Page 108 of Anaki

She nodded. “Yes, that time. I swear I messed up so many times, and none of you even saw it.” She bumped her forehead against the side of my temple.

“There was one storm that was particularly bad. The wind howled, and the thunder was loud. I think Emm’s cries were louder, but don’t tell her that.”

I lay my head on Abuela’s shoulder and laughed.

“So, I just hummed until I pushed the clouds away.”

There were many nights when there were thunderstorms, the particularly bad ones, I did remember Abuela humming, and soon after thethunderstorms would depart. I never put two and two together because I just thought it was a coincidence.

“I didn’t do it every time,” Abuela stated. “Because each time you use magic, it drains your manna. I was constantly using my reserves, always using my magic to keep the protection around us. That was why your father didn’t bother us much. I tried to tell Emm, but you know her.”

Yep, Emm was stubborn like that.

“And this magic is buried inside you. You both have mates who are shifters, now. This magic we hold in our bloodline is powerful. Too powerful. I don’t know if you can truly awaken any magic inside you along with your animals, but I suggest not.” She raised a brow. “You would need years and years of training, and when you let it out, it will all come at once and spill yet another secret.”

“Mierda! How many more secrets!?” I yelled, Abuela was faster than lightning, taking off her chancla and slapping me across the leg.

“You do not cuss in front of your elders! How dare you!” She smacked me several more times, and I rose from my seat to get away.

“Okay, okay! What is the other secret?”

“It’s with your son, Luis.”

My face instantly paled.

“As you know, his magic has been brought to the surface. I was there when they did it, for a reason. I made sure that his magic would slowly come to him and not all at once. Unfortunately, there will be a time when he reaches his full potential, when he is an adult. He will surpass the teachings of Tajah and Bram.”

I wrung the doll in my grasp.

“His power will be great. So great, mija His blood, our blood, must remain a secret; our family’s name must not be repeated or be known. The name we came with from the Elysian Realm. Do you understand me?Luis will be the catalyst to humans and supernaturals getting along here on Earth, in the far future.”

Back. The. Fuck. Up.

Before I could speak, she spoke again. “The goddess told me all of this. Citlalli, that is our ancient family line. You can’t tell Emm.”

I put my fingers into my hair and pulled at the roots. “This is too much pressure! I can’t do this! What do you mean I can’t tell Emmie! I tell Emmie almost everything! Why can I not say that name?”

“You can’t! Swear it!”

My heart pounded against my chest as if trying to escape, and a thunderous roar echoed from beyond the horizon, reverberating through the air and sending shivers down my spine.

Anaki.

I felt fear explode in my chest. Panic, rage.

Luis.

I jerked my head to Abuela, who stood tall. The panic that she might have had displayed on her face when she told me about the ancient family name, was gone.

“Listen, Elena.”

I shook my head. “I don’t want to,” I whispered. There was more shouting in the distance. “I have to go help. I have to—”

Abuela grabbed my arm. “When I unlocked my magic to its full potential, I was ordered to keep my lineage, my granddaughters and my grandson, safe. You will all have mates now. I have done my part, and with unlocking my magic so late in my life, it has damaged my body, mija. I only have enough manna to use one last spell. In doing so, I will forfeit my life.”

My knees wobbled and threatened to buckle beneath me. My chest felt as if a weight had settled firmly upon it. A raw, wrenching sob tore through my very being, shaking me to my core. Hot tears streamed freely downmy cheeks, blurring my vision as I reached out for her, drawing her closer to me. Her familiar scent enveloped me, a comforting blend of sage and burning ozone.

“No, please. What are you saying? You can’t go, you are all we have.”