“Your father made a promise, as you know.” Gripping her hands in front of her, my mother looked me in the eye. “However, I’ve never told you the full extent of his bet. Not only are you to wed the witch’s son, but you are to bear him a child who will be given to your husband’s father.”
Gritting my teeth, I stared her down, but she would not look away. How dare she keep such an important piece of the bet from me? Witches were known for haggling for other witches children. It had been practised long ago in exchange for help with magic. It most commonly occurred when women were barren, desperately wanting their own children. The bargaining had happened between mother and witch, the father never even knowing. However, the practice had been out of fashion for a long while.
“I don’t understand why you even think that I would adhere to my father’s bet when he’s not even alive.”
The fury that radiated throughout my energy coated the tone of my voice. My mother cringed, her hand going to her chest. This secret had weighed heavily on her shoulders, her paranoia making her unstable. I had never seen her so doubtful of her own power. Why did the witch that my father had lost against hold so much power over her?
“The witch wasn’t just any old witch,” my mother pushed through her teeth. “It was the leader of one of the most powerful covens in the world. He will be coming for you soon. Your child...”
A sob suddenly erupted from her throat, making her choke on her words. Tempted to throw a spell her way to make her choke more, I entwined my hands together to try and get a hold of my temper. She was my mother after all.
Mary and Dave stared between us, neither offering any words. Closing my eyes briefly, I blocked out their gazes. I had to think. I’d known for most of my life what my father had done, but I’d never known that I was promised to a coven leader’s son, let alone giving up my first child.
“Gemma,” my mother breathed as she came to me. “I’m so sorry. If I could change the events that your father set into motion, I would. However, I know he’s coming. There’s a reason he wants your child, and I’m very afraid.”
Placing my head in my hands, I listened to the sound of my breath as it rushed in and out of my lungs. “You’re afraid?”
Lifting my head, I snarled in her direction, my hands automatically reaching out. Dave’s arms wrapped around me from behind, tugging me back before I could reach my mother. She had known all along that my child, not that I was having one any time soon, would be in danger as soon as it was born. And yet, she had failed to tell me what my future held. A future it seemed that I had no control over.
“I must go.” Retrieving her bag from the floor, my mother thanked Mary and turned back to me. “Once you have calmed down, we’ll talk about this properly. Your sacrifice will right the energy of our family line. Once it’s done, you’ll be free to do as you please with your life. I’ll no longer hold you to Paranormal MI5. Gemma, you will be free.”
Before I could answer, she flashed away. Dave’s arms held me tight against his chest as I thrashed, needing to get to the woman who had just told me that I had no choice, I would have to play out my father’s bet if I was to have my freedom. Rage as hot as what I’d always imagined hell to be like seared my muscles, forcing me to clench every one of them. Control was lost as my mouth opened, and I screamed as loud as I could. How dare they ruin my life? How dare they take my freedom away from me? They wouldn’t get away with it. No matter what happened, I would never let them take away my choice.
“Gemma,” Mary said gently when I finally quietened down.
I’d been staring at the floor, the old frayed carpet holding my attention as the heat drained from my body. I no longer felt where Dave held me against him, supporting me so that I didn’t fall to my knees.
“You always have a choice,” the seer said, coming over to me and reaching up to cup my face with both of her hands. “You can capture the serial killer. He has a link to this bet. I don’t know what it is, or how he even knows about it, but you must find him. You must find him before this leader finds you.”
Her passion ignited the flame inside me. Numbness had started to spread throughout me, but with her words, my determination reignited. I would find the killer. Especially if he was connected to my father’s ridiculous bet.
“How can I get my memory back?” I asked as Dave slowly unwound his arms from my waist.
Mary’s throat moved as she swallowed, her hands taking mine and squeezing hard. “You must connect with another Essex witch to visit the ancestors. They have something for you that can only be retrieved through a powerful link to the ley line. Your link is no longer as powerful as it once was. Make peace with your mother and ask her to help you.”
Chapter 4
“So,” Kate muttered as we stared at the bank of screens on the wall. “You’ve got to do a ritual with your mum?”
Munching on the cookie, I nodded. Swallowing it down with a mouthful of tea, I sighed as the memory of my mother and her heartless confession made my chest squeeze.
“Yeah, ironic considering we’ve fallen out, but I need her help to get my memories back.”
When we’d left Mary’s the night before, both Dave and I had agreed not to tell Jake and Kate
