Hayley took the package before the situation could turn awkward. "Thank you for the peace offering, aunt Samantha; it is appreciated.." Politely, she said. "However, John is unaccustomed to our ways. I do not want him to inadvertently insult you."
"Huh?" Confused, you asked.
Hayley placed the package into the bag with the rest of the purchases then grabbed your arm. As she led you out of the store, she whispered, "We are all part of an order that has strict rules of conduct."
"You mean like a secret society?" Wincing, you asked.
Hayley giggled slightly. "Something like that but its no where near what you are thinking." Amused, she replied. "I know your love for science fiction and mystery; we are not some kind of cult."
"Then exactly what are you and mom involved in?" Worried, you asked. "It's got to be something big to keep it from me all this time."
"As I said, you will learn of it one step at a time." Serious, Hayley said. "If I told you everything now, you would likely not believe it and proving it would blow even your mind."
You gulped at that. "It sounds serious."
"Well, yes; it is serious." Reluctantly, Hayley admitted. "Just not as much as you might fear." She sighed at your inquisitive expression. "Please just trust us, John. Its best if we take you in one step at a time; we had to do the same with Mel and Hannah will be even more difficult than you."
"So Hannah doesn't know either?" Curious, you asked.
"She's too young to grasp what we are doing, John." Darkly, Hayley said. "Even if she did understand, she is not yet mature enough to take the responsibilities that come with it seriously."
You nodded at that and decided it beat to save all of your other questions for mom. Upon returning home, Hayley led you to mom's study. There, mom pushed a button under her desk you did not see before, opening a hidden door in the back of the room. "This way, John." Firmly but kindly, she said. "It's time for you to see and understand the family secret."
Curious, you followed mom and Hayley through the hidden door which closed behind you. Beyond it was a long stone stairwell that led to an underground room where you found libraries of books lining all four walls, a huge iron cauldron over a stone fire pit in the center, an impressive garden surrounding it and various work stations that look similar to a small laboratory. "What is all of this!?" Darkly impressed, you asked. "It looks like a scene from a Gothic science fiction movie."
Mom and Hayley giggled. "This is a private training center, John." Smiling, mom explained. "As my eldest daughter, Hayley had to go to a special school to learn how to control a certain gift all girls in this family are born with."
"A certain gift?" Raising an eyebrow, you asked.
"One step at a time, John." Gently, mom said. "Boys in this family are not born with this gift unless certain conditions are met but, because you are Mel's twin, you may soon gain that gift without anyone helping it along."
"Mom, you're scaring me." Uncomfortable, you said. "Are to telling me that I may turn into a girl?"
"It's a real possibility." Wincing, Hayley said. "As you reached thirteen, we sensed that the dormant magic in you was very strong and decided to wait a year before telling you anything."
"Are you guys are telling me that I'm in a family of witches?" Unnerved, you asked. Mom and Hayley nodded. "What difference does a year make in telling me all of this?"
"A year ago, you were dealing with puberty." Calmly, mom replied. "With all of those hormones running wild inside of you, it would have been dangerous for everyone to introduce you to magic."
"We had to wait until your body and mind calmed down a little first." Equally calm, Hayley added. "Boys who are born into families like ours are blessed physically. You would have been a real handful if you were to be panicked or worse enraged a year ago."
"That's why you insisted upon the athletics and meditation." Catching on, you said. "To prepare me for all of this and, I suspect, more."
Mom nodded. "Now for the kicker." Placing a hand onto your shoulder, she said. "We fear that your own magic is slowly changing you from the inside out. This is the most difficult of all transformations as it can be painful." she winced. "Or worse, painless and unnoticed by all until it is too late."
You ran a hand through your hair, frustrated. "Is- Is there anything you can do to stop it?"
"I'm afraid not, John." Flatly, mom replied. "You see, it is a condition known as the twin factor. You and Mel are mentally and magically linked so, once Mel learns magic and starts to practice it..."
"I will transform into a girl and a witch to form a balance." Guessing correctly, you said. "What if my physical strength raised above her magic?"
"Sorry, John but that is not how the balance works." Gently, Hayley said. "Your best bet is to keep your strength and other attributes equal with Mel's magic."
"That and there is your own dormant magic to consider." Serious, mom said. "If it becomes too strong for your body to contain it, you will spontaneously switch genders to give that magic an outlet."
"How long before I know I'm changing?" Begging, you asked.
Mom sighed and pointed to a mirror on the door to the underground room. "Sorry, John but I fear that..."
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