Page 237 of Sigils & Spells

MOON SERVANT

Tera Lyn Cortez

CHAPTER1

The surfaceof the seeing pool flickered as the lights of the Las Vegas Strip winked into view. A deep sigh escaped as I watched the cars driving up and down the thoroughfare. I could smell the exhaust of the traffic. Throngs of people meandered up and down the sidewalks, drinks in hand for some. Others carried shopping bags or ice cream cones.

My imagination ran wild with thoughts of what they did in their daily lives. The couple dressed in coordinating outfits? They must be very wealthy. In their garage is probably a pair of matching cars that only differ in color. Blue for him and purple for her, maybe. A pair of blond-haired girls sauntered through the crowds, and I pretended they were college besties, out for a night on the town to celebrate something fun. A birthday, maybe.

How I wished to be one of those lucky beings. Carefree and fun. That's what it looked like to me. The bright lights drew me like a moth to a flame. The colors of the city were a far cry from the muted silvers and whites of the temple. My heart thudded almost painfully in my chest at the thought.

Swishing my fingers across the water, I watched as the ripples washed the scene away, not wanting to get caught daydreaming again when I still had chores to do. Lifting the basket at my side, I turned to leave the Reflection Room and jumped. Yelping, I dropped the basket and sent the pile of clean linens scattering across the floor.

“High Priestess!” Though clumsy, muscle memory made my curtsy instant and reverent. Dipping my chin to my chest, I waited for her acknowledgment before releasing it.

“Annarah. My child, what are you doing here?” Her tone held no reproach, only a question, for the moment.

My gaze dropped to the floor, eyes tracing the silver veins in the marble until they reached her sensible silver slippers, peeking out from the hem of her skirts.

“I'm sorry. I was just looking. I'm going to refold all these linens and make sure they get to the bath house right away, honest.”

If the Priestess Pia found out I'd been in here “daydreaming” again, as she put it, I was going to have to do extra chores for a week, and not the fun ones either. I'd probably have to scrape the chicken poop and carry it to the compost pile. She would probably make me shovel and turn the compost piles as well.

The woman in charge of the acolytes didn't tolerate needless lollygagging. Those of us in the temple were here for one reason, and one reason only. To serve the moon goddess. Our entire existence focused on what lay within these complex walls and the outside world wasn't supposed to exist, despite the modern conveniences they elected to adopt as needed.

“Are you struggling, my child?” The High Priestess's tone traveled gently to my ears, relieving some of my fear of being punished.

Unable to meet her eyes, I nodded, blinking back tears. With my gaze trained on my own toes, I attempted to explain the tug-o-war happening inside me. Before I spoke, I bent down and picked up the first linen to refold and return to the upended basket. I needed to be busy.

“I just feel it calling to me. Sometimes in my dreams, I hear someone calling my actual name. Beckoning and drawing me toward it. I don't know why. I just feel like there is more to life than being here in this tiny piece of the world. Is that bad?”

My eyes remained fully trained on the white towels as I waited for her to answer me. If disappointment showed on her face, I didn't want to see it.

“No, child, it's not bad. Being curious doesn't make you bad. Nor does wanting to see the world outside. It is a distraction, yes, but does not make you bad.”

Relief washed through me. My hands lowered to my lap as I looked up at her. She smiled at me, gentleness on her features. She came to kneel beside me, taking up a towel to fold and place in the basket herself. As we finished the last one, both of us stood.

“Serving the goddess is a calling. Many come here of their own free will. For you, it is somewhat different, and we understand that.”

“Do you think being called to the outside world means that the goddess does not want me here?” My voice cracked on the last few words as I tried not to let myself cry. If my own parents hadn't wanted me, why would the goddess of the moon want me?

“No, my child, no. I believe you are here because she chose you especially to be here. She has given you many gifts, the dreams being just one of them. We may not know why she does the things she does, but that is part of having faith. She has her reasons. In the future, she may choose to share those reasons with us, and she may not. But we still do that which we are called to do. She may have plans for you of which we are not yet aware.”

Together, we walked toward the door. She rested a hand gently on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. I couldn't help but lean into it. For the children at the temple, physical contacts came few and far between. Some of the priestesses were more giving of their affections, while others remained stiff and distant.

Exiting into the sunlight, I blinked a few times to allow my vision to adjust. Just as we turned to part ways, Priestess Pia called my name from across the courtyard. She happened to be exiting the building across the way at the same time we left the Reflection Room.

“Annarah! What are you doing?”

My head hung. Exactly the situation I'd been hoping to avoid. This time, though, the High Priestess saved my bacon.

“I was just having a discussion with her. I am returning her to her chores now that we are finished. Is there a problem, Pia?”

Studying my face with pursed lips, she turned them into a smile as she turned to face the High Priestess. “No, ma'am. I was just checking. Annarah has a habit of getting sidetracked quite easily by things that do not concern her.”

My cheeks flared and I could feel them turning red. Everyone within earshot will have heard her calling me out.

Using the same volume, the High Priestess answered her with a smile. “She's doing just fine, thank you Pia. You may carry on.”

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