Chapter 8: Amyranth
Hunter had left – as I had instructed him to do. I really thought that he was going to go with a much bigger fight. I was shocked (and sort of disappointed) that he didn't fight me – tell me I'm crazy for going against Amyranth by myself. The fact the even Niall had agreed that this was the only way to make sure I don't get myself killed shows that the situation is pretty screwed up. I knew this was a suicide mission, but for Hunter to agree was a whole different story.
I was meeting Ryan for dinner this afternoon. It was just going to be the two of us. Or so I thought. I got dressed into some jeans and a nice top. Something practical, he was unpredictable, and I knew he had something planned for tonight. I walked our the door and walked a few blocks away to the restaurant he had agreed to meet at. As soon as I walked out of the hotel, I regret wearing the heels. I was never a girl for high-fashion and this was particular bad timing for me to wear them.
I greeted Ryan with a kiss on the cheek. We sat down and ordered some coffee. The waitress politely greeted us and handed us some menus. It was a cute little Italian place. Ryan seemed really restless today, so I asked him what's wrong. He said this morning, one of the coven members told him he was going back to England for a while. He told me it was Hunter, and I was so glad that Hunter had done that, and I was hoping he actually did go to England and is not staying around here.
I asked Ryan why this bothered him so much – Hunter hadn't seemed to be one of the people that Ryan was really close to in the coven. He then said "Tonight we're having a circle with another coven, their here from New York. Their very strong, very powerful and their looking for a coven with a lot of power and ambition. We've been talking to them for a very long time, and we finally decided to give them a chance – the problem is they're looking for a coven with 13 members, with Hunter leaving that leaves us with 12 people"
I nervous giggle escaped from me. This was perfect. The New York coven had to be Amyranth. I needed to be the 13th member of Eagruth. Ryan's phone rang, I told him to answer it. It was somebody else from Eagruth "What do you mean Hunter left? Doesn't he know how important the circle is tonight?" It seemed all of Eagruth was really tight about this. Then I heard the magical words "What if we let Katherine become number 13 – she definitely has enough power?" I heard a conversation between the two, they were still speaking kind of quietly and quickly so I really couldn't understand them.
A few minutes later, Ryan returned to the table he had this really big smile on and he asked me "How would you like to come to a circle tonight?"
JACKPOT. I had just hit the jackpot. The plan was starting to role. Tonight I was having a circle with Amyranth.
Ryan continued to explain – the guys were really impressed with your powers last night, and since we are running out of options, we were wondering if you'd like to join us tonight. I can't imagine a better fit then you.
I smiled politely back at him, and I agreed to come tonight. I told him I'd meet him at the store in an hour. I wanted to go back to the hotel and freshen up. He seemed to object but I ignored him. I needed to go back, and add some more layers of protection, and some disguising spells.
The New York cell, knew who I was, they knew I was a powerful witch that used to date a seeker, and that had gotten away from them. My power is recognizable and I'm almost sure they would put the two together. The only thing they really didn't know was that I was Ciaran's daughter, and he was the one that helped escape that night.
I walked back to the hotel, as I was passing the information desk, I was chased down by one of the employees. "Excuse Ms. Matthews you've got a package for you at the front desk" I walked up there and was handed an envelop. The envelop was marked with all sorts of spells, I could see that. I hurried up to my room and as soon as I was through the door. I ripped the envelop open.
These spells were very well done, very neat, and the signature of the spell-crafter was very well hidden. I was starting to get an idea of whom this was from. I pulled off the sheet of paper that was in there it was completely blank. I knew better than that. I grabbed my athame, and pointed it directly at the paper. "Don't get yourself killed Morgan. I'm going to deal with this". As soon as I finished reading the spells were dispersed and I was left holding an empty piece of paper.
I knew the handwriting, and I knew that it had to be Ciaran he was the only one that could find me, and do spells like that. I looked at the envelope, there was no postage, this envelop was hand delivered. Ciaran was in San Francisco, and was about to do something very stupid.
