Page 21 of The Water Witch (Fairwick Chronicles 2)

“Yes, but what’s equally important, they are keeping his past, present, and future from unraveling.”

“No need to be secretive about it,” the large woman said. “We might as well start the circle by introducing ourselves to the newcomer.” She pronouncednewcomerwith a note of disdain. “I’ll start. Born Wanda Moser, but I was reborn Moondance, devotee of Diana the Moon Goddess and Hecatia of the Crossroads. I have been a practicing Wiccan for thirty years and a member of this spell circle for half that. And I want to go on record as objecting to the inclusion of an untrained witch at this critical juncture. There’s no telling how her energy will disrupt ourchi.”

“Your objection has been duly noted, Moondance,” Ann Chase tartly replied. Then, turning to me, “Professor McFay knows me, as do you all. I’ve run Children’s House since its founding and been a practicing witch for the last forty years. I started when my daughter was in diapers, much like Tara here.” She smiled at the young woman in khakis, who introduced herself as Tara Cohen-Miller, “full-time mom and beginning witch.”

“I always knew there were witches in our family, but I was too busy working to pursue it. Then when our son was born, I quit my job and my husband, Chas, and I moved up here. I figured it was a good time to explore my Wiccan tendencies.Callie joining our circle means I’m not the newbie anymore, so I owe her thanks.”

Tara gave me a shy smile that I gratefully returned. The rest of the group took turns introducing themselves. The lean, hawk-faced man was Hank Lester, who had been “a roadie, a rowdy, and a ramblin’ man” until drifting here from Woodstock sometime in the seventies and discovering his “wizard side.” The hipster in Ray-Bans was Leon Botwin, recently graduated from Bennington and working on a novel about witchcraft. His day job was barista at Fair Grounds, the town’s coffee place. Joan Ryan recited her full academic credentials and an explanation of how she’d become interested in magic while reading about alchemists in a history of science class.

“Joan is in charge of our potions,” Liz said proudly. “It’s helpful to have a chemistry person in the circle. As you see, we’re a diverse group—half witches, half otherworlders.”

Moondance shifted in her chair and muttered something under her breath that sounded like “half too many.”

“May I ask a few questions?” I asked.

Moondance muttered something else under her breath about time, but Ann and Liz both said, “Of course,” so I went ahead.

“First I want to thank you all for including me in your circle. I feel responsible for what happened to Brock and I want to do whatever I can to help him.”

A polite murmur went around the circle acknowledging my thanks. Even Moondance said something about the goddess welcoming gratitude from wherever it came.

I continued. “It’s just that seeing you all here—some of you whom I’ve enjoyed knowing without realizing you were…um…witches—has made me realize how little I know aboutwitches. Do you inherit your power? Do all children of witches become witches? Are you all…”

“Human?” Ann finished for me helpfully. “Yes, those of us here who have identified ourselves as witches are human.

“As to your other questions,” Ann continued, “no, not all children of witches become witches. The power appears in some, but not others. Conversely, sometimes a witch will appear in a family with no history of witchcraft. We call such witchesself-made.”

“I’m one of those,” Joan Ryan said. “I discovered my powers during my junior year at Mount Holyrood. I met Liz at the boarding school where I had my first teaching job.” Liz and Joan exchanged a look that seemed weighted with sadness. “And she recommended me for my job here. I came here in 1915 …” She saw the startled look on my face and laughed.

“Are you all older than you look?” I asked.

“Some witches choose to extend their life spans,” Liz replied, patting her hair.

“While others don’t,” Ann Chase added, looking down at her twisted hands.

“There’s invariably a price to be paid for any use of magic,” Soheila said. “Ann has chosen to expend hers…elsewhere.” There followed an awkward silence during which I guessed that the members of the circle knew where Ann’s power was used but respected her privacy too much to say so.

Moondance interrupted the silence with a snort. “Are we going to natter on all morning about our problems or are we going to do some magic? I thought we came here to help Brock.”

“How can you do that?” I asked.

“We’re going to form a circle and generate energy within it to draw Brock back from the shadows,” Liz answered. “The Norns have agreed to join our circle to strengthen our power.It is always dangerous, though, to generate this much energy. Is everyone sure they are willing to take the risk?” Liz looked around the circle, studying each face. When she reached me, I felt a disturbance—a slight pressure of air against my face, like the air puff released during an eye exam.

“Good,” Liz said briskly. “Everyone is sincerely committed to the circle.”

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