Chapter 11

Danielle

Leaving the grieving women and the park behind, we stopped on the sidewalk by Lia's car. The hum of traffic provided a backdrop to our conversation. "What do we know about Agnes"s family?" I asked, glancing at the others. I'd had a thought about the case while we were dealing with the sisters. "I was thinking we might learn something that can help us unravel the curse if we know more about Agnes. Families keep shit forever, right? Look at how much we learned about Cami's family in those books we found in the attic."

Dea raised an eyebrow. "Good thinking, sestra! No one told us anything about her when we mentioned her before. Maybe we should pay a visit to her ancestral home."

Lia paused in her trek to the driver's side door. "Is the house still standing after all these years? Agnes was ancient."

Dre snorted and pulled out her phone. "Chances are high it's not around anymore. That was centuries ago, but let"s find out if our illustrious leader knows anything." She dialed Kaitlyn"s number, the familiar ring echoing in the air.

Kaitlyn picked up on the second ring. "Hey, Dre. What"s up? Do you need help with that call?"

"No, we handled that without any problems," Dre said as she explained what had happened and how we could be overrun with mundie wishes gone wrong in no time. "Anyway, we"re curious about Agnes"s family and her ancestral home. Is the house still around?"

There was a brief pause on the other end. "Funny you should ask. I looked into her after this issue came up. Without boring you with the details, yes the ancestral home is still standing," Kaitlyn replied. "It turns out she"s related to a coven member named Maxine."

"Do you think she will let us search through family stuff?" I asked before Dre could.

Kaitlyn chuckled. "Boy, she's fast. She just replied to my text and said she was willing to meet you there."

"Nice," I remarked, feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "I take it from your comment about her being in the coven that she didn't follow in Agnes's footsteps."

"Not at all. Outside of Agnes, the rest of the family remained Light witches," she replied.

"That's a relief. Can you ask when she can meet us?" Dre asked.

"Already did. She"s available now. I"ll send you the address. I told her you wanted information about Agnes and her history so she has a heads up. Let me know if I can help."

"Will do. Thanks," Dre nodded, ending the call.

We climbed into the car, and Kota entered the address to the car's GPS. It turns out it wasn't far from where we were, so we climbed out and hoofed it the seven blocks. It would be faster and easier. Finding parking in this area was a bitch.

My eyes bulged when I realized the house we were heading to. Nestled near the French Quarter, Agnes"s ancestral house exuded an air of timeless elegance. The exterior boasted a charming facade with white-washed walls adorned with delicate wrought-iron balconies that overlooked a quaint cobblestone courtyard. Vibrant bougainvillea cascaded from trellises, splashing the scene with bursts of fuchsia against the backdrop of ancient brickwork.

A winding path, flanked by manicured gardens teeming with fragrant magnolias and jasmine, led to a grand entrance framed by intricately carved wooden doors. They were weathered by time yet resplendent with intricate detailing, hinted at the rich history within. Not at all what I expected from a witch who went Dark.

Kota knocked as the rest of us formed a semi-circle around her. A woman who looked like she was in her late thirties opened the panel. She had striking features framed by a mane of dark chestnut hair that cascaded in loose waves around her shoulders. Her eyes, a deep shade of amber, were filled with kindness and warmth.

She smiled at us. "Wow. You must be the infamous Twisted Sisters. I can't believe you're on my doorstep." Maxine"s complexion was warm and sun-kissed, reflecting the Louisiana sun that graced her skin. She possessed an elegant stature, her posture conveying both grace and determination.

We all smiled, and Kota said, "It's nice to meet you. Kaitlyn explained why we are here?"

Maxine nodded. "Yes, you want to know about Agnes. Come in. Please."

Upon entering, we were enveloped in the warmth of a bygone era. The interior featured high ceilings adorned with ornate plaster moldings. They accentuated the grandeur of the space and made me want to restore the council building like this. I hadn't considered searching for some period pieces to use.

Polished hardwood floors gleamed underfoot, reflecting the soft glow of antique brass fixtures. The walls were adorned with portraits of stern-looking ancestors, their eyes seeming to follow every visitor with silent scrutiny. Furniture of dark mahogany and plush upholstery filled the living room. A Persian rug with intricate patterns softened by time, lay beneath ornately carved coffee table.

I didn't hide my appreciation as I looked around. "Your home is stunning," I told Maxine. Her care and love were obvious in every detail.

Sunlight filtered through lace curtains, casting ethereal patterns across antique wooden furniture and casting shadows that danced along the walls. The air was redolent with the faint scent of sandalwood and old parchment, evoking a sense of mystery and wisdom. I could feel the power humming in everything around us. A lot of magic had been performed here over time. Regardless of Agnes"s actions, her ancestral home stood as a testament to a lineage steeped in magic and tradition. I was glad she hadn't taken that from them when she turned.

"Thank you. I love this place." Maxine said and gestured to three boxes set off to the side. "I pulled some old journals but haven't looked through them to see if they are about Agnes, but I can tell you stories my mom and nana passed down to me."

"Why don't we start with the stories," Dre suggested. "They're as likely to have helpful information for us."

"And if you would be willing to look through the journals later, we would appreciate it," Lia added. "The chances of us having enough time to go through all of this before we get a call is small." The five of us chuckled with her and Maxine merely smiled.

"I can only imagine. I had no idea how much chaos was in our world until I started hearing about the Six Twisted Sisters. Anyway, Agnes was a formidable figure," Maxine began. "Her story unfolds like a cautionary tapestry of ambition and eventual ruin. My family has used it to keep us on the straight and arrow for centuries."

Dre leaned forward, her eyes sharp with curiosity. "What led Agnes down the path of darkness? Was there a pivotal moment in her life?"

Maxine nodded slowly, her eyes distant with memory. "Agnes possessed extraordinary gifts, but her insatiable thirst for power led her astray," she explained. "To gain more and be better than those who scorned her, she delved into forbidden magic. That led her to steal power, and eventually, blood rituals and incantations that defied the natural order."

Dea asked softly, "Did anyone attempt to steer Agnes away from her dark pursuits?"

Maxine"s expression softened with a hint of regret. "Her younger sister, Elara. That"s my great, however many times grandmother. She was a beacon of light," she revealed. "The story is that Agnes"s heart was ensnared by a forbidden love. It was an ill-fated romance with a rival mage who belonged to someone else. This clandestine affair only fueled her descent."

Phi was sitting on the edge of her seat, completely enthralled like I was. "Did Agnes ever document her actions in cursing the well and the coven?"

Maxine"s gaze turned solemn. "My mom and nana didn't talk about having anything from Agnes. They didn't strike any Light spells she created from the family grimoire. But I never went looking," she shared. "I imagine there might be something documenting her early decline. Later she became a recluse, consumed by dark pursuits and haunted by the consequences of her choices."

Kota, absorbing the revelations, posed a final question. "What became of Agnes"s family after her downfall?"

Maxine"s expression softened with empathy. "Her sister, Elara, endeavored to mend the family"s fractured reputation," she explained. "She managed to restore our family name, but the scars ran deep, leaving behind a legacy of caution and regret."

As Maxine unraveled the tales of Agnes"s tragic journey, the room fell into a hushed reverence. We listened intently, each detail adding another thread to the intricate tapestry of Agnes"s life. In the end, I had no idea if it would help us or not. After thanking Maxine and her promising to look through the books, we left to return home.

The ride back to Willowberry was filled with a quiet buzz of contemplation. We were all digesting the information we learned about Agnes's family"s history and the dark path she had chosen. None of it was surprising knowing where she ended up. Listening to Maxine made me consider the choices my sisters and I had made since getting our magic and how that would change things.

I glanced at my sisters, each lost in their thoughts. "Do you ever wonder what our adventures will be to future generations?" I asked, breaking the silence.

Lia turned to me, a small smile playing on her lips. "They might be used as cautionary tales to keep them from running into trouble," she mused. "We can teach our kids and grandkids how to avoid clashes with voodoo gods and psychotic serial killers in spirit form."

Phi chuckled from the backseat. "Or maybe they"ll tell our stories with pride," she added. "Like, "Did I ever tell you about the time my great-aunt Dani faced down the Queen of Voodoo?""

Dea snorted and smiled as she leaned over the backseat. "Our experiences will definitely be lessons for them," she postulated. "It will teach them how to navigate the complexities of magic and the supernatural world."

Kota, ever the realist, shrugged. "As long as they learn something from our escapades," she quipped. "Maybe they"ll appreciate the value of preparedness and teamwork."

Dre nodded thoughtfully. "Our stories will be part of our legacy," she said. "But ultimately, it"s up to us to guide the next generation."

I smiled, feeling a sense of purpose in our shared journey. Our adventures were more than just tales. They were chapters in a book of wisdom waiting to be passed down. As we approached Willowberry, I resolved that our legacy would be one of resilience, courage, and the unwavering bond of family.

Dre glanced around as she climbed out of the vehicle. "I imagine it'll look a lot like the who"s who of magical mishaps. We should add a welcome banner in the front of our grimoire saying, "Congratulations, you survived our questionable decisions'."

Phi, tapping her forehead with a dramatic flourish, grinned, "Step right up, ladies and gents, to the grand carnival of our misadventures. Admission is free, but the emotional toll is non-negotiable." We all laughed at that. What they'd said was true, but didn't change my thoughts of a moment ago.

"It"ll be like walking through a metaphysical museum, each exhibit a testament to our growth and occasional lack thereof," Dea added.

"I don't regret anything we've done, but I will say this," Kota interjected on a more serious note. "These memories are like stubborn stains. No matter how hard you try, they refuse to fade. Magical bleach, anyone?" Maybe not so serious, I laughed.

"Remember when we first started seeing Cami's mom?" Lia mused. "I think you peed your pants, Dani."

I smirked at her. "It doesn't take much for that. Unfortunately, we inherited weak bladders. Speaking of, can I just say how deeply I hate when women who don't have that problem look at us like we're insane? The adult diaper industry is a huge for a reason!" I shot Dre a sheepish look. "Okay, I'm off my soapbox now. I just hate being judged because I can't hold it."

"You're preaching to the choir, sestra. We feel your pain," Lia said, and changed the subject back to the topic we'd been discussing. "How do you think the story about our battle with the evil loa, Baron Samedi will be told? We stopped his freaking magical hurricane. It's got to go down as pretty epic, right?"

Dre chuckled. "That's up there with stopping the Skinwalker who thought he could use a mundie serial killer to get to us. We sent it packing twice. Sure, it's still out there, but we will get it eventually."

Phi shook her head with amusement. "Our history reads like a mystical thriller. Complete with life-threatening chaos and the occasional explosion for dramatic effect."

A fond smile playing on her lips, Dea said, "Amid the chaos, there were moments of unity that I would never change. We pulled each other from magical quagmires. Those moments define us as much as anything. I don't know many sisters with relationships as close as ours."

With a nod, Kota remarked, "Our rogues" gallery might be a quirky collection, but it"s also a testament to our resilience. Who else can say they"ve survived a magical fiasco with such flair?"

I gestured to us and grinned. "Look at us, the twisted pioneers of magical mishaps. If we ever decide to retire, we can open a theme park. "The Whimsical Wonders of Twisted Magic'."