Page 84 of Dark Moon Secrets

Perhaps I should’ve practiced some more instead of letting Alaric into the shop, though he was no regret. I felt more alive and rejuvenated since arriving. The encounter with him had done something to me. Something good.

As we walked deeper into the bushland, the darkness enveloped us, pushing away the rest of the town, the country, and even the world, making it feel like we were the only ones left alive.

A calmness settled over me, and I practiced the breathing Luna had taught me. This could be my chance to see my parents again, and I didn’t want to mess it up. More so, I was going to be a witch who had power, but my mind still struggled to comprehend.

The path opened into a small clearing. Tall ghost eucalyptus trees with thick trunks showed their wisdom of centuries to witness what went on here, surrounding us, protecting us from non-magical beings.

In the center of the opening stood an old tree trunk with a flat top that was used as an altar. A white candle burned on the trunk, and the flicking light revealed a bowl and jug. Deep red roses were laid around the edge, thorned stems crossing.

My pulse increased. This was it. My chance to embrace who I was. I was curious to find out what was going to happen.

Instead of turning off their magical lights, the others dimmed them, cupped them in their hands, and held them at belly height. They moved silently around to form a circle I’d been included in.

I counted about twenty people standing in either a dress like mine or the loose outfits the males wore. Most were much older than me. Was this a consequence of the failing magic?

The ceremony was about to start, and my stomach was a mess of nerves, excitement, and something else, all because of Alaric. So far, my little secret was safe, and now I am about to become a witch for good. My power surged through me stronger than ever before.

I am to show what I can do.

Willow and Luna moved to the circle’s center and stood on either side of the trunk, facing me.

In silence, five witches stepped forward, sending their magic crisscrossing to each other, highlighting a pentagram star within the circle. The magical light dimmed, the connection between them remaining, and a power vibrated within the star formed.

“Who is the one to pledge tonight on the dark moon when all secrets are revealed and personal power is amplified?” asked Willow, looking straight at me.

My mouth dried, and the words were hard to form.

“I am.”

“Step forward,” said Luna. The light she held at her belly cast shadows over her face, making her appear ghostly.

I stepped forward.

Willow and Luna motioned for me to continue coming closer.

Magic flooded through me when I stepped into the pentagram, and I struggled to keep it from overwhelming me or for it to combine with mine in such a way that I would lose all sense of myself. I paused, readjusted, then continued to step forward until I stood in front of the trunk, looking at Willow and Luna.

Willow made a humming noise, gradually becoming louder, then stopped, the last vibrations of the perfect notes hanging in the air. Then she spoke, her normally dark eyes reflected a haunting light as she stared at me.

“We are here in black

The dark of the night

You the light

Of our future

And our hope.

“We call you to use

Your magic

To show us your willingness

To learn

To lead us

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