Chancellor Kelly stood in concern.
"Asher," I shouted. "Now!"
He squeezed his eyes shut and sent a ripple of calming energy through the audience, instantly creating a mellow, pleasant vibe among them. Apologies flew in every direction as everyone found their balance again.
Wide eyes and loud chatter proved their intrigue by the power of what had just occurred.
I looked to Noah then and nodded.
He smiled like the Cheshire cat and closed his eyes. Concentrating hard, he sent his force into the crowd. Instantly, their noses perked up, sniffing at the air with tantalized gasps. Then they smacked their lips, tasting the most amazing sensations they'd ever experienced.
Laughter broke out in the crowd as they enjoyed the unexpected experience of Noah’s long-hidden gift.
I glanced around our circle then, ready to give the nod to finish up, when I noticed Hattie's eyes rolling back in her head.
"Hattie!" I cried, dropping Clayton's hand.
I shook her shoulders, trying to snap her out of the trance, but she remained in her catatonic state. As if on auto-pilot, her arm reached out creating small circular motions.
The sky darkened as my panic rose higher.
"Clayton." I turned to him. "She's opening a portal."
We all surrounded her, to shield her from the view of the crowd as they waited for more entertainment.
As the sky grew even darker, I looked up and watched as the moon began to cross in front of the sun.
"It's happening," I cried.
As everyone on the field noticed the start of the eclipse, I looked back at Hattie and watched in horror as she generated a swirling circle in front of her.
"It must be the power of the Ring of Fire," I choked. "And the energy of the crowd. It's allowing her to open a portal outside of the realm of the labyrinth."
Complete darkness settled around us, and gasps of awe filled the air as the Ring of Fire presented its celestial perfection above us.
Orange and red flames shot out around the edges of the shadow of the moon, creating a circle of exquisite fire. Its unearthly beauty was surreal as it marked the first day of the season of the witch.
As the moon crossed to the far side of the sun, the ring disappeared causing everyone to look away from the brightness.
All eyes fell on the stage again, as Hattie continued to generate her portal. Her arm moved in larger circular motion as the smoky circle grew in size. It got bigger with every rotation and the swirling mist burst opened into a massive window to another realm.
The crowd gasped in shock, and grew silent, staring.
The Higher Order stood and stepped closer, preparing an attempt to shut it down.
Hattie had never created such a huge portal before and we jumped back, not knowing what kind of power it held.
As everyone stared in wonder, a voice escaped the gateway and burst across the vast lawn.
"Are you there?" the voice called out.
My spine stiffened as I recognized its sound without question.
"I sense you are there," it called out again.
I stepped closer and gazed through the whirling opening.
Before I could fully process what was happening, I cried out, “Ms. Reed!”
Clayton jumped to my side and held my arm firmly.
"Don't get too close. It could suck you in," he warned.
"But I see her!" I cried. "Ms. Reed!"
As soon as I called her name, the Higher Order rushed over to the edge of the portal. The students and graduates in the audience cried out to save her.
Without hesitation, I reached in.
"Take my hand," I called into the abyss. "Reach for it."
Clayton’s grip on my arm tightened as his other hand wrapped around my waist.
"I'm trying," Ms. Reed called from a million miles away. "You're fading."
The eclipse was ending and Hattie's hand slowed in its spiraling.
Panic soared through me as I reached farther in.
"Can you see me?" I screamed.
With no answer, I twisted out of Clayton's grasp and launched myself into the portal.
"Noooo," Clayton's voice followed me through the vortex of mind-shattering energy and became lost in the chaos.
I reached my arms forward as my feet kicked under me. The rush of wind and shuddering vibrations disoriented me, causing me to lose my sense of direction. Grabbing for anything, I finally hit something solid.
In an instant, it grabbed me back
"Shaye!" Ms. Reed's voice filled my soul with joy. "Quick!"
She turned us toward the closing portal.
Racing against the force of the wind funnel, we blasted toward the thickening fog.
"Hang on," she cried, jolting me forward.
As the portal trembled in its shrinking size, I caught a glimpse of the other side.
Clayton and Chancellor Kelly hung at the edge of the gateway, reaching in. Their terrified gazes shot my adrenalin to its maximum.
Ms. Reed and I stretched our hands out, and in an explosion that detonated every nerve in our bodies, we quaked through the portal like a cosmic wormhole.
In a blast of light and heat, we shot out of the smoke as the portal closed behind us with a vacuum seal. Landing in a heap, we stared in amazement and threw our arms around each other.
"I knew you'd find me one day," she cried.
Speechless, I stared at her beautiful face. Her long black braids appeared more like dreadlocks now, but her deep brown skin still glowed luminously.
Finally finding my balance, I turned to the others with gratitude and waved them over.
Clayton kneeled by me, panting from the terror he'd just experienced.
Hattie stepped closer, studying Ms. Reed.
"Ms. Reed," I said. "I'd like you to meet my sister, Hattie."
Clayton jolted from my words.
"She generated the portal." Then I looked at the rest of my coven. "Actually, they all helped. It was a combined effort.”
She nodded, looking into Hattie's eyes with profound thanks.
Hattie’s eyes narrowed as she gazed at Ms. Reed.
"Are you the woman who led me through the portal when I first arrived here?" she asked.
Ms. Reed smiled with a nod. "Yes, dear. That was me."
And in that moment, all of Hazeldene rejoiced the return of Ms. Reed.
And it was the greatest Fire Festival Hazeldene had ever seen.
*continue reading for the thrilling cliffhanger that leads to Book 2.
Epilogue
Sitting by the enormous fireplace in the study, Clayton and I sniffed the rich scent of leather and centuries-old cigars that lingered in the intricately carved wood furniture.
Clayton had his hand on my knee with a solid, unflinching grip.
I glanced at it with a grin.
"What? I'm sorry," he snipped. "I'm still a bit traumatized from you going through that portal. I don’t want to lose you again.”
I chuckled quietly.
"I know. I'm sorry. That must have been terrifying to watch."
He shook his head. "I imagine it was terrifying from your perspective, too.”
And he wasn't wrong.
Blasting into the portal to save Ms. Reed was terrifying. But I never hesitated in my actions. I saw the opportunity to help her and I took it.
My faith in Hattie and the others was certainly what had allowed me to take such a risk. I knew in my heart they'd be able to get us out somehow if the portal had closed.
Then the massive mahogany doors to the study pushed open. The Higher Order entered with spine-straightening formality. Their polished regalia, including ornate talismans hanging from their necks, accentuated the serious nature of the meeting.
No other faculty members followed. Just the three of them. The original members of the Higher Order.
Chancellor Kelly, Housemother Harrison, and Headmaster Reed.
"Thank you for meeting with us," Chan
cellor Kelly began as they sat on the leather chairs across from us. "We were hoping for an opportunity to speak with the two of you about the future of Hazeldene."
I took a long, deep breath.
At first, I was glad it wasn't more questioning about what had gone on at the trials and then at the festival. We'd been exhausted enough by the numerous inquiries at this point.
"Okay," I said, as we both nodded.
Chancellor Kelly smiled and continued.
"Your coven is very powerful. It has created its own hive, split from the rest of the students here. We call that a third degree initiation. And now, the new coven will require the naming of its High Priestess." She looked at me as if there were no question on that matter. "And the High Priestess leads jointly with a High Priest." She glanced at Clayton and then back at me. "To be determined by the Priestess."
I grinned, making it obvious who my choice would be.
"What you have created is a Wiccan coven, and it must be honored by the ritual of the Drawing Down of the Moon. A winter summoning."
Clayton and I nodded in agreement, knowing that our new coven would need to go through a formal initiation. The thought of it actually happening, though, was mind blowing.
I wondered then what else the Higher Order had to discuss with us, assuming there must be more. Now that they’d recognized our coven as a new coterie within the academy, our responsibility would likely grow as well.
"And now, we need your help," she stated.
We sat taller, giving her our full attention.
"You already know we have enemies here at Hazeldene. Those who want to shut us down or do us harm. We hope you will be able to assist us in defending what we hold so dear."
I thought of Josie first and the evil banshee, then Miss Rosco. They’d generated a lot of trouble for Hazeldene and weren’t finished yet by a long shot. But, judging by the intensity of the meeting, I had to assume there was more that I wasn’t yet aware of.
"Of course," I answered without hesitation.
I would do anything to defend Hazeldene and everyone within it.
"But first, before accepting, you must hear what Ms. Reed has to say," Chancellor Kelly added.
I glanced at Clayton with uncertainty.
Ms. Reed leaned in closer, placing her elbows on her knees. She glanced from me to Clayton, as if reading the energy between us.
"You have accomplished your training, Shaye, beyond what anyone could have ever expected," she began. “You are powerful and have mastered the mystical arts to the point where you can grow it on your own now.” She paused and took a breath. “Shaye, you now have the option to leave Hazeldene."
I shook my head in offense, as if she'd just sworn at me.
"No. I would never leave Hazeldene. I belong here."
My heart pounded in my chest at the thought of ever having to leave.
Clayton placed his hand over mine as if to keep hold of me, hoping I wouldn’t choose to go.
Ms. Reed nodded in understanding. "Yes, Shaye. But your family sent you here for a very specific purpose. Your training. And now that it is complete, they are ready for you and Hattie to return home."
The End
<<<<>>>>
I hope you enjoyed MYSTIC COVEN - Fire Festival
The first in a four-book series.
Please click to leave a brief review
Next up:
MYSTIC COVEN - Winter Wiccan
MYSTIC COVEN
Book One-FIRE FESTIVAL
Book Two-WINTER WICCAN
Book Three-PAGAN PROPHECY
Book Four-SOLSTICE SUMMONING
Click for MYSTIC COVEN-WINTER WICCAN
When a rogue witch tries to find her way, she knows the winter solstice offers the longest, and most magical night of the year--Bring on the winter wiccan in the season of the witch.
One-click to join the Mystic Coven on a page-turning adventure of ancient magic and elusive portals.
Click for MYSTIC COVEN - Winter Wiccan
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Also, enjoy a free copy of Rockfleet, the prequel to Jennifer Rose McMahon’s Pirate Queen series.
AN ANCIENT CURSE. A RELUCTANT SEER.
A LEGEND REVEALED.
Cursed with the gift of second sight, Maeve travels through her haunting visions to medieval Ireland to discover mysterious secrets within her clan – secrets that could change her life forever.
Maeve must face her unseen enemies in a final attempt to protect her clan from obliteration. But will the heart-wrenching distraction of the rival clan chieftain’s son derail her before she is able to succeed and return to the future?
In the quest of a lifetime, or centuries of lifetimes, Maeve must make an impossible choice between love and loyalty to end her curse before her time runs out, trapping her in the past forever.
If you knew your gift was a curse, would you use it?
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Keep scrolling for a free sample of
URBAN MYSTIC ACADEMY - FIRST PROJECT
Brynn Douglas always knew she was different. She just had no idea that it could lead to the most amazing year of her life.
Being different was what got Brynn invited into the Urban Mystic Academy. What she hadn't realized was how challenging and dangerous it would be. But becoming a part of the supernatural coven leads Brynn on the adventure of a lifetime, filled with magic, voodoo, time portals, and romantic intrigue.
What she hadn't considered was the possibility of not surviving the academy through graduation
FIRST PROJECT: Explore Hell's Gates.
Can the legend of Hell's Gates be exposed by the project deadline, ending the curse that has upended Brynn's world? Or will her rogue response to the haunting Dark Witch, as well as the heart-wrenching distraction of two academy boys, stop her dead in her tracks?
If you love G.K. DeRosa's Darkblood Academy, as well as Bella Forrest, K.F. Breene, Sarah J. Maas, and Jaymin Eve, you will absolutely love this complete six-book series. Keep scrolling for a free sample.
MYSTIC COVEN - Winter Wiccan
Click for MYSTIC COVEN - Winter Wiccan
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Jennifer Rose McMahon is a USA Today Bestselling Author who has been creating her stories since her college days abroad in Ireland. Her passion for urban legends, ancient cemeteries, abandoned asylums, and medieval ghost stories has fueled her adventurous storytelling, while her husband’s decadent brogue carries her imagination through the centuries. When she’s not writing about castles and curses, she can be found near Boston in a local coffee shop, yoga studio, or at the beach… most often answering to the name ‘Mom’ by her fab children four.
www.jenniferrosemcmahon.com
[email protected]
Also by Jennifer Rose McMahon
URBAN MYSTIC ACADEMY SERIES
Urban Mystic Academy: First Project
Urban Mystic Academy: Second Project
Urban Mystic Academy: Third Project
Urban Mystic Academy: Fourth Project
Urban Mystic Academy: Final Project
Urban Mystic Academy: Graduation
MYSTIC COVEN SERIES
Mystic Coven: Fire Festival
Mystic Coven: Winter Wiccan
Mystic Coven: Pagan Prophecy
Mystic Coven: Solstice Summoning
ASYLUM SAVANT SERIES
The Shuttered Ward, Book One
The Excited Ward, Book Two
The Forgotten Ward, Book Three
IRISH MYSTIC LEGENDS SERIES
Legend Hunter, B
ook One
Curse Raider, Book Two
Truth Seer, Book Three
PIRATE QUEEN SERIES
Bohermore, Book One
Inish Clare, Book Two
Ballycroy, Book Three
Rockfleet, Prequel (best read as Book 2.5)
Sample of Urban Mystic Academy
Purple dye dripped off the ends of my hair, creating bold splatter patterns across the porcelain sink. I pulled my fingers through the full length to be sure color coated every strand. Staring into my unimpressed eyes, I told the mirror, "You can do this. Again."
Moving to another school should have felt natural at this point. I'd done it enough times—once a year, practically. Mom always decided to move during the summer months to make the transitions smoother. I was supposed to believe that was thoughtful of her. But the truth was, it felt more like we were running from something at every turn. Our landlords were always ready to call the sheriff, in hopes of getting some rent for a change. Mom wasn't the best at keeping up with such trivial matters.
So, here we were again. A new town. Another chance for a new identity. A fresh start.
No thanks.
That might have sounded good freshman year, but I was a senior now. I didn't need any more fresh starts. I was ready to get on with my life and leave all this crap and uncertainty behind me. I'd figure out what to do on my own, once I had my diploma.
Fortunately, I understood that my education was my power. Without it, I'd remain trapped in this cycle of dysfunction forever, and there was no way I'd settle for that. I even had a twisted pipe dream of attending college... somehow.
But for now, I decided I would stick with my usual plan for my new school. I'd keep my head down, ignore everyone, and just get through the next one hundred and eighty school days to my freedom.
Mystic Coven: Fire Festival (Supernatural Academy Graduates Book 1) Page 21
