WARM MUTED LIGHT BATHED the space walls adorned in tasteful artwork. Plush upholstered seats were arranged in clusters around marble-top tables. The bustling café sat on the water’s edge. From the window one could see the waves that lapped at the shore below.

Freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air with the delicate smell of artisanal teas.

It was not a place he would frequent. Eliana looked quite at home in the upscale café.

"I’m surprised you called, yet I am happy you did.” She said.

“I put a lot of thought into it.” Santiago said.

“I hope your mother didn’t frighten you too much with tales of my wickedness.”

“Enough. She’s still terrified of you.”

“Good.”

“You know jealousy isn’t a good look.”

“A few negative emotions cannot mar perfection.” Eliana flipped her hair over her shoulder.

Santiago laughed, “She didn’t say anything about a sense of humor though.”

“You cannot maintain the attention of a Santiago by being a dullard.”

Santiago paused for a moment, realizing he could not really deny that. Thinking about all his quirky companions. There was not a normal one in the bunch. Except maybe Mia and they weren’t exactly friends.

“After my dad died, who took control of the Calaveras?”

There were many answers to that question. In a perfect world after Vicente’s death, order would have been restored. Their world was far from perfect. So many tried to take the mantle and only fell into an early grave. Yet this was not something the boy needed trouble himself with. Afterall to him they would only be a list of names.

“Straight to the point. I like it.” Eliana smirked, “My mother, Jimena. Rightfully so.”

“Are you next?”

It was never so clear cut. If her mother chose someone to replace her as the head of the family it would not be Eliana of that much she was certain.

“To lead the family.” Her gaze drifted off as she took a moment to respond, “No, it is not likely.”

That felt like a loaded question.

There was a flicker of emotion in her eyes somewhere between fear and sadness.

Now did not feel like the time to broach the subject. He made a mental note to circle back to that at some point. She had a wealth of knowledge to offer him about a world he hardly knew.

“Why did my dad leave the Calaveras?” He said.

“I’ve been searching for that answer for a long time, Santiago.” Eliana smiles somber, “Only Vicente could truly give it.”

Santiago was no fool. Beauty did not mean she was not dangerous.

Tigers were beautiful yet it has never stopped them from tearing someone’s face off.

Eliana had a hair trigger temperament with no reservations about killing someone. If he was being honest when she had that witch in her grasp, it seemed like she enjoyed toying with him.

Cold, but not heartless.

Eliana had loved his father that much everyone seemed in agreement on. Santiago was not his father.

“Do you hate me?”

“What—?” For the first time she looked caught off guard, “No.”

“It would make sense if you did. I’m the child of my dad and the girl he left you for. Which clearly, you’re not over.”

A sharpened nail wound its way across the lip of her mug.

It might have crossed some lines into dangerous territory to press on a sore spot. Santiago needed to know where he stood with her.

“I can’t say I’m very fond of you at this moment.” She smiled tersely, “But I don’t hate you. You’re the only piece of Vicente that I have left. Before we were lovers, we were friends. Inseparable since childhood. Never making amends with him while he lived will always be my greatest regret. At the very least I can protect his son.”

That felt genuine. Her moods were erratic that much was obvious. It was clear to Santiago that Eliana wore her heart on her sleeve. For better or worse.

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Her rage. Her sadness. Her compassion.

Eliana expressed herself plain as day. Regardless of who it might hurt.

She was not a good person.

Neither was he.

Santiago nodded, “So California.”

“You’ll like it there. The sun comes out, unlike this miserably moist place.” She scoffed.

“I like the rain.”

“Of course, you do.”

----------------------------------------

Santiago had made his choice. Still he had loose ends to tie up and questions that needed answering. At least he would make the attempt to clear the air and see if the woman was capable of being honest with him.

“I can understand why would chose Eliana. It’s unfortunate and it saddens me to see you go, but I will respect your choice.” Rosenia said.

“I still had some things I wanted to ask you.” Said Santiago.

“Very well.” She nodded.

“How did you know my father?”

Vicente. Rose had met him when he was still years younger than Santiago was now. Yet even then Vicente’s name was one that those in their world knew well. An enforcer for Calaveras and an effective one at that.

Back then someone foolish enough to cross the family sought sanctuary with her. Another boy too young to be called a man scared for his life begged for her protection. It was not long after Vicente came for him.

He was so powerful for one so young.

Even in her prime Vicente proved to be too much. Unable to overpower him, she tried to reason with him. She begged for him to show mercy on the boy.

Vicente said a life was demanded. So Rosenia offered hers instead.

She had thought he was going to kill her. Instead he left them both unharmed.

“Out of respect for my honesty and compassion for someone truly undeserving he not only spared us but acknowledged the neutrality of Coventry.” Rosenia smiled, “In those days, the protection found in Coventry was hard fought. Vicente was a respected member of the Calaveras and those allied with them. When he made that choice several other prominent families took notice and followed suit.”

“He was a big deal then.” Santiago said.

She nodded, “He commanded a great deal of respect and even more fear.”

Santiago had a difficult time seeing it in his mind's eye. All his life he had this vision of a kind man who loved his family. Now he has been learning that there was a darker side to the man. They seemed like two distinctly different people and he could not seem to rationalize that they were simply one. His father.

“So you took me in because you knew my dad. Like with Sylvia.” Said Santiago.

“Not exactly. I had not known about you. Vicente never mentioned he had a child. At least not to me.” Rosenia sipped from the porcelain cup, “Thompson seeking me out was simply because he knew you were a troubled child with unbridled magic. The moment I saw you I knew.”

Rosenia felt the air leave her lungs when she entered that hospital room. He was the spitting image of his father. What a strange feeling after so many years to see the face of an old friend. It had brought tears to her eyes for more than one reason.

When she had learned the story of Vicente’s son. How he had suffered and struggled while being only a short drive away.

She was heartbroken. None of it had to happen.

Rosenia felt guilty, she should have done something. She should have known.

The elder witch had never met Gudelupe though she had heard much about her from Vicente. Rosenia had encouraged the boy to pursue his blossoming feelings for the girl. He deserved the chance to pursue the life he wanted for himself.

“My mom is the reason he left the Calaveras.” Said Santiago.

“It’s not quite that simple. I see now the real reason he left was you.” She said, “He had been teetering on that edge for sometime. Vicente was an unparalleled combatant but he did not enjoy the fight. He was a peaceful man at his core. Vicente longed for a simple life, free of the violence that shrouded the Calaveras. He wanted a family.”

“So the Calaveras are really that evil.”

Rosenia laughed, “No, not evil. At least not all of them. It’s not only them but all the families.”

These lineages that spanned centuries building empires. They did not see the world in the same way as others. Despite their abundance of power, wealth, and influence it was never enough. They always wanted more.

Rosenia could not deny that they had over the many years been reasonable and granted petitions from those in need. Charitable acts from these families had the ability to transform entire communities.

Yet, to them life was a game to be won. People were simply pawns in those games. To be used and discarded when they no longer served a purpose.

They were not so much evil as they were out of touch with the world around them.

“That’s pretty much what Eliana said. From what I’ve seen of her, I could see that.” Santiago said, pausing a moment he reflected.

“Did she tell you she was the one who arranged for you to be sent to a group home instead of back to your mother?”

Santiago’s eyes widened.

“I take that as a no.” Rosenia sighed, “She had already opened a petition to adopt you. I supposed she got what she wanted in the end as you will be returning with her.”

“Yeah, I guess that makes sense because she hates my mom. Weren’t you trying to adopt me?”

“I was, yes. I knew it wouldn’t have succeeded because of your mother but I thought I could at least force some distance between you and Eliana with the court proceedings.”

“That’s where you kept disappearing to.” Santiago chuckled. “She’s been pulling strings from the beginning. Can a witch change their appearance to look younger or older?”

“Hm?” Rosenia raised a brow, “It is possible, yes. There is a difference between a simple glamor to make it appear as though they are a different age versus causing their body to age. It is still possible for an advanced enough witch. Why do you ask.”

“No reason, just curious.” That much was a lie. He had to wonder if that girl he met in the parking lot might have been Eliana in disguise. She had been everywhere and nowhere all at once.

“I am sorry that I lied to you, Santiago. You are so young, I didn’t want you to have to shoulder burdens that should be the responsibility of an adult. You deserve to enjoy your youth.”

“I know you meant well, but from now on I’ve got to make my own choices.” He said.

“I understand.” Rosenia said.

Santiago was glad he decided to come here. He thought he would still be angry. As he sat there he felt a sense of calm. He was more sure of himself and the decision he made.

Rosenia was a good person and he would always appreciate that for as sour as things turned she did genuinely care for him. Santiago hoped that he could find it in him to trust her the way his father did.

Stranger things have happened.