Page 12 of White Charms and Dark Secrets

“Somewhere only you would find them, I’m sure.” She gives me this look, like the answer should be obvious.

“But Ihaven’tfound them.” I gesture around at the kitchen. No ancestor’s grimoires around here.

“Have you been looking?” she questions me in an almost scolding tone. Like I’m a child that hasn’t done their homework.

“Well, I explored around a little when I first got here, but I gave up when they weren’t anywhere I could see or think to look. Grams never told me any of her hiding spots. Although, I did find where she hid areallyold bottle of whiskey.” I give her a serious look. “Don’t tell anyone, but it’s beneath a loose floorboard under the bed. I put it back there, for now.”

“Your secret is safe with me.” She chuckles again, the corners of her eyes wrinkling up even more than usual. “Look for hiding places. If you wanted to hide a box filled with powerful spell books, where would you hide them?” she asks.

“Somewhere my descendant could actually find them without looking around the house a million times like a headless chicken.” I shrug. The kettle clicks. “Now for the important question, are you having one sugar today or two?” I ask, smiling as I grab a large-sized mug.

“This bitter old lady could use all the sweetness she can get,” she quips, making me laugh.

“Three sugars it is then,” I reply, popping the tea bag and three sugars into the mug. I pour in the hot water, letting it brew as I walk over to the fridge to grab the milk. I frown at my fridge. I swear I had more food in here. I pick up the milk and walk back over to the brewing tea. “Just a dash, right?” I check. I swear she changes how she takes her tea every time I see her, just so I’d forever get it wrong.

“That would be perfect,” she answers. “Have you considered trying to get your necklace back from the demon?”

I pause for a second, before putting the milk back down on the kitchen side. Her question takes me by surprise. She knows that Solas already sold the necklace, that’s the whole reason I got stuck with the demonic kitty.

“I don’t really think it’s a viable option,” I say, shrugging my shoulders.

“I wouldn’t be so sure, dear. Solas has been hanging around members of your family line for years. While you should always be careful around demons, and don’t you dare take this as me telling you summoning demons is okay, but in this instance, he may be your best bet at finding a solution.”

“What do you mean he’s been hanging around my family for years?” I question.

“Well, when I was just a little girl, your grandmother and I spied onhergrandmother while she practiced magic. We were about twelve at the time, and so curious about all things magic. Waiting for our full powers to come in was driving us crazy.” She smiles fondly, and I can’t help but smile with her as she remembers. “Well, this particular time, I remember we ended up hiding in a closet of all places. We barely kept our composure as we watched your great-great grandmother summon a demon.”

“You both saw her summon Solas when you were only twelve?” I ask in disbelief, my eyes growing wide. They were braver twelve-year olds than I ever was.

“Yes, and your grandma once told me after she’d inherited the family grimoires, that it looks as if quite a few generations of your family have summoned him.”

“That’s crazy,” I comment.

“What’s crazier still is Solas has never killed a single member of your family, despite the fact there were many instances of him being outside of a circle. Your grandmother never bothered with one when she called him after the first few times. That’s unheard of,” Silvia says seriously.

“Why do you think that is?” I continue to quiz her. I’ve never once heard of a demon taking a liking to a family. It’s a little absurd, and if anyone else were telling me this, I’d call them a liar.

“I’m not sure, dear. I’ve got a few theories, but that’s all they are. He could have made a deal with a very far back ancestor not to harm any descendants, or he could just be interested in you for the powerful line of magic that runs through your family. It could even be the curse you have that intrigues him, for all we know.”

“Interesting. He doesn’t seem too helpful, though. And I’m sure he’s still salty about me turning him into a cat.”He’d threatened to kill me a hundred or so times over that little mishap as well.

“It’s just something to consider. Even if he can’t get the necklace, he is a very old and powerful demon. He may have another option for curing your bad luck,” she says.

“I’ll think about it,” I reply, as I put her mug down in front of her.

“That’s all I am asking you to do,” she responds with a smile, as she pulls the mug closer to herself. “Now tell me, dear. Do you have a boyfriend? I must live my younger days through someone.”

“Oh no. Trust me, Aunt S, you don't want to hear about my love life,” I groan.

“I want to heareverything.”

I bite my lip.She’ll totally regret saying that by the time I’m done explaining the mess I’ve gotten myself into.

Seven

An Offer I Wish I Could Refuse

He’s already sitting at my favourite table in the far corner of the coffee shop when I arrive. I’ve never come here with him, so I have no idea how he knew which one to pick, and yet, he managed to choose it. This is my favourite place to grab coffee, it’s supernaturals only, so we can relax in here without worrying about humans listening to what we’re saying. They can’t even see the door to get in.

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