Page 83 of Dark Moon Secrets

My pulse fast, I rested my hand on the counter to keep my balance. I called my magic from within. I wanted to be ready to defend myself. No way was I ready for a magical attack.

The door rattled as if stuck, then burst open, and magical light flooded outward, blinding me. I let go of my magic, shielding myself from going blind.

“Damn you, Tanjie, you can’t let go of your magic like that,” grumbled Luna.

I opened my eyes to see Luna ducking to avoid the wayward sparks of my magic flying through the air as if they were drunk fireflies.

Willow and Pepper stood on the other side of the door, blocking the exit, their arms moving quickly to send out counter-magic at my sparks.

“Sorry, I wasn’t sure who was coming in,” I said. “You were gone for such a long time.”

I almost ran up to Luna and hugged her. She was alive, standing, and grumbling about my magic. That meant she was more than all right.

“Damn wolves,” said Willow, bustling in through the door, brushing dirt from her dress. “They picked a hell of a time to have a fight. Why the Wild Fire pack wanted to come on the Moon Pack territory is a mystery to me.”

“Is this normal?” I asked. Was this my future? Keeping wolves in line like they were. It seemed rather exciting, somewhat dangerous, and something I was willing to sign up for. As long as I didn’t have to hurt the wolf I kept seeing in my dreams and in real life, assuming he was real.

“Fighting between packs is against one of our lores,” said Adam as he shut the door behind him. Magic flowed from his hand as he locked it with spells and then the bolt.

As much as Adam didn’t start my heart like Alaric did, I was glad he was safe and back here in the shop.

“They’ll regret it. I’ve summoned them to a meeting next week,” said Luna.

“And what, they’ll come?” I asked.

“They’re bound to,” said Willow, limping forward.

“You’re hurt?” I went to support her, but she waved me away.

“Nothing that won’t heal. It can wait for later.”

“You’re all okay?” I turned to look at the others. They looked a bit bedraggled, their hair messy, dirt patches on their clothes, but no signs of blood.

“Nothing that won’t heal.” Pepper snapped her fingers, her hair moved back into place, and the dirt on the edge of her dress lifted. “Or that magic can’t fix.”

“I so want to be able to do that.”

Pepper smiled at me. “I’ll show you some cool tricks.”

“After the ceremony,” huffed Luna, pushing between us.

“We need to head out to the clearing… the others will be waiting for us,” added Willow.

Adam stopped, holding his hand out, indicating for me to go ahead of him. I hurried after the women, sensing his eyes on me, checking me out as I moved.

No way was I going to agree to something like what my parents had. I would raise hell to find another option.

Out the back door, we headed down a path leading to the back of the scrub. Willow and Luna had cleaned up, thanks to the help of their magic.

Once in the cover of the trees, the others snapped their fingers, and light coming from their fingers guided the way.

I went to do the same, but Luna stopped me. “Save your energy, you must prove to the others you’re ready. Remember what we’ve been working on.”

Thank goodness she didn’t tell me she didn’t trust me to use my magic, not after releasing it in the shop just now.

“Ground yourself,” whispered Luna. She put her hand between my shoulders and pushed me in front of her.

Following Willow’s magic light and Luna and Pepper directly behind me, I kept to the path, the stones crunching softly underfoot as I walked. The light used was small, delicate, and just enough to show us where to go. I could tell they had easily mastered their magic. This was what I had to do. If I had my own light, it would be more like a beacon.

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