SWNOVELS Chapter Chapter Ten
Tim’s Pov:
A thoughtful expression crossed the Girl’s face as she considered what Olympia suggested. She faced my mother, as another nasty grin claimed her face. Mother nodded her agreement to whatever transpired between them.
Without warning, the Girl grabbed Reha’s arm and the smell of burning flesh filled the air. “I hereby banish you, Reha, from our graces. We strip you of all our gifts, we henceforth banish you from our existence, as well as all of your descendants,” the Girl hissed.
“I offer one descendant the opportunity to rejoin us, if he is pure of heart,” mother whispered so low I almost missed it. The Girl released Reha’s arm, revealing a scar in the shape of a moon turned downward.
“This mark, you and your kin shall bear it. It will only be visible to those who worship the moon. When they see it, they will understand you are not to be trusted. They will know you are to be cast away, for failure to do so will have them share your fate. Now go. Leave my sight,” she spat, waving her hand. To my amazement, Reha vanished.
“The games to determine who will be the General of the Amazons will take place tomorrow. Then we shall add a few of the wild wolves who, even in their outcast state, have still served us well. I expect all to welcome them as if they were your own blood. As from this day forward, they will be,” the Woman demanded. “Gretchen,” the Girl hollered.
From the vast crowd, Gretchen appeared. “Yes Goddesses, what is your will?” she asked. “You will take Amethyst as your apprentice, as she has shown great magic far beyond her years. When the child turns 10, we will invite all witches of her age group to train under you. In order to have the chance to become the next High Priestess of the Moon,” the Goddesses decreed in unison once more.
Surprise overtook Gretchen’s face, as it was not the Coven’s way to allow those that were born to magic-less mothers to rejoin its ranks. They saw it as weak blood; the Goddesses were changing life as we all knew it.
Everyone in the temple held their breath, fearing that Gretchen would argue. “By your will, Goddesses. I pray for guidance when the time comes, to ensure I can empower these girls to be even better than I am,” Gretchen vowed, kneeling. The crowd collectively let out a sigh of relief.
“When the time comes, you will know what to do if you trust in us,” mother pointed out. “Gretchen, you will bind us together as a true pack. Lunar’s light must be able to link like wolves,” she demanded. She plucked a hair from Gretchen and one from her own head, forming a golden chalice from the hairs. The Girl rejoined my mother, pulling out her dagger.
The Girl took my mother’s hand gently into hers, slicing it open, allowing the blood to flow into the chalice. Before repeating the process with herself then handing the cup to Gretchen. For a moment, an expression of worry covered Gretchen’s face. Thankfully, she was able to mask it as she turned to the crowd.
“Through the power of the Goddess’s blood, we shall become one. By our own will, we accept the blood of the Goddesses and complete the bond. And by the right of birth, our children will be born knowing this love. Forever we agree to this. Goddesses complete us, make us as one,” Gretchen chanted.
The winds swept the chalice from Gretchen as the cup tipped almost as if the winds themselves were drinking the blood of the Goddesses. Within the temple, thunder and lightning formed all around us.
The blood came down like rain, drenching everything it touched. Lightning struck the marble floor; screams filled the hall as people tried to make it to the exits. Gretchen summoned the winds, slamming the doors shut, locking us all in place.
“Trust the Goddesses!” I commanded. I was completely unsure of how this was all going to end. Much to my relief, everyone seemed to stop and relax, as a tremendous clap of thunder reverberated through each of us, knocking us to the ground.
Out of breath and in shock, I tried to get up. But my body refused to follow my orders. Static filled the air before all the hairs on my body stood on end.
Light flooded the room. A pain filled tingle raced through my body, almost as if I was vibrating. After the light vanished, it left me with the sensation of pins and needles coursing through my veins.
My mind was thick with fog. I peered out to where the crowd once stood and, to my horror, they were as still as death. I reached for them as the world around me faded into black.
As I blinked away the last bit of sleep, I awoke to Amethyst staring at me. Although much older in appearance, her eyes were filled with concern. “Amethyst?” I asked as she held out her hand to help me up. She smiled and nodded.
“How long have I been out?” I stated in disbelief. “Only moments,” she laughed. “How is that possible? You were 4 moments ago and now you appear to be almost 30,” I retorted.
“I don’t live life linearly. I maybe 4 in the world where we just closed our eyes, but I have seen so many things, lived so many lives,” she replied. “This is my favorite look,” she shrugged.
“Where are we?” I asked, glancing around the blank space. “Isn’t it obvious? We are in the realm of the Goddesses,” she answered. Amethyst stared at me questioningly. “Right, this all must have me a bit more tossed than I realize,” I sighed.
“That’s ok Timothy, I know you haven’t gotten it all quite figured out just yet,” Amethyst laughed. “Have all what figured out?” I asked. Hoping this wasn’t some childish game she was playing.
“The Goddesses plan. I know you have been told pieces; I am frankly surprised you haven’t figured it out. It started with a Mathis. It will end with one too,” she blurted out. “Anyway, open your eyes.”
Suddenly, a rush of air returned to my lungs as my eyes opened before I pulled myself off the cold floor. I glanced around. Thankfully, the others were waking up. Most did not appear to be so well. This was the first time for many they could hear the voices screaming through the link.
“I understand this is overwhelming, for most of you hearing the thoughts of so many people at once. Focus on my voice. This will help you shut out the others,” I linked the entire pack.
“It’s best if we adjourn this meeting and get some rest,” I continued. “These changes will get easier with time; this, I promise you,” I announced, trying not to sound as bad as I felt. My eyes found their way to little Amethyst, who was smiling as she clung to her mother’s hand.
“The child’s existence has altered our plans just slightly,” the Girl’s bitter voice cut through my thoughts. I met her gaze, wondering if I should fear how this was all going to play out. “For the worse?” I asked carefully.
“That remains to be seen. It has given birth to a new outcome,” she explained. “She could give birth to a witch, possibly even more powerful than she is,” the Girl stated. The awe in her voice was unmistakable.