I took her hands in mine and squeezed, wiping off the tears from her eyes as I fought the pain in my chest. "I am not sure I deserved being left behind, but that is fine. What I do not understand, even more so, is her ability to stay away from you for three years. Why didn't she just offer all the explanations she gave you when you had asked? Why wait until three years later?"
"I thought so, too, at first. I finally understood when she came. You see, I grew up being bullied. Being called a bastard. The unwanted child. The dirt tainting the coven," simmering rage tore through me as she spoke. I am going to rip anyone responsible for making her sad limb by limb!
"Most times, I wouldn't go out to play and would rather stay indoors, watching Umma make her potions. I hid it, pretended I was o
