Page 71 of Dark Moon Secrets

I had no idea what that meant, but it sounded painful and unpleasant.

“It’s part of the process of moving into the spirit world,” added Luna. “It’s aimed at helping the newly passed shed their physical side and integrate being in a gaseous state connected strongly to others. It can be… well, a lot to deal with, depending on their life.”

“Or how they died.”

“Yes, but don’t think about that. They don’t have any unfinished business. All they needed to do was to protect you, and they did that.”

Her words were hollow. They did it because they were forced to and the coven needed them to. Not because they wanted to.

“What about Maria? Would I see her too?”

“I don’t think you’ll see her.”

I couldn’t help thinking Luna knew more than what she told me. Something was up about Maria.

“But you said each experience is different. I could see them, right? There’s a chance I could, right?”

“I want to say yes, but I would be lying. While the spirits can be seen as individuals, they are also a collective. They work and communicate together. They look into your spirit to see if you are worthy of joining our coven and if you are the one to lead us into the future.”

That was a hell of a responsibility. And was I ready to meet my parents in spirit form?

“We better get training then.” I snatched my arm from her hand and dragged the chair legs across the floor to stand.

Ready or not, it was going to happen. The best thing I could do was try to be prepared.

“Don’t underestimate this initiation,” said Luna, standing slowly, her hand clutching her shoulder where my magic had hit her the day before.

“This isn’t like the prom night or a debutante ball.”

“A deb what?”

“Oh, they might not have them anymore, but you know, it’s a coming of age. There’s social etiquette to follow. For you, it’s an acceptance of your magic, an acknowledgment of who you are, and to show this to other witches.”

I was sure there was so much more she wasn’t telling me. The entire initiation is different. I still had my stomach in knots.

“So don’t worry.”

“Except I haven’t got much to show off with my magic.”

“Let’s go fix that then.”

“Hey, can I learn to move things?”

“Yes, but let’s not get carried away. It’s better you complete a spell successfully than have them go wrong tomorrow night.”

All of this sounded like studying I had avoided all my life. My head pounded, probably more from the lack of coffee. I had to get one today.

“Come on… we can get in a good two hours before I will have to open the shop. Good thing I set the opening times to later on Fridays.”

Luna guided me to the open space at the shop’s entrance, where I had spent most of the day yesterday practicing my newfound skill.

Luna turned to face me and patted me on the shoulders. “Let’s see what you remember.”

I snapped my fingers, and a burst of red color shot out. Luna jumped backward with a yelp.

“Did I hit you?” This wasn’t a good start.

“No, but center yourself before you start. This is one of the basic steps.”

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