Chapter 9: Wolf

I sat calmly on the bed. Ciaran was here, was he crazy? I felt furious. I couldn't concentrate with him here. I was scared he was going to leap out from under the bed. I knew him well enough that he would be furious if he knew what I'm doing. You see, Ciaran and I are pretty similar. We're very stubborn and we have very hot (and loud) tempers. There haven't been many times that we argued, but the times we have it has gotten ugly. I've ended up sending my fair share of spells at him during the heat of the moment (and actually so has he)

I'm pretty sure he knows I'm up to no good. I'm not exactly sure he knows exactly what I'm doing but whatever it is he knows it is not a good idea. I'm prepared to do pretty much anything to make sure Amyranth doesn't get to Killian, or finds out the truth about Ciaran. I couldn't bare him losing everything he has worked for – I knew he was prepared to do that, but I could not watch that, it would always bother me, I'd always have it on my subconscious.

I realized that I was freaking out. I collected myself, and went to get dressed. I changed into some comfortable yoga pants (no zippers or metal buttons), and a cute top. I'm guessing this circle was going to involve some shape shifting. I'm also pretty sure the other night was a trial run. I wasn't going to turn into a wolf while wearing skinny jeans and heels. I put my hair up into a neat ponytail, and then started to weave a layer of hiding spells.

I'm not sure how much the hiding spells worked, I just wanted to distract them. It had been years since I had contact with the New York cell, the last time probably was when the tried to drain my powers when I was in high school. They shouldn't be able to make that connection immediately. I grabbed my jacket and headed out the door.

I walked to the occult store, it was about 9pm, and it was on the chilly side. I was slightly cold, but appreciated the breeze. I walked swiftly and thought about what could've been if my family was different. After tonight everything would change.

I was at the store, and the magick radiating from this place was quite amazing. It would make any blood witch stop in their path. I headed up the stairs. There were a good twenty of people in the room. They were drinking some ceremonial wine and munching. Witches like to munch that was something I knew very well. I really didn't recognize anyone from Amyranth, I caught a glimpsed of Ryan and headed his way. I stood right next to him, and he acknowledged my presence. He was talking to someone I recognized from the circle last night. They both seemed on edge and nervous.

A few minutes later a man stood in the center of the room and said "We all know why were here, let's see what Eagruth is worth". Everyone gathered in a circle and we started the incantations to the goddess. I scanned the circle, and made sure Ciaran was no where to be seen, then I tried to see if I recognized anyone. There were a couple whose faces were familiar, the two older ones, that may have been there in New York.

As far I knew, I don't think the New York cell, or any Amyranth cell knows that I am Ciaran's daughter. I'm not exactly sure who they think I am. Like the other day, we started the shape shifting spell. Going clockwise each person started to shift. The first Amyranth member turned into a hawk. This was the same hawk that I used to see in my dreams. We had some cougars, cheetahs, snakes, a fox, but so far no wolves. It was my turn, I started the process. I felt every bone in my body bend and twist, and soon I was a wolf, standing on all fours.

I saw the gazes of Amyranth fix on me, and that is when I realized how foolish I was. I swore in all the languages I knew, and braced for an attack. I should've realized that my wolf self, is identical to Ciaran's – same coloring and same look. I just stood a couple of inches shorter. Anyone that had ever done a circle with him, would realized the relationship.

At my surprise nobody flinched, but they were all tensed up, ready to launch at me. My fur stood up, and I was ready. We continued the circle, until everyone was transformed. The circle was silent as we each mentally did spells. We continued to work a spell, from what I realized was conjuring a storm around the city. This was a bad storm, would probably cause damage and even casualties. The magick slowed down, and we all remained in our animal form. We started doing the reverse spell, and slowly each transformed into our normal selves.

Before I was fully transformed we were all up in arms. Witch fire was flying back and forth, and I retaliated. Amyranth had placed a "bubble" spell around me, so it was just me and them being affected by these spells. They were trying to put a binding spell on me, but I was too strong. I heard Ryan mumble something, they were trying to send energy spells to me.

The room froze, and we just stared at each other.

Who are you? What's your name?

I weighed my words carefully and responded. "Morgan McEwan. I heard Amyranth is trying to oust Ciaran. I want to get back at him – he has no idea who I am, and neither do you. I want to get back at him for killing my mother and family. He killed my family only to realize that I am one of the few people he has left in the world. I am his family. I want to rid our world of weak people like Ciaran and weak covens like Belwicket – the only thing they are doing is bringing down our name. "

I spoke with icy clarity, they couldn't see my lies for nothing they tried. I sounded so sincere that it actually scared me. I've become my Father's daughter – a great liar and deceiver. Except that I was not working for the council, I was doing this to protect my family, and I would do anything – and this included a lot of illegal magick.

Everyone in the room looked at me in awe, and with almost unity, they welcomed me into their coven. I had put my foot through the door, I had infiltrated Amyranth.