Eclipse - Кейт Тирнан 5 стр.

I was processing these feelings, and suddenly I realized that this was magick, too. This was a positive, gentle kind of magick. As the chant rose and grew, I felt better and better. It was like I was trying to worry about it being magick but just couldnt. I knew it was weird, but it all felt okay. When we threw our hands apart and raised our arms to the sky, I was smiling widely, feeling loose and open instead of tight and upset.

Our circle broke apart then, and people were hugging and patting one anothers backs. Morgan came over to me and took my hand. She put her own palm on top of mine and held it there for a moment. She looked at her hand, and I felt a gentle heat. I took my hand away, and there was a rose-colored rune imprinted on my skin.

I grabbed her hand and looked at her palm. Nothing was there. I rubbed at my hand and realized that it was my skin, raised up, like a scar. I stared at it, and Morgan gave a little smile.

Thats Wynn, she said. Happiness. Peace. She caught my expression and added, Itll go away in a little while. Its just something to take away from here.

She went back to join Hunter, and I looked at my hand again. This was visible magick, right here on me. Peace, happiness. Did she just mean the rune or the actual feelings, too?

7. Morgan

On Sunday, I went to church with my family, despite feeling definitely ill. Afterward we went to the Widows Diner, where I could manage to choke down only a few bites of my BLT.

At home I tossed down some sinus/allergy stuff, then changed, grabbed my keys, and yelled that I was going to Hunters. When Sky had gone to France and then England, my parents had known that left Hunter with the house to himself. For a while they had given me squirrel eyes whenever I went there and again when I got back. Now that his father lived there, they were less suspicious. Of course, they hadnt met Mr. Niall and had no clue as to how different he was from their vision of a father.

Fatherly or not, his presence was enough to make me feel weird about being alone with Hunter anywhere in his house. I sighed and got into Das Boot. Outside it was horribleafter a few misleading days of decent springlike weather, we had taken a big step backward, and it was in the mid-thirties, overcast, and smelling like snow. Before I reached Hunters, tiny, icy raindrops starting pinging against my windshield.

Hullo, my love, said Hunter as I approached the front door. He gave me a critical glance, then said, How about some hot tea?

Do you have any cider? I asked. With spices in it? Or lemon?

He nodded and I went in, glad to see the fireplace in the living room had been lit. I dropped my coat and stood before the fire, holding out my hands. The dancing flames were soothing. On his way to the kitchen, Hunter stopped in back of me, wrapped his arms around my chest, and held me close. I leaned back and let my eyes drift shut, feeling his warmth, the strength in his arms. One of his hands came up to stroke my hair, melting the few bits of ice crystal that lingered there. He leaned down and kissed my neck. I tilted my head to give him better access. Slowly he put careful kisses up my neck and across my jaw. I turned to face him and smiled wrylyhe looked as bad as I felt. It seemed kind of pathetic, how bad we were both feeling, yet we still had such a strong desire to be in each others embrace. His lips were very soft on mine, moving gently, afraid to make either of us feel worse.

When I heard Mr. Nialls footsteps on the stairs, Hunter and I untangled and headed toward the kitchen. Moments later Mr. Niall joined us, and Hunter started mulling cider on the stove. I sat glumly at the table, my pounding head resting in my hands.

Why do we all feel so bad? I asked. Mr. Niall looked pale and drawn.

Its the effect of an oncoming dark wave, Hunters father said with little energy. It isnt even in force yet, but the spells to call it have been started and the place and people targeted. It isnt going to be long now. A matter of days.

Oh, Goddess, I muttered, a fresh alarm racing through my veins.

Well feel sicker and sicker as the dark wave draws closer, and well grow irritable. Which is unfortunate, because well need to work with one another now more than ever.

Hunter sighed. You talked to Alyce this morning? he asked his father, and Mr. Niall nodded.

She and the other members of Starlocket have been holding power circles, aiming their energy at Widows Vale and at Kithic in particular. Theyre hoping to help in any way they can, but theres been so little documented evidence about anyone even trying to resist a dark wave. He ran his long-fingered, bony hand over his face.

Have you had any progress? I asked.

He let out a breath heavily, and his shoulders sagged. Ive been working day and night. In some ways Im making progress. Im crafting the form of the spell, its order, its words. But it would be much stronger if I could give it more specificity. If only I had more time.

I looked up and caught Hunters eye. I knew we were feeling the same desperation, the same frustration: If only we could help Mr. Niall or speed him along. But we were helpless; we just had to hope that his father was up to the task.

What do you mean by specificity? I asked as Hunter put a mug of cider in front of me, and I inhaled. The spices of ginger and cinnamon rose up to meet me. I drank, feeling its warmth soothing my stomach.

The spell is basic, Mr. Niall said, sounding frustrated. Its designed to cover a certain area, at a certain time, in a certain way. Its designed to combat a dark wave, to dismantle it. But it would be so much more powerful if I could use something particular against its creator.

What would that do? I needed a cold cloth for my forehead.

Spells are just as personal as the way someone looks, like their fingerprints, Hunter explained. If youre trying to dismantle or repel another witchs spell, your own spell greatly increases in power if you can imbue it with something in particular that identifies the spellcrafter youre working against. Thats why in spells, you so often need a strand of hair or an item of clothing of the person whos the focus of the spell. It gives the spell a specific target.

Like using an arrow instead of a club, said Mr. Niall.

I sat for a few moments, thinking. I had no strand of Ciarans hair, none of his clothes. My head felt fragile, made of china that had been broken and poorly mended. It was a struggle to put two thoughts together.

WaitI rubbed at my eyes, catching the elusive thought. I had. I had something of Ciarans. I didnt even think of it as his anymoreit was completely mine now. But it had once been his. He had handled it. I drained my mug and stood up, feeling my muscles ache naggingly.

Ill be back, I said, and left before either Hunter or Mr. Niall could open his mouth.

It was still raining sullenly as I climbed behind the wheel of my car. Inside, the vinyl seats were freezing, and I immediately cranked the heater. I pulled away from Hunters curb and headed toward the road that would take me out of town.

Widows Vale was surrounded by what had once been prosperous farmland and was now only a few small family holdings, bordered on all sides by abandoned fields, overgrown orchards, and woods of tall, second-growth trees.

There was a place along here, a patch of woods completely unmarked by any physical sign but still a place I recognized at once, as if there were a large arrow spray-painted on a line of tree trunks.There it was. I pulled well over onto the roads shoulder, feeling the slipperiness of the ice-crusted gravel at the roads edge. Reluctantly I climbed out of my car, leaving its cozy warmth for the inhospitable sting of icy rain.

I pulled my collar up as far as I could and headed straight across a rough-cut field of withered grass stalks. At the first break in the woods I paused for a moment, then headed straight between two beech trees. This place was mine alone. I could feel the presence of no other human, witch or nonwitch. I felt safe here, safer than in town.

In the woods there was no path, no marked trail, but I slogged steadily forward, unerringly headed for the place that bore my spell and contained my secret. It was a good ten-minute walkmy clogs slid on the wet, decaying leaves, and tiny branches, still unbudded, whipped across my face and caught at my hair.

Then, in a small clearing, I lifted my face to the patch of bare, leaden sky. It was here, it was still here, and though animals had crisscrossed this place with any number of trails, no human had been here since my last time. Pausing, I closed my eyes and and cast my senses out strongly, taking my time, going slowly, feeling the startled heartbeat of small animals, wet birds, and, farther out, the still, wary eye of an occasional deer. At last I was quite sure I was still alone, and I walked out into the clearing and knelt on the sodden forest litter.

Id brought no shovel with me, but Das Boot had a jack and a crowbar, and it was the crowbar I used, chucking it into the cold ground and twisting it. It didnt take long. I felt layer upon layer of my amateurish spells of protection, the best I had had been able to do at the time. Then, feeling close, I used my fingers to claw at the freezing earth. Another two inches and my fingers scrabbled at wet cloth. I cleared the dirt away around it and soon lifted up a silken bundle. I didnt untie the knot that held the scarfs contents in place. I didnt need to. Instead, I kicked the dirt back in place and lightly scattered some leaves and pine needles and twigs over the area until it again looked untouched. Picking up my crowbar, holding my cold, damp bundle, I headed back to my car.

Where did you go? Hunter asked when I returned. Where have you been? I was worried sick! Dont go anywhere like that without telling me, all right?

Im sorry. I was still chilled, my fingernails dirt-packed and broken. It seemed too hard to explain when my errand had taken so much effort. Instead, I walked into Hunters circle room, where Mr. Niall was kneeling on the floor, his eyes closed, surrounded by papers and books and candles. He felt me come in and looked up.

I knelt beside him, the knees of my jeans soaked. Here, I said, pulling the silk-wrapped package from my coat pocket. My fingers were cold and stiff as I picked at the knot, but I finally pulled it loose and the cloth fell open. I reached in to pick up the only thing of Ciarans I had: a beautiful gold pocket watch, engraved with his initials and my mothers. Not only thatit had my mothers, Maeves, image spelled into it. To be able to see my mothers face was a gift. To me, it was a concrete reminder of the relationship my blood parents had once hadthe only thing that was part of both of them. My mother was deadthe spell against Ciaran couldnt rebound on her. But Ciarans vibrations ran all through it.

When Mr. Niall reached for it, I surprised myself by pulling my hand back. Embarrassed, I pushed the watch forward again. He could use it more than I. Maybe it was better not to have any reminders of a love that had ended so tragicallyeven though that same love had had resulted in my birth. It suddenly struck me that my parents relationship was the epitome of magick itself: darkness and light. A great, great love and a great, great hatred. Passion, both good and bad. A powerful joining followed by an irrevocable tearing apart. The rose and the thorn.

This was Ciarans, I explained, offering it to Mr. Niall. I forced my hand to stay open while he took it.

When did you get it back? Hunter asked, surprised.

The last time Ciaran was here, I explained, feeling very tired.

And you kept it? Hunter knew as well as I how dangerous it could be to have something of someone who wants to control you.

Yes. It was my mothers. I was aware I sounded defensiveI had kept this a secret, even from Hunter. I buried it outside of town. I was going to leave it there until it had been purified, all its dark energy gone. Years.

Mr. Niall was examining the watch, turning it over in his hands. I can use this, he said, as if talking to himself. He looked up. But are you sure? It will be completely destroyed, you know.

I nodded, looking at the watch. I know. Its okay. I dont need it anymore. Still, even as I said the words, something in me knew Id feel its loss. I shivered from leftover chill.

When I looked up, Mr. Niall was watching me. This will help, he said. Thank you. His eyes looked at me as if he were seeing me for the first time. I got the impression I had just moved up several notches in his estimation.

Okay, well, Ill get out of your way, I said, standing up. In the kitchen I washed my hands, soaping them over and over, holding them under the warm water as if I were washing off more than dirt. Then I went into the living room and sank down on the floor in front of the fireplace. Hunter sat down next to me, and soon I was warm enough to take off my coat. We scooted back until we could lean against the couch, and I rested my head against his shoulder. Gently Hunter lifted me up onto his lap so I was sitting sideways across his legs. With his arms around me, I felt incredibly safe and warm. I was so happy to be there that I didnt even care if Mr. Niall came out and found us like this.

Thank you for making that sacrifice, Hunter murmured close to my ear. Why didnt you tell me about it?

I shrugged, not really knowing myself. I knew I wasnt going to use it, not for a long time.

He nodded and kissed my ear. I know what it must mean to you.

Not as much as my life, your life, my family. My friends, I said, closing my eyes and snuggling closer.

Morgan, he said, his voice low. I felt his fingers under my chin, raising my face so he could kiss me. It felt so good, so right, and it made everything else fade away: all my worries, the way I felt physically, the sadness of losing my watch. Ever since Hunter had gotten back from Canada, we hadnt had much time alone together. Id been concerned about what I had seenHunter and the Canadian witchand sometimes it made me feel insecure and out of sync with him. But right now those feelings were melting away, and once again I felt that quickening, that rush of desire that made me tremble.

We clung together, kissing, and I now knew him well enough for there to be comforting familiarity mixed in with the rush. I remembered the last night wed been together, before hed left for Canada. I had planned for us to make love for the first time: Id actually started taking the Pill because I didnt know how witch birth control worked, Id psyched myself up, shaved my legs, everything. And we had almost done it. Wed come so, so close. Then Hunter had talked me into waiting until after he got back from Canada so we wouldnt have to say good-bye afterward. Of course, we didnt know that hed be bringing his dad back with him and that almost immediately wed be threatened by a dark wave.

I gripped Hunters collar in one hand and pulled him closer, kissing his mouth hard, feeling his fingers tighten around my waist. Hunter, I thought. I want to be joined with you. Are we ever going to get there? Or are we going to die before we get the chance?

8. Alisa

Alisa, are you okay?

My head snapped up to see Mary K.s big brown eyes gazing at me with concern. We were sprawled in Mary K.s room after school on Monday, listening to music and sort of doing homework.

Im okay. I shook my head. Its just, like, everythings coming down on me at once. Its giving me a headache.

Mary K. nodded sympathetically. Everyone has a headache lately. It must be the weather. I was so glad that we were friends. My best friend had moved away at the end of last summer, and though I still missed her, being friends with Mary K. had helped a lot.

Like the wedding and Ms. Herberts science fair project? she asked.

Yeah. Oh, and the fact that I was half witch. That, too. I hadnt told Mary K. about my realizationI knew that she still had a problem with Morgans involvement with Wicca, and I wasnt ready to test her reaction.

Any ideas for the science project?

I thought. Maybe a life-size modeling-clay version of a digestive system?

Mary K. giggled. Fun. Im thinking about something with plants.

Can you be more specific?

Her shiny russet hair bounced as she shook her head. I havent worked out the details.

We both laughed, and I pulled over the box of Girl Scout cookies and had another Thin Mint.

Any wedding news?

My eyes closed in painful memory. Right now the flower-girl dress of choice is emerald green, which will basically make me look like I died of jaundice, and it has a big wide bow across the ass. Like, look at my humongous big butt, everyone! In case you missed it!

I still cant get over the fact that youre the flower girl, Mary K. laughed, falling back on her bed, and it was hard for me to remain sour.

My backup plan is to break my leg the morning of the ceremony, I told her. So Ill be bringing you a baseball bat soon, just in case.

I turned my attention back to my algebra problems. Art class I was good at. But all these little numbers jumping around the page just left me cold. What did you get for the equation for number seven? I asked, tapping my pencil against my teeth.

A big blank. Maybe we should get Morgan.

Ill get her, I said casually, getting to my feet. There was the slightest surprise in Mary K.s eyes that I would voluntarily talk to the witch queen.Where is she?

In her room, I think.

Mary K. and Morgans rooms were connected by the bathroom they shared.The door to Morgans room was ajar, and I tapped on it.

Morgan?

Mpfh? I heard in response, and I pushed open the door. Morgan was lying on her bed, a wet washcloth draped over her forehead. Her long hair spilled over the side of her bed. She looked awful.

As I approached the bed, she mumbled, Alisa? Whats up? She hadnt opened her eyes, and I got a little nervous shiver from this evidence of her witch skills.

How do you do that? I asked quietly. You can just feel someones vibes or something? Or like my aura?

At this Morgan did open her eyes and bunched her pillow under her head so she could see me. I gave you a ride after school, so I knew you were here. I heard someone open the door and walk into my room. I knew it wasnt me. Mary K. sort of flounces through and makes more noise. That left you.

Oh, I said, my cheeks flushing.

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, she said.

I had no idea what that meant. Anyway, Mary K. and I are stuck on an algebra problem. Could you come help us? If youre up to it, I mean. She looked really sick. Do you have the flu or something? Why were you in school?

Morgan shook her head and sat up very slowly, like an old lady.No. Im okay.

Hunters sick, too.Why didnt you just stay home?

Im okay, she said, obviously lying. How do you feel?

Uh, I have a little headache. Mary K. thinks its the weather.

Our eyes met just then, and I swear Morgan looked like she wanted to say something, was about to say something.

What? I asked.

Standing up, Morgan pulled down her sweatshirt and flipped her hair over her shoulder. Nothing, she said, heading toward the door. Whats this problem you need help with?

There was more here than she was telling me. I knew it. Without thinking, I reached out to grab her sleeve, and at that exact instant there was a thud and a sound like glass hitting something. I looked around wildly, wondering what I had destroyed this time, feeling cursed.

That was Dagda, Morgan explained, a tinge of amusement in her voice.

Sure enough, I now saw her small gray cat getting to his feet on the floor by Morgans bed. He looked sleepy and irritated.

Sometimes he rolls off the bed when hes asleep, Morgan said.

Frustrated, I pulled back my hand and curled and uncurled my fingers. There was something happening here, something I didnt know about. Something Morgan wasnt telling me. I remembered the other day, when Morgan had run out of the kitchen to talk to Hunter, how upset she had seemed. But her face was now closed, like a shade being pulled down, and I knew she wouldnt tell me. We went into Mary K.s room, back to algebra and away from magick.

That night I was slumped on my bed, taking a magazine quiz to find out if I was a flirting master or a flirting disaster. By question five, things were looking bad for me. I tossed the magazine aside, my mind going back to Morgan. For some reason I had a terrible feelingI couldnt even describe it. But I was somehow convinced that something weird or bad was happening, and that Morgan and Hunter knew about it, and that they were keeping it to themselves.

But what could it be? They both looked physically ill. Morgan had seemed so close to saying something, something hard. And last week there had been a day when Hunter had sat outside school literally all day. I didnt think it was just because he couldnt stand to be away from her.

Sitting up, I decided to confront Morgan again. I would somehow make her tell me what was going on, what was wrong with her and Hunter. The flaws in this plan were immediately obvious: (1) I had already asked Morgan, and shed made it clear that she wasnt going to tell me. (2) Mary K. would wonder why I needed to talk to Morgan. And if it was some weird witch thing, I didnt want to drag her into it.

So how could I find out?

Hunter.

No. I knew him, but we werent good friends. I was kind of impressed by and wary of him at the same time. What would he think if I asked him to tell me their secret? Would he get mad at me?

Hunter was out. But... there really wasnt anyone else. I went through the members of Kithic in my mind. No one else had seemed nervous or ill. Just Morgan and Hunter. The blood witches. I shook my head. My brain kept coming back to this again and again, the way it had about my mothers green book. This felt the same.

I had to talk to Hunter.

I didnt have his phone number, but I knew where he lived. Now, did I have the nerve to ask him? I had no choice. I ran downstairs: Girl of Action. In the living room I encountered Hilary, watching a dvd of Sex and the City. Too late I remembered that Dad had gone to a union meeting at the post office, where he worked. Damn, damn, damn. I met Hilarys inquiring look. I had to go ahead and ask her.

Um, I forgot my algebra book at school, I said, giving an Oscar-caliber performance. Not. My friend has the same book and says I can borrow his. Do you think you could give me a ride to his house?

Hilary actually looked touched to be asked, and I felt a little pang of guilt over the way I usually treated her. The fact that I would now owe her was not lost on me. Once again I wished the state of New York would lower the freaking driving age to, say, fifteen. Then I wouldnt have to ask anyone for favors.

Sure, Hilary said easily. She clicked off the TV and stood up, stretching. She gave me a smile and almost looked pretty for a split second. Let me go to the bathroom real quick. Since Ive been pregnant, I have to pee every five minutes.

She turned and left the room then, so she didnt see the horrified expression on my face. Oh, gross! Why did I have to know that?

Not being a complete idiot, I held my tongue, and a few minutes later I was directing her to Hunters house. When Hilary parked behind Hunters car, I said, Im having trouble with this one section. Is it okay if I stay for a minute so he can explain it to me?

Take your time, Hilary said. She clicked on the radio and closed her eyes, leaning back against the headrest.

Thanks, I said, and hopped out of the car. Up on the porch I rang the doorbell, and after a moment it was answered by an older man I didnt know. Oh, this had to be Hunters dadId heard hed come back from Canada to live with him. He didnt look much like Hunteralmost too old to be his real dad.

Youre a witch, he said after a moment, startling me.

Uh I was caught off guard. No one had ever sensed this before. Including me.

I get a strange reading off of you, he said, squinting at me. He had a slightly different accent from Hunter, too.

Da, came Hunters voice, and then I saw him push in next to his father. Oh, hullo, Alisa. Are you all right? Did you come here alone? He looked out past me to the dark yard.

My stepmother-to-be drove me, I said, feeling an attack of shyness and regret sweeping over me. I really need to talk to you.

Sure. Come on in. Hunter turned to his father. Da, this is Alisa Soto. Shes a high school student, part of Kithic.

I noticed that Hunter looked as bad as Morgan had this afternoon. It was as if all the witches I knew had, like, witch pneumonia or something.

Mr. Niall looked at Hunter. Whats going on? Who is she? Why does she feel strange?

Calm down, Da, Hunter said. She might feel different to you because shes only half witch.

I felt like a microbe, the way his dad looked at me.

But she has powerI can feel it. How is that possible? he asked.

Hunter shrugged. Here she stands. So what can I do for you, Alisa?

Unfortunately, I hadnt planned what to say. So what came out was, Hunter, whats going on? Why do you and Morgan look like death? Why wont she tell me whats happening?

Im off, Mr. Niall muttered abruptly, and left the room.

Strange dad behavior.

I turned back to Hunter, aware that Hilary was waiting outside. Hunter, whats the deal? I asked again.

He looked uncomfortable, then ran one hand through his short blond hair, giving himself bed head. How do you feel? he asked.

I stared at him. Why did everyone keep asking me that? I have a headache! What is going on?

Alisa, theres a dark wave coming to Widows Vale, he said gently. Do you know what that is?

A what? No.

Itsa wave, a force, of destruction, Hunter said. Its dark magick, a spell that a witch or a group of witches casts. They aim it at a particular village or coven, and basically it wipes everything out.

This was too much to take in. I wasnt following. What are you talking about?

Its a bad spell, Hunter said simply. Very uncommon. In the Wiccan world its rare to come upon someone who practices dark magick. But dark witches can cast a spell when they want to kill other witches, destroy a whole coven, even level a whole village.

I stared at him. What... what... What he was saying sounded like the plot of a Bruce Willis movienot something that could happen in Widows Vale. But at the same time, I felt in my bones that he was telling the truth. I didnt understand it, but I did suddenly believe that something bad was coming. Something very bad. Is this why you and Morgan are sick?

Hunter nodded. I would guess your headache is caused by it, too, but since youre half and half, its not wrecking you as much. He went on to explain what he and Morgan had figured out and also what his father was trying to do, how he was trying to come up with a spell to disperse a dark wave. And he told me that the witch who cast this spell would probably die and that his father was going to be the one who cast it. I felt shocked. Hunter looked really grim, and I couldnt imagine what he was feeling.

I guess you guys are pretty sure about all this, I said faintly.

He nodded. Its a situation thats been developing for a while.

Are you sure your dad

Yes. Id like for someone else to do it, obviously. But any blood witch is likely to die, and he wont let that happen to someone else.

And a nonwitch cant cast it?

No. They have to be able to summon power. But if theyre strong enough to summon power, then theyre strong enough to be decimated by the dark wave. He looked frustrated. I felt so sorry for him. If only there was some alternativea way for a witch to cast the spell yet not be susceptible to the powers of the dark wave. Like if a person were...

I frowned as an awful, horrifying thought seeped into my brain. Immediately I shut it down.