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Celeste looked pained, as if she'd heard my words in her head. “I cannot, I'm sorry. None of us can. I have to protect my people, and the Moon Witches are not fighters any longer, but you can always return to Lunatera for safety.” She paused, as if she wanted to say more, and I let her have the few moments to decide. “Or just to see your mom, perhaps."
“Of course I will come back for that reason," I said, hiding my disappointment. I'd known what her answer would be, but I'd had to try anyway.
“I truly hope that you can save Kaden,” she said with a kind smile. “I'd love for you to bring him the next time you visit.”
The thought of introducing Kaden to Celeste made something hurt in my chest. "I'd like that too."
Something in the sky caught my eye, and I looked up just as Larkin swooped down at us.
"When do I learn that spell?" I asked.
Larkin grinned at me, her freckles shining under the moonlight. "Hey, you have your gifts, and I have mine." She turned to Celeste. "Did she pass the test?"
"Yes, she did," Celeste said with a warm smile for both of us. "Tomorrow she will become a true Moon Witch."
"Congrats," Larkin said, giving me a hug. "I knew you could do it."
"Mostly thanks to you," I said, squeezing her back. "You're a great teacher."
She bit her lip and tugged on her nearly white hair, which made her look young again. "Is the invitation to return to Earth with you still open?"
My heart raced faster. Was she really considering it? "Of course it is."
"Then I'm coming with you," she said, her eyes shining with resolve. "You've convinced me I can't stay here any longer, wishing things would change without doing anything to actually change them. If I want to have a real life, I have to fight for it." She nudged me in the side. "Besides, you'll need my help. I think I might be able to break your mate bond with Jordan too."
I pressed a hand to my chest as it filled with hope. "Really?"
"I can try at least," she said with a shrug. "Celeste and I have been discussing it and we think we've worked out a spell that could break it. We'll need Jordan to do it though."
"We'll get him, somehow." A huge wave of relief settled over me, along with a dash of newfound hope. "Thank you. I'm so happy you're coming with me, and I'll try to keep you safe. I can't promise anything, but I will do everything in my power to make sure we get out of this alive."
"I had a feeling you would go," Celeste said to Larkin with a sad smile, before turning it back on me. "Take care of each other. You both mean the world to me, and I'll miss you so much, but I've kept Larkin here too long as it is."
As I glanced at my newfound family, I felt a rush of unexpected sadness knowing I would be leaving this place already. As much as I wanted to get back to Kaden and my pack, I would miss Celeste too, and all the other people I'd met in Lunatera. But at least Larkin would be by my side when I returned.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Anticipation made my blood race as I walked onto the beach the next night. I could hardly believe this moment had finally arrived. After all my training, grieving, praying, hoping, and fearing, it was time for me to return to Earth. To my pack. To Kaden.
Many of the Moon Witches I'd come to know were gathered on the beach in a circle, talking in hushed tones as they waited. Tonight they wore the dark purple robes they'd had on when they'd brought me here. As I approached, they turned and looked at me, falling silent.
The moon was full and bright, shining down on the beach and illuminating the serene faces of the Moon Witches. I gazed at Larkin, Muriel, Elsa, Kena, Patricia, Erik, and even Rowena, before finally settling on my mother. Celeste's robe was black and silver, distinguishing her as the High Priestess, and her moon crown glowed atop her long white hair, making her look like a goddess. She stood in the center of the circle and opened her arms, embracing me quickly before directing me to the spot where I should stand.
As I stepped into the center I drew in a deep breath and let the moonlight fill me, stealing some of its power to give me strength. Larkin gave me a quick thumbs-up, which made me smile, and then I faced my mother.
“Under the watchful eye of Selene, tonight you will become one of us,” Celeste said. "A true Moon Witch. Do you accept this as your destiny, Ayla Beros?"
"I do."
She gave me a smile so full of pride it took my breath away. "Then with the blessing of the moon goddess, I invite you to join our coven."
Around me, the other Moon Witches began chanting softly in ancient Greek. It wasn't a spell, but more of an intonation—a prayer to Selene to bring me happiness and power, and to let the moon always shine on my face. Celeste raised her arms and began chanting too, and the moon illuminated her like a spotlight. She let it surround her, making the air sparkle almost like snowflakes, and then pushed the magic toward me. As the moonlight hit me, it washed over me like a cool wave, dancing across my skin, before swirling around one of my fingers. When I raised my hand, a new tattoo had appeared along my middle finger of a crescent moon and a tiny star. Marking me as a Moon Witch, like my Ophiuchus symbol marked me as one of their pack.
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