47. Athena

Farrah's eyes widened in disbelief. "Grandma, you know that's impossible. My dad would never agree to be a part of this."

"I know Kiran would never agree," Celine said, her voice steady but solemn. "But he is absolutely crucial to your maturity ritual."

Farrah bristled. "Grandma, my dad doesn't go by Kiran anymore. His name is Aaron now."

Celine let out a sigh, the pain evident in her voice. "Your father sure knows how to break my heart. Sometimes, I wonder why he does the things he does. I know he didn't manifest his powers, but that should never have been a reason to hate himself."

"Grandma," Farrah began hesitantly, "I'd really like to know—what actually happened with Dad? Did he find Jesus and decide to reject who he was? Is that it?"

Celine drew in a slow breath, her face etched with years of hurt. "It's a long story, but I'll try to keep it brief. Your father's powers… they never manifested. He waited and waited, but nothing. While he was still waiting, his father died. That loss changed him. He decided to leave our home and went off to study pharmacy at the university. It was there he met your mother—and that horrible Reverend Franklin Newton."

Her voice grew colder as she said the reverend's name, her distaste palpable. "Your father came back a changed man. Slowly but surely, he started to hate everything about who he was. After you were born, he began shutting me out, piece by piece, until there was nothing left. It's been over a decade since we last spoke."

Farrah's expression softened as she took in the pain on her grandmother's face. "I'm sorry, Grandma," she murmured, moving closer to console her.

Tears began to spill down Celine's cheeks as she leaned into Farrah's embrace, her weathered hands trembling slightly.

Cara sat quietly, watching the emotional exchange between the two. What a fractured family, she thought.

[All thanks to Reverend Franklin.]

'That man must have ruined so many lives.'

[I have a feeling you're right.]

'One day, someone's going to take matters into their own hands.'

"What do you really need from your son for the rituals? His blood, his words, or just his presence?" Cara asked, her voice calm but probing.

"Actually, we need both his blood and his presence," Celine replied.

"What? His blood? He's never going to agree to that," Farrah said, her tone sharp with disbelief.

Cara tilted her head slightly, considering the implications. "So, hypothetically, if Farrah's father were dead, would she not be able to perform the rituals?"

"There's a protocol for orphans," Celine explained. "We use a vial of their parent's blood, and a relative stands in to represent the bloodline. That's why all dark-blood witches have their blood vials stored with the chief alchemist. But Kiran destroyed his own years ago. I warned him it was a mistake, especially since it had been revealed to me that Athena was destined to inherit my gifts. In fact, she'll be far more powerful than I ever was. But he refused to listen."

"First off, I have to say I prefer the name Athena over Farrah," Cara quipped with a smirk. "It just has more... presence."

Farrah shot her an exasperated look while Celine chuckled softly.

Cara shrugged and said, "Your big eyes doesn't intimidate me, Athena."

Satisfied with her teasing, Cara turned back to Celine, her expression sharpening. "So, if I'm understanding this correctly, what you really need for the ritual is your son's blood."

"Yes, that's correct," Celine admitted, her curiosity piqued by Cara's line of questioning.

"I can get his blood. You could stand in for him," Cara offered, her tone confident.

Celine's eyes brightened. "That's a good idea—if you can truly get his blood."

Farrah frowned, looking between the two. "How exactly do you plan on getting my father's blood?"

Cara smirked. "We'll figure it out together before you lose yourself and set something or someone on fire."

Celine regarded Cara with a mixture of admiration and intrigue. "Your kind are always so clever. While most people see a problem, a fairy sees a solution. I wish there were more like you, but the vampires have driven most of your kind into hiding."

Cara's brow furrowed. "What do you mean, into hiding?"

"When vampires grew insatiable for fairy blood, the fairies lacked the numbers to fight back. So, they created a realm, a sanctuary, between this world and the afterlife. It's fortified against non-fairies. Most of them fled there for safety, and have stayed there for decades," Celine explained.

Cara's eyes narrowed slightly as she read Celine's thoughts, sensing that there was more she wanted to reveal. Everything the older woman said felt truthful but carefully measured.

Farrah, glancing at her watch, stood abruptly. "We've been here longer than we planned, Grandma. We need to get back to work."

"You're not staying to witness tonight's event?" Celine asked, a note of disappointment in her voice. "There will be plenty of people here by 7 p.m."

"Many people will be here for the sacrifice?" Cara asked, her tone neutral but curious.

"Yes," Celine nodded. "And I know what you're thinking. We would never sacrifice humans. Marco has been... misguided lately, but no human blood will be spilled tonight. We've already captured a deer for the ritual."

Cara gave her a polite smile. "Thank you for the invitation, ma'am, but we really need to get back. I promise I'll come visit you again soon."

Celine sighed but smiled warmly. "I'm going to hold you to that promise. Please look after my Athena. Here's my telephone number. Call me if you ever need anything." She handed Cara a small piece of paper.

Cara accepted it graciously. "I'll do as you've said, ma'am." Then, with a slight grin, she added, "By the way, could I trouble you for that cup of water now?"

Celine chuckled, her demeanor lightening. "Of course, it's no trouble at all." She left briefly and returned with a cup of water. As she handed it to Cara, their hands brushed.

The moment their hands touched, Celine's cheerful expression faltered, replaced by a look of deep concern—almost fear.

Cara noticed the shift immediately. After taking a sip of the water, she asked, "What's wrong, Celine?"

Celine hesitated, her voice trembling slightly. "Cara, your life is in grave danger."