It was a clear distinction, but not one Saga understood. “Is that why I didn’t know?”
“It’s one reason.”
“What were the others?” And how many others were there?
“Your grandmother wanted to protect you.” It was a bland answer, a quickly parroted and often rehearsed one. It gave no clarity and no closure, but it sparked an anger that had been bubbling inside Saga.
“Didit protect me?” Saga spat the words as she thought them. “If I didn’t have some idea that there’s something supernatural out there, would it have kept me safer when she died? Or would it have sent me into a bigger panic?”
“Would it have prepared you if you did know?” Leigh countered. “Would it have changed anything? I’ve been studying under your grandmother since I could walk, and I don’t think I could have stopped it.”
Saga didn’t know what to say.
“I understand you feel betrayed. I understand it feels unfair, but do not suggest we put you in harm’s way by keeping this from you. It was not a decision made easily—your grandmother loved you.” Leigh flinched and corrected herself. “Lovesyou.” The wear of the day more apparent on her, she allowed herself to sink into the love seat.
“I didn’t mean—”
“I know.”
Saga took a deep breath, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. “I’m sorry… You probably never expected to have this conversation with me, let alone because Mamó…” Her voice trailed off, and she wondered if she should stop talking altogether.
An uncomfortable but ponderous silence fell between them, Leigh allowing her muscles to relax into the cushions, Saga unsure if she should sit back down in the armchair.
“It’s fine,” Leigh said finally, and Saga inhaled like she’d been holding her breath. “We can talk about it. Besides, it will be good practice for me when River comes of age.”
Comes of age…of what? “When will that be?”
“Probably around fifteen or so, depending when puberty hits and all that.”
Saga couldn’t help but feel a twinge of injustice. “So River gets to know as ateenager, but I’m almost twice that age and the only reasonIknow is because my new neighbor didn’t understand how hair dye works?”
Leigh’s face clouded over in confusion, but she attempted to answer what she could. “River is half-jinn, and will need to be taught how to properly utilize her talents—and possibly how to shape-shift depending on how that manifests. Changeling genetics are…unpredictable.”
Jinn. The word stuck in Saga’s mind like toffee in her teeth. She clicked her tongue and took an unsteady step back. She didn’t even know enough about the mythos around jinn to begin to wonder what was true and what wasn’t. She took another step back. “So… That would mean Reza is a full jinn?”
Leigh nodded.
“What does that mean, exactly?”
“I’m not sure what you’re asking.”
Saga puffed her cheeks. “The only basis of knowledge for intelligent beings that I have is humanity, so… If Reza isn’t human, what does that mean?”
Leigh took a moment to ponder this. “Comparatively? He’s an immortal shape-shifting being with the power to manipulate fire at will.”
“Seriously?” Saga sat back down into the armchair. “Manipulate how?”
Leigh shrugged. “He hasn’t really used it much around me other than to light a few candles here and there—and a campfire once. I love that man,but he has no head for identifying good kindling, especially during the rainy season.” When all Saga did was stare at her in response, she shrugged again. “It’s not really something that defines him, duckie, it’s more like… being double-jointed. Your flexibility is impressive, but not everyone becomes a contortionist.” She smiled a little to herself. “Though I did tell him it was a shame he didn’t join the fire brigade—but he loves being a detective. Like a kid with puzzles, that man.”
“What about us?”
“What do you mean?”
“Avery said our family was one of the longest unbroken lines of witches in England… Are we human?”
“Yes.”
“But we’re witches?”
