Page 7 of Scarred

“But” Shelly added, “If one is to start, there is no reason why we can’t join.”

“I swear.” Rachel rolled her eyes.

“What did we miss?” Grace asked.

“Picking sides for the coming fight.” Joy answered.

“Or we could act like the adults we are.” Rachel said. “I swear, I will just take my meal in my room.”

“As much as I would like a good food fight, I doubt any of us will have time to clean.” Amma said. “Mom wants us to get the temporary housing set up for the early arrivals.”

“Who’s going to be the family chauffeur?” Rachel asked.

“I am.” Everyone went quiet as Dhakiya walked in the room. She was wearing a long black dress with a veil tucked in her hair. She took a seat before looking up at them. “I’m fine everyone. I promise.”

“I think we don’t know what to say,” Amma said.

“You all have been the best,” Dhakiya said. “I think I will put the black away after today. Tina will be returning soon, and I need to be ready when she does.”

“Have you heard something?” Jo leaned forward to look around Rachel.

“It is just a feeling,” Dhakiya answered.

“What feeling?” Lesedi asked as she, Napita, and Poni entered the room and took their seats. The three were always together and getting into trouble. Lesedi had an affinity for crystals. She used crystals to make protection charms, enhancements, and manifestations. Napita was a green witch. She spent most of her days in the forest. She even had a tree house no one else could step foot in. Poni, whose mother was a third cousin to Lily, had passed and Lily stepped in and raised her like another daughter. She was a warrior who practiced with every weapon she could get her hands on. Her magic allowed her to move faster than was humanly possible and even freeze time.

“Tina will be joining us again,” Amma answered.

“I can’t wait,” Napita said. “She is such an adorable soul. I felt like she was going to be a green witch like me.”

“You wish,” Poni growled and shouldered her aside to sit by Lesedi. “She was going to be like me. Who wouldn’t want to?” Every woman present raised her hand. “Whatever.” Poni gave them all a two-finger salute. “I’m loveable.”

“Good, everyone’s here.” Lily said as she pushed a cart laden with food into the room. Charlotte followed with a cart full of drinks. “I am only going to say this once.” She gave each girl a hard look. “The first one to start a food fight will have to clean it up by herself. There is too much to do today for that nuisance. Is that understood?”

“Yes ma’am,” everyone said together.

“Good.” She started setting the food out on the bar. “Let’s eat.”

Chapter 3

Amma

The full moon hung heavily in the midnight sky as over three hundred women and children gathered around the willow tree. Each one wore a flowing yellow, sea green, or red sleeveless dress, and nothing else. They needed to feel the earth beneath the soles of their feet to renew their magic, share their magic with the land, and connect with each other. They stood in four circles, each one representing a generation. Each generation protected the next one inside, and the ancestors protected all four.

Amma had never had as much fun as she had in the last four days. The increase in the number of witches had meant she was able to learn new skills from newly met family members. She had also stepped in a few times to stop arguments from going too far. There were a lot of strong women with strong opinions. From the early morning chant circles to the evening meals and restful nights, Amma didn’t want it to end.

“Pay attention,” Lesedi hissed.

“Sorry.” Amma took Lesedi’s hand and her cousins on her other side.

“We thank the Goddess for the blessings she has given our family.” The younger girls, mostly five- to twelve-year-olds, stood in the smaller circle grasping hands and chanting together. “We thank the Goddess for the magic she has entrusted to our family. As the generation that is just gaining our footing, we ask for guidance and patience as we grow and learn. We promise never to use our magic for harm.”

“So mote it be,” everyone said.

“We thank the Goddess for the blessings she has given our family.” Composed of thirteen- to twenty-year-olds, the voices of the second circle rang loud and true. “We thank the Goddess for the magic she has entrusted to our family. We lend our protection to those who are learning their craft, and promise to help them understand the importance of what we have been given. We look to those who have gone before as they guide us to become better witches. We promise never to use our magic for harm.”

“So mote it be,” everyone said again.

Amma felt the power start to flow through the ground, and the soles of her feet tingled. She tightened her hand around Lesedi’s as they started chanting.

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