Page 49 of Dark Moon Secrets

Luna bustled by the round table, pouring tea from a pot covered in a knitted green beanie. She wore a modern kimono dress, dark colors of blues and mauve blending together, hair down around her shoulders, and a sparkly clip above her ear.

“You spiked the tea again?” I asked, striding to the table.

“No.” Luna put down the pot.

“Good, but I’m not going to drink it.”

“I’ve got some breakfast. Well, I suppose more like brunch now, for you.” Luna pointed to a rose-decorated plate full of muffins.

“Let me guess, healthy?” I sat on a chair, my stomach grumbling.

“Yes, savory muffins, bacon, egg, veggies, also gluten-free, and I made them myself.” She sat opposite me at the table. “Straight out of the oven too.”

“Sounds delightful.” I picked one up, not entirely sure this was what I wanted to be eating.

“Eat up. We’ve got a big day ahead.”

“I’m getting the hang of the magic.” I snapped my fingers, cycling through the basic spells she had shown me yesterday.

“Good, but don’t waste your energy,” she responded firmly.

I don’t know what I was thinking—maybe that I would get praise or something? I stuffed a muffin in my mouth. It was a little dry but warm, and my stomach was grateful for some food.

“So when can we get started,” I asked, refusing to drink the tea. I wouldn’t put it past her to spike it again. Though she was drinking hers, and it was from the same pot.

“When I’ve finished my cup of tea,” she replied.

“I’ll go grab a coffee then.” I stood up, keen to get out of here.

“Your magic will work better without it.” She sipped from her mug decorated with a cartoon bilby.

“I’m sure not all witches are caffeine-free,” I challenged, grabbing another muffin.

“Nope, but you are starting your lessons late in life and need all the help you can get.”

Great, I was a special case. I sat back down, promising myself to get coffee later. I was giving up a lot to be here and wasn’t about to forgo my coffee.

“You know it’s no fault of mine.” I leaned back in the wrought iron chair, picking at the muffin. It was about time information was given to me.

Luna peered at me over the top of her mug, taking a long sip of her tea so she didn’t have to respond.

“If you told me or my parents told me what was going on, then I wouldn’t be in this situation.”

“Like I said, it was for your own safety.”

“For my own safety? You might want to tell me why they would keep from me that I had magic.”

“I will.”

“When? The way I see it, now would be a good time. Wouldn’t I learn better? Or faster if I knew why this was all happening now? And why is the dark moon so important.”

Luna’s face went solemn. She set the mug on an unmatching side plate and folded her fingers in front of her.

“You were the first witch born who showed potential in my lifetime. You carry the promise of keeping our magic alive, ensuring we are around in the future because we have a role here on Earth.”

“Yeah, I sorta know that, but I need more information now.”

“The coven decided to hide you.” Luna’s eyes glazed as she spoke, her fingers tangling together in front of her.

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