The Moonlight Circle by Cheryl Anderson (free reads TXT) 📕

minutes ago. Thanks dude I appreciate the help tonight. Oh yea you wouldn't happen to have any of the herb stuff you put on my cuts and bruises last time do ya. I think the school may frown on anymore injuries.”he says with a pleading look in his eyes.

So I reach in to the cabinet above the stove and pull out a small jar that contains a pasty like substance. Its my granddads recipe,a mixture of various herbs used for healing. Its known to heal all scrapes and bruises over night,and usually begins working in minutes repairing all damage down to the the area. After I apply a little over his eye,on his nose,and the massive rising bruise on his right cheek. He gives me a quick hug and heads for the door.

“Thanks for patching me up again Doc.”he says walking out the door.

“Not a problem dude,next time remember to duck and dodge. It does you know good being his punching bag.” I holler,knowing he probably couldn't here me through the closed door.

I plop down on the couch to catch a quick nap before I head out to catch some dinner. Lying there I find it hard to clear my mind. It keeps bouncing between that girl Alexa and Tony. After about an hour of tossing and turning I give up throw my boots back on and head out the back door,running straight towards the forest.


CHAPTER 4   Alliona


“Alliona get in here” I hear my mother calling from the kitchen.

“I'll be right there one sec.”I say tossing my shoes and bag in the hall closet. Strolling down the hallway I cant help but see all the pictures of me growing up. Everything from my Wiccaning to my 16th birthday party,all my most precious memories on display for the world to see. Rounding the corner I can hear my mom huffing and puffing away at something in the room on the other side of the door.

“Ya mom”I say while pushing the door open.

“Who drove you home today young lady”she says with a scowl.”You know my rules and I didn't recognized that young lady who drove you home”.

“I know Momma I'm sorry but today was her first day. Her name is Alexa Boudrogh. She offered to come in and meet you momma but you seemed a little upset so I told her to come by in the morning. Please don't be mad at her.”I say with a pleading look in my eyes.

“I'll let it slide this time young lady but if it happens again I will drive you to and from school just like you were in elementary school again. Am I understood?”She says with that look, you know the one where her hand is on her hip and her mouth so thin it looks almost nonexistent. That look always tels me exactly how serious she is.


“Understood. Thank you Momma. Can I help you with dinner?


“Sure honey, can you run outside and snip me some basil,sage,and oregano I want to spice up the spaghetti I've been working on all day.”with a smile she continues working on the meatballs,humming “The mystics dream” with such compassion and vigor I couldn't help but begin to dance as I headed out to the herb garden through the back door.


I always love coming out here the smell of all the herbs combined is so relaxing. I don't think there is a herb out there that we don't have out here in this sanctuary. I think my mom became a chef to hide the fact that we are descendent's of the Salem witches. continued Alliona

My mom has always been so careful with every spell she does. If there is a way she can bake it into something she will. She says it makes it less obvious, needless to say I have tried some nasty tasting works in progress. Thank the goddess today its just her famous spaghetti. While I was lost in my thoughts I gathered everything she needed without even realizing it. I head back inside to help mom finish dinner. 

 

Tonight is a full moon and I have a ritual waiting for me in the woods. About two years ago Tony caught me performing a ritual while he was out testing these new abilities he was developing. At the time Tony didn't know his mom was a unique person before she died. When Tony told me he was able to see almost three times father and could hear a mouse squeak three blocks away. I thought he was going nuts or that his dad had hit him one to many times in the head. That is till I got home and talked with my mom,she told me Tony's mom Angelica was special.

 

I recalled mom saying "She was a Shifter Sweetheart a unique one at that. Most shifters are Werewolves but Angie came from an almost extinct race of Hawk shifters."

 

 "Are you kidding me mom. I'm not a little girl anymore I don't believe in monster's" I shouted angrily.Standing up to walk away. I remember thinking my mom was making a joke out of my friend being sick.I was so mad. Before I could say anything else my mom gently grabbed me by the arm pulling me back down on my bed. 

 

"Honey I'm not making a joke about this I'm being serious. Angie knew when she got sick someone would need to be able to tell Tony about his heritage." Mom stood up and walked toward the window before she continued. "If and when he started showing signs he had inherited it from his mother. Angie made me promise when the time came that I would tell Him. Then she showed me the full transformation it looked so painful.As an empath I could feel how each bone broke and reformed. It was magnificent and excruciating all at the same time."

 

"Mom are you saying Tony is going to become a hawk during the full moon." I asked.

 

"No Sweetheart he will be able to shift at will, that is once he gets he hang of how to shift." She said almost in a giggle. " Now Sweetheart there is something you can do for him. He's going to need someone there for the first few times, and he trusts you. So your going to need to be there for him. I would do it but he doesn't trust me like enough for something like that." She sighs with a frown. Then said "Heck honey he doesn't even trust me enough to tell me his dad has been beating on him since Angie died."

 

I gasp " Mom you knew and you did nothing. What's wrong with you, he's already broke his arm in three places. Not to mention the fractured cheekbone."

 

"Oh honey but I've done all I can without his permission. I've already made hank pass out if he has more then a beer. Sweetheart you know the rules." She took a deep breathand quotes from the Wiccan Rede. "And harm none do what ye will." She paused in deep contemplation. " Aliona you also know we aren't suppose to perform magic for anyone without their permission. When hes here I've done a block on the house so Hank forgets about him for 24 hours. What else do you want me to do."

 

"You could let me tell him about us, when I tell him about his mom. At least maybe then he will feel its safe enough to ask for help. Goddess mom, I can't believe your just now telling me all this.

 

 

 

Every phase of the moon we do something special as a family.After dark decends Mom allows me to venture into the woods.We have a small plot of land that is deep in the woods.Mom dug a deep firepit in the middle, with a shed that faces north, to help me with directions and element.When I was younger Mom use to join me out there and she would make each ritual seem like a game so I would learn them faster.

 

While I gather the herbs my mom needs,I start gathering the herbs I'll need for my Ritual tonight in a seperate bag.Tonight being a New moon,I make sure to grab a little extra Vervain,Rosemary,and I also grab a White Sage wand handwrapped by my mother and I last fall.The New Moon is a time for New Beginings,Positive Changes,and some say New adventures.In the back of the Greenhouse we have a small walk in cooler to keep some of the harvested herbs fresh, we also keep our main suply of homemade candles we use for all rituals.After collecting one for each of the element.I grab small black one to dispel all negitive energy,a silver one to represent the Goddesses,and a gold one to represent the Gods.I already feel energized and can't wait for tonight.

 

I rush back in the house dropping moms herbs on the counter,before rushing to my room to finish gathering the rest of my supplies I'll need for tonight.Tossing them all in my portable Magick kit(actually an old black leather laptop bag my dad weatherproofed for me)reaching into my nightstand to get my Book of Shadows,and my Athame'.One more quick check to make sure i have everything.I head back downstairs to help mom with chopping and preparing the herbs for dinner.I set the table as mom is getting the salad ready adding in a few extra tomatoes my favorite and some garlic cheesy croutons dads favorite before tossing it lightly and setting it on the table.

 

We finished eating and chatting at about the days events,I dominated the converstion talking about Alexa the new girl and how totally cool she was my dad seemed impressed and wanting to meet her.Mom still a little gun shy, agreed she would meet her the next morning.I look up out the front picture window and notice the sun has set.Jumping up I hurry and clear the table befor turning to my mom and asking "Do I have to do the dishes before I go or can I please do them after."

 

Mom glares at me"No young lady,they need to be done first."Apparently still mad at me.

 

"Oh come on honey,don't be so hard on her.It was just one ride. You know how she looks forward to the new moon."My dad scoops her up kissing her lightly, pleading with her.Coming to my defense like always.My dad has always been my hero against mom.

 

Moms expression softens as it always does when dad is sweet to her."Fine this time you can do them after,but dont let it happen again Alli."

 

"It won't Momma,I promise."Rushing for the front door grabbing my bag.Carefully closing the door behind me to not upset mom any more.I rush to the side of the house where keep my mountian bike fully equipped with headlight,tailights,bag rack and to my horror a set of button opperated blinkers my dad made just for me.I can still hear them in unison"Safety first sweetie, or no night riding you better use them."Seriously its so embarrassing.Then again so is the helmet with refletive strips all over it.I guess it could be worse my dad could