Youre sure youre all right?
Yes.
As I started to walk away, he touched me lightly on my arm. Im sorry. I havent even had the manners to ask. Whats your name?
Morgan, I answered without thinking.
He held out his hand to me. Well, Morgan, may your magick always bring you joy.
I found Bree on the first floor, holding a tarot deck in a bag. I was going to send out a search party for you, she said. Were supposed to meet everyone for lunch in forty-five minutes, remember?
I bought the book on scrying, and we left the store and headed for the subway station on Spring Street. It was only later, as we emerged from the subway on the Upper West Side, that I thought about the fact that Id given the man my name. Had I committed some sort of breach of security?
No, I decided. After all, Id only given him my first name. But I wished Id thought to ask what his name was.
6. Healing
August 19, 1981
Maeve and I have pledged our souls to each other. We left the village just after dark and went out beneath the cliffs. She and I share an affinity for fire, so it was childs play to kindle a raging bonfire with our mindsthe concrete expression of the all-consuming nature of our love. Dancing and licking at the night like an animal, it was a thing of beauty, red and yellow and orange, with a dazzling white-blue heat at its heart. I am so happy, I am nearly delirious. At last I am fully alive.
I even gave her the watch that Da gave to Ma, the one Ive carried with me all these years. Funny that I never thought to give it to Grania. But then, I never loved Grania.
There is only one thing more to do. I havent yet made love to Maeve, though Goddess knows, I want it more than Ive ever wanted anything on this earth. But I want no lies between us, so first I must tell her about Grania and the children. It will be difficult. But our love will get us through. I have no fear. Nothing can quench our fire.
Neimhidh
Murrays was a crowded deli on Columbus Avenue, sandwiched between a shop selling computer accessories and a flower stand. The spicy smells of corned beef, pastrami, and sauerkraut suddenly made me realize that I was starving.
Bree and I made our way over to the small, square table where Raven and Robbie sat. Seconds after we pulled up chairs a waitress dropped four huge menus on the table.
No Sky or Hunter, Raven announced.
They never showed up at the apartment? I asked her, starting to worry all over again. I knew Hunter and Sky could take care of themselves, but having the dream a second time had left me with a feeling of dread. Was he just late now, or was he not going to show at all?
No, Raven answered, but I recorded a message for them on Brees dads answering machine, telling them to get their witchy butts up here.
Bree looked both amused and horrified. Great. Im just imagining one of my fathers clients calling and getting that message.
The waitress returned. Whatll you have? she asked.
Uhwere waiting for friends, Robbie said. Could you come back in ten minutes?
She gestured at the line that had formed near the door. I got people waiting for tables, she told us. Either youre ready to order or you should let someone else sit down.
Lets just order, Bree decided.
So we ordered corned beef and pastrami sandwiches and sodas. Raven got a Reuben. The food came immediately, and Id eaten half my sandwich when I felt Hunter and Sky nearby. I turned around to see them walking through the door.
Hunter was wearing his leather jacket and a bottle-green scarf. His cheeks were red from the cold. Sorry were late, he said as they reached the table.
Raven rolled her eyes. Nice of you to show up.
Robbie, ever the gentleman, managed to round up two more chairs and bring them over to the table. Sky sat down next to Raven.
Are you hungry? I offered Hunter the uneaten half of my sandwich.
No. Thanks, he said, sounding distracted. He didnt take the chair Robbie had brought for him. Instead, he knelt by my side. Theres something I need to talk to you about, he said in a low voice. How about if you wrap up your sandwich and we take a walk?
Im full, I said. I was glad of the chance to talkI wanted to tell him about having the dream again.
I left money for the check and made arrangements to meet the others back at Murrays in half an hour. Then Hunter and I set off. By unspoken agreement we headed toward Central Park, stopping only to buy two takeout coffees, defense against the cold.
We walked down a side street lined with gracious brownstones, past the Dakota, where John Lennon had lived, and finally stopped to sit on a low wall overlooking Strawberry Fields, Lennons memorial. Because it was so cold, there werent many visitors to the teardrop-shaped garden that day. But on the circular mosaic imprinted with the wordImagine someone had left a bouquet of white and yellow daisies.
Did you know that Strawberry Field was actually the name of an orphanage next door to John Lennons boyhood home? Hunter asked. His aunt, who raised him, used to threaten to send him there whenever he misbehaved.
Ill have to remember that tidbit for my dad, I said. Hes still a big fan.
My parents had all the Beatles albums, Hunter remembered. My mum used to play the second side ofAbbey Road on Sunday mornings. Here Comes the Sun. He hummed the tune softly for a moment. Goddess, its been ages since I thought about that. He shook his head as though trying to shake off the pain of memory.
At least you know theyre alive now, I said, trying to sound positive. The dark wave had demolished Hunters parents coven when he was only eight, and his mother and father had been in hiding ever since. For years he hadnt even known for sure whether they were dead or alive. Right before Yule, Hunters father had actually contacted him through his lueg. But the dark wave had overwhelmed the vision, cutting it off before Hunter heard what his father was trying to tell him. Since then we hadnt dared try to contact them again, for fear that it would lead the darkness to them.
I know they were alive three weeks ago, Hunter corrected, his voice tight. Or at least Dad was. But anything could have happened since then, and I wouldnt know. Thats what kills menot knowing.
Aching for him, I put my arms around his waist. For the most part Hunter kept his grief for his family hidden well below the surface, but every so often it would well up and Id see how it always was with him. How part of him would never rest until he knew for certain what had happened to his parents.
I felt a gentle glow of white light in the center of my chest. One of Alyces healing spells was opening to me. Will you let me try something? I asked.
Hunter nodded. I unzipped his jacket halfway. I took off my glove, undid one button of his shirt, and slid my already cold hand against his smooth, warm skin. He flinched, then I felt him opening himself to the white light that was flowing through me.
I began a whispered chant. The heart that loves must one day grieve. Love and grief are the Goddesss twined gifts. Let the pain in, let it open your heart to compassion. Let me help you bear your grief.
I couldnt continue. Suddenly I knew exactly what it would feel like to have my parents and Mary K. ripped from me. It was beyond excruciating. It was more than could be borne. I cried out in grief though I managed to keep my hand on Hunters chest, managed to keep the healing light flowing.
Shhh, Hunter said. You dont have to do any more.
No, I whispered. I have to finish the spell. Then may your heart ease and open to greater love. May the love that flows eternally through the universe embrace and comfort you.
Gradually I felt the white light diffusing and, with it, Hunters pain. My eyes met his. There was something different in them, a new clarity. I felt something that had bound him dissolving. Thank you, he said.
Courtesy of Alyce, I told him shakily. I didnt realize quite how much it hurt. Im sorry.
He kissed my forehead and pulled me against him. When Id stopped trembling, he said, Would you like to know why were sitting here freezing our bums off instead of eating lunch?
Oh, that.
Yes, that, he said. First, Im sorry for not answering your messages. It took us a while to find our contact, and then when we finally tracked him down, he was absolutely terrified. He led us through a maze of elaborate safety precautions. If Id answered you and hed noticed, he might have thought I was betraying him.
Its all right, I said. I was just worried about you. Did this guy have any information?
Yes, Hunter said, he did.
He paused. The sun, which hadnt been strong that morning, disappeared behind a band of thick, white clouds.
So? I prompted after a moment.
Hunters green eyes looked troubled. I found out who the leader of the New York Amyranth cell is. Apparently the members of the coven wear masks that represent their animal counterparts when they need to draw on the power of that animal. Their leader wears the wolfs mask. My contact didnt know them all, but he confirmed that there are also coven members who wear the masks of an owl, a viper, a cougar, a jaguar, and a weasel.
So my dream
Was of the New York cell of Amyranth, Hunter finished. Yes.
I shuddered. Hunter, I had the dream again, I told him. It was just about an hour ago, while I was in an occult bookstore down in SoHo.
Goddess! Hunter looked alarmed. Why didnt you contact me? Before I could answer, he let out an exclamation of annoyance. Stupid question. I wasnt answering your messages. Morgan, Im sorry.
Its okay, I said. I mean, it was scary, but this time I knew what it was. Im not sure why I had it again, though.
Perhaps because were in New York, he said. Or perhaps He trailed off, looking still more troubled. Then he reached out and took my hand. Theres something Ive got to tell you. Something I learned today. It will bring up painful thoughts for you.
Icy fingers of dread walked up my spine as I sensed the weight of whatever news Hunter was carrying. I gave him a weak smile. Go for it.
The name of this wolf-masked leader is Ciaran, he said.
Ciaran? I felt sick. Itit cant be the same Ciaran. I mean, surely theres more than one Ciaran in the world.
Im sure there is, Hunter agreed. But this Ciaran is a powerful Woodbane witch in his early forties who comes from northern Scotland. Im sorry, Morgan, but there really isnt any doubt. Hes the one who killed Maeve and Angus.
I realized Id never had any idea of what happened to Ciaran after he set the fire that killed my parents. I guess I assumed he was back in Scotland, I said lamely. But hes here in New York City?
Hunter nodded, his eyes on my face. I sat there, trying to process this new information. Ciaranalive. Here. Within my reach.
Within my reach? What the hell did that mean? I asked myself bitterly. What would I do if I ever came face-to-face with him? Turn and run the other way, if I had any brains at all. Hed been more powerful than Maeve and Angus together. He could crush me like an ant.
We also found out that Ciaran has three children, Hunter went on. Two of them, Kyle and Iona, still live in Scotland. But the youngest is here in New York. Youre not going to believe this. He paused. Its Killian.
Killian? My jaw dropped. The witch we met last night?
Hunter nodded grimly. He was all but sitting in my lap, and I didnt realize he was the one.
I downed the last gulp of my now cold coffee. Thats too much of a coincidence.
There are no coincidences, Hunter reminded me, stating one of those Wiccan axioms that I found so annoying and cryptic.
I thought of the terrified wolf cub in my dream. That means Killian is Amyranths intended victim?
Thats what it looks like, Hunter said.
Oh God. First Ciaran kills my mother and father; now hes gunning for his own son.
Ciaran gave himself to the darkness a long time ago, Hunter said. Its all of a piece. A man capable of killing the love of his life is capable of killing his own son, too.
What else did you find out? Do you know where he lives? What he looks like?
None of that. Ive just told you everything. Hunter crumpled his empty coffee cup and launched it at a trash container a good fifteen feet away. The cup went in.
He hopped down off the wall and helped me off. Ive got to try to find Killian and see if I can suss out why Amyranth wants to drain his power. Maybe he has some sort of special ability they need. In any case, he may have valuable information about the coven, and if I play my cards right, he could become a valuable ally for the council.
Im going with you, I said impulsively.
Hunter was suddenly holding my upper arms and scowling at me. Morgan, are you crazy? You cant come with meespecially now that we know Ciaran is the leader of Amyranth. The last thing I want is for him to become aware of your existence. I wish to God youd stayed in Widows Vale. In fact, I should take you to Port Authority right now. You can catch the next bus back upstate. I can bring your car and your things back in a day or so.
In a flash we had reverted to our old antagonistic relationship. Let go of me, I said, furious. I dont take orders from you. When I go back to Widows Vale, Ill be driving my own car, thank you, and Ill go when Im ready.
For a long moment we just glared at each other. I saw Hunter struggling to keep his temper in check.
If you stay, he said between his teeth, youve got to give me your word that youll keep a low profile. No flashy magick on the street. In fact, while were in the city, I want you to avoid any magick that isnt absolutely necessary. I dont want you drawing any attention to yourself.
I knew he was right, much as I hated to admit it. Okay, I said sulkily. I promise.
Thank you. Hunters grasp relaxed.
Be careful, I said.
He kissed me again. Thats my line. Be careful. Ill see you tonight.
I hurried back to Columbus Avenue. As I neared the restaurant, I passed a father carrying his little son on his shoulders. The boy was laughing, as if it were the greatest treat in the world.