A Witch's Life Read online

  “Everyone possesses something that makes them unique and all people have gifts they may simply not have stumbled upon yet.”

  “Aye, well some never ever discover that gift, Alainn, but I do appreciate your kind words.” She seemed eager now to carry on with her life’s story and so Alainn listed intently.

  “Immediately after Cormac and I were wed, he was much desirous of me giving him a son.”

  The woman grew quiet and Alainn felt spurred to continue the conversation.

  “I am told you have six lovely daughters.”

  “Aye, they were fine, healthy girls, grown women now, all wed and living far from here. I haven’t seen any one of them in some years now, and I’m not apt to see them again. They bear no warmth toward me or their father. Cormac wasn’t a harshly cruel or unkind father to our daughters, but he was entirely disinterested, and always his deep discontent was evident. He wanted a son, and showed much disfavor in me when I couldn’t give him his heart’s desire.”

  “So you bore no boy-children?” Alainn questioned the woman instead of using her powers of perception.

  “I bore seven boy-children.” The woman revealed with a coolness in her tone and a far-off look in her eyes. “The first lived months, the second weeks, the third days, the fourth mere hours and the last three were born still. They all seemed affected by some type of malady that only claimed the male children. The only males my mother birthed all fell soon enough to the same affliction.”

  “I am much regretful of your pain and your great loss, Maire,” Alainn whispered as she gently touched the other woman’s arm in understanding.

  “And I yours, Alainn.”

  They were silent for a time, but soon the older woman spoke on.

  “I did not care to be thought of as the poor unfortunate woman who could not produce healthy boy-children, the pitiful woman who could not earn her husband’s favor. I loathed having tongues wag of my obvious shortcomings. I despised being pitied. And so, I became embittered and angry and sorely unpleasant. My tongue grew sharper and my temperament less cordial with each passing day.

  I became known as a most challenging, difficult, and disenchanting woman. People avoided me for they thought of me as a spiteful, mean-spirited woman, with no kind regards, with not a caring bone in my body, but they did think of me... they most assuredly thought of me. It set me apart from others and they will surely remember me, Alainn. When my time on this earth is done, I will be remembered for something, at the very least I shall not soon be forgotten.”

  “You speak the truth, Maire, and I’ll not soon tell them ’tis all a ruse to protect your tattered heart.” She smiled and this time patted the other woman’s hand.

  She saw the large tears in her usually cold eyes. They looked at each other knowingly and then turned away and quickly drank another hearty goblet of wine. They sat in silence for a time until Alainn spoke once more.

  “I’d be more than pleased to teach you what I know of herbs and remedies for ’tis ne’er too late to learn.”

  The woman beamed at that possibility.

  The wine clouded Alainn’s mind and she was becoming less and less coherent. As she stared out at the crowd of people she was startled to realize she couldn’t locate anyone encircled in the glowing light she’d witnessed earlier. She thought perhaps she’d simply consumed too much drink and it had affected her ability to see the glow that accompanied the powers. She hurriedly skirted the crowd for her grandfather, but couldn’t locate him. Even the two young men who had been trying to outdo one another with magical feats were nowhere to be found.

  Had they all been summoned to another gathering of those who truly possessed abilities or had they been taken? That thought sobered her mind straightaway. She was stunned to see Maire was now sitting completely motionless, frozen like a statue as were all the other people who remained. Alainn attempted to stand but was still dizzy from the drink. She was relieved when Danhoul came to her, but she couldn’t seem to grasp the meaning of his words.

  “Where is your amulet?” she heard Danhoul ask, though his voice seemed distant.

  “I gave it to Killian,” she heard herself answer, but even her own voice sounded faint and unnatural and an unusual darkness swiftly encompassed the entire gathering.

  Chapter Seven

  “We must see you to a safe location, for something is most definitely amiss. A dark magic is present and it seems to have eliminated all those who are capable of magic. All but you and me.”

  “Eliminated?” Alainn asked in a tone filled with dread. “You think my grandfather has been killed?”

  “I don’t know what has happened to him and the others. I did not sense anything untoward until just now.”

  “Nor did I.” Her voice trembled as she spoke.

  Danhoul placed his arm around her and attempted to steer her to the edge of the clearing.

  “Was the grove not warded?”

  “Aye, it was capably warded. I heard your grandfather and several other druids calling the quarters and providing the protection.”

  “We can’t simply leave Maire and the others here.”

  “I don’t believe they are in any danger. They possess no supernatural abilities; therefore, it is doubtful they are of any interest to whatever dark forces are present this night.”

  Alainn looked around the grove and discovered each torch, all the bonfires, and every lantern had been extinguished and the full moon was now completely covered by clouds. The night had suddenly become unnaturally dark.

  Alainn took Danhoul’s hand and spoke. “Hold tight to my hands and concentrate on your magical abilities.”

  “Alainn, we must get you away from here, perhaps to the round tower for it is nearby and has been capably charmed. It will surely be the safest location. Without your charmed amulet you will be in certain peril. I sense the dark one seeks you this night.”

  “Aye, I sense the demon is near, Danhoul, and perhaps the coven of witches from my previous unsettling vision as well. But you must trust me now. Are you able to see the magical glow that surrounds me?”

  He shook his head and glanced all around them as the night grew darker still.

  Alainn pulled him nearer to the pond and when she held tight to his hands, she saw the glow that surrounded each of them had melded and was considerably brighter and more powerful. She nodded for him to look at their reflection as well. His eyes grew wide with disbelief, but obvious relief as well.

  Alainn called out loudly to the night air though she couldn’t actually see any dark entities or untoward creatures. “Do you truly wish to do battle with us this night, demon? For though your powers may be heightened this night, so too are those on the side of light. Return my grandfather and the others at once and then I shall not be forced to direct my abilities toward you and your followers.”

  The dark cloud seemed to shift and Alainn was sure she heard an unpleasant chuckle on the wind. She lifted her nostrils to the air and she smelled the foulness that always accompanied the demon.

  “On Samhain you wish to attempt this? On the anniversary of my birth you wish to test my abilities? On this the night of the full moon you care to begin this clash of powers?” She loudly called out.

  “Alainn, clearly you’ve had far too much to drink. You should not taunt any demon, least of all him when he had attempted to get to you on two separate occasions before, both here and back at Castle O’Brien!” Danhoul whispered in an insistent tone.

  “Come here now, dark demon. Don’t be a damnable coward. Show yourself or be gone with you!” She continued despite Danhoul’s warnings.

  Both Danhoul and Alainn shivered for the hairs on the backs of their necks stood on end. The now noticeably cold wind whistled eerily as the darkness drew nearer to them and the hideous demon appeared before them in physical form.

  “Hold tight to my hands, Danhoul! Do not let go!”

  The demon was a hellishly despicable beast, nearly incomprehensibly so and with the glow from their combined magical fields his appearance was aptly illuminated. His large horns and claws were distinguishable and his cold expressionless eyes and fanged teeth were seen as he grinned at them, but he did not draw near to them or the light that enshrouded them.

  “You would dare to come to a druid celebration during Samhain?” Alainn said once more in a taunting voice.

  “Your druids cannot save you. The lot of them do not possess the powers of one of the witches in my dark coven.” He spoke in deep inhuman voice that chilled her to the bone.

  She attempted to remain calm as she replied. “And is Ciara one of your coven?”

  “Surely with all your many powerful abilities you must be able to determine if the woman, Ciara, possesses dark abilities. I sense you cannot, and I see it is most unsettling to you, young witch!”

  “Where is your coven of witches now?” Alainn chose to ask another inquiry rather than admit, in this instance, the demon was correct.

  “Rest assured, they are nearby.”

  “Aye, nearby, but not powerful enough to cross the warded lands where the druids called the quarters.”

  “Not yet... but soon enough.” His voice was ominously foreboding and it was taking all Danhoul’s willpower to hold tight to Alainn’s hand and not instinctively reach for his sword.

  Alainn stared up into the sky and looked toward the moon. She lifted her head, pursed her lips, and blew upward. Soon the clouds scattered and the moon was clearly revealed again. The demon turned away with distaste at the brightness.

  Alainn envisioned the torches, the fires, and the lanterns around them and soon they were lit and blazing brightly once again.

  The demon dared to take another step toward Alainn and Danhoul and she sensed Danhoul tensing at his disquieting presence. Alainn squeezed his hands and clung so tightly he winced for she had drawn blood.

  The demon’s nostrils flared and he inhaled the scent on the air.

  “The blood of a druid virgin!” The demon’s lips curled in pleasure and he licked them and Alainn was sickened to see he was salivating at the prospect of tasting Danhoul’s blood.

  They both heard the delighted cackling of the coven beyond the borders of the charmed and protected oak grove.

  Danhoul’s eyes grew wider.

  “We must envision brighter light and benevolent power,” Alainn whispered and she stared at the scratch upon his hand and it immediately healed before their eyes.

  Danhoul nodded and in the reflection Alainn saw the combined glow that surrounded them soon doubled and then tripled. The demon stepped back upon seeing this, clearly becoming aware they were gaining power.

  A horse neighed and Alainn’s concentration slipped when she thought of Enbarr outside the grove perhaps at the mercy of a coven of dark witches.

  Had Ciara told the demon Alainn had used her magic against Ciara earlier this night? Was that what caused the demon to come after her to seek her out tonight?

  Alainn turned to look at the direction where she’d heard the horse, hoping the magical steed belonging to a god would be able to defend himself against or at the very least escape a coven of witches. She recalled the distressing vision she had once seen with the demon and the witches. Shylie, the young spirit girl had been with her then. She had barely thought of her when Shylie appeared before them. Her eyes were filled with fear when she looked in the direction of the demon, but she dared to draw near to Alainn and she whispered in her ear.

  Alainn’s own eyes filled with dread at the young spirit’s words of warning.

  “You must go to Castle O’Donnel immediately,” Alainn whispered to Danhoul.

  “I would never dare to consider leaving you here alone to contend with this demon! I am to be your guardian and protector!” he refused.

  “Shylie has told me Killian is even now on his way toward this clearing. If he should enter, I will be consumed with concern for him and unable to direct my attention and my powers toward the demon. Should the demon sense this, he will surely be intuitive enough to use Killian as a bargaining tool by threatening him. We both know that will affect my powers and leave me open to the demon’s own dark powers.” She used her telepathic ability to converse with Danhoul.

  Danhoul stood stock still and wrestled with this decision.

  “Go now and see to it Killian is kept entirely clear of the oak grove. Do or say whatever you must to ensure he does not enter this glade!”

  The demon had backed away, repulsed by the combined light being emitted from Alainn and Danhoul, but he dared to step closer as the two conversed.

  “Do not debate this, Danhoul. Please, you must do as I have requested. I would never forgive myself if something should happen to Killian simply because he has followed me to learn of my well-being this night.”

  “I shall accompany you so that you know his location,” the young apparition whispered as she smiled warmly at Danhoul, but then cowered from the demon when he approached. The demon took obvious delight in this and addressed Shylie.

  “I well recognize the spirit of you, girl. We met so very long ago. Do you recall that day in the woods? It was most memorable for me,” his voice eerily spoke to the female specter.

  Shylie shuddered openly, and Alainn glared at the demon with such loathing, he jumped backward to avoid her accusing stare.

  Alainn knew well enough this demon was responsible for ending Shylie’s life when she was only three and ten. Alainn let go of Danhoul’s hands and determinedly approached nearer to the demon. This time she called to the torches that were positioned nearby and they flew through the air to completely encircle her as she walked toward the demon. Although Alainn most certainly feared fire, the light and heat diminished the demon’s powers. It was clear she was in control at the moment and demon continued to move backwards.

  “Go to Killian, now! Prevent him from drawing nearer!” She ordered Danhoul once more through telepathy.

  Shylie tugged on his arm and his deep reluctance was obvious, but he sighed, placed his hand to his sword, and finally did as Alainn had instructed.

  Alainn wasn’t certain if it was surprise or delight the demon revealed knowing he was now alone with her.

  “What words did you speak to cause your young druid to leave your side when I am here with you? You’d best hope he doesn’t encounter my coven! How they would delight in happening upon a virgin with magical powers on this of all nights!” His voice, though now disguised as velvety and smooth, made Alainn’s skin crawl.

  “Danhoul’s powers are many and he is accompanied by the spirit of a witch. Perhaps your coven should stay clear of them. They make a worthy pair!”

  “You have little fear within you, young witch. Perhaps it is because of your powers, but I think in truth, you lack the common sense you were born with.”

  “And how were you created demon? Were you summoned by a dark master or did you crawl from the depths of hell or the Unseelie Court to pursue me? Demons seldom act of their own accord. What master do you serve, and to what end? Did a dark master order you to take Shylie’s life many years ago? Was it you who was also responsible for placing the recent dark charm on the animals?”

  “I suspect we both have secrets we do not desire the other to learn, young witch!”

  “I have no secrets, demon.”

  She determinedly walked closer to him still surrounded by the torches. The demon waved his hands so that the torches each were extinguished, but as quickly as he did so, Alainn relit them and each time they returned brighter and higher.

  “I tire of this sport, young witch. I see you are capable of creating fire. Is this the only power you wish to reveal this night?”

  Alainn saw the demon cock his head and listen. Alainn did so as well. She heard voices, male voices. Surely Danhoul and Killian. Why had Danhoul not prevented Killian from drawing nearer to the oak grove and the impending danger?”

  Chapter Eight

  Killian had been following the light of the resplendent full moon when he spotted the nearby torches certain he would be led to the druid celebration hosted by Niall O’Rorke on this night of Samhain. Although Alainn had been in a temper when last he’d seen her, and she’d avowed she was parting ways with him to pursue her magic, he needed to know she was well. He believed she would go to Niall for he well knew she respected her grandfather much, but he needed to know for certain.

  The moon had suddenly become shrouded by dark clouds and it was most peculiar for none of the previously blazing torches were now visible. Fortunately, he had in his possession an enclosed lantern. As he held it high before him so he might find his way, he came out from behind a large yew tree, and apparently severely startled Danhoul when Killian came up behind him. He jumped in earnest appearing as skittish as a child.

  “Danhoul, what are you doing skulking about accompanied by no one bar a spirit?”

  “A spirit to whom you owe a great debt,” Shylie cheekily retorted.

  They had little time to continue the conversation for they were interrupted by the sounds of chanting not far from where they stood. Killian immediately withdrew his sword and Danhoul followed his lead. Shylie floated along beside them as the two men stood behind cover of a large tree. They espied nine females, surely witches, all holding hands to form a circle and all chanting in a language unrecognizable to Killian.

  “Do you know what it is they are saying?” Killian quietly questioned Danhoul.

  He shook his head and Shylie shrugged her shoulders as well when he glanced in her direction.

  “Sure, it is not a spell of goodness, light, and magnanimous intent!” Shylie sarcastically suggested.

  As they drew nearer, the witches in the coven each opened their eyes and smiled at one another around the circle as though they had purposely summoned the three.

  “A spirit, a young druid and a most appealing man! This shall be a night to call to memory sisters,” A witch with pitch black hair drawled and she curled her finger as though beckoning them to come nearer.