Secrets in her blood

Madeline cradled her newborn daughter tightly against her chest, her arms trembling from the strain of labor that had only just ended minutes ago. Her breaths were still shallow, her body weak, but the fierce instinct to protect surged through her like fire.

Without warning, the heavy wooden door creaked open, and Elder Tina strode into the room with a chilling urgency. Before Madeline could react, the elder reached out and took the baby from her arms.

"Elder Tina, what are you doing?" Madeline cried out, trying to rise despite the pain in her limbs. Her voice was desperate, cracking with fear.

Elder Sonia stepped forward, her expression solemn. "Your child cannot grow amongst us. I'm sorry, Madeline."

Madeline stared at her, heart pounding. "What do you mean?"

"We've made a decision," Elder Sonia continued, her tone steady but heavy. "Someone must carry on our legacy. Your child is the youngest among us and she carries the gift. If we all stay here, we'll perish. You, the baby, every single witch. Yes, we're powerful, but we are too few. One of us must survive... must continue the line."

Elder Tina added, "Leah wasn't blessed with the gift, so we've chosen her to leave this place. To carry on our story. But for that to happen, we must bind your daughter's powers."

Madeline's eyes darted between the elders, each one she'd known for years, faces she trusted yet now they looked like strangers. She knew how much the world hated them for what they were. Witches. Blessed. Feared. Hunted. And it was true there were fewer of them every year.

She didn't want her daughter to die before she even had a chance to live.

"Please... can I have one last moment with her?" Madeline asked, her voice soft and broken.

Elder Tina looked to the others, who silently nodded. With care, she stepped forward and gently handed the baby back into Madeline's arms.

Madeline held her daughter close, tears slipping down her cheeks as she kissed the child's soft forehead. "Her name is Aurelia," she said to Leah voice thick with love and sorrow.

She kissed her again, then slowly, painfully, handed her back to Elder Tina this time, to bind the magic that had marked her from birth.

Elder Tina carried baby Aurelia to the center of a ritual circle outlined with red candles, their flames flickering gently in the dimly lit chamber. The air inside was thick with tension and sorrow. The elders stood in silence, their faces grim, their hearts heavy with what had to be done.

With great care, Tina placed Aurelia in the heart of the circle. The baby cooed softly, unaware of the weight her tiny presence carried. Elder Tina raised her hands and began to chant, her voice low and reverent.

"Oh Madre Naturaleza... at el poder de este joven... al que has bendecido," she intoned, repeating the sacred phrase three times.

As the final words left her lips, a sudden gust of wind howled through the room, fierce and unrelenting. The flames of the red candles danced violently before all of them were extinguished at once, leaving the room in momentary darkness and silence.

The ritual was complete.

Tina stepped into the circle, lifting Aurelia gently from its center. She turned to Leah, her eyes serious but filled with a quiet sorrow.

"The stronger her powers grow, the more the spell that binds them will weaken," Elder Tina warned. "You must protect her, raise her well and when the time is right, let her know she had a wonderful, strong mother."

She placed the swaddled baby into Leah's arms, who received her with a trembling but determined grip. Behind them, Madeline watched, silent and broken, as tears streamed freely down her cheeks. Her arms ached for her daughter, her heart even more so.

Elder Sonia moved to her side and laid a gentle hand on her shoulder, grounding her as they watched Leah walk away with the child. Outside, a car waited its engine running, ready to spirit them away from danger and toward a life of secrecy and hope.

As the car disappeared into the night, Elder Tina turned back to the others. Her voice rang with grim resolve.

"Now, we fight to our last breath for our home."

Not long after Leah had disappeared into the night with baby Aurelia, the remaining witches found themselves surrounded.

The humans had come angry, relentless, and armed with fire and hatred in their hearts.

A chorus of spells echoed into the air as the witches stood their ground, casting protective shields and defensive charms with every ounce of strength they had left. Sparks flared and energy rippled around them, but it was clear they were few, and the enemy was many.

For every human that fell, more took their place. The witches fought valiantly, unleashing the raw force of their magic, but exhaustion had already begun to gnaw at their spirits. Their powers, though mighty, were not limitless.

And while they were focused on keeping their attackers at bay, the humans had lit the edges of the forest and the coven grounds aflame. The fire spread fast, crackling with hunger, consuming everything in its path.

Panic rose. They could conjure an escape spell, yes but their strength was waning. Too many spells had already been cast, and their energy was nearly depleted. The flames surrounded them now, hot and merciless, closing in with every second.

One by one, the witches fell not to blades, but to the inferno.

They perished in the fire, their last breaths filled with smoke and sorrow, their final thoughts heavy with the hope that somewhere, Aurelia was safe... and that one day, she would rise.

As the flames closed in and smoke thickened the air, Madeline, battered and barely standing, knew the end was near. Her sisters were falling around her, their cries blending with the crackling roar of the fire. But she couldn't let it end in vain not without leaving behind something that would live on.

Summoning the very last of her strength, Madeline raised her hands to the sky, her voice trembling but firm.

"Madre Naturaleza, te imploro que unas nuestros espíritus y poderes a esta Tierra, y la conviertas en un suelo sagrado donde nuestros espíritus se muevan libremente y nuestros poderes puedan ser canalizados..."

She chanted the sacred plea three times, each repetition growing more desperate, more powerful, drawn from a place deeper than magic drawn from love, sacrifice, and the unyielding will to protect what remained of their legacy.

The earth began to tremble beneath her feet. A sudden surge of wind tore through the inferno, howling like a thousand voices. Flames surged higher, brighter, then twisted violently as if resisting. The humans, startled and terrified, were thrown back by the force of the gust, unable to come any closer.

The witches stood together, united in silence, as the fire claimed them.

But it did not claim them fully.

Madeline's spell had taken hold.

Their bodies turned to ash, but their spirits fierce and eternal merged with the soil beneath them. The ground pulsed with sacred energy, transformed into hallowed land. A place where their essence would remain, where their power could one day be called upon again.

And so, the fire consumed them... but their legacy was not lost and Aurelia could very well one day reach out to them through this grounds.

Leah didn't take Aurelia far away just far enough.

She moved them out of the coven's sacred grounds and deeper into the town, where ordinary humans lived their quiet, mundane lives. It was a small, modest house, but it was safe. It was home now.

As she settled into their new space, Leah looked down at the tiny baby in her arms. Aurelia stared back up at her with wide, curious eyes, as if trying to understand the world she'd just been brought into.

Leah smiled, brushing her fingers gently across Aurelia's soft cheek. "Let's try our best to live among the humans for as long as we can, okay?"

The baby giggled, reaching for Leah's hand with her little fingers. Leah chuckled softly, letting her wrap her tiny hands around hers as they played in the quiet warmth of their new beginning.

Time passed.

Years drifted by, and the world changed.

Those who had led the charge against the witches gradually faded some died, others simply disappeared. Their numbers dwindled until barely a handful remained, scattered and aging.

With their absence, so too did the fear.

Stories of witches became whispers, then folklore. A myth. Something from the past that people debated over late at night, often brushing it off with a laugh. Some still believed especially those whose families remembered but most dismissed it as a fairy tale.

And as the world moved on, so did Leah and Aurelia, hidden in plain sight.

Sixteen years later.

"Arise and shine," Leah called out cheerfully as she pulled open the curtains, letting the golden morning light pour into the room and fall directly on Aurelia's face.

Aurelia groaned and turned away from the brightness, burying half her face into her pillow. "Please, let me sleep just a little more," she mumbled in a sleepy voice.

But Leah was relentless. With a swift tug, she yanked the duvet off the bed. "Up, up, young lady!"

Aurelia sat up slowly, her hair tousled and her eyes still heavy with sleep. "Good morning, Aunt Leah," she said with a tired sigh.

"Good morning, dear. You don't want to be late now, do you?" Leah replied with a warm smile, already heading toward the kitchen.

"But I don't want to go to that school," Aurelia complained, rubbing her eyes. "Those people are rich. I'll just feel completely out of place."

Leah turned back to look at her, arms folded but still smiling gently. "The fact that I can afford it means you're among the rich too, even if we live in a modest home. I just love simple things that's all."

"There's nothing simple about that school, Aunt Leah," Aurelia muttered under her breath.

Leah's tone turned slightly firmer. "Aurelia, go get dressed. We don't have time for this. You, my love, must only go to the best school and that school happens to be the best in this part of the country. Now hurry before your breakfast gets cold." With that, she disappeared down the hallway.

Aurelia let out a long, frustrated sigh and flopped back against the bed for a moment, staring at the ceiling.

She wasn't the least bit happy about this new school, not one damn bit.

Switching schools the moment she turned sixteen had felt abrupt and unfair. Now she was supposed to walk into a school filled with spoiled, rich brats and start all over again from sophomore year.

It's just not my best morning, she thought bitterly as she dragged herself out of bed.

After breakfast, Leah drove Aurelia to her new school. The institution was known for its prestige, its reputation gleamed almost as brightly as the students' neatly pressed uniforms, which were strictly mandatory. The school believed that order and neatness shaped discipline, and it was evident even in how the students dressed.

As they pulled up to the gates, Leah turned to Aurelia with a soft smile. "Have a lovely day at school and smile more. You never know what kind of adventure might hit you," she said, planting a gentle kiss on Aurelia's cheek.

"Bye, Aunty," Aurelia murmured, waving as Leah drove off and disappeared down the road.

Aurelia turned toward the imposing school building, her stomach tight with nerves. If she had her way, she'd ditch the first day entirely. But she knew better. No one got angrier than Aunt Leah when rules were broken especially when she'd gone through so much effort to secure Aurelia's place here.

Sighing, she stepped into the hallway. Students bustled past her in every direction, their chatter a low hum of curiosity and familiarity. After asking a few questions and getting pointed looks from some, she finally found the administration office and was quickly assigned to her new class.

Moments later, she stood awkwardly at the front of a classroom filled with curious eyes.

"Good morning, class. This is your newest addition Aurelia Pierre," the teacher announced warmly.

"Do you have anything you'd like to say to your new classmates?" the teacher asked with a smile.

Aurelia shook her head, her expression unreadable.

"Alright then. You can take that empty seat beside Nico. I hope you enjoy your time here," the teacher said, gesturing toward the back of the room.

Aurelia bowed her head slightly in silent thanks and walked toward the seat. Whispers trailed behind her, and she could feel eyes watching her every move. But she kept her gaze low. Making friends wasn't on her to-do list and honestly, she wasn't expecting to have a good time here anyway.

The classes commenced shortly after Aurelia's introduction, and without missing a beat, she buried herself in the lessons. Despite the unfamiliar environment and the occasional curious glance from her classmates, she kept her head down and focused.

Subject after subject rolled by, the voices of the teachers blending into a steady rhythm that dulled the nervous flutter in her chest. She jotted down notes diligently, her handwriting neat and precise anything to avoid engaging in small talk or eye contact.

When the bell finally rang for the first break, the sound echoed through the halls like a small mercy. Books closed with soft thuds and chairs scraped back as students eagerly filed out in groups, chatting and laughing.

Aurelia remained seated at her desk as the rest of the class began to clear out. She wasn't in any hurry. Blending in or better yet, staying invisible was exactly what she preferred.

Just then, two girls strolled up to Nico, who was still seated beside her. They twirled their hair and giggled in that rehearsed, high-pitched way that suggested they were used to attention.

"Hey, Nico, wanna join us in the cafeteria?" one of them asked sweetly, flashing a flirtatious smile.

But Nico didn't even glance at them. Instead, he stood abruptly and turned to Aurelia. "Aurelia and I already have plans," he said flatly, and before she could even register what was happening, he took her by the hand and tugged her out of the classroom.

"Hey!" Aurelia yanked her hand away the moment they reached the hallway. Her eyes flashed with irritation. "Don't involve me in your drama."

Her tone was sharper than she intended, but she didn't care. She turned to walk away, but Nico caught her hand again but this time, more firmly.

"I'm sorry," he said, his voice calm and sincere. "Those girls are... relentless. But could you please come to the cafeteria with me? Just take it as a form of apology."

Aurelia hesitated for a moment, her gaze narrowing. "Fine," she muttered, "but let go first."

Nico released her hand, and the two walked side by side in silence toward the cafeteria.

To Aurelia's surprise, the cafeteria looked more like a cozy restaurant. Students were seated at small tables, and waiters moved from one group to another, taking orders based on the school's curated menu.

As they settled into a corner booth, Nico broke the silence. "So, how's your first day going?"

Aurelia let out a soft chuckle. "You don't seem like the type to make small talk."

"Well," Nico said with a smirk, "I have to when something or someone catches my interest."

She stared at him, unsure what he meant by that. "It's just been... a day. Honestly, I don't even want to be here. My aunt insisted, and there was no arguing. So, I guess something interesting could still happen but I'm not seeing it yet."

Their food arrived then, and the conversation paused briefly as they began to eat.

"You'll come to love it here eventually," Nico said between bites. "It's a nice place. Full of... things."

"Things and things?" Aurelia raised an eyebrow with a teasing smile.

He laughed lightly. "Exactly."

As she continued eating, Aurelia noticed heads turning toward their table. Whispers passed between nearby students like wildfire.

"Wow... there are so many eyes on us," she muttered, chewing thoughtfully.

"Don't mind them," Nico said with a shrug. "They're always nosy."

Aurelia giggled just a little. "You seem... different now. Warmer than you were back in class."

"Oh?" Nico asked, tilting his head.

"Yeah. In class, you were giving major cold vibes."

Nico chuckled. "Different moods for different occasions."

Aurelia nodded, and they continued eating, their conversation softening into casual gists and observations. All the while, curious eyes watched them some with interest, others with envy but Aurelia barely noticed.

After lunch at the cafeteria, Nico and Aurelia strolled back to class together, their footsteps light and unhurried. By the time the final lesson began, everything felt routine again until Nico abruptly packed up his things and left without a word. He didn't say goodbye to anyone or to Aurelia. He just rushed out of the classroom.

Not that Aurelia cared. She simply shrugged and began arranging her books and bag, moving at her own pace.

"Hey, new girl," a voice called sharply.

Aurelia looked up to see two girls standing in front of her desk, arms crossed, eyes glinting with challenge.

"I'm Mia," the first one said with a smirk. "And this is Ginny. Just so you know we've got our eyes on Nico. So stay clear, okay? You don't want to get on our bad side."

Aurelia blinked, then tilted her head, completely unbothered. "So you two want to... share him?" she asked with a raised brow. "That's wild."

Gasps and stifled laughs rippled across the classroom. Heads turned. Whispers buzzed.

"She's bold," someone murmured.

"I just hope that boldness doesn't get her in trouble. She's so beautiful," another classmate added, voice tinged with concern.

Ginny's eyes narrowed. "I see you like things the hard way."

"Trust me, I don't," Aurelia replied coolly. "And I really don't want the drama you two are trying to stir. If you want Nico, go get him. I'm not stopping you. Telling me you've got your eyes on him doesn't magically make him want you, does it? You're just wasting your time."

A stunned silence followed.

Mia gave a short, dry laugh. "Well... you do have a point. Threatening you won't exactly earn us his attention."

"What are you saying, Mia?" Ginny snapped. "She's the first girl he's ever taken to the cafeteria. They even laughed together!"

Aurelia gave a small, amused smile. "That was just an apology meal. Nothing more."

"Really?" Ginny asked, her voice now holding a sliver of doubt.

Aurelia nodded, already slinging her bag over her shoulder. "It was nice chatting, but I've got to go."

And with that, she walked past them graceful, unaffected and headed out of the classroom toward her aunt's car waiting outside.

"So, how was your first day of school?" Leah asked as Aurelia slid into the car and closed the door.

"Don't get me started, Aunt," Aurelia said, slumping back into the seat with a sigh. "Two girls were trying to pick a fight with me because of a boy who clearly has no interest in either of them."

Leah giggled, her hands steady on the steering wheel as she pulled out of the school lot. "I guess it counts as an adventure."

Aurelia rolled her eyes as the car began to move, the weight of the day starting to melt away as they left the school behind.

"Well, I don't know a better time to tell you this," Leah began, her tone a little hesitant as she glanced at Aurelia beside her, "but your school has finished preparing the boarding rooms. Guardians and parents were supposed to get their children's things ready today. So when we get home, you'll pack your clothes, and then you can start living in the school grounds beginning tomorrow."

Aurelia's eyes widened. "Are you kidding me, Aunt? Just tell me you're tired of me."

Leah rolled her eyes with a faint smile. "You're the only family I have left, Aurelia. I could never be tired of you."

She paused for a moment, her voice softening. "I don't see any harm in you living at the school. I want only the best for you... and honestly, I think you'll be safer there too."

Aurelia looked out the window and rolled her eyes again, her silence saying more than words.

"It's what your mother would have wanted," Leah added gently.

Aurelia snapped her head around to face her aunt, her voice rising. "Now you're playing that card with me? For sixteen years of my life, you never talk about my mother and now you're bringing her up? Where even is she? Why have I never met her?"

Her voice cracked with emotion, just short of shouting. Leah didn't answer immediately. She kept her eyes on the road, calm but heavy with something deeper.

"You met her," Leah said finally, her voice quiet. "On the day you were born. She gave you your name. And she's not here to take care of you, not because she abandoned you or didn't want to... but because she's dead."

Aurelia's breath caught. She turned to look at Leah in disbelief.