Blue Moon Shadows (Shadow Bound Series Book 1) Page 4

  “And those were?” I asked, completely distracted.

  “Your beautiful eyes, lovely smile and wonderful body,” he said with a straight face.

  “Do you two need a room?” Carolyn asked.

  “No,” I laughed.

  “Anyway, I had been watching you but hadn’t seen any sign. Then you touched the tree and the world opened up to you. It was then I knew you were meant for me and your mother was going to finally find you.”

  “Finally find me? Why was I missing?”

  “We didn’t know until your parents were gone that so were you. No one in the coven knew what had become of you. There were several theories, but no real evidence. We searched for you, but you were just gone. Then we found you here with the one family that tried to destroy our coven.”

  “My family tried to destroy the coven?” I asked. The mood in the room had turned very somber. The story wasn’t going to get better. It was bad enough knowing I was missing.

  “Your adopted family wanted the power of the coven for their own. None of them were natural born witches. Edward had been in the coven for a while when your mother discovered his dark side. She banished him and now they covet our power. That is why my mother made a deal with them. It was as much to get them out of the country as it was to solve the problem. Once they were gone a peace settled over our people. Then when your mother found your room empty all hell broke loose. She wailed and rampaged for three years. Our mother had to run things until she came back to her senses. You see the high priestess is allowed only one child,” he explained.

  “Why is that?”

  “Because they wield great power and pass it on to their children. It is the price they pay for becoming a high priestess,” Carolyn explained.

  “Is that why your mother had two?”

  “She had more than two, but yes.” Carolyn smiled and then conjured some tea. I could really use it about now. The amount information flowing into my head was overwhelming.

  “So back to the story again. Your mother, Deheune, was ravaged by sorrow. When she gave up the search and rejoined the coven she was not as strong as she had been before. There was no threat to her place, but she wasn’t herself. They searched for you until we sent them word. Mother was afraid to tell Deheune about the deal. It took her a while, but by the time she got around to it you had made the connection. She felt you and spoke to you. Now she is on a ship headed to you. She wants to reconnect,” he explained.

  “Why did they take me?”

  “To make her suffer and to stay protected. Even though you didn’t know you had powers the earth did. It kept you safe no matter where you were. They used you to keep themselves safe. This is why you were so harshly treated. You aren’t one of their children. You were a stranger among wolves.” Tomlin touched my hand. It kept me calm. I could see this part of the story was weighing heavy on him. He had known me for eight years without knowing my real heritage.

  “This is just so strange to me. So my mother is Deheune. Who is my father?” I asked.

  “No one ever asked her,” Tomlin admitted.

  “So she wasn’t married?”

  “She wasn’t allowed to marry. The life of a high priestess is demanding. You were born to be one, but we were meant to be together. The rules will have to change,” he smiled.

  “Do you think the one child one will change?”

  “No.”

  “Well one would be better than none,” I said with a smile.

  “I agree.”

  “So is there anymore to the story?” I asked.

  “Andess is her wand. It came to you because it knows you. She would have felt the shift. I’m sure she is doing everything she can to get that ship here faster.” Carolyn was definite about that.

  “Then we should probably get to work?” I questioned.

  “You are right about that,” Tomlin said.

  “Glan,” Carolyn spoke. The table was instantly clear of all food and dirty dishes. It was a nice trick.

  “What first?” I asked, walking two steps behind my husband.

  “Let’s try the target practice.”

  “Okay.”

  “Just call your wand and aim at the targets,” he explained.

  I called Andess and pointed at the first target. It exploded the second I pointed at it. I didn’t say anything. It was awesome.

  “That wand is powerful indeed,” Tomlin said astonished.

  “So should we try something else?”

  “I want to, but it could go wrong.”

  “Just tell me what to do,” I asked.

  “Okay, see the hill over there?” I nodded. “Now see the lone pine at the top? Change the color of the tree to purple.”

  “How do I do that?”

  “Think it.”

  I put a purple tree in my head and focused. I took a deep breath and pointed the wand at the tree. I closed my eyes so I couldn’t see. The exhale that came from Tomlin let me know something had happened. I opened my eyes and saw a purple tree.

  “I don’t think any of this is going to be hard for you,” Tomlin laughed.

  “I agree.”

  “The wind is in my favor. I will be there sooner,” Deheune said.

  “I will wait as long as it takes, máthair,” I answered.

  “It sounds so good to hear you call me máthair.”

  The connection was gone as fast as it had come. This time I was able to answer her. I had never done that before. It felt good to have a conversation with her even if it was short. Tomlin was looking at me quizzically. Whenever she called to me I became still like a statue. It was how I found I needed to be to focus. It was a dead giveaway to my husband.

  “Did you actually answer her?” Tomlin asked.

  “I did,” I said with a huge smile.

  “That is wonderful, grá geal,” he said, leaning over to kiss me. He couldn’t have been more proud of me. It was wonderful.

  Chapter Six

  

  The rest of that day was filled with more training. Getting up this morning I really only wanted more answers. I didn’t want to play at my new skill. I sat down at the table to find it empty. Normally I would come out to a full breakfast. Today I decided it was my turn. Tomlin and Carolyn hadn’t made it back from their morning routine. I closed my eyes and thought of what I wanted right down to the plates. They were porcelain with Celtic inlays all around the outside ring. It was quite appropriate. In the middle of the table were pancakes, eggs, bacon. Coffee and toast. It was a great spread of food and it smelled wonderful.

  “How did you know what your mother’s plates looked like?” Carolyn asked out of breath. She looked astonished. It wasn’t the food but the plates that caught her eye. I was a little disappointed as the food took more skill to produce.

  “I didn’t. This is just what came to me,” I said.

  “Wow.” Tomlin was just two steps behind her. He was just as surprised when he saw the plates. “I haven’t seen those plates since the last supper we had right before you were taken. I think you must have been about three. Your mother laid out a great feast that day.”

  “I remember that too. She was in high spirits. Probably she wouldn’t have been if she knew what was coming. Mother had already made the deal with Edward. She wasn’t in attendance. I didn’t want to be near her, so I went.” Carolyn seemed sad to tell the truth. It was hard on her. I could see that. I wished there was something I could do to rewrite the past. It just wasn’t going to happen.

  “You’ve been through so much,” I said, touching her shoulder.

  “So have you,” she said, pulling me into a hug. It was tight, warm and very healing. I was glad to have her as a sister. She was by far the best sister I ever had. Knowing the truth now, I guess I really never had sisters. They were strangers that pretended to be a part of my family. We each took a seat at the table and began eating our breakfast. These quiet moments as a family were nothing like what I knew. It was peaceful, loving, and replenishing. This was
a family. I had never really had one.

  “So what do we do now?” I asked.

  “It’s really up to you,” Carolyn said. We all sat there eating quietly for a minute.

  “Well I don’t want to practice my gifts today. I really just want to know more about where we come from and who our people are,” I answered while chewing bacon.

  “I think we can do that. Shall we move out to the porch?” Carolyn asked.

  “Sure,” I said, concentrating. Seconds later the table was cleared. I knew I could do it if the timing was great.

  Tomlin took my hand and led me out to the porch. We sat down in the two rockers and Carolyn took the swing. Once again we sat there in silence just enjoying the day. My bare feet were sliding alone the wood floor. The air was full of the scents of spring. The roses in the yard weren’t in full bloom but they were trying real hard. I didn’t know where to start this conversation. I really felt ignorant about my own people.

  “Ask them about the beginning.”

  “Okay.”

  “Grá geal, mother said to ask about the beginning,” I said.

  “Well grá geal, our people go back to the beginning. We have been called many things, but mostly we are known as druids. In this world they call us witches. We don’t believe in the things others do. We feel the earth, air, water and fire and use the energy they give out freely.”

  “So that is what we were doing the other day.” I took his hand and squeezed.

  “Yes it was.”

  “Before you two get all lovey dovey, shall I continue the story?” Carolyn asked. She looked at us and waited for a nod of acknowledgement. “Good. So there have always been high priestesses in our coven. In others there are priests and still others there are both. There are versions of us all over the world. Each has adapted the practice to the area they are in.” She paused to conjure a cup of tea. She took a sip and then continued.

  “The time of the first priestess was many, many years ago. The rules were set in place then. The high priestess must come from a couple of blood lines only. Priestesses can be lifted to position through deeds or by blood. Each male is appreciated but not ever raised up. I can’t really tell you why, but it has been that way as long as any of us alive can remember,” Carolyn explained.

  “Maybe that will change soon,” Tomlin suggested.

  “Has any priestess been married before?” I asked.

  “Of course.”

  “What about the high priestess?”

  “No. She is allowed one child with any man she chooses. Then she must give up the flesh or only partake when she knows a child is impossible to conceive,” Carolyn explained.

  “Well that sucks,” I sighed. I rocked my chair with my bare feet and contemplated what was happening. If my mother was the high priestess that meant one day I would be. Now I didn’t know how I could be. Tomlin and I were already married.

  “It won’t be the same for you, love.”

  “How can it not be?” I asked.

  “I will explain when I get there. It shouldn’t be too much longer. The weather is finally cooperating.”

  “Good.”

  “Your mother?” Tomlin asked.

  “Yes.”

  “So what did she say?”

  “That it won’t be the same for me,” I explained.

  “She must have something planned,” Carolyn replied.

  “She must,” Tomlin added.

  “I guess you can continue the information,” I said. I grabbed Tomlin’s hand and held it tight. I knew this was too much information for me, but it was necessary. I had to know what I was and what I was up against. The people that raised me weren’t what they said they were. Now I needed to know how to defend myself against them.

  “People like your ex parents are always trying to get to our priestesses. They know if they can capture one they can use the priestess’s power to keep themselves protected. That is why they kidnapped you. You are born of the high priestess. This means you will be one soon,” Carolyn said.

  “But I didn’t know I had this power?”

  “You didn’t have to know. They knew,” Tomlin added.

  “Oh.”

  “Your mother went out of her way to keep your identity secret. She hoped that no one would find you. Our mother accidentally let it slip,” Tomlin said.

  “Your mother let it slip?”

  “She was actually tortured much like I was,” Carolyn admitted.

  “Why?”

  “Because they wanted the information. This family will stop at nothing to get what they want. They have coveted our power since the beginning. The feud goes back further than even my mother can remember. It is centuries old. This is another reason why I endured what I did. I won’t add to their kind. Sure there is a chance the child would be more like me, but it’s equally likely they would be like Aidan.”

  “So you let him tie you up and beat you with a cane?” I asked.

  “I did what I must to protect my blood line. You will not have to worry about it. Tomlin’s bloodline is as pure as yours. Your children will be doubly blessed,” she said with a great big smile.

  “Tell me what happened to her,” I begged.

  “I will tell it, Carolyn.” Tomlin was looking at his sister. It wasn’t until then I saw the tears running down her cheeks.

  “You don’t have to if it is too hard.”

  “It’s okay,” she sniffled.

  “Mother went to town to gather a few herbs for a spell. She was gone far longer than we expected. Deheune ordered us to go find her. We took off in the same direction as her and checked for tracks as we went. We saw drag marks just before town. We followed them to a cave. We looked around outside and listened for twenty minutes before we went in. Whomever had taken her left her hanging from the wall. She was bloody and had strap marks all over her. They had beaten her with a whip and canes. I untied her and we took her back to your mother. She cleansed the wounds and performed a few rituals. Two days later she was better. She didn’t tell Deheune then what she told them. It turned out the people were your parents,” Tomlin explained. I could see it was a strain on him to tell me the story. It was painful. I wished I hadn’t asked.

  “Maybe that is enough story telling for today,” Carolyn offered.

  “Come on, Grá geal,” Tomlin said, standing and holding out his hand to help me up.

  “Anything you say, darling.” I smiled. It was wonderful how he called me darling. I loved it.

  I took his hand and stood. The sun was starting to go down. It had escaped my attention how much time had gone by. I thought we were going into the cabin, but he pulled me toward the water. When we got to the edge he dropped his pants and jumped in. I untied my gown and dove in. The water was healing and relaxing at the same time. We swam for a half hour and then did things that scared the fish away. When we were done he led me out of the water and we walked back to the house carrying our clothes. Carolyn was already asleep. We didn’t need to worry about our nakedness. We went right to the bedroom and Tomlin closed the door. Our night was to be full of activity.

  Chapter Seven

  

  The next day brought me closer to my mother. I could feel her now. She was closer than she had ever been. My mind tried to imagine her. Tomlin had told me she was a raven haired beauty. I could see her standing on the shoreline in a white gown with the blue moon washing over her. It was a truly breathtaking sight. I kept it with me always.

  When I made it out to the kitchen the table was already set. I knew by the spread we were definitely training today. It was going to be physically exhausting. I dreaded and loved it.

  I sat down and started to eat, alone. It was a good ten minutes before anyone else joined me. When they sat down the quiet wasn’t broken at all. You could have heard a pin drop or maybe a hair. It was disturbing on a lot of levels. I had to do something to break it.

  “So what’s on the agenda today?” I asked, munching on some ham.

  “We
are going to work with telepathy today,” Carolyn said dryly.

  “I have a question about that.”

  “Go ahead,” Tomlin replied. He was helping himself to three more pancakes. He definitely had a great appetite. That made me love him even more. I wasn’t the smallest girl. He could pick me up easily. I loved how strong he was.

  “Why didn’t my mother teleport here?”

  “That’s an easy one. We can’t teleport anywhere we haven’t been. She’s never seen this place with her own eyes. She could probably make it to America on her own, but not to the mountains here in the northeast,” he said with a smile. He had already devoured two of the pancakes.

  “You need to eat. You have to have strength to teleport. I suggest you dig in, Grá geal.” Tomlin plopped hash on my plate followed by two more slices of ham. I looked at it with wide eyes. There was no way this was going to fit in my stomach. He chuckled and waited for me to take a bite. I couldn’t resist for long. I drove my fork in and cherished every single thing that passed my lips.

  “So when do we start?” My mouth was still full of food. I didn’t care.

  Tomlin looked at Carolyn and then they were both gone. It wasn’t fair. I couldn’t help but pout. They were supposed to teach me not show me up. I got frustrated and mad. Then I thought about the water and how calming it was. The feel of it against my bare skin. It made me relax. Then I felt it all around me. I was floating in it when I opened my eyes. Carolyn and Tomlin were sitting on the shore laughing at me. I splashed around a little and then got out.

  “See you can do it,” Carolyn laughed.

  “But I don’t know how I did it,” I complained, sitting down next to Tomlin. My gown was soaked and splashed him when I did. I laughed as he tried to wipe himself off.