Page 57 of Autumn Secrets

“Well…” Mum started.

Then I remembered something else. “Wait, there is one more thing. When I came back to the house, I found the same orchid on the front porch.”

“Someone must have seen you,” Mr Peters said and looked at the other two.

“I did look around, but there was no one there.”

“Your protection spell has probably been fading since you moved here. It was only ever going to last until you turned eighteen anyway. That would make sense about how you awakened the orchid. It was your intuition calling to you and your power within emerged subconsciously. You are, after all, a guardian of light.”

“And if someone did see me with the orchid?”

“We will have some people search the area, but I’m not that worried. Lovika Creek is home to many light bearers like us. It was most likely one of our own paying their respects. I don’t believe you were in danger. Is there anything else we need to know? Anything else you can think of?”

My thoughts immediately went to the old woman, then Lucinda and her daughter Phoebe. They definitely belonged in this hidden world, but for some reason, I hesitated to bring them up right now. I had felt a connection with them, and I wanted to talk to them alone, before I involved everyone else. I shook my head. “No, that’s all.”

“Is there anything you would like to ask?” Mrs Peters asked kindly.

“What other abilities do I have that can protect me?”

“Everyone has their own unique gifts, but as a guardian you have even greater powers. Once we remove your protection spell and complete the harvest ritual, your special gifts will start appearing.”

“I’m not sure I would call it a gift, especially if I have a price on my head. Curse would probably be a better word,” I mumbled and looked out the window. It was so dark outside. What was out there waiting for me? I shivered in my seat. I hugged my arms around myself, trying to gain some warmth.

“You will learn how to be at peace with all of this, you just need time, but most of all, you need to trust the process, trustus. When it comes to protection, we need to remove the remainder of the protection spell so that you can connect with your true power. That is, if you two will let me.” Mr Peters looked at Mum and me.

“What other choice do I have?” I asked and looked at the three of them.

Mr Peters spoke first. “I can’t see any other choice. By delaying this, darkness will find more ground. It’s quite urgent, now that you know who you are.”

“And where’s the amulet right now?”

“It will be given to you at the harvest ritual. When you are bonded completely with the amulet, you will be safe. But first we need to remove the rest of the spell.”

“Honey, I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you any of this earlier. I wanted you to grow up normally,” Mum said and tried to reach for my hand. Without thinking, I pulled away from her, and saw her flinch. I knew I’d hurt her, but she had hurt me too. All the lies.There was a whole lifetime of them.

“I need to ask you something, and I want you to be honest with me.”

Mum looked up and met my eyes. “Anything.”

“Was I ever meant to find out all of this?”

“What do you mean?”

“I find it strange that you didn’t tell me earlier about who I am and what you are. I mean, there’s, like, two weeks left until my birthday and this autumn equinox. Don’t you think that was reckless of you? How am I supposed to embrace all of this? You haven’t given me any time at all.”

Mum looked at me and then out the window. “You weren’t meant to find out, not yet anyway,” she murmured.

“What does that mean?”

“I didn’t want this for you, Aurora. I still don’t. The reason we came back here was to let them cast another protection spell on you, to make it stronger. Everything was planned…” Her voice broke.

“So, what happened?”

Mrs Peters jumped in. “You broke the spell yourself, and now there’s nothing we can do to reverse it. Your powers are awakening, and the amulet is linked to you. That bond can’t be broken once the connection exists.”

“How were you planning to cast another spell on me, without me finding out?”

Mum looked at Mr and Mrs Peters then back to me with regret in her eyes. “A sleeping pill…”