Your mother took a deep breath to prepare herself. "Remain calm, Natalie." she told herself. "John has a lot of his father in him and with that power, he could be a handful if he blows his stack."
She took another deep breath then calmly walked into the room, although that was not how she felt.
"John." she said, startling you. "Can we talk?"
You look at your mother for a moment, wondering how much she had seen. "Remain calm, John." he thought to himself. "If this is mom's book, she could be a handful if she blows her stack."
You took a deep breath of your own then calmly rose to your feet, although your heart was in your throat.
"Sure, mom." you said, trying to sound neutral. "What's up?"
Your mother sighed. "Please, John, let's not play games."
You gave a sigh of your own. "Then this book is yours." you said.
Your mother nodded. "Yes, John." she said. "I am a witch. So is Hayley. Mel and Hannah will be as well, once the time is right." she took a step closer. "I'm sorry, but only girls can work magic."
"Then Hayley's absence was for training?"
Again, your mother nodded. "I take it your Uncle Jack gave you his book?"
You nodded. "I have been studying and practicing it through recorded lessons, left by uncle Jack in a secret room." you paused. "I was told to keep it a secret."
"I won't pretend that I am not disappointed in you for telling me earlier."
"I won't pretend that I am not disappointed in you for keeping your secret from me." you countered.
Your mother's face hardened, as did your own. Only you were the one to break the ice.
"It was uncle Jack's dying wish that I study chaotic science and keep it a secret until my thirteenth birthday." you said. "I was not going to deny him that."
Your mother nodded in understanding, her face softening. "You have a lot of your father in you." she said. "You will never break your word." she sighed. "I can't punish you for that. However, I am very concerned about your power."
Your face softened as well. "I understand."
"Unfortunately, John, no, you don't." said your mother, now looking sad. "I am certain that your studies have made you very powerful. However, other witches may mistake your power for something else and come after you, or worse, someone will see your talent and try to corrupt you."
You tilted your head to one side, confused, but intrigued. "Please explain." you said.
"We witches have an ancient enemy." explained your mother. her voice dropped to a whisper. "Vampires."
You raised a single eyebrow. Before, you would have laughed as you believed vampires were nothing more than a ridiculous legend. But then, you thought the same of true magic. You searched your memory about the mythical creatures and remembered that only male vampires had magic power. Only this power was demonic, evil.
"You are telling me that, if other witches see my power, they may mistake me for a vampire." you said, confirming your mother's statement. "Or, as you said, worse, a vampire may see my potential and try to 'turn' me."
"Yes, John." replied your mother. "Your uncle Jack had to go to trial before the witch's council to prove to the witch world that he was not a vampire or a threat. I do not want you to have to go through that nightmare as well."
"I do not have any of the physical or mental characteristics of a vampire." you told your mother. "I watch the sun rise and set everyday, I have a beautiful tan." you paused. "I also love garlic."
"You do not have to prove yourself to me, son." said your mother. "It's the witch council. If you think I am strict..."
You sighed. "I was not going to tell you this until my birthday but since the secret is out..." you paused. "In his lessons, uncle Jack told me that he gave me his book with the permission of the council. I think I now know who that 'council' was."
Your mother's eyes widened in both annoyance and surprise. As your mother, she felt betrayed by the council as they failed to inform her of their decision to allow Jack to give you his book. Still, she could not punish you for the actions of another or for honoring her brother's last request.
"As anyone approached you to check up on your progress?" she asked.
You were reluctant. "I was told not to say until my birthday..."
"John, PLEASE!" said your mother, exasperated. "I am your MOTHER! I have the right to know who and what you are getting yourself involved with!"
She took a breath to calm herself. She was tempted to use her magic on you to persuade you into talking but if the witch council was indeed helping you to train, it would be very difficult and would only make you shut her out completely and she could not bear that.
"I understand you honoring a man's last request." she said, trying to be reasonable. "But you have me very scared for you right now. I need something to assure me that you are safe and in good hands."
You swallowed hard. "My... My science teacher, Miss Khan." you said. "Jack, in his recordings told me that she was not on the 'council' but was appointed by them to receive my progress reports."
Your mother turned slightly red. Miss Luella Kahn was a childhood rival of hers, she used to pick on Hank horribly, merely because he was her boyfriend. Hank Harrison was a unique boy, he was immune to magic. Nothing she or her sister or Luella did, magic wise, had any effect on him, unless he wanted it. She guessed that was why Luella hated him so much back then.
She eventually married him and they had four beautiful children together. Only, she often worried about you as you would never know the power of magic, as a boy. She had hoped that you would inherit your father's immunity only, instead, you had inherited his great talent and love for science. Unfortunately, Harry was not immune to vampires. Unknown to you, your father was killed by one, fighting off an attack on Hayley as she was destined to inherit her position as the Head Witch. She had removed all memory of the attack from Hayley's mind but she still remembered and, if you ever knew, you would go after it.
Seeing your mother's reaction you bowed your head slightly. "Now I'm glad I didn't wait until my birthday."
Your mother turned to you and forced a smile. "I'm sure you thought you were doing the right thing, John." she said. "But from now on, I am ordering you to bring your progress reports to ME ALONE. Is that clear?"
You nodded. "Very clear." you told her. "I will bring all further progress reports to you alone."
You sighed and your mother gave you a quick hug. "I am happy that you have a power, similar to your sisters." she said. "But I would be happier if I am involved in that power's development. Do you understand?"
"I understand." you said. "I can show you my laboratory, if you like. But only you, chaotic science is not a toy."
Your mother forced another smile. She was furious, but not at you and she had to get you to leave so she could vent it on those who deserved it.
"We will not talk of this again until your birthday." she told you. "Until then, keep your powers a secret, as you have been but only bring your progress reports to me. I will take care of the rest."
You reluctantly nodded then took your book and vanished from the room to the safety of your laboratory. When you were gone, your mother let out an angry, "OHHHHH!" then angrily picked up the telephone. She dared not call her sister as she would have insisted upon helping. Not that she did not want her help, it was just she had a tendency to 'take over' the situation.
Who did she call?
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