The Coven

Chapter 4

I waited in the hallway just outside the ceremonial room, I’m the last one to enter. I can hear the roar of the coven inside, I gripped the dagger in my hand and put my hood over my head taking a few deep breaths trying to calm my nerves. The ceremonial room is like one big bowl, everyone sits on the stair like seats while the Council stands in the circle at the bottom of the bowl like room. I walk through the big wooden door underneath everyone, the crowd erupts as I come into view and I raise my hands to silence the crowd. The tall cylinder shaped room was lit by the torches that hung on the pillars of the high arches. The roof was a dome of glass where the moon light poured onto the floor beneath my feet.  I notice my mother, sister and Dim right up front. I meet Dim’s eyes and suddenly my breath returns to normal and my hands stop shaking, he gives me an encouraging nod while mom beams at me.

“Thank you to everyone for coming here tonight.” I spoke loudly to the crowd, slipped my hood down and bowed my head. Long black strands tickled my face as my hair fell around my face and fought the urge to itch my nose. I turn to Erica Elos, representing the element Earth, placing the dagger on her right shoulder. 

“I call upon Earth for strength, I speak to mountains and fields, caverns and forests. I invite you to my circle this night and ask that you join me.” I moved to the next element, Air. I stood in front of Dane Aoelous, representing air.

“I call upon Air for clarity. I speak to the skies, to the winds and to every first breath of life. I invite you to my circle.” I stepped in front of Carenia Belus, for water, “I call upon water for wisdom, I speak to the rivers and rapids, the ocean and the lake. I invite you to my circle.”  I then stood in front of Emery Ignatus, “I call upon fire for passion, I speak to the flames of the sun as well as the flames of a fire. I invite you to my circle.”  Each element I invited to the circle I felt and smelled them around me. After each of them I stood at the center of my circle and raised the dagger to my forehead.

“I ask that spirit join us now, I speak to the trees and the animals, to every soul and spirit in this room. complete my circle.” I spoke firmly as I raised the dagger above my head, the circle is now open. With all the elements together the air in the room changed. It felt as if I was on top of the highest mountain but also submerged in the deepest part of the sea. I could feel a wind tickling every hair on my body, smell a fire burning, my soul within dancing as if it were such a party to be with the elements. Erica, Dane, Carenia, and Emery all stepped away from me as my eyes started to glaze over. There was power within me awaking, I felt it squirm like a baby in the womb. I dropped the dagger and it clanged on the stone floor, my arms fell to my side as my feet floated off the ground. A purple fire ignited at my fingertips that spread to my hands, then my arms until my whole body was a floating purple flame. 

I opened my eyes and realized I was standing in a meadow. The moon was full above me, the meadow glowing under the moon and stars. The sky looked as though it had never seen man made light. Every star shined brightly and an entire galaxy filled with purple and blue floated above my head. I smelled the grass and the flowers around me and heard bugs buzzing by. A dream? I noticed a woman stood in front of me.

“So you are the eclipse witch?” She asked, her voice sounded like whispers overlapping one another. I nodded up at her and realized there were two women behind her. They stood with their back together all facing three different directions. 

“You will be very powerful.” She said looking me up and down. I bowed my head to her.

“Do you know who I am?” She asked.

“Of course, you’re the goddess Hecate.” I replied. The goddess of magic and night. 

“I came to see you this night, you were born with much power and tonight it awakens. I came to congratulate you on becoming High Priestess.” I stared at her, stunned and not sure what to say.

“Forgive me, but do you do this thing often? Nobody told me I’d be visited by goddess and honestly I would have dressed better.” She laughed, it sounded cold and distant. The kind of laugh that gave you chills.

“I don’t do this often, I’m very picky about who I choose.” I sat there like a deer in headlights not understanding what she just said. 

“I’m sorry, what?” I asked, as all three heads looked at me and smiled.

“I am choosing you Priestess River, I will protect you and you may call on me if needed. A power like yours cannot walk the earth without protection.” All three mouths spoke to me and now it's starting to feel like a nightmare. The moon isn't so bright anymore and all six eyes are starting to glow like cats. 

“Thank you, Goddess.” I said, bowing my head again. There was a flash of white light and suddenly I came to. I was laying on the cold floor of the ceremonial room naked. Everyone was chanting and cheering for me. I sat up a little stunned and lost as to where I was. Did that really just happen? My thoughts were quickly distracted when I felt someone drape a cloth around my shoulders. I looked up to see Dim’s proud smile. He led me over to my mother who hugged me tightly and was nearly bouncing with excitement. 

“You did so well.” she shouted over the crowd, “I brought you a second dress just in case.” she handed it to me and I quickly threw it on, realizing it's the same one I had on before. I looked at her puzzled as she shrugged, “I just had a feeling.” She said. 

I decided it was best to keep my experience to myself. I have certainly never heard of a priestess who met a goddess and I believe that'd be worth mentioning. It was probably some kind of dream that happens when your body is overwhelmed with magic. If it were a thing, people would talk about it, right?