Loved By Witches

The cabin of the SUV felt too cramped and smelled like Leo’s leftover fries and a quiet evening drive became thick with tension. "I’m not moving, and that’s final," Leo slumped against the window. "I am ten and I have a life.” "Bring down your voice, Leo.” Sophia said softly. "Leo, your grades are poor," Their mom, Leila, said from the passenger seat. "And your teacher called again. She said you’re spending all your time in the back of the library with cards and candles. That's a distraction." "No, it's not! It’s who I am!" Leo shouted." "Not when you're failing your maths." their father, Mark, chimed in with a deep voice. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel. And for a second there was no reply. Then Mark added, “We’re moving you to a private academy in the fall. It’s a fresh start. No more magic, just books." "You’re just saying that because you’re human! You hate that we’re like Mom!" Leo shouted. "Leo!” Sophia cried out. "That's enough!” She warned. "That’s not fair!" Leo whined. He looked at Sophia and kicked the back of Mark’s seat. The car swerved slightly and Mark checked the mirror, his face flushing a deep anger. "Don't you dare bring that up. I have supported this family and kept your secrets for years.” Mark tried to term his tone. “I will not let you throw your future away for some hocus pocus!" "It’s not hocus pocus, Dad! It’s real!" Leo’s voice rose to a screech. "Enough!" Mark yelled, turning his head completely to face Leo in the backseat. "I am tired of arguing! You will listen to—" "Mark, look out!" Leila cuts him with a scream. Everything happened in a few seconds. A deer had darted into the middle of the road. Mark jerked the wheel too hard to the left, the tires lost their grip, and the heavy SUV began to slide.There was a deafening crunch as they hit the embankment, and then the car somersaulted. Sophia hung upside down by her seatbelt. The smell of smoke and gasoline was overwhelming. "Mom?" she coughed, "Dad?" Her voice was very thin and weak. There was no answer. She fumbled with her seatbelt, falling hard onto the roof of the car. She crawled out through the shattered windshield, her hands bleeding from the glass. "I can fix this," she whispered with a trembling voice. She managed to stand up but her legs were shaking. She could feel the spark of magic in her blood. She stretched her hands out toward the car. "Please. Just lift. Just a little bit." Sophia was strained, she could feel the weight of the metal, but the magic flickered, then died. She tried again, screaming this time, pouring every bit of her into the spell, “Please, please don't fail me.” She grasped. The car didn't move an inch. Right there, Sophia wished her twin sister, Willow, could send her powers to save their family. She had earlier refused to join them for the evening drive. The sound of sirens finally broke the silence. By the time the ambulance arrived, Sophia was sitting on the grass with the air blowing her silver hair. She stared at the wreck before her eyes. Sophia sat on a stiff plastic chair at the hospital waiting room. She was wrapped in a thin hospital blanket and had a bandage on her forehead, but all she felt was cold instead of pain. For three hours, every time a nurse walked by, Sophia's heart skipped. Willow finally arrived, “Thank goodness!" Sophia whispered. Willow had brown hair, unlike Sophia, but both had brown eyes. "You’re late," Sophia muttered. "Willow, the car—, I tried. I really tried to lift it." Willow didn't look at her. She got herself a seat, three chairs away. "Indeed! You really tried. And I’m sure the car stayed exactly where it was." "Willow?" Sophia gasped. "Our family is in there! Leo is only ten!" "Leo was a hybrid," Willow said with a cold voice. "A mistake. He was meant to be like dad." Sophia couldn't believe her ears. "They love you and now you really don't care about them?" Finally, a doctor in blue scrubs walked through the double doors. He looked exhausted. Sophia?" he asked softly. She stood up, the blanket sliding off her shoulders. "Are they okay?" The doctor took a breath, "I’m so sorry. The impact was too much. Your father and brother passed away on impact. We tried to stabilize your mother in surgery, but her injuries were too severe. She passed away ten minutes ago." Sophia fell on her knees hitting the floor hard. She couldn't scream or cry. "You killed them," Willow spat. "If you had half the power I have, you could have stopped that car with just your thoughts, now—” Willow was interrupted with the sound of a clicking heels. It was Madame Olga, their mother’s oldest friend and a member of the Gemini Coven. "Olga!" Sophia sobbed and managed to get up. "They are all dead!” She reached out for a hug. But Olga stayed exactly where she was, looking at Olga with a professional expression. "I know, Sophia," Olga said. Her voice was flat. "The Council was informed immediately." "The Council?" Janelle wiped her eyes, confused. "Can they help? I don't know what to do." "You're unbelievable.” Willow hissed. "The Council has already made a decision," Olga continued, she stepped closer but didn't lower her voice. "Your mother’s choice to marry a human was always a point of contention.” Sophia looked at Willow and swallowed deep. Olga continued. “She was warned that blending our world with his would lead to disaster. Tonight, it happened. This is a risk we can no longer take!" Sophia stared at her. "What are you saying?" Her voice was soft. "I’m saying that as of tonight, you are no longer a member of the Gemini Coven," Olga stated. "The Council has voted unanimously. Your family's bloodline is severed. You were our designated Seer, yet didn't serve. You don't perform rituals, and you don't use your gift to benefit the Coven. You are banished!” Olga paused and stared into Sophia’s eyes. “You have twenty-four hours to leave Kira. You are not to contact any coven member again." She added. "You’re kicking us out?" Sophia's voice broke. Olga added. "Willow, however, will stay. She has proven her mastery over the sub-centers of Gemini Coven. She will take over your mother’s estate and continue the bloodline under the Council’s guidance." Willow smiled and stood up. "Finally, I no longer have to compete with anyone for attention.” She muttered and faced Sophia. “You belong to where humans live." She mocked. Sophia felt the whole world against her. "Why are you sending me away? Willow is all I've got left. I have nowhere to go! I’m seventeen!" "Then I suggest you start walking," Olga snapped coldly. She turned around and began to walk away, her heels echoing down the hallway. "Consider yourself lucky, Sophia. Most people who break the laws of the Gemini don't get the chance to leave at all.”