Gram stopped when we were less than a block away from Cole's house. The
flames were consuming his home and filling the sky with black smoke. “This isn't how I wanted to tell you, but it will have to do. The three women came up
with a plan and decided to bind Camille's magic. This angered her, but the Drygen family didn't need magic anymore.
“Camille never forgave the women for what they did. The betrayal she felt
fueled her anger. In retaliation, she began directing her rage at her closest friend,
Michelle. Camille made it impossible for her to live here. One day, Michelle and
her family left town and were never heard from again."
"Is the lady that showed up at the Lunar Festival Camille's daughter?" I asked.
“Yes, Mara. Blanche grew up with a hatred for the Silver family that I could
never understand. The Drygens own most of the town and have all the money they could ever need. Blanche had the gift, but it was not enough for her. She wanted what, in her mind, was stolen from her family."
“What does this have to do with Cole?” I asked impatiently. I wanted to run
to him and protect him from the pain I knew he felt, not be there, listening to stories about the Drygens.
“Lucy's daughter, Olivia, never showed any interest in taking the oath. When
Olivia died in childbirth, Lucy raised her granddaughter. The child was Sarah.
The same Sarah, whose son is Cole Oliver Sands."
My eyes widened as I met my grandmother’s eyes.
“The legacy your mother has set her mind on is the pure magic of Genevieve
and Lucy combining. Your mother is naive to believe we are the only ones with
access to the magic. Our family has been blessed with an understanding, a bond
with all elements, and an awareness of the dark and light forces around us."
“Does that mean Cole can connect with the elements?” I asked.
“Like you, his gift was taken from him. I don't know where his potion is being kept. I don't know if Cole will be able to tap into his gift without his memories? It is up to you to help him.”
Gram hugged me and swept my hair from my face. “Go to Cole, Mara. He
needs you.”
Chapter
Twenty
When I reached Cole, he was staring through tear-filled eyes at the
front of his completely engulfed home. The firefighters were
barely holding back the flames as they struggled to keep the fire
from spreading. I didn't think they could contain the inferno for
much longer.
I took my boyfriend's hand into mine. “I'm here, Cole.”
“It will all be gone, and I can't stop it. There isn't a damn thing I can do to
save my home.” The water that had filled his eyes broke loose, and large tears flowed down his cheeks.
My chest tightened. Cole is my rock. He is the strong one. “We can stop this,
together, if you trust me.” I led him to the backside of the house where the fire
had not touched it yet. “Come with me."
When we reached an isolated area, I began. "I don't have time to explain everything to you, Cole, but your family has the same connection to the Goddess
as mine." “What are you talking about?” he asked angrily. “My home is burning.
I'm losing everything, and you want to talk about stupid magic?”
