Goddess revenge

The beginning

Every story has a beginning and its hard to believe mine starts before I am even born. I still dont even know the full story just bits and pieces something about a forbidden love, never why it was forbidden just that it was. Which is where my name comes from. Ava, the forbidden fruit or so I have been told. Their love story would end with me in an orphanage though. As far as I know they never came looking and I honestly dont even know if my dad knew I existed. It never stopped me from wishing or dreaming that he was some rich King who was just waiting to announce he has a mystery daughter and would be looking for me. Then maybe I would live a life of extravagance, all orphanages dream that though. Gladis who ran the orphanage would tease me that my head was in the clouds and one day my feet would need to touch the ground. I think she was preparing me to not be disappointed but she could not prevent it from happening. I remember the day she came for me the heavy rain and damp smell around the Earth. The day didnt feel right and I remember feeling like something terrible was coming. I was 10 and a spell was lifted, one that no one ever knew was there to protect me and they were coming. Renee walked like she was above everyone and I guess we all were subjects in her mind. Renee was human but not completely, she was blessed by the Goddess herself or so she claimed countless times. She had long flowing red hair that was silky, bright green eyes that can pierce your soul and her skin was a cream color but always had this beautiful golden glow to it. She was thin but not to thin if that makes any sense and tall so tall. Still have no idea how we are related I am nothing like her. I am short and curvy, my hair is the dark brown almost black color but frizzy if you look just right. My childhood crush once described my eyes as a poop color, which actually in turn made me cry a lot that day. My Aunt Renee never felt the need to tell me how she was my aunt only I needed to be prepared for the second spell to disappear upon my 18th birthday. I always questioned what that meant because magic was not real or Gods or even Goddess. I actually thought the rumors of my mom being the town's crazy was true but I had a home and no one stealing my stuff even if my Aunt thought she was blessed by the Goddess.

Turning 18

I walked downstairs and found pancakes steaming hot with syrup dripping down the sides the smell was i toxicating. The coffee was even warm still, I decided to take a short wall around the garden maybe my Aunt would be tending a plant or bickering with another animal about eating her plants. Toby her cat always hung his head like he understood but today that is not what I would find. I honestly must be cursed the way life keeps unfolding. I dont understand what I ever did to deserve this but found in the garden was my Aunt dead. I ran inside with tears streaming down my face as I called the police who arrived before I even typed in the number. Everything happened so fast I could have imagined not typing in any numbers.

" Ava I am sorry but I believe your aunt planned this. Searching the garden we found a letter and this key but we dont know what it goes to. I will have the medical examiner double check if she ate something accidently. It honestly looks like she went peacefully. Take the time you need to process but if you need help please reach out. Is there someone I can call to come over?" I dont remember saying words but he handed me the paper with the key and they all left, even Toby. I sat on the swing in the garden with the note she left behind as tears rolled down my face. I was all alone again in this world and I will never find the answers. That is when I saw the green eyes glowing. I didnt understand what animal they went to or why I was felt they were watching me. Then he appeared.

" Hello my sweet Ava."

I didnt know him or at least I didnt think I knew him but he smelt delicious. This soft cedar earthiness with almost a lemon scent sorrounded me. Something about him smells so familiar. I could not figure out why but every fiber of my body knew this person amd felt they were home finally.

Who are you? Why do I know you?

" It is not the right time yet but I need to set you on your path so ours will meet again. It will be awhile but I will always wait for you. Read the letter and wear this always." His hand lightly touched my face and then he was gone. I dont know how long I sat there think about his soft hand and that comforting scent but I remember him sliding the necklace around my neck. It was a heart with gemstones in it. It felt like there was some important meaning but right now the meaning is lost to me.

Later that night... I decided to take a warm bath as the shock of being alone set it. I grabbed the salts and herbs my aunt always said would clear the mind and help with clarity, even tossed in the dried flowers and herbs that she said gave second sight. A voice in the back of my mind told me to turn off the electricity and use candles. I slowly stepped in and pulled out the letter and started to read....

" My dearest Ava,

I am truely sorry and have failed you countless times in this lifetime and I hope to do better in the next one.

Our time together has been some of the most joyful and I am thankful your mother has picked me to help raise you for her. I know you never believed in magic or that there are other beings but now is not the time for doubt. Now is the moment that you will have to open your heart and find your past. Understanding your past and where you come from will help you when you turn 21. Your mother was a High Priestess for a Druid coven. She spoke directly to our Gods but then she found that we were not the only ones. One night she just slipped out and was not heard from for about 4 years. During that time our Goddess placed me in charge. It would be 4 years later that I would receive a trunk of books and maps, pictures and diaries your mother left behind. I tried to uncover the truth but they are cursed with blood magic that only you can open, I do not know who your father is. I included the letter your mother sent me to retrieve you. I hoping she lived a blissful life with her love after you were hidden but her never seeking you out makes me wonder if she gave all her magic to protect you. A pendant should be arriving for you to wear. Each stone will protect you as you continue your journey and hide you from others until you are ready to be found. After your 21st birthday our protection magic will wear out and he will find you. I save you money for you to live comfortably over the next 3 years, the house all of it belongs to you gift from your mother. I hope you forgive me from keeping this secret and leaving you this way. Know that I love you as if you were my own and I will always be by your side."

I decided to not investigate. Clearly my parents never wanted to be found. I spread my Aunt ashes in her flower garden so she was always be home with me. Toby must have been confused my Aunt was gone but never seemed to care. I went to college and have been working on getting a major in world religion and minor in history. One night as I was studying about the Druid modern day customs and a picture stuck out to me. I could not believe how much it looked and reminded me of my Aunt Renee. I kept reading and learned she had a best friend who disappeared and left to coven then several years later this high Priestess just disappeared along with many of their customs. It was pulling at my heart strings and reminded me that I needed to check the trunk my mom left behind.