Beyond death

Answers

Francesco POV

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As I walked up the gravel driveway, the evening sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a golden hue over the landscape. The warm light danced across the façade of the house, but it was the sight of Enzo waiting near the porch that drew my attention. His presence meant one thing: he had shared the weight of our family’s secrets with Alba. I exhaled, my heart a mixture of relief and anxiety. Enzo being here was reassuring. It meant Alba wasn’t facing this revelation alone; she had someone by her side who truly cared for her. But as her father, I now had to confront the gravity of the situation myself.

The shadows lengthened as I climbed the stone steps, the cool breeze carrying the faint scent of rosemary from the garden. I adjusted my coat, bracing myself for the conversations waiting inside.

The house was dim, the final rays of sunlight barely penetrating the heavy curtains. As I entered, I spotted them in the sitting room, seated near the hearth. The room was filled with the faint aroma of chamomile tea, its soothing scent a stark contrast to the tension that hung thick in the air. Alba and Enzo sat close, their expressions serious but calm.

“Good evening,” I greeted, my voice steady but tinged with the weariness of the day.

“Good evening, Papà,” Alba replied, standing to envelop me in a warm embrace. Her touch was a balm against the storm of emotions roiling inside me.

“I’m not angry, Papà,” she said, her voice soft but firm. “I understand why you wanted to protect me, but I’m almost eighteen now. I need to know the truth. I’m ready.”

A wave of relief washed over me, mingled with pride. It was one thing to hope she would handle the truth with grace; it was another to see it unfold before my eyes. Her maturity in the face of these revelations was nothing short of remarkable.

Enzo approached, a faint smile on his lips. “She’s much stronger than you realize, Francesco. You should be proud of how well she’s taken it all,” he said, his tone genuine and encouraging.

“You’re right,” I replied, a hint of a smile playing on my lips despite the gravity of the moment. “I am proud. And I’m aware of the bond between you two, Enzo,” I added, stretching his name with playful exaggeration.

Enzo’s face turned serious, and he met my gaze with unwavering commitment. “You have my word, Francesco. I will care for her and protect her with my life. I love her, and I would never let any harm come to her.”

A faint blush crept across Alba’s cheeks at Enzo’s heartfelt declaration, a reaction that was both endearing and telling. She seemed to accept their connection with a quiet certainty, as though the idea of soulmates had effortlessly integrated into her understanding of the world.

“There’s no need for grand gestures, Enzo,” I said, offering a reassuring smile. “Your word is more than enough for me.” I turned to Alba, my protective instincts kicking in. “Let’s get to it. I understand you have questions for me. What do you need to know that Enzo couldn’t answer?”

Alba’s gaze grew thoughtful. “Why are all the Benevento family grimoires here? Wasn’t this house Mamma’s family home?” she asked, her curiosity palpable.

I raised an eyebrow, unease stirring within me. “Have you been exploring the house?” I asked lightly.

“I’m sorry,” she admitted, a note of embarrassment in her tone. “You were always in the pantry when we visited. I needed to understand what was in that room. It made it easier to process when Enzo explained things.”

“It’s alright,” I said with a nod. “I would have shown you eventually. The grimoires are safer here than at your grandparents’ home. Their spell room is shared with other families in the coven town. To protect our family’s magical texts, they brought them here. They’ve been in our family for centuries. Your great-uncle in Benevento has an extensive collection of our family’s grimoires.”

“Wait, I have a great-uncle in Benevento?” Alba’s eyes widened. “I thought it was just you, zia, and nonni.”

“Yes, you have a great-uncle and cousins still in Benevento,” I confirmed. “Your great-uncle Davide is—or was—the leader of the coven there, though he may have passed the role to Aurelio, my cousin. I’m sure your grandparents stay in touch.”

“Wow,” she murmured, the excitement evident in her voice. “I’d love to meet them someday.”

“We can arrange that,” I said. “It’s been years since I visited, but it would be good to reconnect. I haven’t been back since shortly after the curse was discovered—when we had to bind your powers.”

“Can we unbind them now?” Alba’s eagerness was unmistakable. “I want to help break the curse. It’s not right that Mamma can’t pass to the other side.”

“Yes,” I said, my tone resolute. “We’ll perform the unbinding ritual this evening. Your grandparents have the necessary materials in their spell room.”

“What powers will I have?” she asked, her voice filled with anticipation. “Enzo mentioned he’s an elemental witch with water and spirit affinities. Are all witches elemental?”

“To your first question, it’s difficult to say. As a child, you showed signs of spirit magic before we bound your powers, but there could be more. As for your second question, no, not all witches are elemental. Your aunt and I are eclectic witches, adapting our magic as needed. Giulia inherited her seer abilities from your grandfather, who is an elemental wind witch. Your grandmother is a hedge witch—she works with nature, herbs, and intuition. She can even astral project.”

“That’s a lot of different kinds of witches,” Alba said, processing the information. “What about Mamma?”

“She was primarily a water witch,” I replied.

“I can’t wait to see her again,” Alba said, her voice tinged with determination. “Can we unbind my powers now?”

“Yes, we can,” I assured her. “We’ll leave shortly. Enzo, could you come with us? It will be a lot for Alba to take in, and your presence will help.”

“Of course,” Enzo said without hesitation. “I’ll always be there for her.”

“Thank you,” I said, a small smile tugging at my lips. “And about your abilities, Enzo—I understand why Alba shared them with me. Your secret is safe.”

“Thank you,” Enzo replied earnestly. “I appreciate that.”

With the conversation concluded, we prepared for the evening ahead. The urgency of the curse weighed heavily on us, but amidst the gravity, I found solace in knowing that Alba and Enzo had each other. Together, we would face the challenges ahead with determination and hope.