Crossed Spells

Chapter 10: Half-Revealed Truths (Part 2)

Aria took a deep breath, preparing to share her story. "For me, it was different," she began. "My mother has powers too, so she knew I would have them as well. My powers manifested very early, when I was still a baby. My mother says I used to glow softly in my crib."

Lucas listened attentively, fascinated by the differences in their experiences. "So you've always known you had powers?" he asked.

Aria nodded. "Yes, as far back as I can remember, it's always been a part of me. I don't recall a specific moment when I 'discovered' my powers. It was just... there."

"How did your mother help you manage it?" Lucas asked, curious about how another family had handled this situation.

Aria's face darkened slightly. "She taught me to hide them as soon as I was old enough to understand. She always insisted on the importance of secrecy, on the danger if people discovered what we could do."

Lucas frowned thoughtfully. "It's interesting that your mother has powers too. My father never really talked about other family members who might have them."

Aria hesitated for a moment before answering. "Actually, I... I've never seen my mother use her powers," she admitted. "She talks about them as if she has them, but I've never seen her use them. It's... frustrating sometimes. I'd like to see what she's capable of, understand what I might be able to do someday."

Lucas looked at her with surprise. "Really? You've never seen your mother use her powers?"

Aria shook her head. "No, never. And you... have you ever seen your father use his powers?"

Lucas took a deep breath. "Once," he said softly. "It was a few years ago. I secretly followed him to our training room one night. What I saw... it was terrifying. The power he exuded, the way he controlled the shadows... It was on a whole other level than what I can do."

Aria shivered slightly. "It must have been impressive."

"It was," Lucas agreed. "But it was also scary. His control is incredible. I've never seen anything like it since."

A silence settled between them, each absorbing the other's revelations. Finally, Lucas asked the question that had been nagging him from the beginning.

"Aria," he began softly, "why did you really come to Ravenswood? I know it's not because of your mother's work."

Aria stiffened slightly, but she knew she had to be honest. "You're right," she admitted. "It wasn't because of work. We... we had to leave our old town because I lost control of my powers. People saw me."

Lucas looked at her with compassion. "What happened?"

Aria closed her eyes, remembering that terrible day. "It was at school. I was stressed about an important exam. Suddenly, I felt my powers rising in me. I tried to contain them, but... it was too strong. I started to glow, literally. Like a Christmas tree, according to the witnesses."

She opened her eyes, looking at Lucas. "My mother managed to hush it up, but we knew we couldn't stay. Too many people had seen. So we left, and we made up this story about San Francisco to prevent people from making the connection with 'the glowing girl'."

Lucas remained silent for a moment, processing this information. "I'm sorry you had to go through that," he finally said. "It must be hard to always have to run away."

Aria nodded. "It is. That's why I'm so... careful here. I don't want it to happen again."

Lucas looked at her with new understanding. "Is that why you were avoiding me at first? You were afraid I'd discover your secret?"