Page 80 of Which Witch Is Wicked?
The earth hummed, directing her to where it wanted her to go. The closer she got to the smallest of the eight stones, the louder and faster the ground pulsed. She was surprised the stones didn't quake from the vibration. Kneeling, Tierra held her hands over the area at the base of the stone. The soil was warm as though the sun shone on it, but the sun had barely crested the horizon. The heat had to be coming from what was hidden below.
Compelled by a force that seemed both ancient and familiar, she dug. The ground easily gave at her touch, and she wondered for a moment why she didn't just use her power to move away the dirt. The pleasure of the soil in her hands and the element of physically needing to uncover whatever had been placed here kept her digging. Roughly two feet down, her fingers connected with something hard and long. A root maybe, but nothing tall grew nearby. Feeling much like an archeologist, she carefully brushed the dirt away and revealed a wand.
Instantly, she saw the artifact for what it had been in its original form. A staff of ash wood offered to a powerful druid from the sacred Tree of Life, but over time wands had emerged. And this one—hers— was one of four.
The need for caution shivered over her. She glanced up and studied the forest beyond the shield. No sign of Killian or anyone else.
Nevertheless, she asked the trees and foliage to alert her to any interruptions. She carefully set the wand beside her, the overwhelming urge pushing her to continue in the treasure hunt, and remove more earth. Next her fingers brushed something metal. An electrical current shot up her arm and into her chest. She gasped and had to take a minute for the sensation to level out before reverently extracting the crown of pure gold shaped into the antlers of a stag.
Holy Mother of Earth.
She'd seen this before, drawn and documented in the pages of the Grimoire. In her hands, she held the golden crown of Malcolm de Moray.
The last known King of the Druids.
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Oh, she was in trouble.
The wand lay on the ground by her side while Tierra cradled the pure gold crown in her lap. These artifacts were going to get her killed once she stepped out from the protective barrier of the stones. Items like these did not go undetected by other magical beings. She couldn't leave them behind, couldn't stop touching them since she'd dug them up. Could she rebury them and return for them later? She discounted that thought as soon as it formed. No way was she taking that chance.
At least she'd gotten rid of Killian. If he'd stayed... If he knew...
Thank the goddess, he hadn't. She'd be in more hot water than she was right now.
Think. Don't just sit here like a worried ninny. You're a witch for goddess' sake, and not completely without defenses.
There was also power in the wand and crown, but if she used it and it backfired, or was too much for her to handle, then what? Look what'd happened when she and her sisters had linked without fully understating the consequences.
Believe,the word whistled around her.
Tierra recognized the voice and the mystical quality to the ring. "Mom?" She glanced around, searching out the apparition of her mother and found herself alone. At least as far as physical beings went.
A cool spectral caress cupped the side of her face. It wasn't an unpleasant sensation, more refreshing, like she'd soothed lavender and spearmint balm over her skin.
Claim your inheritance, daughter.
"Inheritance?"
The wand has claimed you, but you must claim the crown in order to make it yours.
Tierra looked down at the crown nestled in her lap. "What will happen if I do?" It would be good to have some answers first. All her life she'd made choices on instinct and emotion and look where that had gotten her. Single, pregnant, and fighting to stop the world from imploding.
Do not doubt yourself, my daughter. What might seem wrong now, when reviewed after time, can turn out to be right. You are such a result.
Did her mother know something? "What of my child? Do you know the outcome?"
The future has yet to be written. The heart is all that matters, in life and in death.Trust yours.
Trust her heart? She needed more than that. Her heart had gotten her into this mess. That and her libido.
A tinkling laugh sounded like crystal chimes ringing on a soft summer breeze. It was the most beautiful sound Tierra had ever heard and tears sprung to her eyes. "Please, tell me what to do."
That I cannot.
A tear traveled down her cheek and the cool touch returned to wipe it away.
Don't cry, Tierra. There have been too many tears. Return to your sisters, for you are stronger together than apart. Whatever is to come, you must remain as one. By earth, air, fire and sea...so mote it be...
