alluringly entwined | f.w, d.m

32

"But—" Oshun began.

"We're sorry, love. We know it's New Year's Eve, but we need to go see what this is about," Gwen said apologetically. "This could lead people to you, Oshun."

"But how would everyone else know about the magic in my blood? I don't understand." Oshun rubbed her eyes tiredly, her body and brain not entirely awake.

She was sitting with her parents at the kitchen table early in the morning since they had woken her up and told her they needed to talk. Fred was still asleep in her bedroom, peacefully so.

Gwen and Bryson exchanged tentative glances.

"What are you guys not telling me?" Oshun kept her voice low, but firm.

"Oshun, when..." Gwen sighed in her hands as her elbows rested upon the table. Her head lifted and she met her daughter's eyes with a wan expression. "When I was pregnant with you, I was terribly sick with something no one's ever known—still don't know."

"Yeah. I know you were sick. That's why you made my middle name Bea, because we were blessed and I was blessed," Oshun said slowly, a little confused. "We were blessed to all be okay."

"It's more complicated than that," her mother said softly. "Papa took me to some sketchy Healer's home to see what he could do because we were so desperate."

Oshun's hands settled on her lap, her eyebrows pulling deeply down in intrigue and interest.

"His name was Healer White. He was an old man, mid-eighties. His home was located in this dark forest hours out from here," Gwen explained smoothly, also keeping a hushed tone. "Papa and I went at night, and White healed me. He gave me this small vial of something that healed me completely."

Oshun was wide awake now.

"And whatever was in that vial affected you tremendously because that's what gave you your magic. We don't know what was in the vial, but we could find out. We could find out so much if we go." Her mum's features softened in sympathy. "I'm sorry we never told you, but we thought it would be best. We didn't think people would know Healer White since he seemed so isolated and alone, but whatever was in that serum was something he was never supposed to let go of or use."

"But we are forever grateful that he risked it to help us," Bryson added with gratitude. His face was indulgent, or pity. "He passed away years ago and what he did is catching up to us, Oshun. We need to go down out of London to see what they've got and it'll take a couple days."

Oshun was too stunned to speak.

She knew her parents had connections—but apparently she also didn't know everything about her parents since they had just come clean about the magic that ran through her veins.

Her parents had ways to get what was needed—what was important. They hustled. Her family was damn right strong and they did it for each other.

This was all new to Oshun, the story of her magic blood and how her mum was healed from her sickness. But what could have possibly been so powerful that healed Gwen and gave Oshun the powers she had?

That was a question none of them knew, but her parents could find out if they went on this trip out of London. And just how bad things would end up being if people discovered the gift Oshun had was yet to be determined.

"Okay," she said at last. Her eyes darted between her parents. "Go see what's going on, I suppose."

Gwen's expression flickered with such relief. "We'll make it up to you, sweets." She reached out, holding her hand over the table.

Oshun placed hers in her mum's, their hands tightly gripping onto each other. "Will you let me know what you find out?" she asked her parents quietly.

"Of course." Bryson nodded.