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196 Ava: History of Witches

196 Ava: History of Witches

She is a good person, Selene whispers.

No shit.

I know that already.

Mrs. Elkins is the one who took me in when I was lost and

desperate to start anew.

But Mrs. Elkins is also here, knowing something about the necklace that helped hide my powers.

How much did she know about me? How much did she hide?

My stomach churns with the bitter feelings of betrayal. “You knew about me all along, didn’t you?”

“No.” Mrs. Elkins stops walking, concern crossing her face. “I knew you were a shifter, of course. I’ve seen more than one rogue in my life, looking for a new start. You were so lost, so scared. I had to help you.”

“Why?” There’s a part of my mind that immediately throws in unlikely scenarios, like Mrs. Elkins laughing behind my back over my naivete and ignorance.

But I know Mrs. Elkins.

That’s not the kind of person she is.

So I shove it down, squashing it beneath a mental heel with ruthless efficiency.

It’s my paranoia trying to take over again. Just like it did every time

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196 Ava: History of Witches

Lucas tried to give me any bit of attention or care.

He proved himself with time. I need to give Mrs. Elkins the same

chance.

“It’s a bit of a story, if you want to hear it.”

Of course I do. “Let’s sit down,” I offer, motioning toward the

bench.

My security detail lets her through with no grumbling, though their eyes never leave her. It’s somewhat amusing to see them so on edge over an elderly lady who spends her day in a bookstore, gossiping with Cedarwood residents and doling out wise advice.

But I guess it’s a good thing that they take any threat so seriously.

Mrs. Elkins sighs, easing herself onto the bench beside me with a soft groan. She places her parcel next to her and gives me a wry smile. “I’m getting too old for this kind of travel, dear.”

I try to smile back, but it feels strained. My mind is a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and emotions. I want to trust Mrs. Elkins, to believe in the genuine care she’s always shown me, but the doubts linger like shadows at the edges of my mind.

Listen to her, Ava, Selene urges gently. She means well.

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to focus on the present moment. Mrs. Elkins studies me for a long moment before speaking again.

“Ava, how much do you know about witches?”

The question catches me off guard. “Witches? They’re not real.” The words tumble out automatically, a knee–jerk response. But

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196 Ava: History of Witches

even as I say it, there’s no belief behind it.

Mrs. Elkins watches me with that calm gaze of hers. “Are you sure

about that?”

I shake my head.

Honestly, until recently I’d never seen a vampire and hadn’t really known about them. So how am I supposed to know what’s real and

what isn’t?

Mrs. Elkins looks surprised, then pleased. “Well, it’s no surprise you think they aren’t real. The packs don’t talk about them. It’s a touchy subject in history.”

“Are witches and magicians different?” I ask, curiosity piqued despite my reservations.

She shakes her head. “Magicians? They’re the same. But the history

of witches is shameful on all sides.”

A few soft growls rumble from the older guards, their disapproval clear. Mrs. Elkins fixes them with a stern look. “Now, now. Let’s not pass judgment before we’ve even heard the whole story.“”

She turns back to me, her expression softening.

“You see, Ava, witches once lived in harmony among humans. Their abilities were hidden, and they didn’t cause any trouble. But as- time went on, many witches were threatened by the power of wolves, vampires, and the Fae. It caused a lot of political strife

between them.”

I lean forward, drawn in despite myself. “What happened?”

“They were hunted down,” Mrs. Elkins says quietly. “By humans and

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manel you, but it left

sk froudited by thejenfocations. *if they weren’t

Most of them were innocent.” Mrs. Elkins agrees. “ha there were those who did terrible things. In the end, the innocence of most didn’t change the genocide wrought upon their kind. People feared their power, and fear can make even good people do terrible

things.*

One of the guards growls low in his throat. “Witches wanted to eradicate everyone who could stand against them. They are not victims here.

There are a lot of questions in my head, but I try to focus on the most important for the moment. I also don’t feel like mediating historical wars between my guards and a little old lady. “Why do some people call them magicians, then? Is there a difference?”

Mrs. Elkins considers the question for a moment. “The only magicians I know of were witches who worked closely with shifters. But they were hunted down just the same as the others, in

the end.*

Is that true? I ask Selene silently, seeking confirmation.

I’m not sure, she admits. I only know what I learned as a pup–that witches were evil and magicians worked for good. But it seems everyone has a different version of the past.

I nod slowly, my mind reeling. Even Sister Miriam seems to have her own take on what happened so long ago.

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196 Ava: History of Witches

“Because witches were hunted, magic died out. Only the Fae have magic now.”

My spine snaps straight. “The Fae have magic?”

Her old eyes blink in owlish surprise. “Well, yes. They are, after all, the Fae.”

If the Fae have magic, then maybe…

“Here.” The parcel she’d been carrying is deposited into my lap by her old hands. It’s heavier than I thought it was. “This has been passed down in our family for generations. It should be a book about magic, but we long ago lost the ability to unlock its secrets. Perhaps this should help you in your journey.”

A magic book?

“Why did you bring this to me?”

Mrs. Elkins stares at me with both brows raised high. “Aren’t you a witchling, Ava?”

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