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can be honest and tell each other things about our lives. I’ve told him all about Mum and Dad, Finn and Nan. I’ve told him about Gab, but not about Gab’s Gift or what he’s been doing on White territory. But I was honest about not telling him all that. I said there were some things I couldn’t share and he said the same about his brother.
    We’ve spoken once on the phone, but I really need to see him—although I can’t see how to do that at the moment.
    I’m also hiding my diary from Gab—if he sees this he’ll flip.
     
    21st October, 2013
    Skylar’s been round. She was angling for an invite to my Giving. I told her that I was having a small, private ceremony—just me, Gab, and Dad. She didn’t look too impressed but said, “I understand. But there are few Givings among us.”
    I had been thinking that it would be good to meet some of the other Black Witches around here but I do want a small ceremony, so I said, “We could have a gathering afterward—a bonfire in the backyard.”
    Gab looked at me and raised his eyebrows.
    I said, “How hard can it be to organize a few drinks? Can you let everyone know, Skylar?”
    “Sure can.”
     
    31st October, 2013
    We’re getting ready for my Giving tomorrow. Dad gave me a dress of Mum’s. He said, “She wore it for her Giving. And she wanted you to wear it for yours.”
    The dress is cream silk and figure-hugging to just below my knees but it’s not super tight—not too sexy but not girly. I tried it on to show Dad and Gab. Dad cried, and Gab’s eyes filled with tears and he said, “You look like Mum.”
     
    1st November, 2013
    Everything’s fantastic. Hardly any time to write as people are arriving for the gathering. I’ve had my Giving—I am a witch!!!!
    It’s the best day of my life.
     
    2nd November, 2013
    Yesterday was amazing. AMAZING!!!!
    So the Giving was like this. Dad, Gab, and I walked down to the beach. It wasn’t quite sunset, but not far off, and there was a breeze so Gab put his jacket round me. Gab looked gorgeous in a crisp white shirt and dark trousers (not jeans). Dad was very smart too. I was nervous (that I might mess up or Dad might mess up). I don’t have any shoes to go with the dress and was barefoot, which we all agreed was best.
    On the beach Dad had his back to the ocean and Gab stood next to me. Dad did the whole thing really formally and he was totally sober, not a whiff of booze on him at all.
    Dad said, “This is a special day, the most important in your life, Michèle. You are now seventeen and on the cusp of a great change from a young whet to a true adult witch. Since the day you were born I have looked forward to seeing you take your first steps in discovering who you really are. Your innermost self will be revealed through your Gift.
    “Michèle, I have three gifts for you, and I give them to you now so that you can receive your true Gift.”
    And he held out first a silver charm bracelet of Mum’s. He placed it in my hand. Then he gave me another bracelet, a thick silver chain that was his and had been his father’s. This was super special because I thought there was only one of these and Gab got it on his Giving, but I have one now too. And then he gave me a leather and silver bangle, from Gabriel.
    Gab held out a knife, which Dad took. Dad cut the palm of his hand on the fleshy bit beneath the thumb and held his hand out to me. My hands were shaking a little as I took his hand and brought it to my mouth.
    Dad said, “Drink my blood, Michèle. Accept my blood and the blood of our family so that you can become a true witch.”
    I sucked on his hand and Dad stepped close to me and put his arm round me, whispering strange words in my ear. And I’m so glad he held me because my knees felt like they might give way. When he’d finished we stood like that for a while, with his arm round me. He whispered, “Michèle, you’re a true witch.”
    I started to cry.
    I looked over to Gab and he was grinning like mad