Sweep - Origins Part 2

It was as if head never seen Kyra before. His heat-ruddy face went pale as he ignored the poker and crossed over to the railing where we stood. Kyra lowered her eyes, but her huge smile revealed her interest as she greeted him and offered a biscuit. Falkner accepted gratefully but didnat take his eyes off her as he lifted the morsel to his mouth and took a bite.

I clapped a hand to my cheek, thrilled that the charm was working.

Blessed be. All thanks to your power, sweet G.o.ddess.

Falkner and Kyra were still gazing at each other when Falkneras father, a witch in our coven, finished with a customer and bade us good day. aAnd whoas been baking here?a he asked. I knew John Radburn from many a circle. He was a jovial man, far more spirited than his son.

aI baked with my ma,a Kyra said, lifting the cloth to offer him a biscuit.

He took one and set it aside on a tin plate. aThatall go nicely with my beer at midday, thank you. And what can I help you with, la.s.sies?a aWe came to trade the biscuits at the market,a I said. aBut while Iam here, do you mind me poking about to find leftover sharp objects? Ma needs them to. to scare off the crows from her garden,a I lied. Blacksmith Radburn probably knew of the spell of protection to be cast at the mill, but it wouldnat do to have strangers overhear talk of our magick.

aHelp yourself.a The blacksmith moved the toe of his boot through the dirt to reveal a few jagged pieces of metal. He picked them up and set them on the rail before me. aBut mind you donat touch anything thatas still heated.a aIall take care, sir,a I said, slipping the sharp items into a thick pouch.

The blacksmith turned back to his work, and I set to searching the ground for sharps. Falkner helped me a bit as he chatted with Kyra; then he, too, returned to tend the fires. When I had a pouch full of splintered nails and shards and arrowheads, Kyra and I thanked the blacksmith and headed away.

Falkner gave an excited nod of farewell, as if Kyra had just brought him a priceless gift.

She squeezed my arm as we made our way toward the market. aDid you see? Your spell worked. The charm is drawing his love!a aOf course it worked,a I said. aYou cannot doubt the G.o.ddess.a aNo, but I have doubted how strongly one could be connected to Her. Until now. You have summoned Her power to bring me love! Oh, Rose, atis the most wondrous thing!a aAye.a I thought of my mystery boy. I still didnat even know his name.

aAnd Iall see Falkner tonight at Esbat circle. And at every circle. And from now on, when he looks at me, heall truly see me instead of staring right through me. What could be better?a aWhich reminds me of my appointed meeting this afternoon. Letas make haste at the market so we can return quickly.a Kyra nodded. aIall sell the biscuits to a vendor, and weall head home.a As she negotiated with merchants at the market, I wandered past carts of brightly colored ribbons, mutton pies, fresh fruits and vegetables. A small black pig squealed as children chased it through the maze of carts. It squeezed past a stout womanas skirts and darted toward the churchyard.

I turned back to the vegetable cart, my fingers pinching a potato. Was it worth the price to thicken our Esbat stew? I could sense that the vendor was a blood witch. Glancing up, I saw that he was eyeing me suspiciously.

aAn odd thing, the potato,a came a familiar voice. aWhen digging in the dirt, one has to wonder, is it something to eat or a stone to be cast away?a My heart sang as I swung around to sparkling blue eyes. It was my boy!

aAye, sir, I would not eat a stone, but these would do well in a stew,a I said, holding two potatoes out to him.

aHmmm. Or for a jesteras tricks.a He took the two potatoes and began to toss them, juggling them aptly.

aWhatas that, now!a the vendor growled. aIall not have you ruining my wares, boy!a The man, sporting a dense brown beard and red nose, came around his cart, stamping a foot at my love.

aEasy, kind sir.a My boy stopped his juggling and held out the potatoes. aIave not damaged them in the least.a The vendor looked angrily from him to me, his eyes narrowing as he took in my pet.i.te stature and dark coloring. aAnd you were touching them.a He leaned close to growl softly at me, aYouare a Wodebayne, are you not?a aI am,a I answered truthfully, astonished as I was that he would dare speak openly of clans and covens in public. I turned to my boy, wondering if he had heard. Did he know that I was a Wodebayne, one of the so-called evil ones? If he had heard, he did not seem daunted by the fact. He studied the vendor with a mixture of distaste and curiosity.

aThen you, a groused the vendor, nearly breathing down my neck, aare not permitted to touch my merchandise. How do I know you havenat cast a dark spell upon my wares so that the person who eats them will come down with a racking cough? Or a hideous boil. Or mayhap a burning fever!a My senses stirred with alarm at his attack. The only consolation was that this man, whatever his clan, would not want to raise the hackles of the people in this Christian village. aSir, I do not cast harmful spells,a I said softly.

aThatas what all your kind say,a the vendor growled again, suddenly aware that the villagers were taking notice.

All around us it seemed as though people had stopped their business and conversation to watch. I could feel the crowd closing in, watching, waiting. The witches among them were probably hoping the Wodebayne girl would get her comeuppance, as usual. I felt a tightness in my throat, not so much at the disapproval of the crowd as that my boy should be dragged through such turmoil. And surely the hatred of Wodebaynes would frighten him away.

aJust a moment!a the boy interrupted, holding the potatoes high in his hands. He lifted them, weighing and measuring with some degree of drama. aThey do not speak, and I see no cryptic message carved among their bruises. There is truly no charm here,a he told the vendor. aBut the potatoes must certainly be far more delicious for having been touched by a lovely maidenas hands.a A few people laughed, and he nodded at them, his cheek-bones high and taut above his broad grin. The crowd began to turn away. Somehow my boy had diffused the swell of hatred against me.

The vendor folded his arms across his chest, still not satisfied.

aI must insist, sir, that you let me purchase these potatoesa"these two, no others shall doa"for I find that I cannot leave this market without them.a The vendor took a coin from the boy and crept back behind his cart.

aThank you, sir. A pleasure doing business with you,a the boy called. He turned away and handed me the potatoes. aMy gift to you. Though it can hardly make up for the way that ogre tried to defame you.a aHis hatred does not surprise me,a I said. aIave come to expect it, though I donat know that Iall ever become accustomed to it.a I dropped the two potatoes into my skirt pockets, where they bounced against my hips.

He watched with awe and reverence. aWould that I could venture where they go,a he said huskily.

I laughed at the temerity of his words, here in the wide-open marketplace. aArenat you the daring one?a I said. aWhen youare not swinging from trees in the forest, you rescue Wodebayne maidens from mad crowds, then dream of their skirts.a He shrugged and eyed me merrily. aAnd you despise me for that?a I looked up at his handsome face and felt the rhythm of my life force increasing. aNo, no, on the contrary.a aRose!a Kyra called, summoning me. aWe must go!a aRose?a he repeated. aLike the rose on the bush, gentle and sweet, yet ready to p.r.i.c.k a finger when approached the wrong way?a aaTis I.a He lowered his head, his hair falling over his eyes in a shroud of secrecy. aWe will talk later, Rose.a I nodded, trying to remember every detail of his sultry looks, his feathery light brown hair, his sky blue eyes, his broad shoulders and long legs, coltish yet strong.

With a deep breath I turned away and joined Kyra, who had apparently witnessed the scene with the irate vendor.

aI was so frightened for you!a she said. aWhat do you think the man wanted? Would he have you locked in jail because you touched his wares? Everyone examines merchandise before trading.a I shook my head, feeling a sense of warm, tender love. It wrapped around me like a cloak of security, just knowing that my boy cared for me, was willing to fight for me. aThe man was full of Wodebayne hatred. I donat know what clan he was from, but did you see what happened? The way my boy rescued me? He is the boy Iave spoken of. He is a hero. My hero.a aIam not sure of that,a Kyra said regretfully. aFalkner knows him, Rose. His name is Diarmuid, and heas a Leapvaughn. Not one of us.a aDiarmuid,a I said, treasuring the sound of his name. I repeated it over and over in my mind.

aHe cannot be your true love, Rose. Falkner and I both fear for your heart. Heall hate you as much as his clan hates Wodebaynes.a aAye, but he doesnat. Thatas the blessing of the G.o.ddess. It doesnat matter if heas Leapvaughn or Braytindale or Wyndonkylle. He has a good heart. Diarmuid doesnat hate without reason. Didnat you see? He defended me from that peddler. I ought to toss that old ogreas potatoes into the brook!a aHe was a terrible man!a Kyra pressed her hand to her throat, touching her charmed moonstone. aIall agree Diarmuid did save you. Iall grant you that, and he is a handsome lad. Falkner says heas not of Kirkloch. Where does he live, Rose?a aThat I donat know, but I shall find out. I must cherish this gift from the G.o.ddess.a Kyra shook her head. aBut he cannot be a gift from the G.o.ddess, Rose. Not a Leapvaughn boy.a aWould you stop saying that? Iall not allow you to be so small-minded!a aBut to get involved with someone from another clan...a aI know.a The reality of it stabbed at me. Diarmuid and I would have to face more than our share of foes. But as I walked along, my motheras words came back to me. She always said that the other clans would one day see the good in the Wodebaynes.

Perhaps I had been chosen to help the world see our goodness.

It lifted my spirits to know that Diarmuid already saw the goodness within me. I couldnat wait to see him again.

Kyra walked alongside me, observing. aYou look more in love now than before you knew he was not one of us. But then, youave always been stubborn, Rose MacEwan.a aAye,a I said, thinking of Diarmuidas eyes, his suggestive words, his strong jaw. aI think the G.o.ddess has a plan,a I told Kyra. aAnd I wonat let anyone meddle with Her gift to me. I will not be daunted.a

4. Drawing Down the Moon.

aIt worries me, Rose. I know you think you can fight your own battles, but sometimes I fear for you, my child.a My mother scrubbed the potatoes furiously, upset by what had happened in the market at Kirkloch.

Of course, I hadnat given her all the details of the story. Iad said that Diarmuid was a traveling peddler, probably a Wodebayne from the north. And although I hadnat mentioned that some in the crowd seemed eager to join in on the Wodebayne bashing, I think she got the complete picture. Whether through her inner sight or simply her experience, Ma had spent her lifetime enduring prejudice from others.

aBut itas over, Ma,a I rea.s.sured her. aaTwas over soon after it began, and we got two fine potatoes out of it.a She turned away, her face in shadow so that I could not see more than the hollows of her eyes. aIall thank the G.o.ddess for my supper, not some brash vendor with hatred in his heart.a Her voice was strained, and I thought I saw a spot on her cheeka"a dark tear. Was she crying?

aWhat is it, Ma?a She shook her head. Her chopping was done. aThis hatred of the Wodebaynes has to end, Rose. I had hoped it would subside during your youth, but instead it seems to be rising like a river during the spring rains.a I wanted to tell her that the prejudice against us didnat bear down on me so heavily now, not since Iad met Diarmuid. He was a window of light, my escape from the dark hatred that seemed to be closing in around the Wodebaynes. I wanted to go to her and touch her shoulder and ease her pain.

But I couldnat. I knew that talk of a boy, especially a boy from another clan, would rattle Ma all the more. And I feared that if I touched her, if I rested my head on her shoulder or squeezed her arm, she would know the truth.

That the G.o.ddess had interceded, bringing her daughter true love.

I went to her and scooped the potatoes onto my ap.r.o.n, then dropped them into the cauldron over the fire. Already the savory smells of tomato and herbs and beans rose from the kettle.

aThe moon is full already,a I said, eager to change the subject. aYou can see it in the day sky, hanging large as you please.a I stirred the stew, talking over my shoulder. aIad like to go off and draw it down, Ma.a Again, a lie, but what could I do?

aaTis the seed moon,a she said. aWeall have a fine Esbat tonight.a I stepped away from the fire and took off my ap.r.o.n. aIave gathered what we need for tonightas spell. John Radburn was helpful.a She nodded. aYou can go. But donat be long. Weave a few ch.o.r.es to do before the circle.a I moved slowly, trying to ignore the coursing sound in my ears that urged me to make haste and run off to meet Diarmuid. I hung my ap.r.o.n on the rail outside, measuring my steps while I was in view of our cottage.

One, two, three. four steps closer to him.

The waiting was excruciating.

At last I reached the brush at the end of the path. Without looking back, I scooped up my skirts and leaped ahead, startling a small rabbit from the heather at the side of the trail. It darted off into the brush, and I laughed. aIall not hurt you, little one,a I called, racing ahead.

By the time I neared our meeting place, my neck and hands were damp with sweat. I slowed my pace to a brisk walk, mopping my neck with a rough cloth from my pocket. It reminded me that the rose stone was still there, and I paused to take it in my hand and hold it up to the glowing day moon.

aI thank thee, G.o.ddess, for the use of thy power.a When I lowered my hands, the stone winked at me, ever cheerful and appealing. I lifted the top of my dress and dropped the stone down into the hollow between my b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Its warm glow worked its magick there, emanating from the middle of my body like a ray of sunshine breaking through clouds.

aRose?a It was him. He appeared directly before me, slipping from the trees as though he had materialized out of thin air.

I laughed heartily. aMy love! How is it that you seem to appear out of nowhere?a My boy chuckled happily, his eyes crinkling at the corners. aI did a see-me-not spell, Rose. You are familiar with these?a I nodded. It is a simple spell one does when wanting to mask oneself from anotheras eyes. I had never seen it done quite so convincingly. aDiarmuid,a I said, loving the sound of his name.

aSo, youave discovered me.a He moved closer, chuckling and reaching out to me. I gave him my hand and was startled by a beautiful spark of magick. He led me down the path, toward my special altar. aI suppose youave also learned that Iam a not-to-be-trusted Leapvaughn.a aA Leapvaughn, aye, though I find you trustworthy.a I lifted my chin to study his face. aYou may be full of tricks, swinging from trees and juggling vegetables in the marketplace. But I find you to be honest.a aI believe you are wise beyond your years, Rose.a Under the cover of trees he pulled me into his arms, my body pressing against his. I had never known a man or boy in this way, feeling his legs and chest and hands upon me, enveloping me, inciting tiny wildfires beneath my skin.

Who could have imagined the power of love?

I had felt drawn to the G.o.ddess on many occasions, but never had I felt this incredible desire to press into another person, to combine our two bodies in the simplest of unions.

He lowered his head, his soft lips meeting mine. I sucked in my breath and fell deep into his kiss, a sweet, languorous kiss. Then another, and another, and soon we were touching each other and performing a dance of kisses, soft, then severe, light, then dark and torturous. I wrapped my arms around his neck, gave myself over to him, and we tumbled onto a bed of moss, still kissing.

I donat know how long we danced that waya"a chorus of moans and breathless sighs. When we fell apart and lay side by side, staring up at the G.o.ddessas sky, our words seemed to shimmer like leaves in the summer breeze. I learned that he lived in Lillipool, a Leapvaughn village several miles down the road. His father was a sheepherder, a job that Diarmuid hated. He preferred trade, which his father occasionally let him handle. He had been in Kirkloch trading sheep at auction the very day we met. He learned that my father had died when I was young, that I lived with my mother, who was the high priestess of our coven.

aI donat care that youare a Wodebayne,a he said. aI wouldnat care if you were Ruanwande or Burnhyde or the daughter of a b.e.s.t.i.a.l dragon. I love you, Rose. As you are.a I dipped my hand into the opening of his shirt, pressing against his warm chest. aMy friends cannot believe I have fallen into the arms of a Leapvaughn. Yet here I am, body and soul.a aWe are mirn beatha dns,a he whispered.

I nodded silently. Yes. my love knew it, too.

Two daysa"wead had barely time to know each other. Yet I was utterly certain that he spoke the truth. We were soul mates. aSo mote it be,a I said.

aAye, the G.o.ddess has certainly brought us together.a His fingers stroked the hair at the tender nape of my neck. aWho could imagine that She would bring me a tiny Wodebayne girl, with hair as black as a Samhain sky?a a aTis an extraordinary match, to be sure. But the G.o.ddess must have a purpose.a I stared at the sky, watching as two fast-moving clouds raced into each otheras path, melding into one. aDo you think we are to be the example to all clans? To prove that if the two of us, members of rival clans among many rivals, can come together in peace, so can all the clans?a Diarmuid sat up and pulled my shoulders from the ground. aWe are to be the champions of love. Our union will settle clan differences. End the age-old wars.a He smiled proudly. aCould it be that the G.o.ddess has chosen us for this n.o.ble task?a aWe will be the example of harmony under the G.o.ddessas great blue sky.a I leaned forward, brushing my cheek against his. aA n.o.ble task, yet hardly a task at all.a aMmm...a His lips met mine for another deep kiss.

I melted against him, knowing it was true. We had been chosen. Ours would be an extraordinary love. The charm glowing at my breast was just the beginning of it all, thanks to the G.o.ddess. I knew that we needed to pay homage to Her.

When the kiss ended, I arose and prepared a circle, sweeping it clean with my broom. Without wasting words, Diarmuid joined the cleansing ritual, working with me so naturally I felt as if wead been raised in the same coven. He picked up two handfuls of dirt and spread them around the circle, moving so beautifully I nearly lost my way in the cleansing ritual.

Diarmuid turned to the east and stretched out his arms. aYe Watchtowers of the East, I summon you, stir and call you, to witness this rite and watch over this circle.a He waved his hand through the air, drawing something. A star? No, a pentagram.

I watched in wonder as he moved to the south quarter of the circle and beckoned the Watchtowers there. This was a practice I had never witnessed, and I wondered at the many things I might learn from him.

When he had called to the Watchtowers of the West and North, we ended up together in the center of the circle, facing the altar.

I lifted my hands to the moon. aThe circle is cast, and we are between the worlds. We are far from the bonds of time, in a place where night and day, birth and death, joy and sorrow meet as one.a The forest seemed suddenly silent, our circle a haven of peace apart from the wars of the nearby clans and dreary villagers.

aO mighty G.o.ddess, I have come this day to honor Your presence and to give thanksgiving for bringing Diarmuid to me. We who once were two will become one, G.o.ddess, as we dedicate ourselves to You.a I went to the altar and removed a pouch from my pocket. It was filled with dried sage, good for protection and wisdom. I poured the sage onto the altar, crushed it fine with a smooth stone, and pushed the tiny flakes onto the palm of my hand.

aWe offer sage,a I said, returning to Diarmuidas side. aSage for protection against those who would harm us.a I sprinkled the flaked herb over Diarmuidas head, then over my own. aSage for the wisdom to fulfill the G.o.ddessas will.a I held my hand to his face, and he tipped back his head. I sprinkled sage onto his tongue, then poured the remainder into my own mouth. aSage for protection and wisdom,a I said, feeling a mist come over me.

aBut you are wise already,a Diarmuid said, taking my hands. He began to turn us in a circle. We moved slowly, but the earth seemed to race under our feet. aWe have been chosen. The G.o.ddess looks upon us with favor. How is it that She knows you so well?a aI, Rose, am the G.o.ddess incarnate,a I answered. I was beyond thinking. Where had those words come from? Had I heard my mother chant them in an Esbat rite of long ago, or had the G.o.ddess lifted my tongue like a winged bird at my back?

My whole world was spinning, my head dizzy with the whirring motion. Hands joined with Diarmuid, I lifted my face to the sky. It opened up upon me, sending a crushing blade of lightning to my chest.

The jolt lifted me off my feet. Suddenly my stomach was sour, my knees turning to mush beneath me. The ground seemed to rush up, sucking my body onto it.

The next thing I knew, my cheek was pressed to the earth, my knees curled beneath me like those of a child suckling its mother. My eyes were closed, but the whirring noise had stopped. The only sound was Diarmuidas voice calling my name.

aRose? Are you all right?a His hands were upon me, rubbing my shoulders, stroking my cheek.

aAye.a I sighed and sat up in his arms. aWhat happened? Iave never been struck like that before.a aI donat know.a Diarmuid pulled me closer into the cradle of his chest. aAre you sure youare not hurt?a aJust. feeling in a haze.a I brushed a lock of dark hair out of my eyes. I was stunned at the G.o.ddessas sudden attack. Had I displeased Her? aIam so confused. Why did that happen to me?a aIave seen something like that, but only once. Our coven was gathered in a circle for Esbat rites, and the G.o.ddess struck one of the witches down, very much like that. The coveners saw it as the hand of the G.o.ddess reaching down, pointing to Her chosen one, her priestess. Soon after, the woman was anointed high priestess of our coven.a aHigh priestess...a I rubbed my eyes, still queasy from a churning inside me. aBut Iam not in a coven looking for a leader.a aAh, but the G.o.ddess has chosen you,a Diarmuid insisted. aI know that deep down inside me, Rose. You are destined for greatness. Have you not thought of inheriting your motheras role as high priestess?a aAye, but not for many years. Ma is not ready to relinquish her role, and she still sees me as a babe in the ways of the G.o.ddess. Sheas always checking my Book of Spells and trying to pry into my rituals. Truly, she has no confidence in me.a aWell, on that sheas mistaken.a Diarmuid slid a hand around my waist, nearly knocking the air from me. aIam sure youare destined to lead your own covena"or something even greater. You are special, Rose. Not just in my eyes, but in the eyes of the G.o.ddess.a aI have to get home,a I said, trying to rise. I coughed, and Diarmuid knelt beside me, then lifted me to my feet.

aCan you walk?a he asked. aFor I can readily carry you there, such a wisp of a thing.a I tried a few steps. aI can make it. But I hate to go.a aIall help you to the path,a he said, lifting me into his arms.

I held fast to his shoulders, allowing myself a few moments of rest and protection in his arms. I had asked for protection, and the G.o.ddess had answered already.

Diarmuid. He would be my pillar.

My soul mate.

5. The Witchas Jar: A Spell of Protection.

As darkness fell, the whirring pain within me began to settle, though the memory of it still frightened me. As Ma and I ate our stew thickened with the potatoes from Diarmuid, I noticed that she was still in a dour mood. I kept myself steady, not wanting to draw her ire upon me.

After I had cleaned the supper dishes, Ma brought out a clay jar to prepare for the spell of protection. aI donat believe youave ever done a witchas jar before, have you?a I shook my head. aNo, but Iave collected many sharp objects. Just as you said.a I opened the thick pouch and shook its contents onto the table with a tinny clatter.

aFill the jar with everything youave found,a Ma told me. aAnd as I remember, there are a few herbs that need to be added. Let me see.a She took her Book of Shadows from its hiding place under the eaves of the cottage roof and set it on the table. aThis is why I expect you to chronicle everything in your Book of Shadows, Rose. The mind does not always record as well as parchment and quill.a Another criticism. I dropped nails into the jar, wondering what I would have to do to please my mother in the ways of the G.o.ddess.

My mother leafed through her book, her teeth pressed over her lower lip, until she found the right page. aAye, we need sage and ivy,a she said. aAnd a touch of bay should warn us of any further act of evil coming upon the MacGreavys.a She ran her finger down the page, nodding. aAnd marjoram. Do we have that in our collection, Rose?a aI think so.a I got up from the table to check the pouches hanging from the rafters. aAye, Ma, here it is.a As I placed the pouch on the table, she caught my hand in hers.

Her touch sent a spark through me. Surprise, perhaps. Although I already knew I felt guilty for hiding so much from her.

aSomethingas changed, like shifting winds.a She glanced up at me, her dark eyes locking on me. aWhy do I have the feeling youare not telling me something, Rose? Are you all right?a I nodded, trying to look away from her.

Ma rose to her feet, facing me. aWhat happened to you today? Did something go wrong in your ritual?a I nodded again, too frightened of the painful experience to keep it pent up inside me. aI was. I was thanking the G.o.ddess when She struck me down from the sky.a I clasped my hands to my chest. aThe force hit me here, knocking me to the ground. aTwas like a lightning bolt on a sunny day anda oh, Ma, atwas painful.a She folded me into her arms. aChild, child. Were you harmed?a I closed my eyes and pressed my head to her blouse, relieved to have the truth out. aAt first I could barely breathe, but Iam better now. Still frightened, though. Why would the G.o.ddess strike me down?a a aTis hard to say.a Ma stroked my hair, then moved me to a chair. aHave you done anything that might offend Her? Think hard, Rose, and be honest. What kind of spells have you been working on of late?a I rubbed my forehead, wondering how to get through my web of lies without tripping over it. Surely my love spell for Diarmuid had not offended the G.o.ddess so greatly? aWell, there was drawing down the moon. I did that with Kyra.a a aTis not a spell, though.a aBut we did work magick,a I insisted. aWe had a charm that needed to be charged.a aWhat sort of charm?a As soon as she asked the question, I knew trouble was brewing for me. aIt was a moonstone for Kyra,a I said simply.

aAnd the purpose of the charm?a aTo bring her the love of Falkner Radburn.a aOh, by the G.o.ddess...a Ma banged her fist on the table, making the witchas jar jump a bit. aHow many times have I told you not to meddle with a personas free will? You can make a charm or a poppet to attract love, but itas wrong to ensnare the love of a specific person. To meddle with a personas life, to control his destiny. thatas dark magick.a She banged her fist again. aItas wrong, Rose!a My insides turned stone cold at her anger. Couldnat she see I was just helping a very desperate friend?

aWhy is it that all my instructions to you fly through the air and fall to the soil?a my mother asked. aYou are not listening, Rose, and today is just one example of how the power of the G.o.ddess can harm if you donat practice witchcraft in the ways of the elders. Do you want to hurt people, Rose?a aNo, Ma,a I said quietly. That much was true.

aThen why do you insist on meddling with a personas will? aTis not right, Rose. When you go out to gather plants, do you strike down a plant without apology? Do you slash through stems at will, taking more than you need, harming nature?a aNo.a I dug my fingers into my hair, dropping my chin against my chest. I hated being chastised this way. I thought of Diarmuidas comment that he had seen a woman struck down the same way because she was destined to be the high priestess of the coven. Why could my ma not even entertain the thought that there was a positive reason? Could it be that she knew I had been chosen by the G.o.ddess for greatness, and she was jealous of my connection to Her? My face burned at the thought.

aSo why would you strike out at a person that way, tampering with his destiny?a There was no answera"at least, none that would suit hera"so I kept quiet.

aYou must go back to your earlier lessons,a Ma said sternly. aStarting tomorrow, you will look over your Book of Shadows from the beginning. You will spend less time afield with your friends and more time studying from my Book of Shadows, too. And you will stop making up your own spells until I can be sure youare fulfilling the G.o.ddessas will. Do you understand?a aI understand,a I said. I pressed my teeth into my lower lip, wondering if she would realize that I had not promised her anything.

It was all so unfair. I had tried to gain my motheras support by telling her about the painful strike from the sky, and in turn she merely wanted to cripple me. If Sle the high priestess had her way, Iad be locked in the cottage, drying herbs and inscribing spells.

How could I stop making spells when I knew the G.o.ddess was calling me to Her? How dare my mother try to interfere with the G.o.ddessas destiny for me?

Ma did not understand about my powers. And from her tart reaction on that front, I knew that it would be a catastrophe to tell her about Diarmuid.

For now he would be a secret, and until my mother learned to see me as more than her incapable daughter, he would remain a secret.

Down the dark road, Miller MacGreavy led the way. He was followed by his wife, who walked beside my mother, their voices lowered so as not to wake anyone in the cottages we pa.s.sed. I walked behind them, feeling dull and tired. The nightas Esbat rites had hardly moved me. They had only emphasized how Sle and her coven were following a weary, timeworn road while I was on the verge of opening an exciting new doorway to the G.o.ddess.