Prophecy

Siblings

Chapter One

The next day

Anxiety grips me the moment I step into baggage claim. The air is thick with the scent of stale coffee and airport cleaner as I glance around, hoping someone is here to meet me. Being stranded would be a fitting welcome to this new life.

"Blaire?"

I turn to see a thin, brown-haired woman waving. There's warmth in her smile, but something guarded in her eyes.

"You must be Blaire. I'm Jenna, Elena and Jeremy's aunt," she says, extending her hand.

I shake it, feeling the awkwardness settle in. "Hi," I mumble.

Get it together, Blaire. I grab my bags and follow Jenna through the crowded airport to her car. Outside, the scent of pine and wet earth fills the air, a stark contrast to the sterile airport.

"Is this all you have?" Jenna asks, glancing at my three suitcases.

"Yeah, this is it," I reply, avoiding her gaze.

We load my bags into the car, and the drive is quiet at first. Jenna starts asking questions about michigan, but I keep my answers short, not in the mood to share my life story with a stranger.

Finally, we pull up to a large house with a wraparound porch and a white swing. The kind of place that belongs in a magazine. Two figures emerge from the house as we step out of the car.

My half-siblings.

Elena looks about my height, with long, straight brown hair and big, dark eyes. She could almost be my twin if you squint. Beside her stands Jeremy, taller, with a distant expression and a vibe that screams "trouble."

Elena approaches, her eyes scanning my face, searching for any hint of resemblance. "Are you gonna stare at me all day, or can I take my bags inside?" I say, breaking the silence.

Jenna steps in, sensing the tension. "Let's get you settled. Elena, could you show Blaire to her room?" she suggests, her tone gentle but firm.

Elena nods, motioning for me to follow. Inside, the house smells of lavender and old wood. It's immaculate, like a model home. This is a world I was never meant to be a part of, yet here I am.

Elena stops at a door on the right. "This is your room. Try to keep it clean," she says, her tone cold before she disappears down the hall.

I roll my eyes, setting my bags down and starting to unpack. I pull out a small leather pouch filled with herbs—lavender and mugwort, the same blend my mom used to burn for protection. It's comforting, a reminder of the magic that ties me to my ancestors.

Next, I pull out a leather-bound grimoire, an heirloom from my mom. I run my fingers over its worn cover, feeling the hum of magic within. Every spell on these pages is etched into my memory, yet their presence is grounding. Beside it, I place a delicate bracelet with a single blue stone at its center. I let a sliver of my magic flow into the stone, mingling with the bit I left for Toni. It's a piece of our heritage, waiting for her when she's ready.

Once I'm unpacked, I crack open the window and light a hand-rolled herbal cigarette. The lavender and mugwort blend fills the room with an earthy scent, calming me as I inhale deeply. This isn't just a habit; it's a ritual, a way to connect with my roots.

After finishing, I wash my hands to rid the lingering smell. As I step into the hallway, I almost bump into Jeremy, who leans against the wall with that far-off look.

"You smell like... tea leaves?" he comments, raising an eyebrow.

I smirk, crossing my arms. "And you smell like weed."