Destiny's Witch (BxB)

Chapter 31: Aunt of War

Perry

Mr. Glazener's concern is noted as I retrieve my bag. He asks if I need to see the guidance counselor and I acquiesce. Needless to say, I take the opportunity to sneak out to join Porter.

The storm has died down to a drizzle as I meet Porter, who is waiting in his blue Hyndai Tuscon. Reluctantly, I hop in the car and buckle myself in for the ride.

True to form, Porter drives like Cruella DeVille heading to cause mischief. The drive holds his attention as he speeds through town. He mutters about people in Solstice doing the speed limit as we pull into the driveway to our house.

As we enter the house, I feel a vibe akin to hearing an almost imperceptible thrumming. Porter calls out to our parents and I tell him to be quiet as I push him to the side. The feeling leads me into the living room, where a woman is standing by the fireplace with a picture frame in her hand.

Natalia Renner, our aunt, is staring intently at a photo from two years ago of Alan, Penny, Porter, and I at the beach. It was one of the rare days nothing went wrong. The memory of that day stands out as one of the days I think of often.

Natalia's face is as ambiguous as the emotions coming from her. Her emotions roll off her as erratic and wild. I wonder if she can manage them as they begin to rush back. It is as if she turned her emotions on and they are bursting to life.

The strongest emotion fights to the surface as her anger bubbles inside of me. The knowledge of her true emotion is terrifying when she smiles over at us.

Natalia sits the photo on the mantle. "Such a beautiful family. You'd never know—"

"I'm sorry, but who are you?" Porter asks.

"Natalia. Aunt Natalia, I guess." She says. "And you must be Porter. I've met Perry."

"Aunt? Dad's sister?" Porter nods. "How'd you get in here?"

"Your dad is predictable. When we were little, our dad hid a spare key in a bag under the mat. I guess things never change." Natalia says. "Such a beautiful home. He's done well for himself, considering...everything."

"Everything?" Porter asks. "I'm sorry, but does dad know you're here?"

"Alan knows very little. It's apparently genetic." She looks to me. "But you take after your mother."

"You couldn't find it?" I ask. "Or did you come to ask nicely? I believe one more than the other."

Natalia feels something akin to pride before one of the darkest feelings I have ever experienced seeps into me. The feeling is exhausting.

"The dagger doesn't belong to you, Perry. As long as you have the dagger, it poses a threat." Natalia says.

Porter is confused. "Dad's dagger? You're looking for it, too?"

"It's why she's here." I say. "And we're not giving it to her."

"Oh, you will. One way or another. How you do it is up to you...right now." Natalia says.

"I've heard that threat a lot lately. The connecting string is that I haven't seen a single person back it up. So, Auntie bad-ass, take it from me." I say.

Natalia smiles again. "You're brave. I guess having magical abilities will do that."

"I don't know. He's always been like this. But he's right. You need to leave." Porter says.

"Not until I get what I was sent for." Natalia says.

The anger in her voice is evident even to Porter. Her anger is palpable. The volatility of her emotions is scary, especially as they rush into me again.

The fireplace behind her explodes to life, causing her to jump to the side to avoid the flames. The lights around us flicker on and off as my hair stands on edge.

"Just like a baby viper that cannot control its venom." Natalia says.

"It must sting that not only was a witch chosen to be your savior but he also has that spiffy dagger you're throwing a tantrum over. Sucks to suck, Auntie BA." Porter says.

"You're blood, so I'll give you this one warning. Bad people are coming for the dagger, and if they take you down, the most powerful weapon in the entire world will be in the hands of people who seek to destroy everything good." Natalia says. "Bad things could happen if you don't hand over the dagger."

Natalia examines us once more before she walks past us, tossing the spare key on the couch before exiting through the front door. Porter waits until he is sure she is gone before he walks over to the fireplace to pick up the photo.

My mind reels as I reconcile the sudden convergence of wolves upon my gate. Natalia's appearance feels significant. Her uncontrolled emotions frighten me more than the other threats I stand to face. Her emotions make her unpredictable, and I understand why Alan was so cautious regarding her.

"You met her before?" Porter asks. "You've clearly met before."

"She was a cold bitch last time, too." I say. "Sorry, her anger is so intense."

"So, you caught that, too? She's—is she insane?" Porter asks.

"It's time we ask dad about her and him."

"Who is him?" Porter asks.

"I'll tell you about it on the drive. Dad must be at the station." I say.

Porter thinks to ask the question again but agrees to leave. He sits the photo back on the fireplace. We leave quickly, ensuring we lock the door as we go and take the spare key with us.