Mine to Fear (Mine #3)(38)

“How did they change?”

“My father got deeply in debt. Councilman Daniel found me and said I could work for him and he'd treat me fairly. His offer was the most generous I received.”

Daniel and Annabelle are most giving. “What happened to your father?”

Jack shrugs. “The mighty has fallen.”

“He's working off his debt as well?” I guess. Ben stirs so I begin rocking back and forth to calm him.

A nod is the only response I get.

“This isn't where I meant our chat to go.” I sigh. “Look, I'm sorry. Even though I've spent a lot of time in Chardonia now, I'm still not used to the way men treat women. You've proven over the last while that you aren't like the others.” Though I'm still not sure that means, he's ready to help us gain freedom. “I just wanted you to understand there was a different way to do things. I shouldn't have lashed out at you.”

“Apology accepted. Though I must apologize as well. I'm still learning how to properly treat women. I'm not sure I know anymore.”

Wow. “You're definitely headed in the right direction.”

He gives me a tentative smile, which I return.

“So, about this favor…” Jitters come back in full force.

“Yes?”

Just time to spit it out. “We would like help overthrowing the council.”

His eyes widen briefly before his calm demeanor returns. “You don't ask for small favors.”

I want to say something sarcastic, but things are just too heavy to add that in. So instead, I say nothing at all.

“This is because of your brother.”

My chest is heavy at the mere mention of him. Truth isn't what I want to go for but probably will work best. “Yes, but not wholly.”

“Explain.”

“The world I grew up in was so different. Women are not only respected as people, but they are allowed and encouraged to pursue their desires. Whether through magic, part of government, or business. Even if they want to be a wife and mother, the position is revered not as a means to getting warlock babies and girls with magic worth selling off. I've been here a while. It's not just hard to see how women are treated here. It's wrong.”

He crosses his arms and leans back slightly. “You realize it goes against everything I was always taught?”

“Just because you were taught it your whole life makes your way right?”

He stares off in the distance without a word.

“Maybe it doesn't matter what someone has been taught their whole life. Maybe it's right or maybe it's wrong. Maybe the only way to know for certain is to trust your instincts.”

“I'll think on it.”

Not the answer I wanted, but at least it's not a no. “Fair enough.”





Chapter Twenty-Six





While we wait for Jack to decide, I take matters into my own hands, helping the others to prepare even if they don't know it yet. Of course, it's something they should learn no matter what's to come. Magic.

The men here already know it and have even put up with Cynthia and a little bit of Bethany casting spells, though not so much me. That will have to change, though, because the women need to learn to harness their powers.

“Would you like to help me teach anyone interested how to do magic?” I ask Bethany.

“Wouldn't Cynthia be a better choice?”

“Better, no. She would be helpful, though, but she already has so many responsibilities, I can't see adding one more to her list.”

“True. It would be nice to have an excuse to take a break from my little sisters.”

Poor girl has been spending almost all her time with them, trying to teach them and keep them entertained. The sister next in line after Bethany should be able to assist. “I'm sure we could find others willing to help. Presha can do a great job with them. Go ahead and spread the word. We'll start teaching tomorrow.”

And we do. At first, there aren't many girls that show up. A couple ladies who are old enough to be mothers. One woman who is old enough to be a grandmother, and several who are younger than me. At first, they're all timid about trying, but soon they're all into it, their grins growing bigger with each casting of a spell. The spells are brightly colored, ranging from simple spells that are straight colors, to harder spells that move things around.

Not only that, but they gather a crowd around them. Each time we practice, the crowd grows a little bigger. A few more women join us in practicing, but most still only watch. At least they're taking it all in. The only thing that is not good about the situation is that most still try to avoid me. I know why, and I even understand it. But that doesn't mean I have to like it. At least they're learning.





***





Two days later, there's finally a meeting with Jack. He stands across from me, arms folded. “You, Serena, Cynthia, Annabelle, Nelly and, well, all lot of the women here, working with them every day. Helping them survive. I've learned things from them. Things that I never would have learned otherwise.”

Wow. That's more than I expected from him. At least so soon.

“I've thought on your request to help.”

When he says nothing further, I prompt, “Did you come to a decision?”