The Secret Circle: The Balance
"A child without courage is like a night without stars."
--Buddist Proverb
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Outside the cozy house, in the fiercely thrashing New Salem rain that came every monsoon season, lightning flashed.
Following close behind it, thunder struck.
The sound startled awake the gentle tawny-haired woman asleep in the curving sleigh bed. Even through the heavy padding of the comforters, it was visible that she was five months pregnant. Her flannel nightgown rustled, and her husband stirred beside her. As if in answer to the commotion, the child in her womb quickened.
She grabbed the tiger's eye by her bed--it was a light, golden color that reminded her of the deepest highlights in her own hair. As she grasped it, she was settled by soothing warmth that made her feel less alone. Reaching for the pouch on the silken cord hidden inside her night table, she slipped the stone in and put the pouch over her neck. Close to her heart, it made her feel a little better. She fluffed her pillow and prepared to settle down back to sleep.
That was when she felt the dark tendrils, almost caressing her head. Once again came the feeling of being totally, frighteningly, alone. She remembered back to when Black John, her father, had attempted to scare and entice them into joining a coven under him. Just sixteen, she and her coven members had stood against him, calling on the powers of nature to destroy him. But now, she wasn't alone. She was here, with her friends and husband, safe and protected on number 9 Crowhaven road. But the feeling disturbed her. She squeezed the pouch around her neck.
Air and Sea, keep harm from me...
Even though the Air and Sea were working themselves into a frenzy outside, she felt them listen and respond. A wave of calm, gentle caring swept over her that was Water's energy, and whisper of sweet dreams blowing from Air. She closed her eyes and visualized a glowing wall of white around her house, Air and Water backing it up, and almost immediately, the black tendrils disappeared slinking away like a squid soundly thrashed. She relaxed in the glowing warmth. If she felt the tendrils again, she would wake Adam up and tell him. But right now, there was no cause for worry. It might be nothing, anyway, and she could tell Diana in the morning. She lay back down, and felt the baby flutter, as if saying, "Hey mom, what's wrong?" In answer, she patted her stomach gently.
"Go to sleep, little one. We'll protect you."
A sleepy voice spoke up beside her. "Talking to him already?" he said, in a tone laced with sweet amusement.
"It makes me feel better. Especially in storms like this."
Adam turned and patted her stomach gently. "There, there, little guy. Time for bed now, Daddy's tired."
"You didn't have to wake up."
"I care about you. I couldn't help it." Cassie turned over on her side and kissed him softly.
"I love you so much." She said.
"I love you, too." Adam said. He smiled that almost-rakish grin of his, and fell asleep again. Sincerely comforted, Cassie dropped off as well.