The Séance

Chapter 8

"Anestasia," her mother started after supper.  "I got a call from school this afternoon saying that you missed some classes.  That's not like you!  What is going on?  Is there a reason the girls had to have the wreaths we made last night so quickly?  I know those are protection wreaths.  Something happened Friday, didn't it.  Something other than a simple ritual with your friends?"

"Oh Mom!"  Anestasia cried running into her mother's arms.  "It is such a mess.  I didn't feel right about the séance the girls wanted to do, but I did it anyway!  Someone or something woke up, but we don't know what.  I've been doing research, and I found a journal from 1680.  There were strange events going on then too.  Now Nancy's possessed, and I feel in over my head!"

Her mother held Anestasia, and stroked her hair while she listened to her daughter.  "Oh Honey, no wonder you've felt off for the last few days!  We all make mistakes, what matters is that you and your friends make right what you put wrong.  I wonder where your Teacher is... they usually show up before a witch's life becomes quite so complicated.  Has anyone new come into your life?"

"Well, I kind of have a cat now, but no.  No new people, mom- you knew?  About me I mean.  Are you a witch too?"

"Yes, I am, and of course I knew.  Is the cat here in the house now?"

"Unless he let himself out, he's probably in my room.  I keep finding a window open or curtains askew...."

"He?"  her mother asked darkly.  "Let's just go see if he's up there shall we?"

When they got to Anestasia's room, the lights were off and Steve was just climbing in through the window.  They watched him close it, then turned the light on.  Steve slipped off the windowsill and fell onto the floor.  "Really!" Anestasia's mother said.  "What do you have to say for yourself, hm?  I know you haven't been sleeping with my daughter without telling her who you are!"

Steve looked thoroughly chastised and somewhat sheepish.  A moment later, he disappeared in a ball of sparks, and in his place stood a hot guy who looked about 20 years old.  "Um, hi?"  he said.

Anestasia exploded.  "What! But you.... But I.... You slept in my bed!!  I knew you weren't just a cat!  I thought I was crazy not wanting to dressed in front of a cat!  I will never believe anything is what it is supposed to be, not ever again. Nope.  Answers, Now, give them! Who/What are you!  Why are you here?  Didn't you think things would be easier if you could just, you know Talk?!"

Her mother interrupted, "Dear, this is your teacher," glaring at Steve.  "Now explanations please."

"Ok, ok.  I needed to make sure that you were the one who was my student, so I watched you," Steve started.

"Wait, you were that stupid owl too, weren't you?" asked Anestasia.  "An owl?" Her mother lifted a brow.

"Yes, I was the owl... it seemed like a good idea at the time?  Anyway, I was hoping that you would feel more free talking to an animal than some strange guy you just met.  I could find out what you knew... and I promise I never looked when you got changed!!  I'm not like that!  You do have a point about the talking, but you're good at visual cues.  My name really is Steve though."

"As her teacher you do need to have access to my daughter, but I will require you to sleep in the guest room, in whatever form you so choose.  I imagine you have ways to protect Anestasia should she need it?"  He nodded.  "So, it might still work well for you to be in a shifted form when you are away from the house.  The bad guys won't know she has someone watching out for her."  Anestasia's mother thought for a minute, then nodded having come to a decision.  I will call the school in the morning and arrange to have your lectures recorded for a week or two, and to have your homework delivered.  You will still be responsible for doing all your work on time, but with all that you have to deal with right now, you shouldn't have to sit locked away from your magical duties at such a crucial time. Call your friends to tell them you won't be at school for a while, then get some sleep.  You can't do anything if you don't take care of yourself first."

"Ok, mom."

"And as for you young man, I expect you to start her training in earnest tomorrow."

"Yes, ma'am.  We will."

"Come along, and I'll show you to your room.  Don't come down in the morning until the boys have left for school.  They are reaching an age where they have to make their own choices and mistakes, but I'm still going to shield them as much as I can."

"Goodnight mom,  I guess I'll see you tomorrow Steve."  Man that's going to take some getting used to!  Anestasia called Rachel.  "Hi Rachel, I talked to my mom, and she's pulling me out of school for a couple of weeks to work on this..." 

"You told her?  I'm surprised I missed the explosion!"  Rachel laughed.  "I'm glad an adult knows what's going on.  Is she going to help?"

"She didn't say she was, but she didn't say she wasn't either.  She did say and I quote, "Make right what you put wrong."

"That is such a parent thing to say!" Rachel said, sounding annoyed.

"I know.  I kind of found my magic teacher tonight too." Anestasia said.  "We are going to start training tomorrow.  I just hope I learn fast enough that I have the skills I'll need when we need them.  Would you fill Janet in?  Please get me the herbs as early as possible tomorrow, and we can meet at Nancy's again after school."

"Sure.  We will talk about this teacher tomorrow.  Right?  We will see you tomorrow." Rachel said before she hung up to call Janet.

                                                                     *********************************

Well, that wasn't what I expected.  I intended to keep being a cat, but meet her as a man to start training her.  Oh well.  Who knew Anestasia's mother was a witch too?  Steve thought.  It will be nice to not have to hide everything I can do anymore, but I liked Anestasia's bed, he sighed wistfully.  Steve opened a pocket in the air, and pulled out some clothes and toiletries.  If I have to avoid the twins, I have the essentials: a minifridge with a microwave sitting on it, and a bathroom attached to the room!  Mortal food is so good, that I'm not going home for any meal I don't have to.  Steve got changed into a pair of silk boxers to sleep in, and looked at himself in the mirror as he brushed his two toned hair.  Gold and brown hair in a tortoiseshell pattern.  When he turned off the bathroom light, his eyes gleamed greenly.