"A bit of a shock, I know." Mrs. Goldman said, "I can prove it if you need more convincing."

"How?" Diane asked, clearly curious.

"Do this," Mrs. Goldman said as she cupped her hands together, "Nature flows like a river to the sea, through Salem and me."

When the old woman said the words, and soft light started to emanated from within the small cup formed by her hands. After s.h.i.+ning brightly for a few seconds, it faded out and was gone.

"Wow," Diane said, looking back up at her. "What was that?"

"It's a greeting," the old woman answered, "Like a special salute witches give one another to prove their authenticity."

"Oh, I see." Diane said, "And you're saying I can do that?"

"Only one way to find out, love." Mrs. Goldman said with a smile.

Diane cupped her hands together and repeated the same words she had heard only seconds ago. Not only did that glow started to emanate from her hands, but the glow was brighter and stayed lit up even longer before fading down. As the light was burning bright, the two cats in the room stood up from where they were laying and the other cats also returned to the living room as the could feel the magic in the room.

"Wow!" Diane said again, even more stunned than the time before.

"That was quite impressive," Mrs. Goldman noted, "I haven't seen an aura that strong in a very, very long time."

"I can't believe this," Diane said, sounding far more excited than scared. "I actually have magic!"

"Yes," Mrs. Goldman said, "And that means you're in danger."

"What?" Diane said, her excitement settling down. "Are you serious?"

"Power scares people," Mrs. Goldman said, "Especially to people who do not have it and don't understand it. Our powers when used can attract people who can detect magic or just feel it. I'm pretty sure the oldest ladies of Salem felt that glow you just projected. There's no telling who else did as well. This means you're going to require a guardian."

"A guardian?" Diane repeated.

"Yes," Mrs. Goldman confirmed, "What do you think they are?"

Diane turned around and looked at the several cats that had all returned to the living room, looking at her awkwardly. Her aura had gotten their attention and they had all quietly regathered and lined up again, except for Oscar and the grey cat, who were still lounging on the couch.

"The cats?" Diane asked, confused.

"They're not cats," Mrs. Goldman said, "They're Gargoyles. Creatures that a can manifest themselves into any form they want."

"So, all the stories about a witch with a cat," Diane said, thinking about it, "All those cats were actually Gargoyles?"

"Yes," Mrs. Goldman confirmed, "They are ma.s.sive, grotesque creatures when in their true form. I prefer them to remain in the current, cuddly form. They are loyal only to us and do as we say, without hesitation or question."

Oscar growled a little bit after she said that.

"Yes, yes, I was getting to that." Mrs. Goldman said, "Oscar wanted me to remind you that Gargoyles are not slaves; they're volunteers. Gargoyles devote themselves to a witch until the day that witch dies, and then they return to Salem to sign up to protect another witch if they so choose to."

"Why would a Gargoyle volunteer to work for us?" Diane asked.

"Gargoyles like witches because our aura feeds them." Mrs. Goldman replied, "They actually live much longer lives by sticking around witches. They closer they are too us, the more our powers keep them alive. Serving and living with a witch can quadruple a Gargoyle's average lifespan. In return for that, they offer us their protection. It's a long-standing deal we've had with them for over a millennium. It's also said that the more powerful a witch's aura is, the more powerful the gargoyle guarding her is and the longer it lives. The Gargoyles that guard walls of Salem are virtually immortal and very powerful, because they are fueled by the combined powers of every witch in the city. No one dares enter the city or try to harm a witch in Salem, or the Gargoyles will sense it and then terminate the threat immediately."

"What happens when a witch pa.s.ses away?" Diane asked.

"The Gargoyle has a choice," Mrs. Goldman explained, "They can return to Salem for a new a.s.signment, while others sometimes mourn their loss for decades before either fading off themselves, or moving on for new work."

"Did my mom have a Gargoyle?" Diane asked.

"Of course she did," the old lady said, "Who do you think has been sitting on the couch with Oscar all this time?"

Diane turned to look at the gray cat that was still sitting with Oscar. She looked at the cat for a moment and then suddenly the answers all came back to her.

"Smokey?" she called out.

The cat sat up and meowed rather loudly.

"What did he say?" Diane asked.

"He's happy to see you again," Mrs. Goldman translated for him. "But you don't have to take my word for it. Cup your hands together like you did last time, and this time recite these words: 'Listen to the earth, and all her blessed creatures'."

Diane closed her eyes, and cupped her hands while reciting the words. The glow started to emanate from her hands like it had before but this time the glow had a tinge of blue that s.h.i.+ned for a moment and then faded out again.

"Did it work?" Diane asked.

"Wow!" A voice called out from the back of the room.

"Look at the aura on that girl!"

"That is one powerful witch."

Diane turned around, and the voices she was hearing were coming from the small furry creatures, the disguised Gargoyles.

Smokey jumped off from the couch and slowly approached her.

"Very good Diane," he said to her. "Your mother would have been very proud."

"How long did you know her?" Diane asked the gray cat.

"I had been her guardian for a very long time." Smokey answered, "Ever since she was your age, little one. I miss her very much."

"As do I," Diane said.

"Alright, break it up." Mrs. Goldman said, snapping her fingers at them again. "It's supper time. You can talk to her after we eat."

Diane and Mrs. Goldman sat at the table and enjoyed a nice meal and they didn't say very much, until Diane decided to ask more questions.

"Do you know what Gabriel is?" Diane asked.

"I do," Mrs. Goldman said, suddenly surprised herself. "I'm shocked that you do."

"I found out the night of the fire," Diane said, "I saw him fly off and they had to let me in on their secret."

"Vampires are a tricky bunch," Mrs. Goldman said, "Thankfully there are so few on this side of the world. The majority of them are in Europe."

"He seems very nice," Diane added.

"He's not feeding off you, is he?" Mrs. Goldman then asked.

"No, he's not." Diane answered, "Just from my sister and Pablo, but not directly. She puts it into a bag, and stores it in the fridge."

"I see," Mrs. Goldman said, "Just to let you know, you cannot let him drink your blood, ever. The magic in our systems makes our blood too potent for a vampire to handle. Vampires can go into a rage if they consume too much blood at one time, something that's called a bloodl.u.s.t. Just drinking a tiny bit of our blood causes them to go into that l.u.s.t almost immediately, and for a lot longer. I've seen it happen before, and it's not a pretty sight."

"I guess that means Alyssa isn't a witch," Diane concluded.

"Quite right," Mrs. Goldman confirmed. "Her mother wasn't a witch, so that just makes her a normal human being."

"That likes to hang out with a Vampire." Diane added.

"That does sounds like a very corny young adult novel," Mrs. Goldman said, laughing to herself. "But who are we to judge?"

"Does this mean you'll teach me?" Diane asked.

"Teach you what?" Mrs. Goldman inquired.

"How to be a witch." Diane said.

"Well, you are a witch," Mrs. Goldman corrected her, "But if you want to learn spells and how to hone your powers, that I might be willing to do. I have my own conditions."

"Name them," Diane said, eager to seal the deal.

"You have to volunteer to work at the garden," She started, "This will not only give me time and privacy to teach you, but I also want you to learn potion making as well. That way if I eventually pa.s.s on, you'll be able to take my place here as the town herbalist."

"I actually like that idea," Diane said, "I also was curious about potions."

"Sounds like we have an understanding," Mrs. Goldman said, "I do not think Alyssa or Max will have an issue with you working at the garden. We could always use the extra help, and Max knew how close I was to your mother when she was still around. I think that's why he asked me to watch you today. Well, at least that what he thinks is the reason. Men are easier to control if you know the right spells."

"Oh," Diane said, hanging on her every word.

"Just eat for now, dear." Mrs. Goldman said, "I will speak with Max later this week and tell him how helpful you were today, and that you want to volunteer. Max likes putting people to work, and with me watching you after school, Pablo has more time to help Max on the wall, doesn't he?"

"I supposed so," Diane said, still very interested in the idea.

"If only your mother were here," Mrs. Goldman said, so proud.

"Me too," Diane said, "I miss her a lot."

"We all do," Smokey said, calling out from the couch.

The rest of the meal was rather quiet, and after supper Mrs. Goldman walked Diane back to her own apartment, and Pablo was just getting home as well when they arrived. He stopped as he saw the two of them approach him.

"How did you know he was just finis.h.i.+ng up?" Diane asked.

"I had a cat watching him," Mrs. Goldman said, smiling. "I knew the moment Max had him relieved for the day."

"That is so cool," Diane noted.

"Very," The old lady agreed.

"Hey Pablo!" Diane said, waving as they got closer.

"Hey kiddo!" Pablo said, waiving back.

"Here you go," Mrs. Goldman said, handing him a plastic container. "Leftovers from our supper tonight. It will restore a lot of energy you lost on the wall today."

"Wow," Pablo said, taking the container from her. "Thank you."

"It was my pleasure," Mrs. Goldman said with a warm smile, "Good night, dear. I really enjoyed our time together today."

"As did I," Diane said as she gave the old lady a big huge. "See you soon!"

As Diane and Pablo were walking up the stairs, curiosity got the best of him.

"What did you mean by see you soon?" he asked her.

"I worked at the gardens today," Diane answered, "I really enjoyed it. She's going ask Max if I can start working there after school and on weekends."

"Oh," Pablo said, rather surprised. "That's pretty cool."

"It is," Diane agreed, "And I can also use my work to get awesome herbs for Alyssa to cook with."

"That's a good point," Pablo said, "So glad to hear you had a good day."

Once they were back home, Pablo crashed on the couch and ate his supper while Diane went to her room and stayed there for the rest of the night. She sat there in bed, looking at pictures of here mom in old photo alb.u.ms. It didn't take her long to find them, pictures of both her mother and Mrs. Goldman, which pretty much confirmed the old lady's stories on what good friends they were. Mrs. Goldman even stood for her mom at her wedding, which told the young girl that she could trust the lady... even if was a witch.

Diane sat up in bed, checked to make sure the door was closed, then cupped her hands on her lap, and closed her eyes.

"Nature flows like a river to the sea," she started, concentrating hard, "through Salem and me."

This time the light that started to s.h.i.+ne was brighter than it was before, glowing as if there was a sun rising in her bedroom. Her concentration was broken and the light faded as there was a sound that caught her attention; something was tapping on her window.

"Gabriel?" Diane asked, as she walked over to her window.

She hopped off her bed and ran over to the window, but when she opened the curtain there was no vampire floating outside this time. There was only a gray cat sitting on her windowsill, meowing to be let it.

"Smokey?" Diane said, opening the window for him. "How did you get up here?"

"You do realize Gargoyles have wings, right?" the cat said just before he jumped through the window and onto the bedroom floor.

"Oh, I forgot." Diane said, closing the window. "Sorry about that."

"It's alright," The cat said, shaking off the cold. "Nice room."

"Thanks," Diane said, "It isn't much but at least its mine."

"It will do," The cat said, not being too critical.

"What do you mean?" Diane asked, thinking about it for a second, "And what are you doing here?"

"What do you mean what am I doing here?" The gray cat asked, almost offended by her question. "I'm here to resume my duties as your guardian."

"My guardian?" Diane repeated.

"Well, I was technically your mother's guardian." The cat explained, "But after you were born, I was your guardian too."

"Oh," Diane said, remembering what the old lady had told her. "I guess that would be alright. I don't know what Alyssa would think of me having a cat."

"Do not fret," the cat replied, as he pranced around the room a little more. "I will return to Mrs. Goldman's in the morning before your sister wakes up, and return every night when you sleep."

"Okay," Diane said as she hopped back into bed. "And you'll remain in cat form?"

"I only change to my natural state when there is danger," The cat told her, "Such as if there are undead to be dispatched."

"You're good at doing that?" Diane asked.

"Very," Smokey answered, "Even better than vampires."

"You are?" Diane said, suddenly impressed. "Wow."

"It's time for bed, little one." The cat suddenly said, "You have school tomorrow."

"Really?" Diane asked, surprised by the cat's sudden mothering.

"Really," the cat answered, "Your mother would expect nothing less."

"Alright," Diane said, as she hopped into bed and turned out the light.

The cat jumped onto the bed, circled around before laying down at the bottom of the mattress, curling up into a little purring ball of fur. They both had no trouble getting to sleep that night, as it was the best rest both of them had had in a very long time.