“Man, I really thought you betrayed us.”
“Never,” Wes told them.
Viola nodded. “We needed to bathe in the waterfall, to return some of our strength to us.
Storm told us everything.”
“Aunt Viola. Why didn’t you tell us about Cyrus McKay?” Rose asked.
“Baby, it’s such a long story. One that only Elders possess the knowledge of.”
“You had to find out on your own,” Walter told her. “To have such darkness within the
family isn’t something we’re proud of. The crypts have once again been sealed.”
“Well, it would be nice if you guys would spill your guts.” Jasmine folded her arms across
her chest and stared at Viola.
“Let’s go back to the manor. Once we get comfortable, I’ll tell you my experience with
Clara and about the McKay massacre.”
Everyone followed Viola as she headed back toward the house.
Chapter Ten
A n hour later, everyone sat in the parlor with their eyes fixated on Viola.
“Our family harbors very dark secrets. Most of you know of the McKay Plantation massacre
and what it entails. But you youngsters don’t know what actually fueled it,” the older woman
said, shifting her gaze between them all.
Walter sat next to her and nodded
“We’ll both explain. Since we were actually there when it occurred.”
Walter nodded in agreement.”
“Is this in the book?” Rose asked with great concern.
“No. There is a lot that hasn’t been imbued in The Book of Whispers everyone needs to be
aware of. I haven’t included them because I need to tell you in person. Storm, The Raven Clan
plays a big part of the McQueen family history, too. You need to hear this as well, as do you
Wes, although you are mortal.”
Storm rubbed his jaw and frowned. “Why would you leave a part of the book unfinished?”
“Because, that was Clara’s request,” Viola said quietly as she sat on the settee next to the
window, overlooking the McQueen crypts. “Since The Heightening is tomorrow night, you’ll
need to know the darkest part of our family history.”
Rose sat down, nervously rubbing her sweaty palms against the fabric of her black pantsuit.
“Why do I have the feeling you’re about to lay some heavy stuff on us?”
Storm reached for her hand, gripping it within his.
“Just hear me out.” The old witch’s chest heaved and she exhaled long and slow. “These
memories cut through me like a sickle through wheat, so please forgive me, if I lose my
composure.” Tears misted over in her light brown eyes as Walter put a strong arm around her for comfort.
Rose leaned over, placing a gentle hand on her aunt’s knee. It hurt her to see the pained
expression carving itself on the woman’s face. “Take your time.”
She nodded and bit her lip. “Clara and I grew up on McKay Plantation. Which is now known
as Queensville. It was no secret among the other slaves that Clara Rose was a special girl, but it was often puzzling and frightening, whenever she used her powers by mistake. We were both
seventeen, and very impressionable.” Viola laughed briefly, then frowned. “One day, while we
were playing out in the field, a raven caught our attention. It had been staring hard at us for the longest time, so we decided to go and frighten it off.” Viola averted her gaze to Storm. “You
know that damned bird perched itself on that branch, staring us both down? There was something
in his gaze.”
Storm smiled. “Micah Ravencloud.”
“Yes. He had made his journey from the Spirit world to his intended, Clara Rose. Thanks to
the pull of her power. Oh, we knew as he sat there on that branch staring at us, that bird was no ordinary raven. And you know something? In that very area, we both felt an enormous surge of
energy. It was as though the land was speaking to us. Thank the Heavens no one saw us. Clara’s
hands glowed and she touched me, giving me a little piece of that power. Back then I didn’t know how much that power would grow, and what it was
“Never,” Wes told them.
Viola nodded. “We needed to bathe in the waterfall, to return some of our strength to us.
Storm told us everything.”
“Aunt Viola. Why didn’t you tell us about Cyrus McKay?” Rose asked.
“Baby, it’s such a long story. One that only Elders possess the knowledge of.”
“You had to find out on your own,” Walter told her. “To have such darkness within the
family isn’t something we’re proud of. The crypts have once again been sealed.”
“Well, it would be nice if you guys would spill your guts.” Jasmine folded her arms across
her chest and stared at Viola.
“Let’s go back to the manor. Once we get comfortable, I’ll tell you my experience with
Clara and about the McKay massacre.”
Everyone followed Viola as she headed back toward the house.
Chapter Ten
A n hour later, everyone sat in the parlor with their eyes fixated on Viola.
“Our family harbors very dark secrets. Most of you know of the McKay Plantation massacre
and what it entails. But you youngsters don’t know what actually fueled it,” the older woman
said, shifting her gaze between them all.
Walter sat next to her and nodded
“We’ll both explain. Since we were actually there when it occurred.”
Walter nodded in agreement.”
“Is this in the book?” Rose asked with great concern.
“No. There is a lot that hasn’t been imbued in The Book of Whispers everyone needs to be
aware of. I haven’t included them because I need to tell you in person. Storm, The Raven Clan
plays a big part of the McQueen family history, too. You need to hear this as well, as do you
Wes, although you are mortal.”
Storm rubbed his jaw and frowned. “Why would you leave a part of the book unfinished?”
“Because, that was Clara’s request,” Viola said quietly as she sat on the settee next to the
window, overlooking the McQueen crypts. “Since The Heightening is tomorrow night, you’ll
need to know the darkest part of our family history.”
Rose sat down, nervously rubbing her sweaty palms against the fabric of her black pantsuit.
“Why do I have the feeling you’re about to lay some heavy stuff on us?”
Storm reached for her hand, gripping it within his.
“Just hear me out.” The old witch’s chest heaved and she exhaled long and slow. “These
memories cut through me like a sickle through wheat, so please forgive me, if I lose my
composure.” Tears misted over in her light brown eyes as Walter put a strong arm around her for comfort.
Rose leaned over, placing a gentle hand on her aunt’s knee. It hurt her to see the pained
expression carving itself on the woman’s face. “Take your time.”
She nodded and bit her lip. “Clara and I grew up on McKay Plantation. Which is now known
as Queensville. It was no secret among the other slaves that Clara Rose was a special girl, but it was often puzzling and frightening, whenever she used her powers by mistake. We were both
seventeen, and very impressionable.” Viola laughed briefly, then frowned. “One day, while we
were playing out in the field, a raven caught our attention. It had been staring hard at us for the longest time, so we decided to go and frighten it off.” Viola averted her gaze to Storm. “You
know that damned bird perched itself on that branch, staring us both down? There was something
in his gaze.”
Storm smiled. “Micah Ravencloud.”
“Yes. He had made his journey from the Spirit world to his intended, Clara Rose. Thanks to
the pull of her power. Oh, we knew as he sat there on that branch staring at us, that bird was no ordinary raven. And you know something? In that very area, we both felt an enormous surge of
energy. It was as though the land was speaking to us. Thank the Heavens no one saw us. Clara’s
hands glowed and she touched me, giving me a little piece of that power. Back then I didn’t know how much that power would grow, and what it was
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