Chapter Twenty
With the decision made, the council broke up. The family and there Elders streamed out of the dining hall. Most avoided her eyes and other stared back defiantly. Georgina barely paid attention. Eleanor was so sure they would help that even she started to believe it. The verdict was what she expected, but she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. And that made her angry with herself.
"I can't believe it," Eleanor breathed next to her. She had been frozen since the hands came down.
"I would have thought they might have deliberated a bit. I mean, they know you have nothing to do with that family," Gregory added in disbelief.
Georgina pushed her chair roughly back and stood up. There were only a handful of people still in the room. Jamie was talking quietly to the old man and the Sons were stood back with their mothers.
"We'll figure something out, Georg-" Eleanor insisted seeing Georgina gripped the back of her chair in agitation.
"No, we wont. There is no we," snapped Georgina.
Eleanor's mouth hung open in surprise. The people talking in the room quietly turned and watched.
"I was foolish to trust these people. That they would stand up for anything," Georgina said Eleanor.
"And why should we stand by you? You who remind us of the evil out there. Your fight has nothing to do with us."
Georgina turned to Rowena who was stood by the door. Everyone else, except Henry and his family, were already gone.
"Are you really as believe this fight has nothing to do with you?" Georgina said with a little laugh. The smile died as she added, "Who do you think they are going to come after next when they are through with me."
Rowena just stood there. Clearly the thought hadn't crossed her mind.
"I'm the last power source for them. But wait," Georgina said theatrically. "There are other families full of witchy goodness to suck dry."
"You might just get the war you clearly want," Eleanor added, leaning back in her chair.
Rowena's eyes harden, and then she turned away, slamming the door closed. Georgina stared at the spot she was just in. Trying to calm her self down. But failing. A hand softly touched her bare shoulder.
In an instant her eyes blacked over and she spun out of the way. She faced a shocked Jamie.
"Don't touch me," Georgina whispered. "I don't like being touched."
"I-I'm sorry," she stuttered.
Her eyes drifted down to Georgina's chest. The swift movement uncovered her scars and the burned crest. Her faced burned as she quickly covered herself. Her eyes going back to normal.
"It was not the verdict I wanted, I have to admit," a wheezy voice said.
The old man walked up behind Jamie and looked up at Georgina. The Sons and their mothers also approached, standing by Gregory and Eleanor.
"I never saw your vote," Georgina said.
"I can't vote. I'm the Council referee, as it were. My voice has been long since silenced within these walls. My granddaughter, Jamie, takes my family's vote."
"Thanks, for that. By the way," Georgina said softly, trying to loosen her grip on jumper.
"It was the right thing to do," Jamie said, smiling weakly. "They would have seen it too if they hadn't been bullied by Rowena into making a quick decision."
"It doesn't matter," Georgina said firmly. "It's done."
Georgina could tell the others wanted to rehash over the trial. But she didn't have patience. She just wanted to get out. She turned to leave.
"Where are you going?"
Georgina paused when she heard Reid's voice. She turned around but avoided looking at him.
"To my prison. I have a headache. I'm assuming I have a few hours before I get chucked out?"
"You're staying here, young lady," Eleanor said fiercely. "The may have a say of the boys from helping you, but they don't control me. And this is my house. And I'll do as I damn well like."
Georgina felt a rush of gratitude to this lady. It almost made her feel guilty.
"We had better leave," the old mad wheezed, putting his hand on Jamie's shoulder. "We have to explain it to our family."
He held out his hand for Georgina to shake, but she looked at it in fear.
"I'm sorry," he apologies and quickly pulled it back. "No touching."
"I'm sorry, I-"
"If anyone else had been through what you have, they would be the same," he said softly. "I wish you well, Georgina."
She nodded and stood aside to let them pass.
"I'm going to-" Georgina said and finished it by pointing upstairs.
Georgina looked at Eleanor. She could tell by her body language that she wanted a private word with her family.
"Thank you, Eleanor," Georgina said sincerely.
"That's okay," she frowned with a smile, surprised with the thank you. "I'll call you down for dinner."
"Okay," Georgina said.
Before she turned and left she looked one last time at Reid. He was watching her and when he saw her look at her, he gave her a warm small smile.
Leaving the dining hall, she nearly ran to her room. Once inside, she took a breath and looked around. The books, she magically hid under the bed with Reid when they burst into her room, were still there. She rushed to the bed and started to pack up her bag. It took barely 30 seconds for her to collect everything, and another minute to write a letter.
Georgina was never good with words so she just wrote a few short sentences and left the paper on her desk. Grabbing her bag, she strode over to the window. Her hand went straight to the latch but there was a small enveloped caught between the window and latch.
She frowned when she picked it off and looked at the neat handwriting. It had only her name on the front. Not wanting to hang around, she shoved it into her pocket and unlocked the door, pushing it wide open. She breathed in the fresh air like she hadn't breathed in days. It was freedom. Blacking her eyes, she jumped from the window. Her power slowed her down, and she landed softly on the dewy grass.
Standing straight, she could see the last dregs of the council leaving in theirs cars. Looking back through the window that looked in on the sitting room, she could see straight into the open dining hall doors. Eleanor was sat with the rest of her family, deep in conversation. Gregory was holding onto his wife and Tyler was stood nearby, absorbed in the conversation. Georgina felt a pang in her heart. This family scene was something she could never have or hope to be in.
Turning away, she dissolved in thick black smoke and disappeared into the dense forest. Reshaping near her hidden car, she got in and put her bag on the passenger seat. She gripped the steering wheel tightly and scrunched up her face. Her mind whirred around in circles. Letting her frustration out of the wheel, she pounded it with her fists. She almost believed that they would help her. Stilling her sore hands, she sat back and closed her eyes.
Her hands drifted to her pocket where the mysterious letter was. With a sigh, she looked at it and opened it, pulling the old, fashioned thick parchment out. When she opened it and an old piece of paper fell onto her lap. She frowned as she read it. Then her eyes opened in understanding. Quickly skimming the letter, she allowed herself a tiny smile. Hope wasn't lost after all. She put her keys in the ignition and quickly drove off. Like the answer to all her questions for finally within reach.
Something was bothering Reid. He couldn't put his finger on it exactly. His mother gently ran a hand over his back. She smiled down at him and turned back to the conversation. Everyone was deeply engrossed, coming up with ideas and trying to figure out how they could help Georgina. But he was barely paying attention.
"Where are you going?"
Before Reid had even thought about it, he was stood up and walking out of the door. He made his way to the second floor; his pace quickening as he reached Georgina's room. The door was open and his stomach flipped. He ran through and saw the open windows, blowing the curtains softly. Looking around, he saw her bag and books were gone.
"What's going on?"
Eleanor had followed him. She looked at the empty room with wide, sad eyes. She walked towards the desk. The piece of paper caught her eye. She gently picked it up.
"She's gone," Eleanor said numbly.
Reid gritted his teeth and walked over to the open window. He clenched his fists and stared at the empty driveway that was full of cars only minutes ago. He heard Eleanor coming up behind him. She held the piece of paper out for him to read as she sat down heavily on the window seat.
I'm sorry for getting you involved in this. They were right in a way. It isn't your fight. But that doesn't mean they won't come after you. Please be careful. I hope to see you again.
G
"This was under it," she said, defeated.
Reid saw the book he researched with her. The one with the missing page.
"This doesn't change anything," Reid said, his voice firm.
"No," Eleanor agreed. She stood up and put a hand on his shoulder. "We'll be waiting when she comes back."
She leaned in and kissed his cheek softly.
"Don't give up on her," she whispered.
Then she left.
Reid flicked opened the book to the missing page. There was another note. It had only one line.
Thank you for all your help. I wish I could
And that was it. He read and reread it. Then he folded it up and put it in his pocket. Closing the window, he walked out of the room.
It was getting dark and she could smell the tang of sea air through her open window. She drove past the last town's house about 40 minutes ago. It empty fields. The letter that held her instruction told her to continue down this dirt road. She thought it might have been a joke, but then she saw a house nestled on top of the cliff. A small window was glowing with golden light. The road she was driving on led straight to it.
When she reached it and got out, she was blasted by the cold sea air. A light passed over her. Looking to her right, she saw a lighthouse it the distance. The beam circled around, lighting up the barren fields and choppy sea. Seeing movement in the lit up window, she walked towards the door. It opened before she got to it and Jamie stood in the doorway. She wrapped her jumper tighter around her as her dark hair ruffled in the wind.
"I almost thought you wouldn't come," she smiled as she stood aside for her.
"I get that a lot," Georgina replied walking through the door.
Warmth instantly hit her and she felt herself defrost slightly.
"I'm sorry I can't stay longer," she said apologetically, reaching for her coat. "I will come by every other day. But if you have any problems you can reach me on the number on the fridge."
Georgina nodded and watched as she got into her coat. She just put on her hat when she looked back at Georgina.
"I hope you find what you are looking for."
She gave Georgina a smile then walked out the door. Georgina watched her get buffeted by the wind before stepping into her car. Closing the door, Georgina walked into the cozy sitting room.
Taking her jacket off, she sat on the chair nearest to the huge burning fireplace and took out the letter. It was from Jamie, written with her Grandfathers permission. It explained about the punishment they would receive, if the Ipswich family got caught harboring her. But there was a way for her to stay in the area without breaking the verdict. And for her to learn about her family.
Georgina put the letter on the table and walked towards the bookcase that held nothing but dust and grime. Her eyes blacked over and she pushed her power into the unit. A deep, groaning rumble came from beneath her feet. She watched as the bookcase opened revealing a very dark hole cut into the thick stone. She stepped forward, pushing the cobwebs aside. A soon as her foot touched the steps, candle light burned from wall sconces and partially melted candles littering the descending staircases.
Slowly making her way down, she came out it to a small underground chamber. A slid sound bought her attention to the left A floating book hovered through the air and descended above the altar in the center of the room. Flames exploded around it. The added light lit up the room. She could see bookcase after bookcase, full books of all shapes and sizes. But what caught her attention was the crest marked out of the wall next to the altar. It was her Pendle's family crest. And this place was their ancestral home. Her rightful home.