Bewitching Waters

Chapter 1: Unknowing.

Since that night, Jackson was never the same, but Saorsie didn't know any different.

Deciding that he was not going to tell his grandchild of the events that unfolded the night after she was born.

At least, not until she was old enough. She deserved at least a normal enough upbringing without the fears that plagued Jackson every day since that night.

He will come for her, was among the last things Heather had said to him and Lilly. He didn't know who, or more importantly what Saorsies father was but it eased him some that it was not a werewolf and that the power of the head witch of the family would emerge between his granddaughters 16th to 18th birthdays. That's at least when the normal manifesting of power began.

There was no one to being her training, and that was a point of sorrow for him.

He himself only had the books Lilly used to train Heather, and that was all he could give her on her abilities. However, she wasn't human, not completely, and this thought never escaped him as he raised her.

Her 16th came and went, without any powers seeming to manifest at all. No strange occurances like there had been with Lilly having Heather. He had an idea what to expect and how to handle most scenarios expected. Yet, none of that... I never seemed to be needed.

It filled him with ease as much as he raised more uncertainty.

Witches of her line were usually early manifestors. Was it because of what else she was? He didn't know, and speculation consumed him.

What are you? Was a common thought as he watched his granddaughter grow from infant to child and child to teen.

He couldn't stand the idea that one day, some stranger would come and take Saorsie.

However, he would ensure she was ready and prepared for anything. Just as he was, or at least could be.

He had made a rule: Saorsie couldn't leave this farm. It was forbidden.

Unknowing what Lilly and Heather had done to save them both, he wouldn't risk it. They had given their lives for them both.

If they had used their lifeforce to secure the parameter, it would explain why no more werewolves ever paid them a visit since that night.

For this, he was thankful of his age. He could do less and less around the farm with each year that passed. Saorsie had always helped him, and it wasn't unusual for children from farm families to be homeschooled.

Every morning she collected the eggs at the roosters call. Helped move the horses to and from the field and even helped birth a few foals as a child and learned the process of selling them by 14.

She had a way with horses. Picking up horse riding quickly, she was a born natural. Faster then Jackson had been and even broke in young horses quickly and with ease. Faster than himself.

Similar to how Heather, her mother, had an affinity with horses so did Saorsie. In many ways, she was the spitting image of her mother and grandmother in her younger years. The dark hair straight had grown down her back and seemed to glow in the sun. The heart-shaped face of her mother and the full cheeks to match and those same blue eyes...

The only feature of her father was an aqualine nose.

"You will be a beauty of lady," Jackson would tease her.

Jackson was already old, but the years began to creep up on him.

He taught her how to use guns, and throw knives after her 16th.

The hunters would be impressed with her and it was his intent that she would join them. Her aim wasn't ideal but it was good for her age and Jackson knew she would only improve.

Not knowing any different, Soarsie admired her grandpa. He was such a skilled man and had taught her so much.

This was the man who had raised her all by himself at his age, and she respected him for that.

She never really considered going off of the farm. There was so much work that needed done on it and she knew her grandpa wasn't getting younger. Saorsie could see him struggling more and more and it tugged at her heart. He was her only family so she would do anything to help him!

There were a few times she asked about her parents, but Jackson never told her what happened. He wanted to protect her from that night.

He also felt he couldn't tell her. There were no graves for Lilly or Heather, not really. There were little headstones at the local graveyard but there wasn't any bodies from that night.

He knew those coffins lay empty.

Along with that, how could he explain that he did nothing?

That he sat in a bedroom holding Saorsie as her mother and grandmother went out to fight a pack of werewolves.

He never had to explain any powers displaying and decided to tell her nothing. At least, not until her 18th birthday. She didn't need to know of their families Hunter lineage, or seemingly need to know about her witch lineage either, at least not yet.

Jackson enjoyed watching her have a relatively normal childhood and he would never rob her of such peace. Even he had expected the wolves to return, but they still never did.

"What did you do?" He croaked, sitting in the old armchair looking at the small pictures of both in a silver locket he kept around his neck.

The door to the living room creeked open and Saorsie sauntered in, smiling away. Proud that she had finished all of today's chores and tasks.

Jackson hasn't noticed her yet and was consumed by his thoughts and memories...

After a further moment his eyes welled up, "I miss you both." He whispered, closing his eyes to let his tears fall.

"Grandpa..." Saorsie had been watching him and quickly came to the side of the armchair and hugged him, "You have me and I'll always be here for you." She beamed.

At that Jackson opened his eyes green and looked at her for a moment before recovering and placing his free hand on her shoulder, "I know..." but for how long?" He finished in his head.

"You know I am getting older and one day soon enough won't be here..." He began.

At this Saorsie shook her head and tutted, "Don't start this again." Although, she was comforting herself just as much, she could see it in the old man.

"Saorsie, I'm 84 now." His composure regained, so he continued. "I have had the luck and privellage to watch you grow into a fine and capable young woman. If there is a day I am not here, this farm is yours. It is already settled in a will. Donald from the town is aware of this, it's why he comes round every 2 weeks now. You're so busy, I don't want you to forget the farm to sort my affairs after I pass."

Although, he wasn't telling her the truth in full. He was afraid what would happen to her if she left.

Saorsie was speechless and had sunk to her knees beside him now. Also looking at the pictures in the locket.

She had never really met her mother, she was young when she had left, that much she knew. It was difficult to miss someone you never met and for her it made sense why she never did.

Although, she had always wondered what would have happened if her mother stayed and hand left her, "Can you tell me more about them? You never talk about them. Maybe it will help?"

Fully expecting to be dismissed or the topic changed, as Jackson always did when the topic came up instead, he did something that would surprise her.

"Okay," He said, closing the locket and instead of putting it back on his shirt, he unclasped the back of it and put it around Saorsie neck.

This caught her off guard, "Grandpa, I can't take this." She reached to unclip it, "This means so much more to you than it ever will to me."

"Now, now. I want you to have it and wear it. It's a good luck charm and it may protect you in the future. Never take it off." He said it with such a serious face, and Saorsie knew her grandfather was a very superstitious old man. There wasn't a day he hadn't worn it.

Reluctantly she accepted, "Okay, I'll keep it and wear it for luck."

As she said this the clasp on the silver chain seemed to dissolve into just regular chain. However, she didn't notice as her hands were back on the armchair.

"There are things I need to tell you." Jackson croaked weakly, as he reached for his stick and began to stand.

He was wobbly. Soarsie was there in an instant, helping him balance and holding him. Only letting go once she knew... and at his protest.

"I'm not that old yet!" He called.

"Stubborn as always." Saorsie laughed, "Now, what are these things you need to tell me? If it's about the black horse, Star she gave birth this morning to an all black horse with white tail and mane. He'll fetch a handsome price." She couldn't think of what else her grandfather had to tell her.

"Is there already a buyer lined up for that one?" She mostly wondered but said it out loud.

Jackson sighed, I should have told her a long, long time ago. It has all been kept from her for too long. Just this... it won't hurt, right?

"Good work on another successful birth, but it's not about Star, the other horses or anything related to the farm." He paused before chosing his next words carefully.

"You asked about your mother and grandmother." There was reluctance in his voice but he had already committed to what he was about to say. "There are things you should know. Things I should have told you far sooner, but know... I only ever have protected you and wanted to continue protecting you."

This sounded odd to Saorsie. She had heard of older people losing their minds and forgetting and hallucinating. "Do you need more of your medicine, grandpa?" She knew he had PTSD, she had seen it when he was teaching her how to use guns and why, once she learned, she had never fired one around him.

Instead of answering he began to walk towards the old bookshelf parallel to the door.

"No." He said with confidence and authority backing his next words, "There are important things, you need to be aware of." With that, he pulled one of the books, a book on rock gardening for beginners, off the shelf.

Before it was off, the bookshelf began to slide down into a space that had opened up.

Revealing a very old spiral staircase leading down, it was made of hard stone.

Saorsie's eyes couldn't get wider and her mouth gaped open, "...w-what is-"

Before she could finish, Jackson cut her off, "Follow me, please."

She moved over, just behind her grandpa. Regaining some composure but her eyes remained wide.

As he began to descend a silver torch flickered on, it was real fire and he hasn't touched it... so how...?

Saorsie couldn't fathom what she was seeing and just followed quietly from behind.