Page 48 of Luna Ascending

Half the pack want to clamp the fucking collar straight back on Morganna, but I can't let that happen – it would make us no better than the Coven. A fractured witch is something I've no idea how to deal with but I'm pretty sure ruining her trust is equally as dangerous. And, she's technically my mum, although I still think of her as Auntie Morgan. The interim council have already started discussing things when I barge in. They all look surprised at my entrance.

“Look, sweetie, I know she's you're mum and everything... but you don't really know her now. She's not in control of herself, and when and if she regains control there is no telling what she might do” Aaron says looking at me appeasingly.

“First of all, I may be your sweetie in the bedroom Aaron, but here in the council I am the Luna-in-waiting, to the acting Alpha, and from what I understand that role ought to come with some respect.”

I see his mouth twitch in a slight smile and he nods his head slightly.

“Secondly,” I breeze on surprised at how steady and strong my words sound “she might be my mother but I know nothing of her in that role. What I do know is that she is a wretched soul who happens to be a witch.

She's been through significant trauma we know nothing about. Should this council choose to put that collar back on her without her agreement, you are no better than the bastards at the Coven who did those things to her. In fact, you're worse – you're doing it just to protect your own hides!”

There's a sharp intake of breath around the room, followed but a few murmurs of ascent. However, I can see the majority isn't swayed. I have to convince them that forcing Morganna back into that collar is tantamount to suicide. I felt her hatred of the Coven and those who did this to her – I know she will stop at nothing for revenge on them. If we force her back into it, and if sheevergets free again, we'll also be on her list. She will seek her revenge against each one of us.

I don't know where my mother's power comes from, but when I felt it, it was overwhelming, raw and angry. I'm not sure the council need to hear in detail what I felt but I have to persuade them, they need leadership here. They've fallen into a cacophony of argument amongst themselves already.

“SILENCE!” I bellow out loud and across the pack's mind-link.

The room quietens rapidly, and a few of the weaker council members sit down involuntarily on the floor with a bump, submitting to my voice. That's a neat trick... I didn't know I could do that.

“Morganna should not be enslaved again. We are better than that. But neither should this pack be endangered for the act of rescuing her. I have an idea...”

The council vote went my way in the end. Now, I just have to persuade Morganna. Aaron was delighted with my little show – he couldn't stop himself from putting his arm around me and hugging me. I'm pretty sure that got him some disapproving looks from the elders but I really don't care. It feels good to know that Aaron supports me.

It's decided that Angus, Tavey and I are the best ones to approach Morganna with my plan. She's currently holding it together, just. We're risking sending her over the edge with this. I think Tavey and I can fashion a binding bracelet – based on the one she gave me when I was a kid - to hold her power at bay.

There'll be nothing to stop her taking it off, but it will mean that she is able to heal as a person without any emotional surges setting off major majik events like earlier. I'm just not sure how she'll take the idea. It's a big risk.

Angus starts by apologising for hitting her, he tearfully explains he thought she was going to kill herself or someone else if her power surge couldn't shut off. He says he never wants to have to do that again. I see Morganna's face soften – at least she recalls who Angus is now, so it's a good start.

“Do you remember when I was little?” I ask quietly “I don't remember the first few years, but when I was maybe 4 or 5 you used to visit and take me on all sorts of amazing trips”

“We had such fun, eh Freya” she smiles in return “you were fiery even at that age.”

“You must have been worried that whatever spell you were using to hide us wasn't working as I grew up? You gave me a present. A bracelet” I pause.

Morganna's face darkens, and the room gives a tremor. I see Angus brace himself but I nudge him to stay still.

“You remember why you gave me it Morganna?”

“You... you're my daughter” she gasps, tears standing out in her eyes “the Coven found out I was still alive. I knew it wouldn't be long before they tracked me down, then they might find you. I couldn't visit you any more.”

The lights in the room start to flicker, and I have to stand in the way to stop Angus from moving towards Morganna.

“I made a binding spell... so long as you wore the bracelet your powers were suppressed. It wasn't difficult to make one that would cover the powers of an underage witch. But I didn't know if I'd see you again. I had to fashion a spell that would suppress your powers when you came of age.

I was right to worry – they caught me soon after. The bracelet - it was the only way to keep you safe” She looks at me apologetically and I see my way in.

“I don't know what you've been through Morganna, I can only guess. But I do know that you aren't safe here if you loose control the way you did earlier. The pack barely accept Tavey and I, and they're already very wary of you. We all have to learn to trust each other. Would you let Tavey and I fashion a charmed bracelet for you?”

She wails, then her whole stature seems to grow bigger and her shadow longer, as if she's taking up the room with her power “You want to control me! My own daughter!” she screeches and the lights go out. The room starts to shake violently. My grip on the conversation is slipping.

“No,” I say quietly, refusing to battle her “you will be the one to put it on and take it off.”

Morganna stills and looks at me.

“Like you did for me as a child... I'm asking you, mum, put it on and until it's safe do not take it off. But at no point will there be anything to stop you removing it, if you choose to.”

Her shadow is filling the room and a heavy darkness flickers in the corners. A feeling of dread gnaws in my stomach. My inexperience means I'm no match for this witch if it comes to a battle of majik. I force my negative thoughts down and square my shoulders, trying to force space for my own energy into the room.

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