Spell Cat by Tara Lain Page 0,51
now. But you know I was barely born then.”
Vern frowned. “Oh yes, I remember everyone hailing the heir apparent when they were busy ostracizing my son only a few years later. By the time my daughter was born, we were separated from witchery, and she had nothing to fear from you. Or at least not much. We integrated into human society and never looked back.”
“You know, of course, all the things we’re taught about consorting with humans.”
The man sat up. “I don’t consort, Professor. I deeply love my wife and have since the day I met her. Your conniving witch of a mother can’t say she’s ever been loved by anyone.”
“You’re exactly correct. And I meant no disrespect in my choice of language. Sometimes I’m too professorial for my own good.” He picked up his tea again and turned it in his hands. “I only recently had reason to doubt all the dogma I was taught as a child. I apologize again for being so slow. I’ve always enjoyed humans and yet never came out of my ivory tower enough to question the liturgy, so to speak.”
“And you question it now?”
“Yes. That’s why I’m here. I needed to know something about you. Jimmy is very powerful, yet he’s the product of a witch/human union. Contrary to all we’ve been taught.”
Vern nodded. “I knew he’d be powerful. You should see our daughter.”
“I look forward to it.”
Vern set down his cup. “I’m also a half-witch, although no one in the community knew it. By the time we moved here, my human father was dead, and my mother simply played the widow. No one questioned it, since they were not quite as vigilant then as now.”
Lavender broke in. “That means James is only one-quarter witch, and yet he’s very powerful. How is that possible?”
Vern shook his head. “You should meet some of the other half- and quarter-breeds. Though we don’t associate much, out of a desire to assimilate with humans, there are others nearly equal to my children.”
Jimmy looked at his dad. “Yeah. My best friend Sammy is a witch too. You never told me. How could you hide it?”
His mother leaned toward him. “I’m so sorry, darling, but they were awful to you. The witch children called you names, and the bigger children would use their powers against you. We just wanted away from there and all things witch. Your dad almost never uses his power, so we hoped you wouldn’t have to deal with it at all.”
Killian sipped at the tea. Be gentle. “And yet what occurred was that Jimmy was left to deal with his own burgeoning power with no one to ask questions or go to for help. I’m sure you’ll be more open with your daughter.”
She nodded. “Yes, we will. And thank you for being there for Jimmy.”
“My pleasure. He’s my favorite student.”
Jimmy grinned. “Even if I am majoring in physics?”
Killian sighed. “Yes, even so.” He set down his cup. “I’m going to try to right the wrongs that have been done. I know nothing will ever make up for the prejudice and exclusion. I also know minds can be hard to change, but we must start somewhere.” He turned to Vern. “Is there a chance I could call on you to speak to members of the Witches’ Council, if that’s required?”
Rita held her husband’s hand. “I’m not sure I want him to have to go through that again. It’s too hard on him.”
Vern touched her cheek. “Thank you, darling.” He turned to Killian. “I’ll do it if I must, to save my children.”
“I doubt it will be necessary, since we have the living evidence of the untruth of their teaching in Jimmy.”
Rita shook her head. “We’ve tried so hard to protect him.”
Jimmy held Lavender’s hand. “Mom, what I want is Lavender, and I can only have her by being a witch, so I’m willing to do whatever it takes. I know there is no spoon.”
Killian and Lavender laughed while Jimmy explained. But Killian knew that might be the last laughter for a while.
Chapter Seventeen
“Yes, Mother, I need to speak to the council right away.” Killian shifted the phone and nibbled a scone.
“Darling, why do you need to speak to us?”
“I’ll tell you when I see you, but it’s urgent.”
“I’m sorry, but the council is in recess for some time. One of our members is ill, and another is out of the country.”
“So when will you be meeting?”
“I can’t say, dear.”
“Find out soon, or I’ll take matters into