Page 94 of Dark Moon Secrets

I didn’t need creepy right now.

Picking my way through the leaf litter on the ground, I edged closer to the clearing. Had I gone too far?

Using my magic could expose me, and I knew the coven wouldn’t take kindly to that. All I could do was rely on my intuition.

Maybe I should’ve counted my steps.

I stumbled again, partially twisting my ankle. My arms went out to right my balance, and at least this time, I didn’t fall.

Now, my ankle pulsed, and I was beginning to think I should go back.

A rustle in the leaves got my attention. I looked closely. Nothing was there.

Maybe a native rat or other rodent?

Or a sign. This could be the site of the clearing a few feet to my right. I turned, tentatively putting weight on my injured ankle, leaning forward to hear any sound of the witches.

I could smell magic in the air. That was encouraging. It had to mean I was close.

All I needed to do was stay out of sight and be able to hear them. Would I be able to get close enough?

Inaudible voices filtered through the crisp night air to me.

Damn, I would need to get closer.

Then something changed in the air. My belly tightened, the intuitive warning too late. The magic I had smelled was something else—a spell that was a trap.

A power zapped through me with such force it sent me flying backward in the air a few feet. My back crashed into a tree trunk, and my arms and legs went forward from the force as if they were made of stuffing, then I slumped to the ground.

Air rushed out of my lungs, and I sat stunned, looking out, unable to move as if I’d been transformed into a doll.

Get up.

Maria’s voice, sharp in my mind, shocked me into action.

I pushed up from the ground—bark, dry leaves, and small twigs stuck into my palms. On my feet, I turned and ran.

So much for hearing what they were saying.

What was that?

A boundary spell so no one can enter.

Great. It wasn’t easy getting out of the area wearing flat shoes with no grip and a long dress.

Run.

I hitched the dress up so I could run faster—the sprints at school had always been my favorite. Hilarious that there was no first ribbon in this race. I valued my life enough that I knew to put distance between us.

The witches couldn’t find out I had set off the spell. My body ached all over from the impact, and I wasn’t even sure I should be running. But I did, as fast as I ever had.

I had no idea where I was going, only that it was away from the witches, the ones who had taken me in, told me I was special, then discarded me. I kept weaving around bushes and trees.

How could they do this to me?

I had half a mind to go back and tell them if anyone had failed right now, it was them failing to support me.

A branch of leaves skimmed my face, slowing me down as I brushed it away, hoping no spiders had fallen on me. It wasn’t like I had night vision like a wolf. That would be handy right now. I might be a witch, but I couldn’t see in the dark. I didn’t have the head space to do a spell, plus it was too risky. I didn’t know if they were chasing me.

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