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The witches are wearing long black robes, each one of them carrying a leather canvas bag. Raúl welcomes them to the castle, and they bow in return. He tells them of the situation with Airalin and how the battle with the rebels went. The witches promise to stay at the castle until they are no longer needed. Their only request is that they share a room in the tallest tower.
They also promise to sit with me when they are finished settling in, and for the first time since the ritual, I feel a glimmer of hope.
I head to the throne room, where we will meet. I walk up the stairs and face the two golden chairs, staring at them. Since I’ve been here, I haven’t taken the time to really study the thrones. The one for the king is taller than the queen’s chair and has a more masculine crown. The queen chair has a more delicate crown carved into it. I trace it with my finger. Could I be strong enough to take the crown? I think to myself.
I drop my hand and turn around, sitting on the steps to wait. It doesn’t take long for the witches to settle in, because soon they are walking toward me. One of the witches reaches up and snaps her fingers, shutting the doors in an instant.
“Child. Let us examine you.”
Unafraid, I stand up and meet them at the bottom of the steps. The witches surround me, holding hands, and I stay in the middle, unsure what to do. All three wear the same black robes. They each have the same green eyes and dark hair. The only way to tell them apart is their hair styles. The one with her hair unbound smiles gently at me. “Hold still.”
I stop twitching, willing my muscles to relax. The one with two braids smiles next. “Tell us what is wrong.”
“I can’t find my magic. And the ritual didn’t work to turn me into a vampire.” My shoulders slump as the words come out, the awful truth emerging.
The witches close their eyes and begin chanting in low monotone voices. Goosebumps travel up my arms, and I swear I hear someone whispering my name. I can’t tell who it is; the witches are only saying the chant.
Finally, they let go of each other, and the one with her hair elaborately piled on top of her head takes my hand. She leads me to the stairs and sits me down again, then picks up my long braids, examining them. “I see, I see.” She drops the braid at my feet and sits on one side of me, the other two women sitting at my feet.
“Penny, your magic is still inside. Much of it resides in your hair, but we see the reserve inside you.” She and her sisters eye each other, nodding as one. “Fear is the key.”
“What do you mean? I’m not afraid anymore, since I’ve come here.”
The one with unbound hair raises an eyebrow. “Are you sure, Penny? Look deep inside and tell yourself the truth.”
I close my eyes, reaching deep down. There is something there. But I can’t. I shake my head and shiver, unwilling to face it.
“Until you can overcome fear, you will be as you are.”
Gripping my dress in my fist, I nod. The witches stand up, each one of them touching me in the middle of my forehead. They move as one, leaving the throne room. I grit my teeth. Haven’t I faced enough fears already? Haven’t I done enough yet? I’ve escaped Airalin’s tower. I faced the memories of my childhood. Why must I do more?
I drop my head into my hands and hold in my scream. When I have calmed down, I stand up. Maybe Carmen will have answers.
Chapter Seventy-Five
Gathering the last of my courage, I knock on Carmen’s door. Beth answers like usual, and ushers me in. Carmen is sitting on her sofa, looking completely relaxed. She smiles at me happily. “Penny, what a pleasant surprise. Please, join us for tea.”
I sit down across from Carmen, and Beth hands me a tiny plate with a cup full of tea.
“What brings you here?” asks Carmen.
I take a sip of my minty tea, then place it on the saucer in front of me. “I’ve met with the witches.”
Carmen nods, but says nothing. I continue, telling her what they said about my magic and the ritual. I also tell her everything that happened during the ritual. She folds her hands in her lap, listening intently.
“I don’t know what to do.”
“Simple,” she says. “Face your fears. What are they?”
My breathing quickens, and I grip my dress, shoulders shaking. “No. I can’t do that.”
She stares at me, sympathy on her face. “Then you will have to accept being powerless and human for the rest of your life.”
I open my mouth, then close it, nodding. Carmen frowns and reaches forward, patting my hand. “Have you tried visiting your real mother again?”
“No. Do you think it would help?”
“Even if you don’t talk to her, perhaps seeing her would. You never know.”
