---- Ilet her gather herself, waiting for her to get to the real point.


    "She no longer trusted your father," Nana finally said, sighing, wiping her tears with a handkerchief.


    "He seemed more paranoid and fearful of your mothers power every day.


    I believe...


    I believe..." "That he was the one who killed her," I finished the obvious conclusion, not even shocked.


    He took advantage of her moment of weakness, waited until she was vulnerable, and eliminated the witch who could have been a threat to him.


    Typical of my fatheruse someone, then discard them like a rag.


    Nana nodded.


    It was clear she had loved my mother deeply.


    Now I understood why she had been the only one to protect me, the only one who had tried to keep my powers hidden.


    "He watched you both as children, always afraid you would manifest something unusual, until he convinced himself that you were like him just elementals." "Well, we both turned out contaminated," I added sarcastically.


    "Rosse possibly died poisoned by her own magic, from repressing herself so much just to appear normal." "Tm telling you all of this because I need to give you something," she said, suddenly reaching into the wide sash of her dress.


    She nced at the locked door once more, just to be sure.


    Then, she ced a small book in my outstretched handit looked like a ---- journal.


    I carefully opened it.


    The pages were so old, yellowed, as if they would crumble at any moment.


    "Nana, I cant understand what it says.


    What is this?" I examined the scribbles, the strange symbols.


    "Your mother knew the code to unlock it.


    Dont ask me howI dont know.


    But inside, there are many useful magical spells.


    Look, look at this little noteit has the code.


    Memorize it and then destroy it, Kath," she whispered, leaning in, gesturing as we spoke.


    It seemed so incredible and dangerous.


    I had no idea how Nana had the courage to keep something so incriminating.


    "This particr spell," she pointed at a page, "I once helped your mother prepare it.


    Its like a powder that induces a deep sleep.


    Whoever consumes it will fall into a trance for a whileyou can do whatever you want with them, and when they wake up, they wont remember a thing." We exchanged nces, both well aware of just how useful that powder could be right now.


    "Will...


    that still work if hes in that state?" I asked, a little embarrassed, but my concern was genuine.


    "Well, thats for you to figure out.


    Dont expect me toe help you, do you?" she scoffed mockingly, and I couldnt help but let out a slightly nervousugh.


    "Here you go," she said, handing me a small pouch of dark fabric.