I briefly considered talking to Robbie about what was going on with Bree but rejected the thought. It was their relationship, after all. Instead I asked her, Have you spoken to Robbie about this?
No, she admitted.
Maybe you should.
Bree bit her lip and didnt reply. She made a left turn. The silence yawned between us as we pulled up into the circular driveway in front of a small, tidy ranch-style house. Alisa must have been watching for us because a moment later she hurried out the front door.
Bree turned to me. Okay, Ill talk to him, she said quickly.
Good, I thought. Id done my good deed for the day.
Alisa said a shy hello, and Bree eased the car back onto the road toward Hunters house. The car was silent for the rest of the drive. I guess we were all lost in our own thoughts.
Hunters small living room was already filling up by the time we arrived. The room was lit by the warm glow of candles, and in the soft light the worn furniture seemed comfortable and welcoming. The air was heavy with the scent of mulling spicesSky must have put a pot of cider on the stove. Robbie stood in the corner, talking to Simon Bakehouse, but the minute we walked in, he flashed Bree an enormous grin and hurried over. I gave Bree an I-told-you-so look, and she smiled as Robbie draped an arm around her shoulders. They melted into the rear of the room.
From his place by the tattered armchair, Hunter waved to me and continued an intense-looking conversation with Sky. Jenna came over and said hello to me, and she and I chatted for a few minutes. Are you feeling all right? I asked.
My asthmas bothering me, she admitted. I took a shot off my inhaler before I came here, but it hasnt helped much.
I resisted the urge to lay my hands on her back. Id helped her with her asthma before. But I knew that Hunter and Sky frowned on such practices, and I was trying to show them that Id turned over a new leaf.
Not everyone had arrived yet, so I headed to the kitchen to help myself to cider. When I pushed open the door, I was surprised to see Alisa sitting alone at the small table, staring off into space. I hesitated a moment, reluctant to barge in on her. But I decided it would look weird to scurry away, so I just plowed ahead.
Hey, I said, crossing to the stove. Someone had put out some plastic foam cups on the countertop so people could help themselves to the cider. This smells greatdo you want some?
Hmm? Alisa jumped slightly. Ohno. Thanks. She tried to smile at me, but she looked tired. . and something else. Sad, maybe.
I pulled out a chair and sat next to her. I took a slow sip of cider and felt its warmth spread through me, chasing away the February chill. I wondered why Alisa was in here alone. Is everything okay? I asked finally. I felt awkward. I really didnt know Alisa that well. Normally I didnt like to pry into peoples lives, but there was something about Alisa that made me feel oddly protective, almost like she was a vulnerable younger sister or something.
Surprise flickered over her face. For a moment it seemed like she wanted to tell me what was on her mind. Almost instantly, though, she seemed to think better of it, and her face closed. Ive just had some weird news, thats all, she said. She looked down at the table.
Before I could decide whether to press her for details, the kitchen door swung open to reveal Sky. Her pale skin and fair hair seemed to glow against the midnight blue linen shirt she was wearing. Morgan, Alisa, she said, were getting ready to start.
Stepping into the living room, I saw that Hunter had already drawn a circle on the floor. Alisa and I stepped into it behind Sky. I tried to move toward Hunter but found myself almost directly across the circle from him. Once everyone had settled down, I was surprised to see someone new next to Sky. She looked young and was about five feet tall, with dark red hair and green eyes. Her slim figure made her seem coltish, as if she were about to go through a growth spurt. I wondered who she was.
Everyone, before we begin, Id like to introduce our guest, Sky said. This is Erin Murphy.
Erin Murphy. I knew that name. Erin Murphy was the witch who was coming to teach me magickal defenses. But this couldnt be her! I studied Erins face more closely and saw faint creases around her mouth and eyes. Maybe shes older than she looks, I thought. Automatically I reached out with my senses and felt her power. She was strong. Really strong.
Erin had been looking at Sky, but her eyes suddenly flicked to me. The steady gaze felt like a hand against my forehead, but after a moment the pressure stopped, and she smiled. I resisted the urge to rub my temples.
Erin is a healer from Scotland, Sky went on. She didnt say anything to the rest of the coven about the fact that Erin was a magickal defense expert.
Jenna looked hopeful, and I knew that she was thinking about her asthma. From her place next to me, Alisa shuffled uneasily. A healer? she repeated.
You think Im not old enough to know what Im doing? Im forty-seven, Erin said abruptly, turning her sharp eyes on Alisa. I guess she was used to peoples confusion about her age. Then her face took on a curious expression as she still looked at Alisa.
Alisa blushed to the roots of her hair. She blinked uncomfortably and brought her hand to her forehead. I didnt mean
Its quite all right, Erin cut her off in a musical brogue. If you can believe it, the flight attendant on my flight over asked me if my ma would be meetin me at the gate. Laughter rippled through the circle, and I felt everyone relax. Erin studied Alisa a moment longer, then smiled. I glanced across the circle at Hunter, and he grinned at me.
You dont sound Scottish, Matt Adler said.
Im an immigrant, Erin said, and something about her tone made everyone chuckle again. Im Irish, living in Scotland. On vacation in America. She looked around the circle, and her eyes landed on me. Any other questions? she asked. Her tone was playful but seemed to hold a challenge as well. I had a million questions, but I felt too shy to ask them. I could practically feel the power rolling off this woman.
After a moment Sky took out some salt and began to purify the circle. Raven had managed to maneuver herself so that she was between Sky and Matt, whom shed fooled around with a few times back in the fall. I wondered how Sky would react.
Sky began placing incense for air, sand for earth, a candle for fire, and a small cup of water at various points on the circle. I could see that the line of her jaw was rigid, although she was making an effort to seem unaffected by Ravens presence. It was actually kind of strange to see the two of them next to each other. Raven had clearly taken more care than usual with her appearance tonightshe was wearing a red velvet peasant blouse that laced up the front and black leather pants. Her dyed black hair cascaded down her back. She looked like a biker-chick version of Lady Guinevere. She was dark and lush, fire to Skys ice.
Sky set down the last bowl and returned to her place in the circle. Hunter looked up at me. Theres a full moon tonightvery auspicious, he said. Lets join hands and walk deasil. I was standing between Alisa and Robbie, and I was glad for Robbies familiar presence as we all began to move clockwise around the room. As the group moved together, I could feel the energy build around me. I remembered the way it used to press in on me when Id first begun coming to circles, and I was glad that I was now more in control of the magick that surrounded me. Now the power seemed wonderful and exhilarating, without the edge of fear that it used to hold.
In Wicca we arent afraid to ask the Goddess for what we need, Sky said. When you feel it, make a wish. During a full moon it may very well be granted.
Next to me Robbie was the first to speak. I wish for endurance.
On the other side of him Bree said, I wish for peace.
Ethan went next. I wish for strength, he said. He cast a quick look at Sharon, who was standing next to him.
Sharon met his look. I wish for understanding.
We went around the circle, and everyone said what they wished for. It was kind of interesting. Everyone wished for intangible things.
Finally it was Alisas turn. I wish things could stay the way they are, she said quietly. There was a sadness in her voice that tugged at my heart.
I glanced across the circle at Hunter, and my mind flashed back to the kiss wed shared a few nights ago. That was a moment Id wanted to preserve perfectly, like a leaf in amber. But things changethats their nature. I felt a wave of sympathy for Alisa, for her doomed wish. I squeezed her hand.
Hunter gave me a nod, and I knew it was my turn. I racked my brain for something to say, and I suddenly remembered the first circle Id ever been to. Everyone had named something they wanted to banish. Id said I wanted to banish limitations. In the weeks that followed, my life had opened up. Id found Wicca, Id discovered the truth about my heritage, and my power had started to reveal itself. But now, finally, my world seemed to be settling down, and I was growing comfortable with who I was.
I wish to learn my limits, I said. I felt Alisa turn toward me, but when I faced her, she had already turned away. I wondered at my own choice of words. In order to learn my limits, I would have to test them. How much further would I have to go?
We continued walking deasil for a moment, then we all stopped and threw our hands up. That was good, Sky said. Her cheeks were flushed pink, and I knew that she was feeling the same energy I was. Lets take it down. We all sat on the floor.
I feel a little dizzy, Alisa whispered as she crossed her legs.
I nodded. We had been moving in the circle for quite a while, building up a lot of energy. I was glad to be sitting, too.
Sky reached out and picked up the cream-colored pillar candle that represented fire. With a gentle breath she extinguished the flame and set the candle in the center of the circle. Smoke curled toward the ceiling as Sky said, Morgan, please light this.
I frowned. I could only assume that Sky was hoping to demonstrate my magick to Erin, but reluctance swelled in my chest. Most of my friends in the coven had no idea that I could light fires with my mind, and I wasnt really keen on their finding out. I loved my power, but Id seen the gulf it had created between Robbie and me, and, in another way, between Bree and me. I was something different. I didnt want my friends to fear me.
Hunter looked at me with serious eyes. I could tell that he wanted me to light the candle, too. Erin leaned forward slightly, one eyebrow arched, almost as if she doubted I could do it.
The circle was hushed and still. A feeling of expectancy filled the room.
I faced the candle and quieted my mind. The energy that still curled through the room flowed through me, and in a moment the wick sputtered and burst into flame. A few people gasped. Alisas eyes flew wide, and she drew her knees toward her chest and leaned away from the candle, as if it were a snake that might bite her.
Oh my God, Morgan, Bree said. She was staring at me.
The candle flame burned steadily, and I looked over it at Hunter. His face was golden in the soft glow.
Suddenly a frigid breeze blew through the room, as if someone had opened a window. The candle flame hissed and went out, then the candle itself toppled over, spilling wax on the carpet. An icy finger of fear tickled my scalp. That was a big candle, I thought. It shouldnt have blown over so easily.
A murmur ran through the room.
Whats happening? Alisa whispered.
But before I could answer, the lightbulb in the lamp behind Hunter exploded with a loud pop. Someone screamed. For a moment I thought it was me, but then I realized it was Alisa. She stared at me in horror.
On the other side of the room the bookcase behind Hunter shuddered, and a book flew off the shelf, hurling itself against the opposite wall. Reflexively I threw up my hands as the entire shelf of books flew after the first one, landing on the wall with thud after vicious thud. The bulbs of the other three lamps exploded in rapid succession, the sound like gun-fire. Hunter stood up and ran to the windows.
Stop it! Alisa screamed. Stop it, Morgan!
I cant! I shouted. I had no idea what was happening or what had caused it.
On Alisas other side Sharon reached to pull her into a hug, but Alisa fought her off as the room was plunged into darkness. Hunter stepped away from the window, letting the cold moonlight trickle in. Alisa was still screaming. I could see Erins small form as she stood up and began to chant.
Goddess, we trust in you to protect us,
With this prayer we banish fear.
It was a short chant, and as she said it over and over, Alisas cries grew more faint until the only noise I heard was a faint sniffling. The rest of us took up the chant. There was strength in the simplicity of the words, and as I said them, I felt their magick working on me. I took deep breaths and imagined a white light growing inside me, and I tried to release the fear that had held me in its grip. After a few minutes the room felt calm again, although the warm energy from before had disappeared.
There was a light scraping sound, then a small burst of flame as Sky struck a match. Leaning forward, she stood the pillar candle up and lit it. Hunter, who was still standing, took the packet of matches from her and began lighting candles all around the room. I looked around the circle at everyones faces. Robbies lips were pressed tightly together, and I could feel anger flowing from him. Bree looked at me like she couldnt remember who I was, and Jenna stared at the floor, avoiding my eyes. Matt, Thalia Cutter, and Simon were wide-eyed, silent. Hunter and Sky were impassive, but Raven was gazing at me with what looked like respect. And Erin looked at me like I was a fascinating bug, something slightly revolting but nonetheless interesting.
I didnt do anything, I said loudly. That wasnt me.
Alisa shakily got to her feet. Sharon stood and put her arm around Alisas shoulders. Alisa turned to her and asked, Will you take me home? She sounded very young. Sharon nodded, and Alisa turned toward the door. I tried not to feel hurt. I knew Alisa blamed me, but this wasnt my fault.