Ingrid's daughter never slept. The third Beauchamp would howl through the night and whimper through the day as though the moon gave her power and the sun scorched her soft, pink skin. Her pink skin clashed with her red hair – so red it made her mother's blond by comparison – and the soft tuffs grew longer each day. Our chapter beings on the fourth and last day of this child's youth.
"Mom," Ingrid called, "mom where are you? We have to go or we'll be late for her Naming Day!"
"Coming!" Joanna shouted running down the stairs forgotten purse in hand, "I'm here – where is my granddaughter?"
"In the car with Wendy."
"And Freya?"
"Freya is meeting us there – she had a late night with Killian... something about wedding plans." They share knowing, excited smiles. Freya's wedding is scheduled a week from today.
"Right then – let's go name this lovely girl with her healthy lungs."
She whimpers all the way to the beach and down the aisle, but it doesn't keep anyone from beaming at her sweet, though crumpled, face. Witches from all over East End came over for the Naming Day of the mysterious, wailing daemon and all are surprised by how innocent she looks. Ingrid carries her down a white aisle in a white basket to where Joanna, Freya, and Wendy stand around a white cauldron. When the new mother stops in front of the cauldron Joanna pulls out a too-familiar knife and draws it across her hand. Wendy and Freya are next, followed by Ingrid and lastly by a drop of her daughters fresh blood. "With this ritual I name thee Ginni and claim you as mine to protect, love, and instruct in the ways of magic and life. We mix our blood to make this pledge and stain the white to keep you safe from those who would hunt our kind. My daughter and blood, Ginni Sapientia Beauchamp, is The Heart as I am The Key. So mote it be."
"And as I am the Gatherer – what a lovely ceremony." Helena appears on the other side of the cauldron and the bloody mixture starts to writhe with heat.
"Helena, what are you doing here -" Joanna hisses with rage.
"And how the hell did you get here?" Wendy asks stepping protectively in front of Ingrid and Ginni.
Helena flickers her wrist and the watching witches and warlocks vanish. Another flick and Wendy is sent flying across the sand. One more and Joanna is paralyzed before she can fight back. She turns to the baby, but Freya throws herself in front and takes the hit to the heart. Horrified at the sudden turn of the tide Ingrid joins her daughter in a mortified wail and sends spell after spell at her aunt. It is all in vain, though, and Helena paralyzes her too before taking Ginni into her arms. Tears streak down her immobile face and Helena leans down and caresses the small girl's pink cheeks.
"Don't worry Ingrid darling – I won't kill her... yet. Youth is such a precious thing. It's so strong and vibrant – so much strength and power. I have rotted in hell for centuries, and now I need to be restored. I need this child's youth. The rest of her life will be taken in due course, but for now I only need her childhood – besides it would be greedy not to leave some for my human pet, Raven, to play with."
Helena's voice drips with hunger and a dangerous, lusting greed. She takes a long finger nail and draws blood just above Ginni's heart. A rush of pearly white pulses out until it is blinding – when it is gone so is the woman and the baby. Only a girl remains.
She must be about fourteen, and her fiery red hair is streaking the sand as another red head leans over her and cries. Eventually, three other ladies stir and rush to their side. One of them with a new engagement ring seems different from the rest – like she has lost something she cannot name. They sit together and weep, but there is nothing to be done. Soon the girl will wake, but her childhood is gone. The rest of her fate will not be easy.
Hope you all liked this update! I will post the next one before Friday (although it might be late on Thursday night)! Thank you so much for reading, and have a wonderful witchy week. MWAH 💚