Chapter 2: Southern Secrets and Strange Omens

The Bennett family is known throughout Savannah as wealthy business owners, but in truth, we’re descendants of old Southern conjure women and backwoods mystics. With the new century, superstitions and mystical arts were frowned upon, so the Bennett family went underground, turning to business instead. Each generation, only one heir is secretly trained to carry on the family’s mission and protect our prosperity. This generation, that heir is me.

When I was three, the family told outsiders I was frail and sickly, needing to recover out in the country. In reality, I was sent upstate to become an apprentice and study the family’s secret arts.

My mentor rarely let me leave the retreat. This time, he actually allowed me to travel, saying I had a destined opportunity to fulfill my mission.

Three years ago, my mom wrote that my sister had found a good match. So, when I came back from the retreat, I ignored any talk of fate or mission and went straight to the Morgan place.

The drive from the upstate retreat to Savannah took most of a humid Georgia afternoon, NPR fading in and out on the radio, and my car’s AC battling the sticky heat. My skills may not be perfect, but I wouldn’t make a mistake on something as basic as reading the signs of children. I pushed down my doubts and smiled at my sister.

“All right, I’ll be waiting for your good news.”

She patted my hair fondly.

“Taylor, you hardly ever come down from the retreat. This time, you have to stay with us for a while.”

“Of course.”

If I don’t stay and get to the bottom of this, how could I leave my sister here with peace of mind? I owed her that much. Family meant showing up, even when the truth was hard.

I squeezed her hand, promising myself I wouldn’t leave until I figured out what was really going on.