Page 91An old friend

She led me through the city to a part I'd barely been. It was a long walk, actually, all the way to the outskirts where the houses were smaller but the gardens were bigger. She also kept silent this whole time, in a way that kept me waiting for her to speak. It was as if there was going to be said something, but she never did, after which I felt guilty for starting a conversation. She led me to a nice looking house with a garden that was taken good care of. For just a moment I got a flashback to the farm I found Nuru, though I wasn't sure why. There was an atmosphere here, one that felt ill at ease with the neighborhood and was spiritual in nature, or something.

Grace had a key to the house, which felt a little weird. Her clothing was not that posh as such. I had a feeling she herself didn't live here, but whoever I was going to meet here did.

But who would it be.

We went through the house and down towards the basement. It was a nice large basement underneath most of the house itself. Used for storage and... Other things.

There were candles on almost every surface, even the floor. But on the floor they were arranged in a pattern around a circle. It appeared to be eight sided, with all kinds of chalk marks around it. The lines were quite sharp and obviously done with care and patience. There was a girl there, a girl I knew, reading in a book I'd seen before.

Then everything clicked.

Anka.

The book of witchcraft.

"Hello Amy. Long time no see." She smiled so sweetly. Grace headed over to her and stood next to her, hands on Anka's shoulder. Were they together?

Of course they were.

And the first thing that came into my head was so stupid. "I'm not angry."

Grace and Anka giggled, smiling to each other and back to me. Anka stood up, putting the book she was reading away on a table, between many more candles, and walked to me. She took very slow paces, being gentle and subtle in her movements. It took her forever to stand in front of me and smile.

"You're still as beautiful as ever, Amy."

And kissed me.

It was a gentle kiss, accompanied by a warm and friendly hug. In it, I felt so many memories, of her feeling guilty for stealing the book but feeling that she had to, of her apologising to her brother and of course her feelings towards me. This kiss had been no more than a light touch of each others lips, friendly and gentle.

Still, it was a bit of a shock.

Even more so when Grace hugged me from behind. I'd been so surprised that I completely failed to feel her movements. Her arms were almost dreamlike and soft. Frail in a way that felt more like a doll then a person. But there was an enormous warmth to her being. Even my head was surrounded by their love, on each side. Arms around me, so much love. And it wasn't just love for me. Their love for each other was so genuine, so honest and open. It was like being in a warm bath.

All my troubled melted away.

Even more so when Anka whispered softly. "I'm sorry I have been spying on you, Amy. You would have recognized me if I looked at you directly. But through Grace's eyes and the circle, I've seen most of what has happened to you. I would have talked to you sooner, but I knew you wanted to find your own way. Do you forgive me?"

So many words, in such a gentle whisper. There was only one word needed to answer them, one word that caused a wave of peace to wash over the three of us in one large sweep. One word, an answer that said enough, told the story that the three of us already knew but now confirmed. One word that forgave and remembered.

"Yes."

The world spun around me for the moments they still held me. But even when they let me go, they were still so warm and gentle. Not at all like the magic abusers I'd seen before. It was good to feel that not all witches were evil, despite the thoughts of those that hunted them so very long ago. It made me feel that what I was wasn't evil either. It just was.

Anka looked at me but her eyes fluttered to the one behind me. Grace spoke softly. "You must tell her."

Anka nodded and turned to me. "It was not nice of me to steal the book, but it has taught me so much. Among other things, I think family line is mentioned. Magic is supposed to run in families, partly in the blood. You would have lost most of it when you turned, but you should still be sensitive to it."

"What does it mean?"

She smiled. "I'll show you."

Finally we meet the one hiding behind Grace.