A Modern Witch

CHAPTER 19



Moira sat in her tower, scrying bowl in her lap. She was a woman who fully understood the weight of what would happen tonight in California. Aervyn would be the most important witch of his generation, and tonight was a very important step in accepting the responsibility that came with great power.

Being Irish, Moira accepted that his fate had been set before he’d been born. She also knew it was his fate to choose, and being Irish, she understood that sometimes people made poor choices.

Aervyn would do right by his power, his family, and a witching lineage that stretched back thousands of years. She was sure of it. No one who had felt the powers and portents present at his birth could ever doubt it.

What no one had seen, thought Moira with satisfaction, was the girl who would stand as his partner. The girl she’d had a small role in finding. Fetching spells, indeed. Well, perhaps it was fitting that a most modern witch, unfettered by any history at all, supported a witch who carried the weight of history.

Lauren had yet to fully understand what her power would ask of her. Tonight, they’d see what the girl was truly made of. Moira had an idea she’d rise to the challenge.

And she intended to watch. As witch historian, it was only right. Moira waved a hand over her scrying bowl.

“Bowl of great and powerful sight,

Let this old and weak woman see tonight.

Show the young witch

And new witch dear to me,

As I will, so mote it be.”

…

Lauren looked out in awe at the headlands of Point Reyes National Seashore. Sheer cliffs fell to sandy beaches, and the setting sun played with wisps of fog lifting from the headland hills. It was not hard to believe magic could be done here. Except for the fact that it was national park land and a bunch of tourists might walk into the middle of their gathering at any moment.

She looked over at Jamie. “So, how do a hundred witches put on a magic show without attracting attention?”

Jamie gestured toward the two park rangers currently chatting with Jennie. “We’ll take a short walk to a valley that’s hard to trip across by accident, and the rangers will watch nearby trails to make sure we have privacy.”

“Do I want to know how you get national park rangers to provide these services?”

Jamie took Nat’s hand and offered Lauren his other one. “The ranger on the left is my cousin Maria.”

Lauren laughed and joined the motley line following Nell and Aervyn deeper into the headlands. Aervyn was going to yank Nell’s arm out of its socket if he bounced any harder.

Sophie came up beside Lauren. “How are you doing?”

Lauren gestured toward the front of the line. “I think my stomach is attached to Aervyn’s feet.”

“I can help with that a bit if you want.”

“That might be good. I don’t want to be remembered as the witch who puked.”

Sophie laughed and reached for Lauren’s hand. “You wouldn’t be the first.”

Lauren felt her lapis pendant heat briefly, and then the worst of the knots in her stomach relaxed. “Hey, thank you—that’s a lot better.”

“You’re welcome, and blessed be, my new sister. We’re here now.”

Lauren looked around and felt the awe return. They had come through a narrow valley that widened into a flatter meadow, if rocks and moss could be called a meadow. The low hills on three sides bracketed the mad crayoned sky and enormous orb sinking into the ocean.

Jennie’s mind-augmented voice spoke to the group. “Welcome to Ocean’s Reach, where witches have gathered for centuries. We come here today to respect the old, root in the present, and welcome the new. I ask the inner circle to join me now, so the outer circle can form around us.”

Thirteen witches moved to Jennie’s side, and most drew snacks out of bags or pockets. Jamie handed Lauren a yogurt drink, and then dropped two pillows on a flat, raised rock. Aervyn hopped up and sat on one, and Jamie pointed her to the other.

The rest of the inner circle quickly took shape around them. Jamie sat facing the ocean with Aurelia and Scott on either side of him. The other nine in their trios formed each of the remaining cardinal directions of the circle. Jennie winked at Lauren.

The remainder of their group formed into an outer circle. Lauren saw the triplets, Ginia in her usual spot at Nat’s elbow. Jennie’s daughter and her partner each had a purple-haired toddler in their lap. Others that she recognized from Jamie’s kitchen, the names all just a haze now. A few held instruments on their laps, and candles were passed out to the rest.

An old man stood up, baby in one arm, and held his candle high.

“We surround this circle

With our love, with our power.

Protect the work they do this hour.

We hold the light, embrace the night,

To watch and wait and see.

As I will, so mote it be.”

With his last words, the candle flamed and the baby cooed in delight.

Fire was passed from candle to candle until the outer circle was a ring of light. At some unspoken cue, those with instruments started a low rhythm. Nat’s clear voice began to sing, a soft chant joined by tens of voices.

Lauren heard Jennie’s voice inside her head. Open your mind, sweetling. Feel what they give you now.

Dropping into mind center, Lauren softened her barriers and love rushed in. Some in the outer circle were still strangers to her, but they loved all the same. Love for the traditions, love for the community, and a deep love for each other, all offered to the inner circle in protection and support. It should have been overwhelming.

Lauren breathed in Nat’s quiet joy, Ginia’s dreamy song, the wonder of a purple-haired toddler at his first circle. It was not overwhelming at all.

She looked at Aervyn. His hearing aids were showing. The last of the butterflies in her belly settled. It was going to be okay.

The earth trio stood, Mike holding handfuls of dirt, Sophie and Tabitha with outstretched hands.

“We of the North call on Earth,

Of fertile life and new growth.

We of the North call on Earth,

The rocks beneath us,

Cliffs that soar with strength unbending.

We of the North call on Earth,

With voices three.

As we will, so mote it be.”

Lauren jolted as she felt the solid sweep of earth power. She felt the edges of panic. It wasn’t time yet for them to push power to her. Jennie sent calm. It’s only the power of the place you feel, child, and perhaps the echo of what Tabitha channels. We will not connect until you are ready.

Jamie rose next, flanked by Aurelia and Scott, wind whipping their hair.

“We of the East call on Air,

Breath of life and soul’s flight.

We of the East call on Air,

Of ocean storms and soft breezes of night.

We of the East call on Air,

With voices three.

As we will, so mote it be.”

This time, Lauren was more prepared for the swirling zing of air power. Nell, Caro, and Govin rose next, bathed in light from the globes of fire on Nell’s outstretched palms.

“We of the South call on Fire,

Creator and destroyer, and force of will.

We of the South call on Fire,

Sun and stars that heat our sight.

We of the South call on Fire,

With voices three.

As we will, so mote it be.”

Fire’s energy was vibrant and hot. Lauren felt almost jittery as the power danced around her. Edric got to his feet slowly, Jennie and Nathan helping him up. He raised a clear bowl of water to the sky.

“We of the West call on Water,

Of life-giving stream and cleansing rain.

We of the West call on Water,

The ocean’s reach and drops under our feet.

We of the West call on Water,

With voices three.

As we will, so mote it be.”

Power rushed through witch and non-witch alike in the magic of this place—the light of fire, the strength of earth, the fluidity of water, and the dancing swirl of air. Lauren could see the glowing dome of magic form over the circles, stretching for the darkening sky. The dome of her mind’s center vibrated in welcome, and in comfort.

It was time.

Lauren reached for Aervyn’s mind. For just a moment, she sensed the power he could feel in this place and shivered. How did one small boy contain all that? She shoved her sudden fear away and deepened their connection.

Just as she’d done in the training circle, Lauren grew tendrils from the base of her connection to Aervyn and reached toward Jamie. She felt his cocky grin as the air energy flowed cleanly over her dome. Then she felt him panic. Power exploded over her dome, a raging hurricane of energy. Holy God, what was that? Jamie’s mind sent one word. Aervyn.

He was only four, dammit! Lauren’s mind snapped at Aervyn. Too much! The hurricane tapered to a minor tempest. Jamie and Lauren moved fast to glue down all the flapping loose ends of her dome that were leaking power everywhere. She grew more silk-strong tendrils for reinforcement.

After that, connecting in the other three directions was child’s play. Jennie’s mind sent reassurance. The rest sent awe.

Tell him to turn it up, sent Jamie. Best we figure out now what we can handle. Aervyn didn’t wait for Lauren to pass on the message, but this time the hurricane forces traveled the lines of her web. Barely. She refused to think about what might happen if it didn’t hold. It was her job to make it hold.

You rock, sent Jamie. Now set him loose.

Aervyn grabbed the web of power with both hands. In that moment, it was stunningly clear. He had been born for this. The four-year-old witchling stood on the shoulders of magical giants and spun his spell. Lauren waited. The world waited.

Impossible light swirled and then dimmed. Her dome powered down.

Lauren opened her eyes and looked around. Heads were craning to see. What had happened?

She looked at Aervyn. “What did you do, sweetie?”

“I fixed it, the big crack.”

“What big crack?”

“The big crack in the earth, so it doesn’t make our house all wet.”

Sometimes talking to a four-year-old just made things more confusing.

“I think he stabilized the San Andreas Fault.” Sophie spoke from the edge of the circle, her voice dripping with tears. Lauren realized the entire earth trio looked hugely shaken up and white with exhaustion.

Silence rang as a hundred minds tried to digest the impossible.

Nell nodded slowly. “The fault runs right by here. It’s how the headlands were created. Aervyn, honey, what did you do to the crack?”

Aervyn didn’t look tired at all. “I fixed it so it won’t get too jumpy. I didn’t make it stop. That would hurt the earth, so she asked me not to do that. But she said it was okay if I kept it from getting too jumpy.”

He’d talked to the planet? Lauren was very glad she was already sitting down. She could hear the murmurs as word passed through the outer circle.

“I think the fault was getting ready to quake again.” Mike sounded just as teary as Sophie. “Not really sure of the time frame. Planets have a different sense of time than we do.”

Aervyn nodded vigorously. “It’s kind of like getting hiccups. When the earth gets a hiccup, it can make an earthquake. This one would’ve made our houses all wet from the big waves.”

He grinned at Nell. “Mama, it’s just like burping babies. I patted the earth, and she burped, so now she won’t get the hiccups. She says I might have to do it again one day, but not for a long time.”

Nell shook with incredulous laughter. “You burped the planet, sweetie?”

“I did, and she said thank you. Did I do good, Mama?”

Nell grabbed him up in a huge hug. “Love bug, it was a spell for the ages.”

The circle formations vanished as those in the center were swarmed.

Jamie handed Lauren cookies. “Eat while you enjoy your fame.”

“I will, but I feel fine.”

Jamie shook his head. “I have no idea how you and Aervyn do that without draining the both of you. The rest of us are ready to collapse, particularly anyone with earth talent.”

Lauren frowned. “So, how did he do all of that so quickly? It felt like a really short spell.”

Jamie nearly choked on his cookie. “Lauren, it’s almost midnight. He spellcast for hours.”

It had seemed like moments.

Jamie wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “You held the power steady for him for hours. He talked to the freaking planet, and you held steady for him. If you’ve got any energy left, pop into Nell’s head for a moment.”

Lauren saw Nell holding Aervyn in her lap. Her mind beamed only one thing. Gratitude.

Someone called to Jamie, and with a last squeeze of her shoulders, he moved off. Lauren looked around for Nat, and saw Ginia in her arms, Mia and Shay hovering. Ginia looked awfully still.

Lauren hurried to her friend’s side and realized Ginia was unconscious. Unable to find anyone in the milling throng, she reached for Jennie’s mind. Jennie! Something is wrong with Ginia.

Jennie flew out of the crowd. “Child, what is it?” She looked down at Ginia, and smiled. “Oh, my. We have another witchling, do we?”

She touched Mia’s arm. “Find your mama, sweetie.” Mia darted off into the crowd.

“Did the circle harm her?” Lauren asked. Neither Nat nor Jennie seemed at all troubled by Ginia’s stillness.

“Oh, no, love—quite the opposite. A full circle can be a very powerful catalyst. It often awakens latent talents. She’s not the only one.” Jennie nodded toward a teenage boy being held by his father.

“Ginia’s a witch?”

“It appears so.”

Lauren looked around and saw another very groggy purple-haired child nestled in his mama’s lap. “Jennie. I think your grandson might be as well.”

Jennie’s eyes filled with tears as she looked up. Seeing Nell emerge from the crowd, Jennie rose and headed for her grandbaby.

Nell hugged Mia and Shay. “You two okay?”

Mia giggled. “We’re fine, Mama. We felt Ginia’s head pop, so we knew she was gonna be a witch.”

“I hope she can teleport,” Shay said. “That way, we can get even with Aervyn.”

Nell laughed. “Or you three can keep your room clean, at least.”

They’re not the least bit jealous, thought Lauren, and wondered how Nell managed to raise such well-adjusted kids.

Ginia started to stir in Nat’s lap. “Mama, my head hurts.”

Lauren remembered the headache she’d gotten after being blasted by Jamie’s precog, and winced in sympathy.

Sophie appeared out of nowhere. “I can help with that. Sorry, it took a moment to get here—we have four new witchlings this evening, all with sore heads.”

Mike, who had appeared along with Sophie, held out a bag of cookies. “They’re getting the fires going, but for now, have some of these. They’ll help with the energy drain. That was the longest circle I’ve ever done.”

Sophie nodded. “It was an extremely intricate spell, and he went very carefully. He’s been well taught, Nell.”

Lauren was still struggling to understand the long time lapse. “It seems like the two of you have the best idea of what actually happened.”

Sophie laughed. “I think Aervyn has the best idea. We were just along for the ride. But yes, we’ve been chatting with some of the others. It seems like the stronger your earth elemental magic, the more you could follow what Aervyn was doing.”

Nell nodded. “That makes sense. You and Mike would have been two of our strongest.”

“The way we formed the circle today, at least,” Mike said. “You and Jamie are solid with earth elementals as well, but you were tapping into different stuff. A couple of folks in the outer circle picked up some fairly strong spell vibrations as well.”

Lauren shook her head. “All I got was light and a few moments of zinging power.”

“How’s Tabitha?” asked Nell. “Her earth magic is very weak, but she was in trio with the two of you.”

“She didn’t get much more than Lauren did from the spell itself,” Mike said, “but she’s pretty rocked from the channeling. Sounds like the mind witches in the circle picked up at least some of what Lauren was experiencing.”

He looked at Lauren with serious respect. “Way to tame a volcano, girl. That was some very impressive channeling.”

Lauren blushed. “When Jamie panicked, I was scared spitless, but we managed to get things tamped down. After that, it didn’t feel a lot different from the training circle.”

Nell looked stupefied. “Jamie panicked?”

Uh, oh. Lauren belatedly realized that not everyone picked up mind vibes as easily as she did. “Well, when Aervyn sent his power through the air trio, it was pretty wild.”

Nell still looked shocked. “Jamie has trained Aervyn since the day he was born. I don’t even want to know what it would take to panic him.”

Jamie, who had just walked up, answered with his mouth full of hot dog. “Panic is the right word, and I’m man enough to admit it. I don’t think they have a category for the hurricane Aervyn threw at us. Punk witchling. He was a little overexcited.”

“I felt things shake for a minute when air hooked in,” Nell said, “but I had no idea. The rest of us weren’t linked in yet. How did you guys handle it?”

Jamie handed the rest of his hot dog to Ginia and grinned. “Lauren yelled at Aervyn. Worked great.” He winked at Lauren. “You’ll make a great trainer one day.”

“I yelled at him?” Oh, shit, thought Lauren. Really? It had been crazy intense, but she never yelled. Poor Aervyn.

Jamie laughed so hard, he couldn’t stand anymore. “She channels the spell of the century, and she’s worried because she yelled at the spellcaster. He’s fine, Lauren—look.”

Lauren looked where Jamie pointed. The kid who had burped the planet and stopped half of California from falling into the ocean was happily waving a stick with a burning marshmallow.

…

Moira settled her scrying bowl back on the table, tears streaming down her cheeks. Aye, her wee Aervyn and Lauren had done well, indeed. Lauren had answered her destiny tonight, even if she wasn’t yet aware it called her. Aervyn had cast a fine, fine spell, a lasting legacy for the people of California.

Perhaps a bit of a legacy for Sophie and Mike too, if she’d read that situation correctly. They wouldn’t be the first couple to hook up after the intimacy of full-circle work. Two healers—it would be a nice match.

And her sweet Ginia was a witchling. Imagine that.