“By you,” I answer, feeling the truth of that statement rattling through my bones.
“Maybe I put a spell on you,” she grins, winking at me.
“I’d believe it,” I reply, watching how the breeze trickles through her long hair. The light seems to caress her skin, brightening her already gorgeous features.
“No,” she says, pausing for a moment. “Apparently, I really am a witch.”
“Oh?” I say, not really absorbing the words.
“Actually,” she giggles.
“Actually, what?”
Alisha laughs, tugging on my arm now. “Come on. Come for a little walk with me, and I’ll explain.”
She leads me through the big stone arch and up a pathway to the left. I still feel stuck in some kind of crazy dreamworld where the sun is perfectly bright and warm, the breeze is just cool enough, and all plants and animals around me are in complete harmony.
“Are you listening, Brad?”
“Yes,” I answer, squeezing her hand. “I think so. What were you trying to tell me?”
“I’m a witch,” she says, a serious look darkening her eyes.
I’m silent for a moment. “When did this happen?” I ask, thoroughly confused.
“Apparently, I always was one, but I didn’t know. My new friend, Grace, talked me through it today.”
“Wait,” I mutter, floundering a little. “You have always been a witch? How can that be possible?”
“My powers were dormant,” she explains. “And it might be why I could never shift. Anyway, you can ask Grace if you have any questions. She knows way more than me. Why don’t you come over here, and I’ll show you what I can do?”
I let Alisha lead me over to a low table where dozens of tiny seedlings are set into small pots. Alisha lets go of my hand and reaches out to one of the seedlings, running her hands overit without touching it. To my shock, the little green stalk shivers, growing taller, and little baby leaves curl outwards from the trunk.
“Whoa,” I mutter, my eyes locked on the miracle. “This is blowing my mind.”
“It blows mine, too,” she says. “The only thing keeping me somewhat calm is this feeling inside that I kind of always knew.”
“Could you always do this, though? Make things grow?”
“Not like this,” she answers. “But I felt more at home in nature anywhere else, and I felt protected, almost as if someone had my back, no matter where I went. It all makes sense, now.”
I shake my head, failing to see how any of this makes sense.
She had power inside her this whole time, and I never knew.
I hear a soft “hello” from nearby and see Grace approaching. Alisha hurries over to greet her.
“I thought you were heading off?” Grace asks.
“I wanted to show Brad where I work and give him a demonstration of my powers. Brad, you know Grace?”
“I remember,” I say, nodding at Grace.
“I hope I didn’t need any special permission to hire Alisha,” Grace says to me. “I didn’t think you would mind, but the council can be a bit weird about this kind of thing.”
“How do you mean?” I ask, frowning. “What does the council have to do with Alisha working here?”
“The garden is run by the city,” Grace answers. “There are allocated funds from the council for all public works. I’m sureyou can do whatever you like, as alpha, but I wouldn’t put it past the others to say something about it.”
