Page 11 of White Charms and Dark Secrets

“Oh?” I echo in confusion, looking back up at him. I realise his assumption from his forlorn expression and sigh. “Nothing like that, Darren. My Aunt Silvia is coming over, and she’s not a fan of strangers.”

“How long is she going to be here?” he asks, the unhappy expression sliding from his face as fast as it appeared.

“A few hours tops, why?” I shift a little in the doorway, trying to hide behind it as I notice some random person staring my way as they walk past the house. “Could you hurry this along? It’s freezing, and I want to get dressed.” With gawking strangers and freezing temperatures with wet hair, wearing nothing but a towel, my irritability is rising quickly.

“Shit, sorry,” he stammers, rushing to the point. “Meet me for coffee this afternoon? I really think we should talk.”

“If I say yes, will you go away already so that I can get dressed?” I demand.

“Of course,” he answers breezily, not taking the slightest offence to my words, as I knew he wouldn’t.

“Text me the details, I’ll see you in a bit.” I shut the door before he can start talking again. He just had to be chatty when I have nothing but a towel on. I roll my eyes as I turn and head for the stairs.

I run up the stairs and hurry into my bedroom. After pulling on underwear, dark grey jeans, and a floaty black top, I give myself a quick glance in the mirror and shrug. Good enough.

I frown when I spot what looks like a little black fur on the bottom end of my bed. I inspect it closer. Definitely fur, which is weird, considering Solas never came in this room. Even if he did, my sheets have been washed since he was last here.

Still frowning, I go to shut my wardrobe and inspect the clothes held within before I do. Ninety-five percent of my wardrobe is filled with blacks, greys, and whites.At least all my clothes go well together.I slam the wardrobe shut just as the doorbell rings once again.

As I jog back down the stairs, I tie my hair up into a messy bun, just finishing twisting the hair tie over for the final time as I get to the door. The doorbell rings again. Aunt Silvia isn’t patient, despite her own tendency for lateness.

The smell of lavender hits me as soon as I open the door. I breathe in the scent and feel that same blend of happy and sad I always do when I smell that damn perfume.

“Took your time opening the door, dear,” Silvia chides instead of greeting me. I smile.

“I wanted to see how long I could keep you waiting for a change,” I reply, reaching out to give her a hug. She squeezes me back tightly, a firmer grip than a witch her age should have.

“It’s so good to see you, Kayla. How have you been?” she asks, as she pulls back. I step aside and gesture for her to come in and get out of the cold. Grey skies loom overhead, and I’d place money on it raining any minute now.

“I’m okay. A little tired, though. How have you been?” I shut the door, blocking out the cold, and then lead her into the living room.

“I’m the same as always, dear,” she says, and I give her a quizzical look. “Old and falling apart,” she clarifies, beaming at me. Her smile fades as her eyes land on my neck. “What on earth happened to you?”

I swallow. I really don’t want to talk about this right now. “It’s nothing,” I say, brushing her off. “Would you like some tea?”

She looks at me a little dubiously, but lets the matter drop. “I’d love some.”

I nod and hustle out of the living room and into the kitchen. I top up the water in the kettle and set it to boil. I take a few deep breaths, tapping my fingers on the kitchen counter.

“Are you okay, dear?” Silvia asks from behind me, making me jump.

“I didn’t realise you’d followed me in here,” I gasp, spinning around to face her. I lean my back against the counter and fold my arms.

“I wanted to make sure you made my tea right!” She chuckles and takes a seat at the breakfast bar. I try not panic as I see her wobble a little climbing up on the high stool.

“I’ve been making you cups of tea since I was thirteen, Aunt Silvia,” I respond, trying not to roll my eyes.

“And yet, you still manage to get it wrong,” she retorts. “Now, ask me whatever it is that’s burning a hole in your mind right now.”

“Do you know all of the spells my grandma tried to get rid of the curse? I just don’t want to waste my time going over stuff that’s already been tried.” I smile. Silvia always knows when something’s bugging me.

“Well, I wouldn’t know them all by heart, but I know she kept a record somewhere. I’m sure she kept it all in a book kept with the other grimoires of your ancestors.”

“I’ve been living here for ages, and I still haven’t found those,” I comment. “I found hers the day I moved in, but I swear the others must be really well hidden.”

“Well, with the amount of powerful magic in your family, are you truly surprised that she hid them away?” Silvia questions with an arched brow. Her glasses are actually on her face for once, rather than hanging from that beaded chain around her neck, and her intelligent eyes watch me with keen awareness.

“Any ideas where she’d hide them?” I ask.

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