Read Online Embers (The Wings of War Book 1) by Karen Ann Hopkins - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Karen Ann Hopkins
Ads: Link
I whispered.
“No, it certainly is possible. I’m also a Watcher.” She said it in such a casual way that it made the shock wear off a little bit. “That’s the reason why you’ve come to live with me. Even if there had never been an accident, your mother would have sent you to me upon your eighteenth birthday.
“Of course, you really should have come to me years ago, as is tradition in the old ways. But late is better than never.”
Processing the information as best I could, I watched Aunt Ila go to the sink and wash the black residue from her skin. She then slipped on two potholders and pulled the casserole from the oven as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
“You mean, my parents knew about this—they knew that I was a …Watcher?” It was awkward just saying it.
“Your mother did. I informed her of the blessing when you visited here before. When was that? Oh, about ten years ago, I reckon.” She talked as she worked in the kitchen, cutting a loaf of bread and taking dishes down from the cupboards. “Your father was ignorant though. Human men don’t need to know such things.”
Questions sparked my mind. As my mouth began working them into speech, she noticed, hushing me with a finger to her lips.
“My dear, your mother came here for the sole purpose of determining whether you possessed the gift. She didn’t want to bring you, hardly understanding it herself, but I compelled her to come, to present you to me as is proper for a girl child of my lineage. When you popped out of the vehicle and I saw you for the first time, I knew. I could hardly contain my joy. But, I had to keep up appearances. I put on a placid face for the benefit of your father and brother. It was difficult though. I had thought that I was the last Watcher of our bloodline.”
She stopped and looked at me with a smile. “Your mother should have left you with me then, but she insisted on taking you home. She promised to bring you back when you were eighteen. I was conflicted about it, worrying that it would be more difficult to teach a young woman than an impressionable child.
“In the end, I decided not to meddle with your mother’s wishes. It’s hard to give up a child, especially in this age when the magic in the world is almost lost.” Aunt Ila’s voice held a hint of melancholy.
“Was my mother some kind of Watcher?”
Aunt Ila placed the casserole, bread and dishes on the table. Everything smelled delicious. I suddenly realized I was very hungry.
“Help yourself and don’t be shy about it. You need the food after that use of power. It will bring your strength back.” She brought a clear pitcher full of milk to the table and poured two glasses. Then she went back to the fridge and took out a large ceramic bowl. She spooned some of the contents into two separate smaller bowls and placed them on the ground.
Angus and Riley waited patiently until she made a gesture with her hand and then both dogs converged on their dishes. She put the bowl and the milk back into the fridge and sat down at the table.
I thought she must have forgotten my question and was about to ask it again when she said, “No, no. Your mother didn’t inherit the gift and neither had your grandmother, nor your great grandmother. As a matter of fact, there have been no Watchers in the family for twelve generations, since I was born in 1686.”
That would make her, and I had to calculate in my mind for several seconds, three hundred and twenty four years old . Yesterday, I wouldn’t have believed it, but now, all I could do was say, “Wow.”
“Ah, so, you’re really related to me after all?” When I asked this, I realized that I hoped her answer would be yes. It would mean that Timmy and Aunt Connie weren’t the only family I had.
“Ember, you are my granddaughter, too many generations removed to count.” She passed the bread to
“No, it certainly is possible. I’m also a Watcher.” She said it in such a casual way that it made the shock wear off a little bit. “That’s the reason why you’ve come to live with me. Even if there had never been an accident, your mother would have sent you to me upon your eighteenth birthday.
“Of course, you really should have come to me years ago, as is tradition in the old ways. But late is better than never.”
Processing the information as best I could, I watched Aunt Ila go to the sink and wash the black residue from her skin. She then slipped on two potholders and pulled the casserole from the oven as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
“You mean, my parents knew about this—they knew that I was a …Watcher?” It was awkward just saying it.
“Your mother did. I informed her of the blessing when you visited here before. When was that? Oh, about ten years ago, I reckon.” She talked as she worked in the kitchen, cutting a loaf of bread and taking dishes down from the cupboards. “Your father was ignorant though. Human men don’t need to know such things.”
Questions sparked my mind. As my mouth began working them into speech, she noticed, hushing me with a finger to her lips.
“My dear, your mother came here for the sole purpose of determining whether you possessed the gift. She didn’t want to bring you, hardly understanding it herself, but I compelled her to come, to present you to me as is proper for a girl child of my lineage. When you popped out of the vehicle and I saw you for the first time, I knew. I could hardly contain my joy. But, I had to keep up appearances. I put on a placid face for the benefit of your father and brother. It was difficult though. I had thought that I was the last Watcher of our bloodline.”
She stopped and looked at me with a smile. “Your mother should have left you with me then, but she insisted on taking you home. She promised to bring you back when you were eighteen. I was conflicted about it, worrying that it would be more difficult to teach a young woman than an impressionable child.
“In the end, I decided not to meddle with your mother’s wishes. It’s hard to give up a child, especially in this age when the magic in the world is almost lost.” Aunt Ila’s voice held a hint of melancholy.
“Was my mother some kind of Watcher?”
Aunt Ila placed the casserole, bread and dishes on the table. Everything smelled delicious. I suddenly realized I was very hungry.
“Help yourself and don’t be shy about it. You need the food after that use of power. It will bring your strength back.” She brought a clear pitcher full of milk to the table and poured two glasses. Then she went back to the fridge and took out a large ceramic bowl. She spooned some of the contents into two separate smaller bowls and placed them on the ground.
Angus and Riley waited patiently until she made a gesture with her hand and then both dogs converged on their dishes. She put the bowl and the milk back into the fridge and sat down at the table.
I thought she must have forgotten my question and was about to ask it again when she said, “No, no. Your mother didn’t inherit the gift and neither had your grandmother, nor your great grandmother. As a matter of fact, there have been no Watchers in the family for twelve generations, since I was born in 1686.”
That would make her, and I had to calculate in my mind for several seconds, three hundred and twenty four years old . Yesterday, I wouldn’t have believed it, but now, all I could do was say, “Wow.”
“Ah, so, you’re really related to me after all?” When I asked this, I realized that I hoped her answer would be yes. It would mean that Timmy and Aunt Connie weren’t the only family I had.
“Ember, you are my granddaughter, too many generations removed to count.” She passed the bread to
Similar Books
