The Hidden Legacy

your brother has been blathering on about the topic of ‘discretion’ ever since I met him.”
“Both of our families have ties to the earliest of Witchcraft families in America—”
“And it’s interesting to me,” Ivy interrupted, “how the families that moved west have ended up being more open than the ones who stayed in New England.”
“Point taken.”
Ivy rose to her feet and walked over to the kitchen window with the cat trailing behind her. “Your family spells their last name differently now. Was that a way to distance themselves from the trials?”
“Possibly,” I admitted. “This is New England, Ivy. Danvers is an old town and my family has kept their heads down in regards to our spiritual practices and our magick for hundreds of years.”
“So your legacy really is hidden.” Ivy seemed to think that over.
“Yes it is. We would never reveal ourselves to a mundane. It’s forbidden in my family to even discuss magick with a non-believer.”
Ivy raised an eyebrow. “That’s sort of a reverse type of discrimination, don’t you think?”
“It’s caution.” I corrected her. “I agree that today more people are open to the idea of magick, but very few can accept the truth of it.” I walked over to join her at the window, and we stood and watched my family below us on the lawn and back patio. “Not everyone is as fortunate as you to have the freedom to be out in the open with their practices.”
“I think sometimes it’s simply because there are a lot of families in William’s Ford who do practice openly. Strength in numbers, you know?” She grinned. “That and I’ve never been subtle. Not in my whole life, and it’s not always been an easy road to walk. But it’s who I am.”
“I noticed.” I nodded towards the big silver pentagram. “You could signal passing planes with that thing.”
“My mother gave the pendant to me when I turned thirteen. I wear it to remember her and to honor what she taught me.”
I shut my eyes, horrified that my attempt at humor had fallen so flat. “I’m sorry, Ivy.”
“Hey,” Ivy poked me in the side. “It’s okay. I know you were teasing. Lighten up, Hannah.”
“Can I ask you something?” I said, trying to make amends. “...from one practitioner to another?”
“Sure.”
“Nathan told me you can move objects, that you’re telekinetic.” I waited a beat. “Is that true?”
Ivy cocked an eyebrow at me. “Damn straight, Skippy.”
I smiled. “Show me.”
Ivy twisted away from the window and considered the apartment. “Anything in here particularly valuable?” she asked, straight-faced.
“What?” I squeaked.
“Got ya.” Ivy threw back her head and laughed.
“I suppose I walked right into—” and my words faded away. The empty plastic cup Eli had left on the counter began to rise up. It hovered about a foot above the sink.
Ivy crooked her finger and it shot straight towards her. She caught it neatly and handed it over. “Here you go.”
“Wow,” I managed.
“I showed you mine…” Ivy said. “So what can you do? What’s your specialty?”
I carefully set the cup down on my kitchen table. “I’m an Air Witch.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning I have an affinity to the element of air. The wind tells me things. I have clairolfaction abilities too.”
“That’s the ability of psychic smell, right?” Ivy asked. “Some folks call that power clairscent?”
“Exactly,” I said. “I receive psychic information by means of certain scents and smells...” I trailed off trying to figure out the best way to explain, what I’d rarely spoken aloud. “Certain fragrances mean very specific things to me. For example, when you hugged me earlier I smelled cherries and chocolate, and to me that signifies that you are truly in love with my brother.”
“Jeepers.” Ivy shook her head. “I’ll never think of chocolate covered cherries in the same way again.”
I grinned at her. “I can also manipulate the element of air to some extent.”
“Oooh, show me.” Ivy’s eyes were bright.
I held out my hands, palms up and concentrated. “Element of air, I call you forth,” I said and the temperature in the apartment shifted dramatically.
Ivy shuddered next to me as a little breeze washed over us. It began gently, fluttering the hair back from our faces, and then a rush of wind spun clockwise around both of us. The little whirlwind picked up speed, causing my dress to snap in the wind, while Ivy tried to hold her hair out of her eyes. After a three count I allowed the elemental magick to fade out and eventually disappear all together.
Ivy whistled appreciatively. “That was bad-ass.”
I drew in a deep breath and grounded, brushing my hands off from any residual energy.
The door on my apartment opened and my brother stood in the doorway frowning at us both.

CHAPTER FOUR
“What are you two doing up here?” he asked.
“Nothing,” we said together, in the same tone of voice guilty children use to answer their parents.
“Careful,” Nathan said, raising his eyebrows. “People will think that you’re...up to something.”
Ivy laughed. “Nice Professor Snape reference!”
“Relax, Nathan.” I grinned at my brother. “I haven’t broken any rules.”
“We’re just getting to know each other,” Ivy said, brushing at her shirt. “You know, a little witchy show and tell.”
Nathan’s eyes narrowed at her, then he studied me. “You’re up here doing elemental magick, Hannah?”
Ivy slung an arm around my waist. “We’re only talking shop.”
“Exactly,” I agreed. “Shop talk.”
“I’ll leave you both to it.” Nathan reached for the door and started to step out. “Behave yourself with the magick, Ivy,” he said, mock seriously.
“Not gonna happen,” Ivy snarked. “Wanna spank me later?”
“Promises, promises,” Nathan said.
Caught off guard at the by-play between them, I barked out a laugh. I’d never seen my brother so relaxed and full of fun, I suppose was the correct term.
Ivy blew my brother a kiss and he grinned at her, closing the door behind him.
“You’re good for him,” I said. I could see why Nathan had fallen for Ivy Bishop—the sass and the humor were endearing.
Ivy smiled. “Thanks. It means a lot to me that you think so.” She stepped back from