14. Nova

Chapter 14

Nova

Eleven Years Earlier

“ S he doesn’t have much time left,” the Healer informed my father, who already had bloodshot eyes from what was imminently going to happen. My mother nodded in acknowledgment. “She’s asking for Nova.”

I snapped my eyes at the Healer, who stood a few feet away from me and stood from the cold floor. My grandma’s heart rate had been erratic all day, so creatures were constantly coming in and out of the room. The hospice Healers were doing their best to make her comfortable as she prepared to draw her last breath since there was nothing else they could do at this point. My mother ushered fourteen-year-old me into the room to fulfill what was undoubtedly one of my grandmother’s final requests.

The door quietly shut behind me as I stood in the sterile room. My grandmother lay on the hospital bed, attached to an array of machines that were supposed to take away her pain. The slow and rhythmic beeping of her now-stabilized heart rate filled the silence in the room. Flowers and tokens of appreciation lined the wall under the window overlooking the forest behind the hospital. Since she had been admitted into the hospital with the understanding that her time was short, hundreds of creatures had come to stop by and say goodbye.

Slowly, I stepped toward the bed and the chair set up for me.

“Sweetheart,” my grandmother whispered as I took a seat. I scooted to the edge of the chair, wanting to be close to her.

“Hi, Grandma,” I said, softly taking her hand. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay.” A weak smile spread across her wrinkled face. “It’s been a long time since I saw your grandfather, so I’m ready.”

She coaxed a sad smile out of me at the thought of her being reunited with the love of her life. After my grandfather died, she never remarried and lived her days dedicated to her family and prolonging peace in our world. She was a staunch advocate for coexistence between witches, wizards, and all other creatures. She believed we were stronger together and could benefit significantly from coexisting. Thanks to her efforts, Hidden Creek is what it is today.

I wanted to believe she was lying and wasn’t ready to leave us, but the Healers assured us she was at peace. Her weak smile and deep purple eyes assured me of it.

“I’m going to miss you,” I said, voice breaking as tears started to roll down my cheeks.

My grandmother and I had been very close. With my parents putting all their effort into growing their potion shop and consulting for the Woodhavens on most matters, Grandma helped homeschool me, and we spent most afternoons together until she got sick. Over the last few months, her heliotrope-colored eyes had dimmed. The cloudiness of age spread into her irises, the wrinkles deepened, and her energy dwindled. She was a hundred and fifteen years old, one of the oldest witches ever to live, and until last year, you would never know she was a day over eighty.

“I know, but you know I’ll always be with you.” She gingerly squeezed my hand and turned toward me as best she could. “Look, Nova…”

“Yes, Grandma?”

“Please, promise me…” Her voice trailed off for a second before she regained her composure. I was quickly losing mine. “Promise me that you will never reveal your ability to anyone who isn’t of the utmost trustworthiness. The fewer creatures that know, the safer you will be.” There was no stopping the tears running down my cheeks as her bony finger caressed the top of my hand. “You are the most powerful witch of your generation, and with that power comes a lot of responsibility.” Her breathing was labored. “Your grandfather died to ensure his abilities could never be used for harm, and that brought peace to our world.” She inhaled at the memory of my grandfather, which slightly spiked her heart rate. “There are still creatures out there who want to use you for chaos. So, promise me, promise me you will never allow your abilities to be used to harm others.”

“I promise, Grandma,” I sobbed.

“I love you, my sweet girl. I am so proud of the witch you have become, and I know you’ll do great things.”

“I love you too,” I managed to say between sobs. My grandmother looked at me and gave a faint nod. The beeping of her heart rate settled into a slightly slower rhythm than before.

Her bony fingers eased their grasp around my hand. “Will you please get everyone else?” she asked, returning her eyes toward the ceiling. My legs barely held me as I opened the door to let everyone in.

The room filled with trusted creatures who loved and respected my grandmother. They came from all walks of her life, loving faces gathered around for support as the matriarch of the Foster family drew her last breath. Memories, chatter, and stifled sobs filled the room as I stood in the corner, away from everyone and focusing on the slowing beeps. I felt utterly alone in this room full of people I had grown up around and had known for my entire life.

I was the only Manipulator of my generation, the only Manipulator alive. I always hated the label given to my ability since it made it sound like I was a monster, someone who would take advantage of others and force them to do their bidding with malicious intent. In reality, I was just a witch, endowed with the most dangerous special ability, wishing to be ordinary. There were many days I longed to be normal, to have a random ability like everyone else, but that was impossible. The Gods had chosen me to carry this burden, and I had to carry it—mostly—alone.

Standing with my back pressed against the wall, I felt an arm fall over my shoulders. Sixteen-year-old Ezra stood next to me, giving me his charming smile with watery eyes. The Woodhavens and Fosters had been friends for centuries, and that friendship extended to Ezra and me. He had also grown up with my grandmother by his side. He pulled me close but stayed silent. He might have had no special ability, but he was gifted at knowing when I needed a shoulder to cry on.

A hush fell on the room as my grandmother’s monitor flat-lined. My father sobbed by her bedside, and my mother cradled his head against her chest. Ezra wrapped his bony arms tighter around me as I muffled my sobs against his chest.