“What?” I ask. She doesn’t answer, still silent and looking down. “Aradia?”
She lifts her head back up to face me. “Sorry, I was just thinking.”
“About?”
“Something…” She shakes her head and whispers under her breath, “I must be wrong.”
“Aradia, what are you going on about?” I can feel myself becoming snappy with her.
Granny makes herself known in the kitchen by clearing her throat. Aradia and I turn to look at her.
“How much did you hear?” Aradia asks.
“I heard about the wolf.” She walks in towards us, resting on the kitchen island with her hip.
I feel like I am missing something. “It could have been a dog,” I chime in to the awkwardness.
“Was it a dog?” Aradia looks at me, staring intently.
I feel sheepish. “No, it was too big.”
Aradia turns to look at Granny who lets out a large sigh. “I was afraid this day would come.”
“I am sorry. Can one of you, like, please tell me what is going on? Is this like a weird joke?” I feel anger rising inside me along with the now burning tingle of my magic awakening with my emotions.
“I’m sorry, Harri, I guess I also haven’t been as truthful as I should have been. I guess I wanted to ease you into all of this, tous.” Granny pulls out the chair next to me and takes a seat. “The thing is, Harri, we’re not the only magic beings in Brindlewood.”
“What?” Aradia and I gasp at the same time.
Granny sighs and looks at her feet. “Look, it’s not my story to tell. And I assumed that with you getting close…”
“Sam?” My jaw drops as she nods. “So, what, he’s like a werewolf or something?”
She smiles. “I can see why you would assume that, but no. Sam also comes from a long line of witches. He has the ability to shapeshift into a wolf. Extremely rare but he is the first-born male in over a century. Male witches tend to be born with the purpose of protecting. Sam protects Brindlewood and those who live here. It has taken him a lot of getting used to. You see, Sam started his awakening as a teen, younger than most witches, but I assume this is because of how intense his power is. He didn’t always use it for the right reasons. Scaring local farmers and ending up on the local news. But he has grown with his power and now only practises in the woods at night, normally to keep his power strong if it’s ever needed.”
“And Gloria?” Aradia questions.
Granny nods again. “Only Gloria and I know of each other’s families. They have been here for as long as we have. Our ancestors’ sisters in unison.”
“So, Sam doesn’t know about us?” I ask quietly.
“No, darling, not yet at least.” She looks at me. “But I think it might be time.”
I can feel my body tingle with emotion. “But you let me get close to him. And now not only am I in danger, but Sam, Gloria, Lola!”
Granny hangs her head in shame. “I know, I’m sorry. It’s just—”
I cut her off. “You have given me so much and for that I am forever grateful, but you knew what Sam is. And you didn’t tellme.”
“It needed to be natural.” She sighs.
I stand up and slam my hands on the table, the magic burning my skin. “You wanted us to get together? You set us up?”
Granny looks at me in shock. “No, Harri, darling, it’s not like that. You and Sam, you’re twin flames.”
Aradia looks at Granny and looks at me then looks back at Granny. “Are you sure?” she whispers. “It’s been centuries since the last known twin flames existed.”
“I’m sorry, but what the fuck is a twin flame?” I curse out, staring at them both.
