Chapter. 32

Anger slithered up into her chest and hissed with venom. The Dark ones killed her when they tried to kill Anna. They’ve tried to kill me too by sending that monster after me. I bet they were the ones who trapped and used it when I was a child too. My life has been screwed up because of them. She gripped her fists on the table and glared absently down at her plate. Her long black braid slid over her shoulder and she pressed her lips into a firm line. The dark ones are the real ones to blame for all of this. If they hadn’t attacked 5 years ago, Isabella wouldn’t have sent me away without my memories. I wouldn’t have haunting night terrors every night. I would know my past, and know who I really am. My mother would still be alive, and I would have been raised here. Hopefully with Anna. I would have been happy. Not jaded and bitter like I am now.

“…Diana?” Anna lowered her cell and looked at her sister with alarm. Agnes also looked up and noticed something very odd happening. Something very familiar…on the ceiling. Storm clouds, flashes of lighting, and the start of two eyes started to form in the centre of the apparition right above where Diana sat. “Diana stop!”

“What?” Diana snapped her head up, startled by being suddenly addressed and looked at the pair of them with a brow raised. Above her the ceiling cleared and left Diana none the wiser. “What’s wrong?”

“I could tell you were getting upset over something.” Anna quickly supplied and shot Agnes a look that made it clear that Diana was not to know what nearly happened. “Please don’t worry about anything. Talk to me if you have any questions or concerns.” Diana blinked and then smiled warmly. After being alone for so long…it is kinda nice to have someone who worries about me. She could really tell I was upset? Maybe we are getting to know each other after all.

“I’m alright. I just want to get on with this, you know? I want to give the dark ones what’s coming to them.”

“We all do.” Anna nodded firmly and walked around the table to hug her sister.

“They’ve taken so much from me.” Diana swallowed thickly and tried to brush off the threat of tears prickling at her. “I was thinking about what my life might have been like if they hadn’t…made it so Isabella couldn’t keep me here anymore. I would never have become coven mother, but at least I would have had a family.”

“You have a family.” Agnes stormed over and put her arms around both girls. “I see so much of Isabella in both of you. She’d be very proud to see you working together on this. She loved you both so very much.”

At that Diana did start to cry. Agnes had known her mother nearly all of her life. For her to be so sure of how her mother would feel about Diana being back here really touched Diana.

“Oh now I’m crying too.” Anna sniffled.

“I’m not crying. Your perfume is irritating my eyes.” Diana grumbled and carefully untangled herself from the hug to escape to the far counter. She put the kettle on as an excuse and took what she needed from the distance to gather herself. “I…am glad I’m here.” Anna gasped and pressed a hand to her chest. “I mean I wish my ass wasn’t in danger, obviously, but I’m glad I’m here. I want the truth. I’m prepared to fight to get it.” Diana wiped her eyes once more and then turned to smile at Anna. “…I’m glad to finally have a family again too. I know I’m still missing quite a few marbles but I’m slowly finding them. I’ll get there. Be patient with me and I’ll put the pieces back together.” Anna nodded and sobbed and marched forward with her arms wide. The hug was coming and Diana knew there would be no escaping it. The 16 year old coven mother held onto her tightly and came apart in her arms. Diana held her back and wondered if being alone in authority for the last 2 years had been hard on Anna as well. 14 was no age to lead her own life, never mind to be responsible for the safety of a whole town from magical attack. Who did Anna have to lean on? I can’t imagine Knox being very compassionate. He isn’t even visible to anyone else. Again Diana thought of Lawrence, and the half of the coven Lisa warned her didn’t support her sister’s reign. What good was having a scary Spirit guardian if he couldn’t be seen to intimidate the rest of the coven to know their place? I’m visible. Maybe Elaina is right and once we unlock my past we can awaken my magic too? Then I can be the one to take care of Anna? I can be visible and pissed off on her behalf.

Just like that, Diana started to think about having a future here in Salem. Not fleeing at the first chance she got to hide in Mexico or Alaska. Getting a job. Being part of the coven. Threatening to kick the asses of anyone who doesn’t show her sister respect as the coven mother.

Squeezing the life out of ever single dark one until they’re nothing but dust. Diana pressed her forehead to the golden crown of her sister and held her tightly. Anna lost her mother too. She lost her childhood. She’s had to do this with a brave face with no one to be vulnerable with. “…I’m here Anna.” Diana whispered and stroked her back. “…I’m here and I’m not going anywhere. Ever. Stuck with me now, you hear me? I’m pretty stubborn too, so no take backs.”

Anna cried even harder and fisted at the back of Diana’s shirt.

Knox stood back from the domestic scene with his human arms folded over his buff chest and his long spider arms supporting his body off the ground. He was smiling, and watching as his precious keeper became overwhelmed at getting something back from the world, for once. It had devastated, and still devastated Anna daily, losing her mother. Knox had held her many a night and tried to reassure her she would get stronger and one day stand tall above all others. That she is worthy of the rank of her bloodline, and she is strong enough to succeed.

“Isn’t it lovely?” Knox raised a brow and looked down at the kitchen table where a fluffy blue ball with six paws, two big eyes, long pointed ears with tufts of fur on the end, and two fox tails wagged behind it. Agnes reached down and stroked her spirit guardian’s head, making it purr. “Oh yes that’s nice.”

“Show some pride.” Knox chided it. “You’re a spirit guardian Kiki. Not a pet.”

“What I am is happy. You should try it some time legs. It may very well agree with you.” Kiki inhaled deeply and inflated to float up into the air. With an exhale it landed on Agnes’ shoulder with a purr and nuzzled her ear.

“Hn.” Knox shook his head and returned his many white eyes back to look at Diana. “Well? It looks like she’s an ally after all? I don’t trust her yet, but if she proves to be fiercely loyal, then I will approve of her serving my keeper. As long as she knows her place, of course.”