“Well this is more colorful than I remember, but it’s still gorgeous.” Bette looked at her with strange and perplexed eyes.

“Why are we here? What you doing here?”

“Well this is where you’re parents wanted you to come, it’s where they feel you’re the most at ease with them. I’m only here as a guide sweetheart.” Grace said as she walked into the dining room and waited for Bette to join her. Bette saw Grace standing next to the table as she eyed the paper. “Phaedra always did have some beautiful handwriting.”

At the mention of her mother’s name Bette walked over to the table and she felt her insides light up at the beautiful and graceful penmanship she missed seeing. She ran her fingers over the words and felt the raised lettering please the tips of her fingers. The mere thought that her mother cared enough to see this through for her brought tears to her eyes, and she felt no need to hide or hinder them. She hadn’t started to read the letter and a tear fell from her face and landed on the table, causing it to ripple like a stream. Her eyes widened and she looked over to Grace, who just nodded her head in turn.

As Bette began to read she heard her mother’s voice behind her, as though she was speaking directly in her ear. The first word caused her to release a soft cry out loud as she had only replayed the memory of her voice in her mind.

“My Sweet Baby, I know right now you might be a little confused by everything that’s happening around you, but it’s for the best, I promise. I don’t know how you feel about my leaving you and your father but it was for the protection of you and everything we‘ve built, as you’ll come to see Baby. Your father conjured up this spell just for you. Just like in the human world there are forces out to hurt you and take your light away from you. So you say these words to shield yourself and the light will become something only you’ll be able to see.” Bette closed her eyes for a long blink trying push her emotions down enough to ask Grace a question.

“What is this?”

“This is the only way your mother could contact you. I know you think she abandoned you , but she didn’t. She wouldn’t be able to leave you if she tried, you’re connection to her is to important for this world for her to cause that amount of pain to you.” Bette dropped her eyes down questioning every bit of anger she ever felt towards her mother. “Bette try and remember every time you ever felt scared or alone or even helpless, there’s always been this innate sense that everything was always within your control. The sheer confidence in your abilities comes from within you, your mother instilled that in you for this very purpose. She knew that she could never be around you and ensure your safety so she’s stayed connected to you throughout the years the best way she could.”

“Why?” Bette couldn’t stop the break in her voice. “She stayed away from me on purpose, when I needed her the most?”

“She’s never been away from you. She’s always with you no matter what. The two of you are the key to a force much stronger than you realize now. And as much as I wish I could tell you what it is that you’re meant for, that isn’t my destiny. You’re only here to learn how to protect yourself and to see what you‘re going to fight for.”

Bette sighed as she looked back at the paper preparing herself to say the spell that would protect her, “Oh my god, Alice was right.”

“Scary thought, huh.” Grace said with a chuckle as she slapped Bette’s back.

　

　

　

TBC………………………..