We slowly walk back to the car, and from the long faces following me, I know I'm not the only one who's doing some deep thinking. From the frowning, I'll guess Ben is updating his sister on everything she's missed. Kelsi walks up to stand next to me.
"So, Clarissa was a Cursed One, and... Mara Jones was actually Nephera's daughter, but she was never born into this world, and so far, we... I mean, it still seems like Judah Black was her... biological father?"
"We are not sure of that yet."
"I know..."
She doesn't dare add anything else, respectful of my feelings. She probably knows I'm quite disturbed by that. I know I acted tough and like I didn't really care until we had valid proof earlier, but... the idea is still haunting me. It just doesn't feel right that I'd... partly be Liam's half-sister. I mean, regardless of the whole body thing. I'm not Mara Jones. But was Judah Black really her father? Something just doesn't make sense here.
We finally arrive back at the car, and all get in, the twins in front, Kelsi and I in the back. I am still thinking about our conversation with Lysandra and Kelsi's words when Ben starts the engine. He stops at a red light, and suddenly, another thing hits me.
"Moon Goddess, that explains it..."
"What is it, Mara?" asks Ben, glancing in the rear mirror.
"I just thought, when we were talking about biological parents... Sylviana and Nephera thought they were half-sisters, because they had been raised by the same witch, Danica, right? But, it turns out Nephera wasn't Danica's daughter, she was... probably a human's daughter."
"Yes, that's what we determined from the fact that she was... Sadia Jones' descendant. But what about the relationship with Danica?"
"That's exactly the thing. Danica was a witch. Sylviana was a witch. If you were born with a child that's a witch, without being a witch yourself, what would you do?"
The twins exchange a look, but Kelsi is faster to catch on this time.
"Oh... I see where you're going, boo. You think whoever Nephera's parents were, they entrusted her to Danica because she was a witch?"
"Well, that would make sense," says Bonnie. "Perhaps Danica didn't want to tell Nephera she wasn't her biological daughter, but she still sent her here, to Silver City, where her roots were? Maybe she was hoping Nephera would reconnect with her past?"
"It didn't happen, though," sighs Ben, taking a left turn. "Nephera never connected with the Jones’, Lysandra had no idea she was a... distant relative."
"But... how could Clarissa have found out, then?"
That's the one thing I am most disturbed about. How, indeed? The only people who could have made the link never crossed paths with Clarissa, or they were dead long before she came to Silver City.
It's strange, that the more I research about Mara, the more things point to Clarissa, and not in a good way. She knew way too many things. How did she even get the name Mara Jones, supposedly unknown to everyone? She couldn't have met Nephera, or Sylviana, so who? Who helped her? I can't believe she only found her answers with a bit of research. Something happened, someone who knew the whole truth helped her out, and it just drives me crazy.
Because I feel like this is the one question I really need to answer to unveil everything.
Chapter 22
I keep tossing and turning in my bed, unable to find sleep. The room is completely dark, though, only a glimmer of light comes in through my curtains. I'm staring at the moonlight, my heart filled with questions. It must be pretty late... I sigh again, I really don't feel sleepy at all. I glance down and curled up next to me, Spark is there. The black and gold magic cat is sleeping innocently, his fur moving with his breathing. Even after I've been petting him for what feels like hours, I can't sleep a wink...
Too many things happened today. I keep reminiscing about my night with Liam, and everything we talked about. I miss the feeling of his arms around me, the gentle look in his eyes. His eyes are always so expressive, even if one is basically dead. I even forget he's half-blind sometimes. I just get lost in them, in the way they change color without warning, how good they are at expressing his feelings. But then, there was that attack at the harbor, and the look in his eyes when we parted... Something hurts inside every time I remember that scene, his back as he walked away. I felt abandoned, although I had agreed to it. I feel a strange echo of my feelings. Sorrow, angst, that feeling of somebody abandoning us. Who is us?
I wish we could have gone to the cemetery today, right after talking to Lysandra Jones. However, Bonnie told us it was closed, and she insisted we all go home for today. To be honest, I would have probably attempted to get in anyway if I hadn't been worried about Kelsi and feeling really, really tired myself. Bonnie checked our injuries at home, and I fell asleep without realizing, completely exhausted as I was. I woke up in the late afternoon, and the four of us had dinner, but the topic of discussion was all about today's discoveries. Although we learned nothing really new just by talking and making countless theories about it, I was happy to see the three of them basically taking my side of things on each matter, and genuinely trying to help me figure it out. Moreover, everyone carefully avoided talking about Liam. The twins probably understand how deeply our bond affects me and the issue with the name Mara that comes with it...
No matter what, I don't believe he and I are related in any way. It just wouldn't make sense... However, everything we found out so far points to Judah Black being Mara's biological father.
Something inside me tells me this is completely wrong. I just know it. I need to find out why, a clue. Nephera was many things, but if I've learned one thing, she was a smart and cunning witch. Would she have had a child with a man she loathed in the end? Would she have kept the baby? I remember that dream I had, at Liam's place... What was that? Was it memories of Mara or Clarissa? I sigh. I need answers.
I get up, waking up a grumpy Spark, who doesn't appreciate it. I check my markings by reflex, but they look fine. As expected, the cold patches Bonnie gave me already calmed down the burning sensation.
That's another thing. The Water Witch implied I wasn't using my magic correctly, I was getting burned more than I should... for a Fire Witch. It does make sense. From what I've experienced so far, I get two types of burns: the real burns from fires that aren't mine, like the one in the building before I woke up and from the fire a few nights ago. Then, there are those black marks. They burn like regular burns, but they are black on my skin, and they look different. Both heal faster than normal, though. Should I be healing even faster? Or is there one kind I shouldn't be suffering from at all?
I crouch down, rolling up the carpet to reveal the circle. Should I use it again? I'm seriously tempted, but I've probably exhausted my magic for now. Maybe tomorrow morning, once my markings have reduced more...
"Meow..."
Spark is rubbing his body against my leg, but his head is turned toward the door. Is someone up? Kelsi and Bonnie are sleeping together next door... Is Ben up, then?
