep the box and grimoire.

Tell your mother that she will be one of your greatest helpers. She knows more about our world than you do at this time. Although my sweet daughter probably does not want to remember, she knows many things that I taught her when she was a young girl. She has to dig deep, but those memories are there.

I love you, my sweet angel. You have a great duty ahead of you, and I know you will do more than anyone else out there. You’re a hero but you don’t know it quite yet. Be good, be brave, be strong. And remember, even though I may not be there anymore, you will ALWAYS have our memories and these words, plus many more that are hidden in this box.

Oh! And before I forget, there is a secret compartment in the bottom of the box. Just run your fingers along the seams of the box, and you’ll find the way to open it.

Always your dearest,

Grandma

Tears streaked my cheeks as I finished the letter. My grandma had left me a few instructions, but she had also given me words of encouragement and love. I missed her so much. She was one of the greatest women in my life. I clutched the letter to my chest, curled up on our bed, and let my sobs shake me to the core. Her words let me feel feelings that I hadn’t felt in years. They left me afraid, proud, and so sad. Every emotion that wracked my body in that moment felt earth shattering.

I don’t know how long I had lain there, sobbing. While I was crying, Sebastian had come in and cradled me close. He never once asked why or what had happened, he just let me cry all over his chest. When I was able to stop the tears, I sat up and wiped my eyes. I could feel my hair sticking up and my cheeks drying where tears had fallen. It took me a moment to realize that the letter was no longer in my hands. Panic rose in my chest as I searched anxiously for the words from my grandma. Sebastian handed me the now crinkled paper and smiled softly at me.

“I thought I would put it on the nightstand before you tore it to pieces in your grip,” he explained.

“Oh, okay. Thank you,” I said. “It’s a letter from my grandma. Her last words—officially, anyway.”

“I’m sorry, love.” Sebastian reached out and rubbed my shoulder.

“It’s okay. She was a really awesome woman. She watched me and Zany a lot when we were younger. My grandma was just wonderful. She always cared and knew just what to say when you were in a rough spot. I love her, and I miss her a lot.” I stared at the box on the floor. “She left me some instructions in there. To help us win against the u da yv la dv.”

“I can imagine she was a great woman, especially if she affected your life this much.” His eyes looked sad. “What were her instructions?”