Eclipse - Кейт Тирнан 4 стр.

I felt like crap by the time I pulled into my driveway. I got out of Das Boot and locked it, grimaced at its blue hood that I still hadnt gotten painted, and headed up the walk. The air didnt smell like spring, but it didnt smell like winter, either. My moms dying crocuses surrounded me.

It wasnt really that latea little after nine. Maybe I would take some Tylenol and watch the tube for a while before I went to bed.

Morgan.

My hand jerked away from the front door as if electrified. Every cell in my body went on red alert: my breathing quickened, my muscles tightened, and my stomach clenched, as if ready for war.

Slowly I turned to face Ciaran MacEwan. He was handsome, I thought, or if not strictly handsome, then charismatic. He was maybe six feet tall, shorter than Hunter. His dark brown hair was streaked with gray. When I looked into his eyes, brownish hazel and tilted slightly at the corners, it it was like looking into my own. The last time I had seen him, he had taken the shape of a wolf, a powerful gray wolf. When the council had suddenly arrived, he had faded into the woods, looking back at me with those eyes.

Yes? I said, willing myself to appear outwardly calm.

He smiled, and I could understand how my mother had fallen in love with him more than twenty years ago. You knew I was coming, he said in his lilting Scottish accent, softer, more beguiling than Hunters crisp English one.

Yes. What do you want? I crossed my arms over my chest, trying not to show that inside, my mind was racing, wondering if I should send a witch message to Hunter, if I should try to do some sort of spell myself, if I could somehow just disappear in in a puff of smoke.

I told you, Morgan. I want to talk to you. I wanted to tell you I forgive you for the watch sigil. I wanted to try once again to convince you to join me, to take your rightful place as the heir to my power.

I cant join you, Ciaran, I said flatly.

But you can, he said, stepping closer. Of course you can.You can do anything you want. Your life can be whatever you decide you want it to be. Youre powerful, Morganyou have great, untapped potential. Only I can really show you how to use it. Only I can really understand youbecause were so much alike.

Ive never been good at holding my temper, and more than once my mouth has gotten me into trouble. I continued that tradition now, refusing to admit to a fear close to terror. Except one of us is an innocent high school student and the other of us is the leader of a bunch of murdering, evil witches.

For just a moment I saw a flash of anger in his eyes, and I quit breathing, both dreading what he would do to me and wishing it were already over. My knees began to tremble, and I prayed that they wouldnt give way.

Morgan, he said, and underlying his smooth voice was a fine edge of anger. Youre being very provincial. Unsophisticated. Close-minded.

I know what it means. He wouldnt even need to hear the quaver in my voicehe was able to pick up on the fact that my nerves were stretched unbearably taut.

Then how can you bear to lower yourself to that level? How can you be so judgmental? Are you so all-seeing, all-knowing that you can decide whats right and wrong for me, for others? Do you have such a perfect understanding of the world that you assume the authority to pass judgment? Morgan, magick is neither good nor evil. It just is. Power is neither good nor evil. It just is. Dont limit yourself this way. Youre only seventeen: You have a whole life of making magickbeautiful, powerful magickahead of you. Why close all the doors now?

I may not be all-knowing, but I know whats right for me. Ive figured out that its wrong to wipe out whole villages, whole covens in one blow, I said, trying to keep my voice down so no one inside could hear me. Theres no way you can justify that.

Ciaran took a deep breath and clenched his fists several times. You are my daughter; my blood is in your veins. Im your family. Im your fatheryour real father. Join with me and youll have a family at last.

The quick pang of pain inside didnt distract me.

I have a family.

Theyre not witches, Morgan, he said painstakingly, as if I were an idiot. They can neither understand you nor respect your poweras I can. Its true, Im selfish. I want the pleasure of teaching you what I know, of seeing you bloom like a rose, your extraordinary powers coming to fruition. I want to experience that with you. My other children... are not as promising.

I thought of my half brother Killian, the only one of Ciarans other children I had met. I had liked Killianhed been fun, funny, irreverent, irresponsible. But not good material as an heir to an empire of power. Not as good as I would be.

And you... you are the daughter of my mùirn beatha dàn, he said softly. His soul mate, my mother.

Who you killed, I said just as softly, without anger. You can ask me from now until I die, but I wont ever join you. I cant. In the circle of magick, Im in the light. My power comes from the light, not the dark. I dont want the power of the dark. I will never want the power of the dark. I really hoped that was true.

You will change your mind, you know, he said, but I detected a faint note of doubt in his voice.

No. I cant. I dont want to.

Morganplease. Dont make me do this.

Do what? I asked, a thread of alarm lacing through me.

He sighed and looked down. I was so hoping youd change your mind, he said, almost to himself. Im sorry to hear that you wont. A power like yoursit must be allied with mine, or it presents too much of a risk.

What the hell do you mean by that?

He looked up at me again. Theres still time to change your mind, he said. Time to save yourself, your family, your friends. If you make the right decision.

You tell me what youre talking about, I demanded, my throat almost closed with fear. I thought of what he could to me, to the people I loved inside this house. To Hunter. Save myself, my family? Dont you dare do anything. You asked your question. I answered. Now get away from me.

I was almost shaking with rage and terror, remembering all too well the nightmare of New York, when he had tried to make me relinquish my power, my very soul to him. I remembered, too, the terrifying, heady sweetness of being a wolf alongside him, a ruthless, beautiful predator with indescribable strength. Oh, Goddess.

Ill leave, Ciaran said, sounding sad. I wont ask you again. Its a pity it all has to end this way.

End what way? I practically shrieked, almost hysterical.

Youve chosen your fate, daughter, he said, turning to leave. It isnt what I wanted, but you leave me no choice. But know that by your decision you have sacrificed not only yourself, but everyone and everything you love. He gave a rueful, bitter smile. Good-bye, Morgan. You were a shining star.

I felt ready to jump out of my skin and tried to choke out something, something to make him explain, make him tell me what he was going to do. Then I remembered: I knew his true name! The name of his very essence, the name by which I could control him absolutely. The name that was a color, a song, a rune all at once. Just as the name sprang to my trembling lips, Ciaran faded into the night. I blinked and peered into the darkness but saw nothing: no shadow, no footprints on the dead grass, no mark in the cold dew that was just starting to form.

Abruptly my knees finally gave way and I sat down, hard, on the cold cement steps. My breath felt cold and caught in my throat. My hands were shakingI felt stupid with panic, with dread. As soon as I could get to my feet, I went inside, smiled, and said good night to my family. Then I went upstairs and called Hunter. And told him that Ciaran had gotten in touch with me.

The next morning Hunter was waiting for me outside my house when Mary K. and I came out to go to school.

Hi, Hunter! my sister said, looking surprised but pleased to see him at this hour.

Hullo, Mary K., he said. Mind if I tag along this morning?

Bewildered, my sister shrugged and got into the backseat of Das Boot. He and I exchanged meaningful glances.

For the rest of the day, Hunter hung out in my car outside school. Last night I had been inside my spelled house. Today, at school, I didnt have much protection. Whenever I passed a window, I looked out to see him. Even though he and I both knew this was like erecting a tissue-paper house in front of a gale-force wind, still, it made both of us feel better to be close.

At lunch he joined me and the members of Kithic in the cafeteria. After wed talked last night, wed agreed not to say anything to the rest of our coven until we knew more about what was going on.

Hi, Hunter, said Bree, taking the seat next to him. What are you doing here?

Just missed my girl, I guess, Hunter said, accepting half the sandwich I offered him. He immediately changed the subject. So youre all coming to the next circle, right? At Thalias?

I saw Brees beautiful, coffee-colored eyes narrow a fraction and thought it lucky that Thalia didnt go to our school. She had made it no secret that she found Robbie attractive. Privately I thought a bit of competition might be good for Bree.

Raven Meltzer clomped over in her motorcycle boots and sat down at the end of the table. She looked uncharacteristically sedate today, in a torn black sweatshirt, mens suit trousers, and less than half an inch of makeup. She nodded at the rest of the table, then surveyed her bought lunch without enthusiasm.

I looked around at my coven, my friends, remembering Ciarans words from last night: He had said that with my decision, I had sacrificed them. At the start of the school year I had really known only Bree and Robbie. Now all of themJenna, Raven, Ethan, Sharon, and Mattfelt like an extended family. Despite how different we were, despite what other groups we belonged to, we were a coven. We had made magick together. And now, because of me, they might all be in serious danger. I took in a couple of shuddering breaths and opened my carton of chocolate milk. Hunter and I would somehow fix this situation. I had to believe that.

After school I joined Hunter at Das Boot. We gave Mary K. a ride home and picked up his car, and then we both drove to his house. Once there, he called upstairs to his dad. Mr. Niall soon came down and greeted me with what seemed like a fraction more warmth than usual. I felt slightly encouraged as the three of us sat around the worn wooden table in the kitchen.

Last night Ciaran asked you to join him, Hunter said, jumping right in. I tried to ignore Mr. Nialls visible flinch.

Yes, I said. Hes asked before. Ive always said no. I said no again last night. But this felt more final. He said he was sorry to hear itbut that I could still save myself, my friends, and my familyif I made the right decision.

He said specifically your friends, your family? Hunter asked.

Yes.

Hunter and Mr. Niall met eyes across the table. Mr. Niall stretched his hands out on the table and looked at them. Finally he said, Yes, I think that sounds like a dark wave.

My mouth dropped opensomehow, despite his implications, I hadnt let myself believe Ciaran could have meant that. So you really think Ciaran would send a dark wave here, to Widows Vale? For me?

Thats what it sounds like, said Mr. Niall, and Hunter nodded slowly. Though it would likely be targeted to attack only the coven members and their families, and not the whole town.

I agree with Da, said Hunter. From what you told me last night, it sounds like Ciaran thinks your power is just too strong not to be allied with his. And I would guess he also wants revenge since you wont join him. Not to mention the added bonus of taking a Seeker out at the same time.

As much as I had tried to deny the real threat behind Ciarans words, as soon as Hunter said dark wave, I knew he was right. Still, it felt like a fresh, crushing blow, and I took small, shallow breaths, trying to keep calm.

I think hes been planning it for a while, Mr. Niall went on. Ive been feeling the effects this past week. Theres a feeling of deadness, of decay in the air. An oppression. At first I thought it was my mind playing tricks on me. But now Im certain my instincts are righttheres a dark wave coming.

In a flash I remembered Moms crocuses dying in a row beside the front walk. I thought of how the lawn hadnt begun to green up, though it was time. I thought of how awful Id been feeling physically. What can we do? How can we stop it? I asked, trying not to sound completely terrified. Inside me, my mind was screaming, Theres no way to stop it, theres never been a way.

I contacted the council, Hunter answered me. They were no help at all, as usual. Theyre looking for Ciaran, and now that they know hes here, theyll surround Widows Vale.

For me it means Ill devote all my time and energy to crafting a spell that could combat a dark wave, said Hunters father. Ive been able to decipher a lot of the hidden writing in Roses book. Ive started to sketch out the basic form of the spell, its shape. I wish I had more time, but Ill work as fast as I can.

The weight of this hung over my head like an iron safe. This was happening because of me. I had caused this to happen. Ciaran was my biological fatherand because of that, everything I held dear would be destroyed. What if I left town? I suggested wildly. If I left town, Ciaran would come after just me and leave everyone else alone.

No! Hunter and his father cried at the same time.

Taken back by their vehemence, I started to explain, but Mr. Niall cut me off.

No, he said. That doesnt work. I know that all too well. It wont really solve anything. It wouldnt guarantee the towns safety, and youd be as good as dead. No, we have to face this thing head-on.

What about the rest of Kithic? I asked. Shouldnt they know? Could they help somehow? All of us together?

Looking uncomfortable, Hunter said, I dont think we should tell Kithic.

What? Why not? Theyre in danger!

Hunter stood and put the kettle to boil on the stove. When he turned back, his face looked pained. Its just... this is blood witch business. Were not supposed to involve nonwitches in our affairs. Not only that, but theres truly nothing they can do. They might have strong wills, but they have very little power. And if we tell them, they probably wouldnt believe us, anyway. But if they did, then everyone would panic, which wouldnt help anything.

So we just have to pretend we dont know everyone might die, I said, holding my head in my hands, my elbows on the table.

Yes, Hunter said quietly, and once again I was reminded of the fact that he was a council Seeker and that hed had to make hard decisions, tough calls, as part of his job. But I was new to it, and this hurt me. It was going to be literally painful not to tell my own family, or Bree, Robbie. I swallowed hard.

Theres something else, Mr. Niall said. I havent mentioned this to you yet, he told Hunter. With this type of spell, actually, as with most spells, the person who casts it will have to be a blood witch and will also have to be physically very close to where the dark wave would originate. My guess is that Ciaran would use the local power sink to help amplify the waves power.

I nodded slowly. That makes sense. At the edge of town is an old Methodist cemetery where several magickal leys cross. That made that area a power sink: any magick made there was stronger. Any inherent blood witch powers were also stronger there.

The problem, of course, Mr. Niall went on, is that to be close enough to cast the spell, a witch is in effect sacrificing herself or himself because it will most likely cause death.

Even if the spell works and the wave is averted? I asked.

Hunters dad nodded. The sudden whistle of the kettle distracted us, and Hunter mechanically made three mugs of tea. I gazed numbly at the steam rising from mine, then flicked my fingers over it widdershins and thought, Cool the fire. I took a sip. It was perfect.

Well, thats a problem, Hunter said.

No, it isnt, said Mr. Niall. Ill cast the spell.

Hunter stared at him.But you just said it would probably kill the caster!

His father seemed calm: his mind had been made up for a while. Yes. There are only so many blood witches around Widows Vale. Im the logical choiceIm crafting the spell, so Ill know it bestand I would once again be with my mùirn beatha dàn.

Hunter had told me the loss of his mother, just a few months ago, had almost destroyed his father.

I just got you back! Hunter said, pushing away from the table. You cant possibly do this! There has to be some other witch who would be a better choice.

Mr. Niall smiled wryly. Like a witch with terminal cancer? All right, we can look for one. He shook his head. Look, lad, its got to be me. You know it as well as I do.

Im stronger, Hunter said, wearing the determined look that I knew so well. I should cast it. Im sure I could survive. You could teach me the spell.

Mr. Niall shook his head.

Dammit, I wont let you! Hunters loud voice filled the small kitchen. If hed yelled at me like that, I would have been appalled, but his father seemed unmoved.

Its not your decision, lad, he said. Calmly he picked up his mug of tea and drank.

How long do we have? I whispered, running my hands over the worn surface of the tabletop. Is it tomorrow, or next week, or...

Mr. Niall put down his mug. Its impossible to say for certain. He looked at Hunter. I would say, given the level of decay in the air and what Ive read about the effects of an oncoming wave... perhaps a week. Perhaps a little less.

Oh, Goddess! I put my head down on the table and felt tears welling up behind my eyes. A week! Youre saying we might have one week left on this planet, a week before our families all die? All because of me? All because of my father?

Mr. Niall surveyed me with an odd, grave expression. Im afraid so, lass. He stood. Im going back to work. Without a good-bye he left the room, and I heard him go upstairs.

I just got him back, Hunter said, sounding near tears. I looked up from the table and realized, all at once, that no matter what happened to my family, Hunter was certainly going to lose his father. I stood up and wrapped my arms around him, pulling him close. So many times he had comforted me, and now I was glad to have the chance to give some back to him.

I know, I said softly.

Hes got years left. Years to teach me. For me to get to know him again.

I know. I held his head against my chest.

His body was tight with tension. Bloody hell. This cant get any worse.

It can always get worse, I said, and we both knew it was true.

6. Alisa

Can I get you anything? Im running to the store. Hilarys voice interrupted my reading, and I glanced up as the door to my room opened. There she was, in black leggings and a red tunic, her artificially streaked hair held back by a red Alice band.

No. Im okay, I said, raising my voice so she could hear me over my CD player.

Ginger ale? Thats what I like when Im sick.

No thanks.

I won the stare-down contest, and when Hilary finally broke, I went back to my reading. A minute later I heard the front door close with a little more force than necessary. I had elected to take a mental health daygoing to school, having PE, eating lunch with people, paying attention in classit all seemed ridiculous compared to finding out I was half witch. Thus my illness that Hilary was trying to treat. But she was gone now, and I had peace and quiet.

I pulled Sarah Curtiss Book of Shadows from under my bed and then got the small pile of letters. Since Tuesday, I had read all of them. It was like trying to absorb the news that a huge meteor was hurtling toward Earthon some level, I just couldnt comprehend it. I mean, until a month or two ago I hadnt even known that real blood witches existed, and I kind of hadnt even believed it until I had seen Morgan Rowlands and Hunter Niall do things that couldnt be explained any other way. And now, surprise! I was half of something weird myself. Not only that, but my mom had pretty much felt the same way about being a witchit had scared her, too, and before she met my dad, she had actually stripped herself of her powers.Which would explain why he didnt know she was a witch.

I had a lot to take inmy mother being a witch, her stripping herself of her powers, which I didnt even know you could do, and also about her family. Dad had always said that Mom had a falling-out with her family before he met her. Hed never known any of them. From the Book of Shadows and Sam Curtiss letters, it was starting to look more like they had disinherited her when she stripped herself of her powers. So unless they had all been wiped out by a freak accident after my mother left Gloucester, there might actually still be some relatives living there. I guessed it was possible they were all deadGLOUCESTER FAMILY DECIMATED BY ROGUE TORNADObut that seemed kind of unlikely.

Mom had been a Rowanwand. I knew from what Hunter had said in circles that Rowanwands in general had a reputation for being the good guy witches. They were dedicated to knowledge, they helped other witches, they had all sworn to do no evil, to not take part in clan wars. That didnt fit me at all. Dedicated to knowledge? I hated school. Sworn to do no evil? It seemed like every ten minutes, I was harshing out on someone. So I didnt feel very Rowanwandish. Which was a good thing, in my opinion.

Maybe being a witch was like a recessive gene, and you had to have copies from both parents in order for it to kick in. That would be cool. I breathed out, already feeling relieved. Since Dad was normal, maybe I only carried the witch gene, but it wouldnt be expressed. I frowned, thinking back to last semesters biology class. Pea plants and fruit flies popped into my mind, but what about recessive witch genes? Or was it even a gene? But what else could it be?

I groaned and leaned back against my pillows. Now I really did have a headache. I went to the bathroom and took some Tylenol and was just climbing back into bed when I heard the front door shut again downstairs. Feeling my nerves literally fraying, I pushed the letters and and book under my covers and picked up The Crucible, which we were studying in sophomore English, ironically enough.

I was just making a mental note to pick up the CliffsNotes for it when, lo and behold, Hilary popped her head around my door because I had forgotten to lock it. She was carrying a tray that had a sprout-filled sandwich on it and some teen magazines that had articles like Are You Over Your Ex? Take This Quiz and Find Out!

For those of us who are too dumb to figure it out ourselves.

Alisa? I thought you might be hungry. When I was sick, my mom always brought me lunch and some fun magazines.

Oh. Thanks, I said unenthusiastically. At the risk of stating the obvious, youre not my mom. I think I really just want to be left alone, though.

Her face fell, and I immediately felt a pang of guilt.

I know Im not your mom, she said, obvious hurt in her voice. But would it be so hard for us to be friends? In a little while were going to be related. I mean, like it or not, Alisa, your dad and I are getting married, and this baby Im having is your half brother or half sister.

She set the tray down on my bed, and at that moment my CD player popped loudly. I smelled an electric burning smell and jumped up to unplug it. It was practically brand new! Why did everything keep self-destructing around me? Hilary gave me a long-suffering look, then swirled out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

I looked down at the plug in my hand, beginning to feel like a walking destructive force: just a few days ago, the butter dish at Mary K.s, then my jewelry box, now the CD player.

Oh my God. My breath froze in my throat. I stood stock-still, petrified by a sudden thought. I had just read about this kind of stuff in my moms journal. When shed been younger, shed caused weird telekinetic things to happenthings fell off shelves, radios quit working, car horns wouldnt stop honking. Watches never worked on heror on me, either. The batteries died instantly.

A grin that would have melted Alaska. Hes usually kind of serious, so when he does smile, everyones knees go weak. Or at least Im assuming Im not the only one. I would say congratulations, but I understand you dont feel that way.

My cheeks burned, and I looked away. No.

He immediately sobered and leaned closer so only I could hear. I know it must have been a shock. And I understand how youve been feeling about magick and witches. Id like to talk to you about it, try to help if I can.

I nodded. Thanks. I stood very still, waiting for a picture to fall off the wall, the door to fly open, or a window to crack. Nothing happened, and I held my breath, determined to stay very, very calm this evening.

Hunter went back to Morgans side, and I saw that she looked pretty bad, too. They must have been passing germs back and forth. Yuck.

We can get started, said Hunter. I think everyones here. Is there any coven business first? I think Simon has volunteered to host next Saturday, right? Good. Okay, now. Tonight Id like to talk a bit about magick.

Hunter knelt and drew a large circle on Thalias living room floor. He always started by drawing a circle, but this time he added another circle around it and then one more circle around that. Then he took a small cloth bag of stones and placed different-colored stones around the outside circle. Standing, he gestured us into the little door he had left, and once we were all in the smallest circle, he closed the circles with chalk, stones, and also some runes that he traced in the air. I wondered what was going on.

Now, magick, he said, rubbing the chalk off his hands. He looked pale and tired. Magick is basically energy, life force, chi, whatever you want to call it. The same magick that makes a flower bloom, produces fruit on a tree, brings a baby into the world is the exact same magick that can light fires spontaneously, move objects, and work invisibly within the universal construct in order to effect changesuch as casting a protective spell, a fertility spell, or a healing spell. Now, can I have each of your impressions about magick?

He nodded to Sharon Goodfine.

She frowned thoughtfully, her shiny dark hair brushing her shoulders. To me, magick is potentialthe possibility of doing something.

Thats a nice thought, said Hunter. Thalia?

Its just cool, she said, shrugging. Its different, out of the ordinary.

Ethan said, Its like a different kind of control, a different way of getting a handle on things.

Its being connected with the life force, said Jenna.

Its beautiful, Bree said.

Next was Morgan. Its... another dimension to life, an added meaning to regular life. Its a power and a responsibility.

Hunter nodded again.Robbie?

Its mysterious, said Robbie.

Alisa, how about you? Hunter asked.

Its scary, I said abruptly, thinking of my own experiences with it. As soon as I said that, all my feelings came rushing out. Its uncontrollable. Its dangerous. Its awful, like having some genetic error. You never know when its going to wreck your life.

My fists were clenching, and my mouth felt tight. I realized I was surrounded by silence and looked up to see eleven pairs of eyes watching me. Nine pairs were surprised. Hunter was calm, accepting. Morgan looked understanding.

Oh. Did I say that out loud? I said, feeling embarrassed.

Its all right, Hunter said. Magick strikes everyone differently. I understand how you feel. He turned to the others. Now, since we have stones of protection, I wont call on earth, air, fire, or water. But I do cast this circle in the name of the Goddess and the God and ask them to join us and bless our power tonight. Join hands.

I took hold of Simons hand and Ravens, feeling an impending sense of doom. If I was in this circle and it got all magicky, what would happen? What would I destroy?

Slowly we began to walk deasil, clockwise. Hunter started a chanting kind of song. It was incredibly pretty and easy to follow, and soon all of us were joining in. It was kind of like aural Prozac, because soon I began to feel calmer and more cheerful than I had in days. I felt like everyone here was my friend, that I was safe, that we were singing the most beautiful song, that I was filled with a light that made all my troubles seem bearable.