Chapter 19

NINETEEN

F ia stood at the kitchen window, her fingers absently tracing the rim of her coffee mug as she gazed out at the misty morning. The events of the past few days swirled in her mind like the tendrils of fog curling around the trees outside. The constant welfare checks, the worried looks from Reed and Arden, the nagging feeling that something wasn’t quite right...

“Blast,” she muttered, the realization hitting her like a splash of cold water. “How could I have been so blind?”

Her family. Of course, it was her family. She’d been so focused on keeping Vienna safe, on adjusting to their new life in Whispering Pines, that she hadn’t even considered the possibility of outside interference. The thought of her parents and sister wormed its way into her mind, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth.

A soft coo from the baby monitor pulled Fia from her brooding. She smiled, despite her worries, at the sound of Vienna babbling to herself in her crib. The joy that little girl brought to her life was immeasurable, a balm for the wounds of the past and a beacon of hope for the future.

The sharp rap on the front door startled Fia out of her reverie. She opened it to find Luna Nightshade standing on her porch, the older witch’s violet eyes gleaming with purpose.

“Good morning, dear,” Luna said, her voice warm but tinged with urgency. “I hope I’m not too early, but after yesterday’s events, I thought we should get started right away.”

Fia nodded, ushering Luna inside. “Not at all. I was just thinking about... well, everything. I can’t believe I didn’t consider my family’s involvement sooner.”

Luna’s expression softened. “Don’t be too hard on yourself, Fia. You’ve had quite a lot on your plate. Now, let’s focus on what we can do to protect you and that precious little one.”

As they settled in the living room, Luna began explaining the basics of protective spells. Fia listened intently, her mind racing to absorb every detail. This wasn’t like creating a new skincare potion or negotiating a business deal. This was about safeguarding her family, and failure wasn’t an option.

“The key,” Luna explained, her hands moving gracefully as she demonstrated the wand movements, “is to infuse the spell with your own magical essence. Your intent, your love for Vienna, your determination to keep her safe – all of that feeds into the power of the protection.”

Fia nodded, her brow furrowed in concentration. “It’s not just about the words or the gestures, then. It’s about what’s in my heart.”

Luna beamed. “Exactly. You’re a natural, Fia. Now, let’s try a simple shielding charm, to start.”

As Fia raised her wand, ready to attempt the spell, another knock at the door interrupted them. This time, it was Tabitha and Ellie, both eager to help.

“We brought reinforcements,” Tabitha announced cheerfully, holding up a bag that clinked with what Fia assumed were potion bottles.

Ellie smiled warmly, her hazel eyes twinkling. “And some extra magical oomph. Four witches are better than two, right?”

The living room soon buzzed with energy as the women worked together, their combined powers creating a palpable aura of protection. Fia felt a surge of gratitude for these newfound friends, their support bolstering her confidence.

As they formed a circle, hands linked, Fia closed her eyes and focused on channeling her magic. She thought of Vienna’s laugh, of Sayer’s steadfast presence, of the home they were building together. The air around them crackled with energy, and Fia gasped as she felt the protective spell take hold.

“Well done!” Luna exclaimed, her face glowing with pride. “Now, let’s work on identifying and dismantling any unwanted spells you might encounter.”

The morning flew by in a whirlwind of magical instruction. Fia’s head spun with new information, but she felt more empowered with each passing minute. As they took a break for lunch, Luna’s expression grew serious.

“Fia, dear,” she began, her voice low, “I must warn you. The illusion spell we removed yesterday... it’s more dangerous than it might seem at first glance.”

Fia’s stomach clenched. “What do you mean?”

Luna sighed. “With child services involved, these false sightings could be used against you and Sayer in court. Even if the child services representative found the baby safe and her environment safe, it could still be brought up in court. It could make you appear negligent and unfit to care for Vienna.”

A surge of protective fury coursed through Fia. The thought of losing Vienna, of her sister’s child being taken away because of her family’s malicious schemes, was unbearable.

“That’s not going to happen,” Fia declared, her voice steely with determination. “We’ll be ready for whatever they try next.”

As if on cue, a crash from upstairs had Fia bolting to her feet. She raced up the stairs, heart pounding, to find an antique doll zooming around Vienna’s nursery of its own accord. The toddler giggled, clapping her hands in delight, seemingly oblivious to the danger as the doll swooped perilously close to her head.

“Finite Incantatem!” Fia shouted, her wand aimed at the toy. It dropped harmlessly to the floor, and she scooped Vienna into her arms, holding her close.

“It’s okay, sweet pea,” she murmured, more to herself than to the still-giggling child. “We’re okay.”

But the incidents didn’t stop there. That afternoon while Sayer was out running errands and Fia tried to catch a quick nap with Vienna, she awoke to find the house’s plants growing at an alarming rate. Vines crept across doorways, flowers burst through floorboards, and a particularly enthusiastic Ficus threatened to break through the living room window.

Fia’s newly honed magical instincts kicked in. She moved swiftly through the house, countering each overgrown plant with precise spell work. As she worked, she felt Vienna’s eyes on her, wide with wonder.

“Mama?” Vienna said, reaching out a chubby hand toward a shimmering trail of magic left in Fia’s wake.

Fia’s heart skipped a beat. She was still getting used to Vienna calling her mama. She knelt down, pulling her niece close. “That’s right, sweet pea. Mama’s here, and I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

As if in response, a soft, iridescent bubble formed around Vienna, expanding to envelop Fia as well. Fia gasped, realizing that the child’s own magic was manifesting, driven by a need to protect them both.

When Sayer returned home, Fia filled him in on the day’s events. His golden eyes flashed with anger at the thought of the danger they’d faced, but softened as he looked at Vienna, peacefully playing with her blocks.

“We need to step up our game,” he said, running a hand through his dark hair. “This is more serious than we thought.”

Fia nodded, leaning into his solid presence. “I agree. Luna and the others have been teaching me protective spells, but we need a more comprehensive plan.”

They spent the evening brainstorming, their heads bent close together over the kitchen table. Fia’s skin tingled at Sayer’s proximity, but she forced herself to focus on the task at hand. There would be time for exploring their growing connection later. Right now, Vienna’s safety had to come first.

“We should install more magical wards.”

Fia nodded, jotting down notes. “Good idea. And I think we should set up a rotation with our friends, have someone here to help keep an eye on things when we can’t both be home.”

As they worked, Fia couldn’t help but marvel at how in sync they were, how naturally they’d fallen into this partnership. Sayer’s determination to protect them matched her own, and she felt a wave of affection wash over her.

The next few days were more of a whirlwind. Luna, Celeste, Tabitha, and Ellie were constant presences, lending their magical expertise to fortify the house. Ivy dropped by with a basket of protective charms and soothing teas. Even Daisy and Sera pitched in, offering to take shifts watching over Vienna when Fia and Sayer needed to work.

The support of the Whispering Pines community buoyed Fia’s spirits. For so long, she’d felt alone in her struggles, isolated by her family’s toxic behavior and the demands of her business. Now, surrounded by friends who genuinely cared, she felt a sense of belonging she hadn’t experienced in years.

As she tucked Vienna into bed night, the toddler’s room now a fortress of magical protection, Fia allowed herself a moment of quiet reflection. The road ahead wouldn’t be easy. She knew her family, knew their stubbornness and their capacity for cruelty. The battle for Vienna was far from over.

Fia leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Vienna’s forehead. “Sweet dreams, little one,” she whispered. “Mama’s got you. Always.”