Chapter 8

Viola was hyperventilating, this was all too much to take in. Werewolves, witches, supernaturals, everything that had been downloaded to her seemed impossible to believe but made a lot of sense.

Everything did, but she didn't know how she was exopeccted to believe it.

"You are saying my father was a werewolf hunter? That was why you opposed the marriage."

Her Nonno nodded his head.

"His kind killed our kind. And I have kept the knowledge of that for a very long time. Your father has too many foes and a bloody history Your mother made the biggest mistakes of her life marrying him."

"So, like my mother, I am a witch?"

Her grandfather shrugged.

"That is not the word I would use, because your skill set is far more advanced and greater than any ordinary witch. Your great grandmother who was my mother certainly didn't like to refer to herself as a witch."

Viola shrugged.

"What did she like to be called then?"

"Nothing. She didn't care for titles, but in time, she will make you understand."

"How?"

Her grandfather looked outside.

"Enough of questions, we have much to prepare. We must begin the ritual before the sun sets."

He signaled to the woman and the woman looked around.

Viola looked around, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable. She didn't know if she could believe half of what her grandfather was telling her.

Her mother had powers like her, he had said, she was very powerful. And she had come to him for help.

Her mother didn't die in a car crash, no he didn't. They had died fighting to protect her.

The woman who didn't say a word came out with another woman who was barely clothed.

The woman had long greasy dark hair that was in a braid and she had a blue tattered dress on. her face was gaunt. She looked lean and tired.

"I'll go get the list of things you need."

He said to her and he turned to Viola.

"I will be back. I'm leaving two of my men here. I'll be right back."

Viola didn't ask where he was going, she sat down and nodded.

"You must be Viola."

The woman said in a low sultry tone as she collapsed in a chair.

Viola nodded.

"Yes. Are you the witch who performed the ritual?'

The witch nodded.

A small smile on her skeletal face.

"I remember you. I remember when you were born. I was there."

Viola sat down quietly looking at the woman.

"I helped deliver you."

The woman added.

"You met my mother?"

Viola asked eagerly and the woman nodded.

"Yes. No offence she was a pain in my ass."

"What?"

"She was always barking orders. She was stubborn too. "

The witch noticed Viola's face changing.

She smiled gently.

"But she loved you. And she was willing to do anything to protect you."

"You never mentioned your name.."

Viola asked and the witch shrugged.

"What does it matter. You won't need to know anyway."

Viola shrugged.

"I just wanted to know."

The witch laughed. It was a small shrill laughter.

"Do not pretend to care."

"But I do care."

Viola answered and the woman raised her eyebrow.

"Really?"

"If you really cared, you wouldn't be making me do this."

"I don't understand... You were the one who perfomed the ritual then..."

The woman nodded.

"Do you know what that ritual cost me?"

Viola shook her head.

"It.. it cost me my life. My whole life."

The woman said and Viola furrowed her eyebrows.

"What do you mean?"

There was a brief silence as the woman sighed gently.

"I have been caged in this house since you were born."

No. No.

That's crazy!

Viola thought as she shook her head.

"How? Why?!"

She shrugged.

"Your grandfather has someone I care very much about. The minute I step foot out of here I lose him."

Viola covered her mouth.

"What?!"

The witch shrugged.

"That's sick!"

"He locked you up here for twenty five years? Because of me?!"

She looked around, suddenly the room started to look smaller.

"I need some fresh air."

She muttered as she got up and left the room.

Oustide, there were two bodyguards standing just like her grandfather had said.

"Miss Viola where are you going?"

One asked as he started to follow her as she started walking away.

"I just need some fresh air."

Before she knew what was happening, one of them grabbed her gently but firmly by the arm.

"I'm sorry. I cannot let you go anywhere. Those are his orders."

Viola sighed and went back into the house. There was no use in arguing with them.

The witch was still seated in the same spot Viola had left her. She looked like she was barely breating at first, but then she opened her eyes and offered Viola a little smile.

"I promise. I'll get you out. Once the ritual is done."

Viola said. She was going to talk to her grandfather, it was unacceptable, it was inhumane that he had kept the woman locked up for so long. Because of her. Because she was to inherit some power she wasn't even sure she wanted.

"Your promises mean nothing to me child."

The witch said. She looked out the window but Viola could see that her mind was somewhere else, thinking of someone.

"This ritual will kill me. I can see it already."

"I used half of my powers in quelling yours when I made the first ritual. This one is going to kill me."

"And there's nothing you can do about it Viola."

"Your grandfather made sure of it"

There was nothing but silence after that. Silence that couldn't be filled with words. Silence of what was to come. Viola kept on ruminating about her past, her future. She came for a family of werewolves. Leonardo was a werewolf. According to the witch and her grandfather, he was the one prophesied to protect her.

He was her mate.

Whatever that meant.

Her grandfather came back barely minutes before the sunset, then everyone began to move in a frenzy. It was about to start.

The witch went into a room with her grandfather and suddenly came back out looking like a whole new woman.

She started humming while grinding herbs and drawing strange marks on the floor.

Then after all the preparations seemed to be done, she looked a the sunset and nodded.

"It's time."

She said as she turned to Viola.

"What do I do?"

Viola said and she pointed to the circle.

"First we remove the spell."

She said as she pulled put a sharp dagger.

Viola nodded.

"Okay. Where is it?"

The witch cocked her head and sighed.

"Where it has always been."

She pointed to Viola and Viola realized what she was talking about. The spell, it was in her scar, the one she had had for years.

Viola's hand slowly went to the back of her neck and she touched it.

Fear enveloped Viola and she stared at everyone in the room. Her grandfather gently nodded, the woman next to him didn't say a word, the same blank expression on her face.

The witch shrugged.

"You have to hold still. This is going to hurt like a bitch."