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I didn’t even flinch, just smiled at Grandma.
“You’re disgusting,” she went on. “You’re a delusional liar, beyond redemption!” She turned to Mum. “Tell her, Serena! Tell her to get on her way and out of our house!”
I felt genuinely sorry for my grandmother’s hatred of everything. The crucifixes on the walls meant nothing. Her soul was dark and hidden in bitterness, and it was lashing out at me.
“Tell her!” she yelled. “Tell her to get out of here, Serena. She has no place here anymore!”
But Mum didn’t say a word. She was still white-faced, braced against the kitchen sink, eyes like saucers, but she didn’t tell me to leave.
“I mean it, Mum,” I said. “Grandad says you did nothing wrong. He knows Grandma has been controlling you since you were a baby, and he regrets not trying harder to stop her scheming.”
Grandma jabbed a finger at me with aget out, but Mum shook her head, dismissing her.
“Is Katherine telling the truth? Did you tell Thomas to leave that night? Remember, lying is a sin. Don’t lie to me!”
Grandma didn’t speak, just folded her arms.
“Is it true?” Mum asked again. “Did you use Dad’s death to threaten Thomas into leaving me?”
“Thomas is asinner,” Grandma said. “I was doing it for you.”
“Lying is a sin actually,” I said. “If you want to preach the virtues, maybe you should start practicing them. You threatened my father away and used it to keep Mum where you wanted her. Admit it.”
My poor mum was staring at Grandma in shock, eyes silently begging her to deny it.
“You sent Thomas away from us?” she asked again.
“Like I said,” Grandma answered. “Thomas is a sinner. A servant of the Devil. I did what I needed to.”
“So you sent him away from Garway church when he came to collect me?”
Grandma’s arms were still folded. Her chin was high.
“Yes, I did. And I’d do it again, because people of magic are destined to Hell. Thomas and Katherine will both face the gates of the unholy, don’t join them there, Serena. I didn’t raise you for that.”
“BULLSHIT!” Mum snapped. “THAT’S BULLSHIT! Thomas isn’t destined for Hell, and neither is Katherine.”
“Oh, they are,” Grandma said. “And if you turn your back on our holy life, you will face the wrath of our Lord. You will finally be punished for what you did to your father that night.”
Mum was quiet, and Grandma nodded.
“Oh, Serena. Stop pretending. You know your witchcraft powers threw your father to the ground. I’ve been trying to help you redeem yourself, and I thought it was working, but now this little sinner has shown back up, determined to drag you down with her.” Grandma looked at me. “We should have turned our backs on you when you were born. You are made of your father’s blood.”
“Yes,” I said. “And I’m made of Mum’s too, and yours, and Grandad’s. And all of our family members before me. If I’m a demon child, then surely we all are? Aren’t you just a demon sinner as well?”
“I’ve had enough of this!” my grandmother raged. “Serena, tell this godawful little witch to GET OUT of our home!”
I didn’t even look at Grandma. I looked at Mum.
“Do you want me to leave?” I asked her calmly. “I can leave if you want me to.”
Mum didn’t answer, torn in two.
“TELL HER TO GO!” Grandma screamed.
“I can go, Mum.” I said. “If you can’t love me for who I am, then I’ll walk away right now. I’d rather be alone than be with people who try to stop me being myself.”
“TELL HER TO GO!” Grandma yelled again, but my mother shook her head. She stood her ground.
