Mary K. stroked Dagda. Sowhy are you hanging out with her? Her voice held a distinct note of unease.
Shes teaching me.
Like, how to put hexes on people and stuff? Mary K. asked.
No, I said curtly. Hadnt she learned anything about Wicca from being around me? Of course not. Shes teaching me about the history of Wicca and about herbs.
Mary K. looked dubious. Herbs?
Herbs have a lot of medicinal properties. Some can speed recovery. I mean, there might even be something I could feed Dagda that would make him get better sooner.
Really? She sounded intrigued. I wonder if she could help Alisa. Shes been sort of worn out lately.
Do you want me to ask Erin about it? I suggested.
No, Mary K. said quickly. No, dont.
I didnt press her. Out of the corner of my eye I watched as she rubbed Dagdas belly and he purred sleepily. She had been there when Erin healed Dagdabut how much had she actually understood? I was afraid to find out.
When we got home, Mary K. handed Dagda over to me, and I took him upstairs and settled him comfortably on my bed. He instantly dozed off once I put him down.
How is he?
I turned around and saw my mom standing in my doorway. Hes fine, I said, giving Dagda a small pat. Mom came over and gave him a gentle rub on the head. Paula says the cast can come off in two weeks.
Thats good news. My moms eyes lingered on Dagda a moment, then she turned to me. Come downstairs, Morgan. Your father and I want to talk to you.
I felt my throat tighten, but I followed her downstairs to where my father was sitting on the couch with his serious face on. My mom sat down beside him. I took the armchair across from themThe Accused.
Morgan, Mary K. told us that you had a visitor today, my mom began. And that you were with a friend in the library yesterday.
My body went cold. I tried to read my mothers face did she know that Erin was a witch? I didnt think so.
You werent supposed to have any visitors, my mom went on. You knew the rules, and you broke them.
I wanted to protest, but I knew that would only make things worse. I clamped my lips together and sat on my hands.
Morgan, your father and I have talked about this a great deal. We want you to be in a supportive environment. We dont want you to throw your future away. You need guidance and a firm hand and
Fear gnawed at my stomach like a hungry rat. No. This couldnt be. What are you saying? I asked.
What your mother is saying, my dad put in, is that we think it would be best if you went to Saint Annes starting at the beginning of next quarter.
Oh, no, no, no! My stomach fell. What? I cried.
My mothers nostrils flared. Look, weve given you a number of chances to show us that youre turning your grades around, and youve disobeyed us at every step. This started long agoback when we asked you not to read Wiccan books
So thats it, I broke in, stunned. Youre sending me to a Catholic school to try to convert me!
What? My mom looked shocked.
Morgan, dont be ridiculous, my father said. We just want whats best for you.
And whats best for me is Catholicism and not Wicca, right? I shot back. I cant possibly have both in my life.
You were raised with Catholic values, my mom said hotly. Those are our values.
I stood up and faced them. Look, I cant help being a witch, I said. My voice shook. Wicca is in my blood. I couldnt change it even if I wanted to. But thats the point I dont want to. I respect your beliefs. Why cant you live with mine?
The minute the words were out of my mouth, I wanted to call them back. My fathers face went white, and my heart ached, but it was too late. My parents sat on the couch, stone-faced and silent. It was so quiet that I could hear the seconds ticking by on my watch.
Then my mom stood up. Morgan, weve made this decision already. We want to put you in a positive environment and we found one that seemed to offer the kind of academic support and discipline we think you need. We want you to value school and excel in it as you have in the past. Im sorry if that offends you, but its something else youre going to have to live with. She turned and walked out of the room.
My father stood and faced me. We love you, he said in a quiet voice. He took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose, and I saw in his eyes that my father was afraid afraid for me.
We looked at each other a moment, then he turned and followed my mom.
I love you, too, I said softly to the empty room.
11. Connection
Im scared. I think I might be going crazy.
Today I was over at Mary K.s house, and I started to feel sickkind of dizzy and nauseated. So I went to her bathroom to splash water over my face.
While I was standing at the sink, something weird started to happen. My hearing started to fade, almost as if someone had stuffed wads of cotton in my ears, and then my vision started to narrow, like I was looking through a tube. I thought I was starting to black out, so I sat on the toilet seat and put my head between my knees. After a few minutes I felt a little better, so I got up and splashed a little more water on my face. Then I headed out through the door only I guess I got the wrong door because I walked into Morgans room, and there she was doing some bizarre ritual with Erin. Thats when things started to get really crazy. I think I started hallucinating because I thought I saw Morgan rise into the air, like some kind of freaky from The Exorcist.
Needless to say, I got out of there. But I still dont know if what I saw was real.
And I cant figure out what would be more frighteningif it was, or if it wasnt.
Alisa
It was a dismal morninggray and chillyand I kept my head down and my shoulders hunched as I strode toward the quiet school building. The bell had rung ten minutes ago. Mary K. had always made sure that I was up by seven-thirty, but now that she was barely speaking to me, I didnt have any more wake-up insurance. Today I was late beyond all redemption, thanks to the fact that Id overslept by forty-five minutes. I was still feeling headachy and ill, and the weather made me feel even worse. The absence of my magick was so overpowering that it was almost like a presence. I couldnt wait to get inside the warm school and distract myself with academics for a while. Or maybe I could catch a few winks in English class. Since Id be attending Saint Annes soon, I could afford to catch a nap here and there while I could.
Morgan.
I spun around. Whos calling me? I thought. But of course, my magick was still reined. Apparently I could still receive a witch messageI just couldnt send one. I turned back and scanned the front of the building.
At first I didnt see him. I had to look very closely before I noticed Hunter standing beside the large oak tree that grew to the far right of the building.
How are you? he asked as I walked up to him. His navy blue cap was pulled down over his hair, and the wind had made his cheeks pink. You look tired.
Im okay, I said. Listen, Hunter, I know I said Id call you the other day
Morgan, its fine, he interrupted me. I knew you wouldnt be able to send a witch message, and Erin explained that you were grounded. She told me a few other things, too. Hunter reached out and pulled me into his arms. Im so glad youre all right, he whispered into my hair.
I relaxed against his chest, loving the warmth of his touch. I felt him kiss the top of my head, making my scalp tingle, and then pull me tighter. Itll be all right, I thought. Even if I get sent to Saint Annes, Ill still have Hunter.
After another moment he pulled away. Theres been some news, he said.
I felt my stomach tighten. Your father? I breathed.
Hunter smiled wryly. No, he said. Yours. Apparently Ciaran has been very active since his arrival in Madrid. That sigil you placed on him shows that hes visited a few of the top people on the councils watch list. Of course, there isnt any concrete proofyetthat he has been the one behind the attacks against you. But one of the people he visited is Lenore Ammett, a witch known to have very strong telekinetic powers, who is suspected of abusing them. He paused, watching as the meaning of his words sank in. He nodded slightly and went on. If shes helping him, he may have found a way to get around the proximity problem. Based on what we know, Ciaran looks to be the guilty party. Erin thinks so. The council thinks so. Hunters jaw set into a firm line. And I think so.
The words were both comforting and unsettling. Of course I wanted Ciaran to be stopped. But then again. . he was my father.
So how are they going to stop him? I asked.
With our help, Hunter replied.
Ours? I repeated faintly.
Hunter nodded. All of ours. Morgan, I know youre grounded, but this situation has become very grave. Erin has found a spell that she thinks can help us. Its a deflection spellwhen it is used against a witch, any magick that he works will come back to him threefold.
I frowned. Isnt that just the threefold law? I asked.
No. Wind ruffled an errant strand of Hunters pale hair, and I brushed it away from his face. The threefold law is simply a general rule of the magickal universe, like karma, or what goes around comes around, as you Americans say. He grinned. But the universe can take a long time to set things right.
But the deflection spell? I prompted.
Works immediately. Hunters green eyes glittered. And harshly.
Waitwhy doesnt the council just use this all the time to punish anyone whos abusing their powers? I asked, thinking of Selene, who almost succeeded in killing meand probably did succeed in killing othersbefore she was brought to justice.
The spell has some drawbacks, Hunter admitted slowly.
Such as?
Hunter cleared his throat. Well, he said, the spell requires a great deal of combined magick to work. And it tends to sap the energy of those who use it. Basically once the spell is finished, everyone in our circle will be the way you are nowpossibly worse
Which means that if someone else is behind these incidents or if someone else, like one of the other Amyranth branches, decides to attack us, well be in serious trouble, I finished for him.
Yes, Hunter said. But on the positive side, the spell may not sap our energy for that long. Well probably just feel ill for about a day. Erin is fairly certain
Erin is fairly certain? I repeated. Erin hasnt done this spell before?
No one in the council has, Hunter admitted uncomfortably. Its strictly forbidden because of the dangers involved. Also because of the source. But Erin has managed to convince the council that this is one time its worth the risk.
What source? I asked. Wheres the spell from?
Its from a book by Harris Stoughton, Hunter replied. Apparently Alyce gave it to Erin the other day.
I was there, I said faintly, trying to suppress the shudder that had run through my body at the mention of Harris Stoughtons name. I was liking this plan less and less. You think this is a good idea?
Hunter shrugged. We havent heard much about Amyranth lately. I went to New York City yesterday and did some diggingit seems that none of the other members of that cell could have been behind this. They all seem to be lying low. And if we do use the spell, well know right away whether it worked. First, well feel the effects. Second, the spell will hit Ciaran hardprobably making him physically ill for at least a few days. That ought to make it easier for one of the Seekers in Spain to apprehend him. This is our chance to help out.
I looked at Hunter, feeling his desire to stop Ciaran almost like it was my own. I knew that he wanted to bring Ciaran in for my safety, but there was something else behind it as well. Hunter was a Seeker by nature, not just by training. It was what he lived for. It was a side of him that frightened me. It was also part of the reason I loved him.
What do you need me to do? I asked.
Erin wants to hold a circle tonight: you, me, Sky, and Alyce. I know youre grounded, but do you think theres any way you can make it?
I shook my head. No. My parents are really upset. They want I looked up at the redbrick school building, which contained all of the friends and classmates whom Id hung out with my entire life. They want to transfer me to Saint Annes.
Hunter frowned. The Catholic school? They decided?
I nodded. You know they dont approve of Wicca.
Hunter sighed. Ill help you get through this.
They feel like Im slipping away from them. I shrugged. I guess I have been, in a way. Anyway, trust me, theres no way I can make it to a circle tonight.
Right. Hunter looked disappointed, if not surprised. Well, we really need you, Morgan. So Ive brought you this. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small dark blue stone. A vein of white ran through it, and it reminded me of the night sky lit up by the Milky Way.
What is it? I asked, taking the stone from him.
Its lapis lazuli, Hunter explained. It facilitates understanding and communication. Ive strengthened it with a spell. If you place this stone on your forehead, I ought to be able to send you thoughts and images, and you ought to be able to do the same to me, like a witch message, only better. It will be almost as if you were there at the circle with us. I should be able to channel your energy. Even with your power reined, the spell and my magick ought to allow the two of us to communicate. But once your power has been unreined, youll be able to participate fully.
My heart skipped about five beats. Youre unreining my power?
Of course, Hunter replied. Erin feels terrible that you were ever reined in the first place. Clearly you had nothing to do with what was happening.
I slipped my arms around his neck and gave him a kiss. Thank you, I said.
Theres nothing to thank me for.
My lips were still warm where they had touched Hunters. I wanted to contradict him, but I didnt. Instead, I asked, Has there been any new word from your parents?