Chapter 1
One beautiful summer's day in Cobh, Morgan and Hunter were standing outside their daughter's flat. Deciding that Moira was now 19 she wanted to leave her parents house to live with Ian. They had been going out for four years. Morgan strolled up to the flat to say hello.
"Hey mum!" Moira greeted as she opened her flat door.
"Hey sweetie!" Said Morgan giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"Hey dad" Moira said with less enthusiastic greeting.
Hunter smiled warmly, "Hello sweetheart"
"Ian was just making tea. Sit down Ill just be a minute."
Morgan and Hunter walked into the living room and sat down next to each other on the sofa. Moira came in moments later holding two cups of steaming tea. Morgan quickly circled her left hand widdershins (counter-clockwise) over the mug whispering 'Cool The Fire'. After that, the tea was perfect to drink.
Ian came back and smiled at the both with warmth. Morgan smiled back and Hunter smiled and said hello.
"We actually just came to say where the Belwicket Circle is being held tonight"
"It's not at Katrina's?" Ian asked.
"No. It's actually at the Cliffs. Not the same place where you fought the Dark Wave but on another cliff where there is another power ley of Ui Liathain."
"Also Sky is coming down to join us tomorrow" Sky was Hunters cousin and knew each other for all their lives and was really close. Like brother and sister, "And robes are to be worn as well."
Unknown to Morgan is that this Circle was actually her time for becoming High Priestess of the Belwicket Coven. It was intended for her to become High Priestess 4 years ago but with everything going on in her life at that present time was hard so they decided to wait. Hunter had very slowly got his Magick back and was now back up to full speed. Back to the way Morgan had knew him way back when Morgan was seventeen and Hunter nineteen.
"OK then we will be there" Moira said.
After about an hour of talking and catching up Morgan and Hunter said their goodbyes. They got into Hunters car. They had got rid of Das Boot as it no longer could be fixed if any problems with it. But they did have two cars but they used Hunters more. They drove back home holding hands in the car. Since the seats at the front were joined and the car was automatic they could sit as close as they liked in the car. They sat in a the living room just holding each other very close for hours.
"When is you next meeting with the New Charter?"
"Next weekend. I'll be gone for a couple of days."
Morgan stuck her bottom lip out and she looked like a 4 year old child, "Can't I come with you?"
"No. You are needed here. Nothing will happen I promise." Ever since 19 years ago when the ferry went down thinking that Hunter had been killed she was afraid of letting Hunter travel a lot. But she knew nothing would happen as Iona had been killed, the only person other than him who knew his true name.
"I know I'm sorry I can't help worrying though."
"I understand, love" Hunter said gently pulling her chin up and their lips met in a kiss sending shivers through each others souls.
Later in the evening Hunter and Morgan got changed into their robes. Hunter told Morgan to wear her mother's old robe. She did as instructed because she usually wore one a beautiful dark shiny purple robe. Hunter drove them over there. When they got there the circle was already drawn. The Riordan family Anthame was on a Anthame stand in the center of the circle.
Katrina came over almost immediately when they arrived, "I'm sorry about not telling you Morgan. But tonight was the night that your Mother took over Belwicket years ago so we decided to make you High Priestess tonight. Hope you don't mind?"
"No." Morgan said slightly shocked. The people of the coven was already there waiting to begin. They all entered the circle after Morgan and Katrina. Morgan quickly kindled the fire with her mind so the small breezes won't blow the flame out. Katrina quickly shut the circle invoking the elements tracing runes for the particular rite which were Beorc for new beginnings, Eloh for protection, Ur for strength and Wynn for Harmony and happiness.
"Goddess and God we ask you to be with us tonight. Here tonight within the circle of Belwicket we have chosen a new High Priestess…Morgan Niall. May her journey of teaching us and guiding us in your path of righteousness be filled with happiness and certainty." Katrina said.
Katrina quickly drew a pentagram around the stand using the Riordan Anthame. The people were chanting their personal power chants. The pentagram drawn then glowed with a bright azure light. When the Anthame was placed back on the stand a beam in the shape of the star burst from the Anthame. Morgan came forward and when the azure light faded slightly she placed her ring finger and index finger on the blade under the initials of her family. When powers flooded her body flowing from the Anthame to her and back again. When she rose back to her feet and the Anthame now glowed with her initials. MN. Morgan Niall. The azure light winked out leaving everyone cheering. Hunter ran over to her and picked her up and twirled her around in the air.
"I'm so proud of you" Hunter said stroking her face.
"I feel really drained." Morgan said practically leaning on Hunter.
"Yeah. Everyone has to carve initials into the Family Anthame for becoming high priestess. It's just basically to see if someone can handle that much power." Hunter explained.
"Yeah. I just want to go home." Morgan said.
"Sure. Come on" Hunter said helping her to the car. Once parked outside the house Morgan walked shakily up the front path. Hunter followed quickly ready to catch her if she fell. Straight away when they got in Morgan went to bed followed immediately by Hunter.
Once Morgan was sure hunter was asleep she crept downstairs into the circle room where she silently lit a candle and stared into its orange flame. She quietly chanted her scrying chant which she had used for years to aid in her scrying.
She cleared her mind of all lingering thoughts and opened her mind to the knowledge of the world saying she was silently ready to accept the knowledge shown. The candle had turned into a small wax mirror within the flame and shown a man.
She looked closer willing himself to show her his face. He turned in the flame and smiled. Morgan started at him and she knew him but couldn't place his name.
He is so familiar… Morgan thought frustrated. The flame winked out leaving a trail of mesmerizing smoke from its burnt wick.
She turned and then stopped dead in her tracks. The man who was in her scrying vision was right in front of her. She quickly shot a ball of crackly blue witch fire but it went right through him. She gasped in shock and then she realized that he wasn't actually there it was just his image. A vary realistic image.
"Now Morgan that's not very friendly" The man scolded.
"Who are you/. How do you know me?" Morgan asked.
"You don't recognize you own father when you see him? " He said.
"You can't be. He's dead!"
"Well I'm very much alive Morgan. Very much alive and on my way to see you."
"You cant be alive!"
"Amyranth has been working on a spell for years to resurrect the dead" Ciaran explained calmly, "They succeeded and I'm also back at full powers. Believe it Morgan."
Morgan was now shaking with fear. She thought she was free of him forever. Thought her live would finally settle down. She had been wrong. When would she be free from danger.
"One thing I regret. Missing you grow up. Look at you a woman grown up a child above all else. I'd like to meet her, my granddaughter."
"You wont be getting anywhere near her."
"However it's not too late to get what I want." Ciaran smiled ruefully, "We are very close to you Morgan. See you very, very soon" Ciaran promised.
The image faded away like smoke. The last Morgan saw before she fainted was worried green eyes staring down at her. Hunter's eyes.
Morgan woke up slowly. Her head on Hunter's lap. He stared down at her worried,
"What happened love?" Hunter asked helping her sit up, "I heard something fall in the house and came down to investigate and you were standing there talking to nothing."
Morgan sat up and took a deep breath and dispelled negative emotions, "I know how this sound but It was Ciaran. According to his branch of Amyranth they were working on a dark spell to resurrect the dead. He said they succeeded and he is alive again."
"Nothing to worry about though. He had his powers stripped." Hunter said grimly.
"Yes, that's what I said but this spell resurrects the witch at full powers they had before the died if their powers were stripped."
"Oh. That's not good…"Hunter said.
"Right and he is coming to see me again."
"Not to send the dark wave after us again I hope."
"No. I don't think so. I hope so anyway"
"Good. Well all we can do is wait. Your stronger than you were when you were seventeen Morgan so there is no need to be afraid." Hunter comforted.
"Yeah" Morgan said
"Anyway let get to bed. We have had a really long rough day." Hunter led Morgan back upstairs and they both hopped into bed and fell asleep.
Hunter woke up the next morning and moving as slowly as possible disentangled himself from Morgan and put on a dressing gown and ran downstairs. When Morgan woke up he was sitting at the table reading the newspaper with a cup of tea and toast.
"Hey" Hunter said, "Good sleep?"
"Ish" Morgan replied and dragged her self over to the fridge and pulled out a diet coke and put two pop tarts in the toaster. Hunter grimaced visibly.
"Can't you ever eat a proper breakfast?"
"My breakfast is fine, thank you. Don't knock it until you have tried it" Morgan said slowly. Taking a gulp of her diet coke feeling her energy enter her body.
"It's a disgustingly unhealthy breakfast." Hunter reasoned.
"I'm not healthy" Morgan pointed out.
"Yes. I know that all to well" Hunter said standing and moving into the living room. Morgan put down her can and chased after him. Just as Hunter sat down and lay down his tea and grabbed the remote to switch on the TV Morgan lunged at him. Hunter made a 'oof' sound when Morgan landed on him. Hunter after a minute was stroking her long hair. Morgan moved herself so she was sitting on him side ways her head leaning on his shoulder. Hunter suddenly tensed and Morgan then sensed it, someone was scrying to find her. She looked into a corner of the room and said one quick Gaelic word, which cut the scrying vision straight off.
"Anyway, I'm going to get my breakfast." She hoped off Hunters lap nipping his ear with her teeth. When Morgan came back she sat down back next to Hunter and started crunching on her pop tarts. Whilst watching the news on TV. Hunter then grabbed her and kissed her neck.
"There is no biting my ear" Hunter teased.
"Why not its funny?" Morgan smiled.
"It hurts"
"Aw poor baby" Morgan said simply.
Later after they got changed they left to go and pick Sky up from the airport. They were waiting in the car for ages when she finally arrived.
"Sky!" Morgan and Hunter shouted at the same time.
"Hey" Sky said coming up smiling.
"You sit in the front with Hunter. I'll go in the back" Morgan said and they all hopped in the car and drove back to the house.
Morgan was silent for the drive thinking about Ciaran. She was ecstatic that he was back alive. She hoped that they would get to know each other like a proper father and daughter. But she knew that would never happen. Ciaran wanted her to join him more than anything. She had already chosen her path and that was goodness, with Belwicket. What could Ciaran possibly want with her now?
"Morgan?" Sky said waving her head in front of her face.
"Oh sorry. What?"
"Hunter just told me about Ciaran. You alright?"
"Yeah. He hasn't exactly contacted me yet, I'm not as worried about facing him anymore."
"Well you don't fight battles alone, no need to worry" Sky drumming her fingers on her leg.
"Hunter been a good boy then?" Sky asked Morgan winking.
"Yeah he has" Morgan said ruffling his hair.
"I'm always good!" Hunter protested.
"Sure" Sky and Morgan said in unison.
Hunter just laughed and paid attention to the road. They continued talking till they made it home. Morgan said she could have the guest room. Then the phone rang and Morgan ran to answer it.
"Hello?" Morgan asked down the phone.
"Hello is this Morgan Niall?" A ladies voice asked.
"Yes."
"My son is deathly ill. I heard from my friend what you did for their daughter years ago. I need you to do the same for my son. Please." Morgan worked as a healer. Hired by the New Charter to act a healer. For both Human and Witch.
"Hold on one moment." Morgan said covering the mouthpiece, "Hunter, Get my diary"
Hunter nodded and ran off and bought back a thin brown diary. She quickly flicked to this month.
"My I ask your name?" Morgan asked.
"Yes. Its Alannis."
"Where do you live?" Morgan asked.
"I live just outside Cobh. I asked the doctors to move my son into our house where he will be more comfortable."
"What exactly is your sons illness?" Morgan asked.
"He did once have cancer. He had to get a transplant and now his body has identifying him as being foreign and now is attack his immune system. He could die I'm terrible worried."
"OK. Well since you living outside Cobh that's convenient because it's close to my house. Email me directions to your home and I will be able to come tomorrow. That alright with you?"
"Yes! Certainly! What time should I expect you?"
"Roughly mid day" Morgan answered.
"Any fee for doing this?"
"No. Not at all."
"Well thank you very much."
Morgan quickly gave Alannis her email address and said goodbye and hung up. When she came back and Hunter and Sky were talking in the living room.
"What was that about?"
"A lady calling for my healing work. Im going to outside Cobh tomorrow. I won't be back till around seven- eight ish."
"Don't wait up?" Hunter asked.
"Yeah. I may get home sooner, I don't know."
"So then where's Moira?"
"She moved out. Living with Ian. Its not far from here actually we visit regularly" Morgan answered.
"I'll go get started on dinner" As it was around 5 in the afternoon.
"I take it as he does the cooking still?" Sky laughed.
"I do my own share in the work, e.g. cleaning and purifying the house. Since Hunter is usually at Charter meetings I do all the spell stuff in the house. Partly its because I'm the strongest power wise out of us two. Plus Hunter doesn't seem mind cooking. Plus I eat what he cooks."
"Yeah."
"How's Daniel?"
"He's doing alright. But he is very old for a witch, I don't think he has a long time left."
"And Alwyn?"
"She is doing fine. Both her children have been initiated. So she is taking it easy." Sky smiled.
They sat talking until Hunter shouted them through for dinner. They all spoke about how their lives have been since last time they saw each other.
"I actually wanted to ask you two if… I could stay here longer than usual."
"Sure we don't mind but why?" Hunter asked.
"I just broke up with my recent boyfriend and he basically kicked me out the house so I basically have no where to live. I blew most of money in my account just to get here. So you don't mind do you?"
"No. Stay as long as you like." Morgan said.
"Thanks. I will get some place soon."
"Oh Sky did I tell you." Hunter said breaking a few moments of silence, "Morgan finally became High Priestess."
"Seriously!" Sky gasped.
"Yeah. The ritual was last night very intense. We both felt drained after. Morgan mostly."
"Well the ritual is draining for everyone especially the new High Priestess" Sky said, "Well anyway. That's fantastic!"
"Thanks" Morgan smiled. Then she looked down and said nothing.
Hunter looked at Sky and shrugged. Sky nodded and they both looked back at Morgan. When Morgan had finished she washed her plate over quickly with water and then put it in the dishwasher. Then she went into her store cupboard and pulled out the Riordan Anthame. Katrina returned it this morning while they were out. She pulled it out and exited the house.
"What wrong with her?" Sky asked.
"I really don't know. She has been like it since Ciaran contacted her but tried not to show it."
"I feel sorry for her. She really hasn't had a good life since discovering her heritage,"
"Yeah." Hunter sighed.
Later Morgan came in and switched on the computer a checked her email. The house she had to go was literally right outside Cobh. She printed out the directions then got her stuff she may need and put it in the boot of her car and spelled her car so it couldn't be opened or broken into unless it was her or someone related to her. When she went back inside. Sky was upstairs and Hunter was in the living room looking at the TV screen. He looked up when she came in and smiled that never failed to make her shiver.
"Come here" Hunter said holding out his hand. Morgan took his hand and sat down next to him so their bodies touched.
"What's wrong?" Hunter asked switching off the TV.
"I can't explain it." Morgan said, "But there is nothing really wrong. Just me thinking a awful lot, that's all."
Hunter looked at her she seemed truthful but Hunter knew her too well to know there was a lot she wasn't saying. He decided not to press on it. Soon after a while Morgan announced she was tired and her and Hunter took off to bed.
Hunter woke up first and then he woke up Morgan. They soon heard Sky plodding down the stairs Morgan sighed and then got up. Morgan got dressed in jeans and a plain colored T-shirt. She brushes through her long brown hair and then was the last to arrive downstairs.
Sky pointed over to the side where there was a mug of tea and toast waiting for her. Morgan laughed and took the tea and toast for a change of her usual breakfast.
"Goddess Morgan has actually had a proper breakfast for a change." Hunter teased.
"I do eat this sometimes and you know that." Morgan laughed.
Later after breakfast was done Morgan said her goodbyes to them both and ran out to her car and got in a followed her directions to Alannis's home. Around a hour of driving and getting lost she pulled up in front of her house. It was a beautiful home. The front walls decorated with vines and the gardens were gorgeous full with plants and bushes. No weeds in sight.
She got out of her car and just pulled out a chunk of garnet and petalite to aid in her healing rite. She wasn't sure if she could use anymore of her usual tools. Garnet is a general healer and most healers use it in rite. Petalite she was taking to help in ways to cure the cancer he had.
She knocked quickly on the door and Alannis answered. She looked around the same age as Morgan did. She had fair blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. She was quite plump but she was very pretty nonetheless.
"Morgan Rowland's. Thanks for coming."
Morgan cast her senses and she didn't pick up on any Witch vibes.
"Hello."
"Please come in. Can I get you anything? Tea?" Alannis offered.
"Not right now thank you" Morgan declined kindly, "Where is your son?"
"In his bedroom." Alannis said and led the way to the room. There was a little boy must be about 13 years old. Morgan walked to side of his bed and rest a hand of his head. She cast her senses out towards him and she jumped back in surprise. He was half Witch and unaware of it. She quickly slipped the huge chunk of garnet under his pillow and placed the petalite in his hand a closed his fingers around it.
She looked towards Alannis and smiled reassuringly, "Whilst I do this please I ask do not touch or talk to me."
Alannis nodded and went a bought a chair back for Morgan. Morgan sunk into deep meditation and sang her power chant softly in her mind calling her magick to her from her ancestral family. She placed her hand back of Alannis's sons head and sent a huge wave of healing. She then joined with his mind seen everything that had happened to him. She found a tight coil and began to unravel it with spells. She felt blood cells return to their usual state. She changed the white blood cells to match the blood cells his body gave off. She smoothed swollen blood vessels and found his immune systems and healed that thoroughly of the damage done by his own body. Then using the aid of the petalite crystal she found the left over traces of cancer and destroyed them making his body cancer free. Then she sent her senses out searching for his conscious. It was asleep not wanting to awake. His name came to her it was James.
"James are you there?" Morgan asked in his mind.
"Who are you?"
"It's time to wake up now. Your mother is here waiting."
"I can't it will hurt to much."
"Not as much as before I promise. Come on now, you mother is waiting to see you." Morgan sent one last healing spell his way and removed her hand from his head and she sagged in the chair feeling drained and exhausted. She looked over to his mother and nodded. Just then James started to breath and his eyes fluttered open.
"James!" His mother cried in happiness and clutched his hand.
"Mum" He said weekly.
Morgan smiled and she stood up shakily and then started to walk out the house. Alannis chased up to her.
"Wait! I don't know what you did but for the rest of my life I wont be able to thank you enough. So please take this as payment." Alannis handed her a check for one hundred.
"No. Please I cant accept it"
"Please take it. I insist."
Morgan stood for a minute debating weather she should or not, "Very well then. Just make sure James gets better." Morgan said.
"Thank you very much" Alannis said, "I'll show you out." Morgan quickly glanced at the clock. She got here at 12 and it was now 6 pm! Time always had impression during healing. She left the house and walked shakily back up to the car. She fished her car keys out the pocket and looked up again and stopped dead her eyes wide. Leaning against her car was Ciaran.
