Chapter. 31
Last night was a wonderful reprieve for everyone sleeping in the Couper house hold. Anna asked sheepishly if she could put a silencing spell on Diana’s room, of which the elder Couper was to give her consent. It was bad enough that her sleep was tormented, without Anna getting little rest as well. She was in the nightmare, so didn’t have to be shaken awake with the deathly cries of agony until 3am. Poor Anna hadn’t slept well since her sister’s arrival because of her supernatural night terrors.
Because of the silencing spell Anna got a full and peaceful night’s sleep. Diana didn’t get the perfect night, as the hex continued to pry at her mind against the iron clad seal placed there. Though, it was still a pleasant change considering the last week to dream only of her mother. Isabella combing her hair. Showing her how to care for an alter and the correct use of an Athame. The maintenance of a witch’s store room, and even how to prepare some basic remedies. One particular thing her mother said stood out amongst the rest.
“I’ve never been much of a healer I’m afraid, so knowing how to make restorative salves and elixirs has been vital. None of the Couper line have been gifted with healing. We’re usually the ones responsible for someone else needing to be healed, being fire starters.” Her mother had giggled and then opened both palms before the young Diana. Both hands erupted with flames and her hazel eyes glowed molten gold through her grin. “Our powers are very potent. We have a stronger connection to the nexus through our blood than any other family in the coven.” Isabella clenched her fists to extinguish the flames. She shook her hands as they steamed and chuckled at her awestruck daughter. “You must make sure to only use the gift the Nexus has given us to protect Salem and all whom reside within. Never take your powers for granted, and never take anyone else for granted either. We have this power to serve the coven as coven mother, not to rule over it.”
Diana was becoming more and more impressed with her mother with every precious memory she recovered. It also left a bitter sweet taste in her mouth as she mulled over it the following morning. She sat in the kitchen with a cup of tea (Agnes refused to serve her coffee) and her bacon and eggs on toast. Anna and Agnes were buzzing around the kitchen as they spoke aloud of the arrangements for Diana’s Astral walk later today. Which members of the coven were very loyal and therefore to be invited to join the ritual. The best way to arrange them in the circle to magnify their energies. Even taking gossip and relationship issues into account for their seating plan. It almost sounded like a business meeting. Anna even had a white board she drew her plans onto, rubbed parts out as she got an idea, amended it, and offered it up for Knox and Agnes to give their input.
Diana wasn’t involved in the discussion, and she was fine with that. I have nothing to add anyway. I don’t know anything about magical amplification of energies blah blah blah. Instead she sipped her coffee and thought of Isabella.
For 13 years of her life her mother had raised and loved her. From the memories she recovered so far, Isabella honestly intended for Diana to succeed her. She truly believed that when she turned 13 she would get a spirit guardian and become the Couper heir they were all waiting for. Powerful and noble to fill Isabella’s shoes one day. What they got was a magicless human who was such an easy target, Ma had to wipe my memories and send me packing before the dark ones could kill me.
She put her coffee cup down and chomped through a slice of toast. Diana watched as Anna coordinated her efforts over the phone with Elaina to rally the troops. Anna is a great Coven Mother. She’s so organised and powerful. She barely touched my neck and my voice came right back. I would never have been chosen over her. Even if mother didn’t send me away, I would have been passed over for her. Honestly, there was a resentful part of Diana that still longed to be a real witch and live up to her mother’s plans for her. But that had been to make her mother proud…doesn’t really matter anymore now she’s dead.