Anna Darling
Page 11
AFTER THE EVENING GATHERING, Anna was drawn to the forest behind their house. She had to get away and clear her head and decide what to do next. First she felt the silence, and then she heard hundreds of birds singing. Under her feet the leaves rustled and crunched. The spicy smell of the earth and the sweet gum trees came with every step she takes. The deeper into the forest she went, the greener the trees were. Dark ferns, a riot of creepers and clinging moss blended in with the dampness and thick fog. Through it all came the last of the evening’s rays filtering through the leaves to light memories. The smell of wild Ginseng tickled her nose.
Dancing with the elements as a devotion to the Goddess. She listened. She responded. She was still, yet moving at the same time. From her connection to Goddess, she became a beacon of soul and spirit, radiating blessings around her and enlivening any being that came into contact with her. She was a natural born beauty and High Priestess of the coven. The Demon and Angel stood watching.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Where Angels Tread
SOME WITCHES WILL CALL upon angels when clearing malevolent spirits that are causing trouble. In addition, they ask their own personal “spirit guides and helpers” to draw close and offer protection. The Archangel Michael is the primary one to call on for protection and strength… Some call upon Michael and other higher angels for general protection in difficult circumstances.
Calling all angels, Anna first called on the angel Michael, protector of the North and the guardian of peace. Next she called Gabriel, protector of the South, who brings strength, hope, and revelation. She called upon Uriel, the protector of the East, said to bring new beginnings and social reform. Calling on Raphael, the healing angel, protector of the West, her heart beat like a drum. That was all she could hear. Heartbeats shouldn’t be this loud, she thought. The archangel Raphael, guardian of our physical bodies, appeared and laid his hand on her shoulder. Slowing her heartbeat as tears rolled down her face, she took a long deep breath to calm herself. Last, she called upon Metatron, the angel of fire and celestial scribe, and Raziel, the proclaimer of the secrets of men.
Anna began her mantra:
“Angels of Heaven
Angels of light
Help me lead my coven
On this night a storm is coming
A demon is loose and we must stop him
All acts of negativity
Will now return threefold to thee Demon
All bad you try to send our way
Upon your own self will hold sway.
All actions, thoughts and words of hate
Become your own decided fate.
By all up high, the worlds and wise
By oceans wide and deep blue skies
By day and night, and powers three
This is my will, so mote it be!”
Anna knew that the more power she could raise before casting this spell, the longer lasting and more profound the spell would become.
“Ancient guardians
Rising in the East
Rising in the West
Rising in the North
Rising in the South
ANCIENT GUARDIANS
Protect this town of Briar Glen
Now there's nothing
Left to fear
ALL OUR FEAR
Can drain away
Ancient guardians
Now hold sway
PROTECT us
In the day
Ancient guardians
Now hold sway
Ancient guardians
Old and wise
Ancient guardians
From starry skies
MANY MORE THAN you can see
Ancient guardians
Arise for me.
ANCIENT GUARDIANS
Protect us now
Take care
Of all things invisible
Ancient guardians
Keep Briar Glen safe
ANCIENT GUARDIANS
Will keep us safe
ANCIENT GUARDIANS
With all your love
Come to us from
The stars above
Come to us from
The stars below
Protect us
And this is so.”
THE ANGEL EVANGELINE and the Demon watched her from the edge of the forest.
“Oh my God, I have never been honored by the presence of the greatest angels ever,” cried Evangeline as she stood watching them appear before Anna.
Duke Dartmoor snarled and let out a big growl. He bit his tongue. This was absolutely the wrong time for his fuse to blow. He retreated into the forest. Climbing the trees and hopping from one to the other. He was infuriated by what the coven had done to his soldiers. He had planned to burn the town down and take over the world. Now he was witnessing the powerful spells of Anna and the presence of the higher angels, he was not sure what he was going to do.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The Gathering
C louds blanketed the sky as the coven members made their way into the forest. In the clearing, surrounded by pines at the old commune, they gathered and marked out their witches' circle. The stage for their magical efforts was set. A traditional bonfire was built and sage was burned. The chanting began and the breeze blew in. Anna was first to go to the center of the circle. She lifted her arms, “Hearken to my words, hear our cry, I call on you from the other side, I wish to speak to you, come to me Duke Dartmoor. I demand you demon, show yourself,” she bellowed.
“I see you’ve found me,” said Dartmoor as he made a show of clicking his long serrated claws together in time with him stomping his hooves in the soil.
Madeline screamed, “You are not the same demon I saw when we collapsed the well!”
“Oh, but I am you fool. I am a Demon and I can take any form I wish. Now that my wings are gone this is my chosen body.”
Anna continued, “Gather around you witches in this circle. Call upon the Goddess and welcome her magic as she dances with you. Call upon the God and fear not his power for within this circle he leads our dance.”
The Demon spat out his cheroot and threw in on the ground. Dancing an intricate tap around the circle he began to laugh. His laugh grew louder and louder almost deafening. Evangeline appeared, “Stop this instance Demon Dartmoor!”
He stopped and glared at the little angel. “And why should I listen to you little one?”
“Because I am the Angel Evangeline as you know. I have been sent here to protect this city. You can leave now. Go somewhere else to wreak your havoc.”
“But I like it here. These fools are easy prey. I know you think the worst of me little angel, but as I told you before, you should join me on the dark side. Really, I’ve grown much attached to you.”
The angel was embarrassed and as much as she hated to admit it she had also grown attached to this demon before her. I mustn’t let it show, I mustn’t let it show, she told herself. “You call me an angel of love and of light, a being of goodness and heavenly fire, I have been sent out from God’s kingdom to guide you and make things right.”
“How can you make things right? You are just a tiny angel, not even an archangel at that. For I am a mighty Duke, commander of legions,” he said as he tapped his dance around Evangeline.
The angel followed him with her eyes as she began speaking in a voice much more powerful then her slender figure implied possible:
“This flame from this altar, this holy love flame, it burns like sweet incense for ever,
Might now be a wild conflagration of shame, had you tortured us, or been base or untrue.
For angels and devils are cast in one mold, till love guides them upward, or downward.”
Dartmoor stopped dancing, and observed her with thought. She smiled and continued:
“The world makes grave errors in judging these things, great good and great evil are born in one breast. Love horns us and hoofs us – or gives us our wings. And the best could be worst, as the worst could be best.
You must thank your own worth for what I grew to be, for the demon lurked under the angel in me.”
“How can you say such a thing? You sound like a poet. I like this side of you.” Dartmoor leaned forward, and grinned happily.
“I sound like a poet?” the little angel blushed. “Demon, I may be little but I am powerful. Don’t ever doubt the things that I say. It just so happens that I have lived on this earth for a good two centuries.
“My sweet Evangeline, you don’t look a day over five hundred years.” He smirked. “Tiny Angel, my heart is beating now for you.”
Anna began her mantra. And the coven followed suit:
“Angels of Heaven
Angels of light
Help our Briar Glen Covenant of Earth Magic,
On this night the storm has arrived.
The demon is loose and we must stop him
All acts of negativity
Will now return threefold to thee Demon
All bad you try to send our way
Upon your own self will hold sway.
All actions, thoughts and words of hate
Become your own decided fate.
By all up high, the worlds and wise
By oceans wide and deep blue skies
By day and night, and powers three
Ancient guardians
Rising in the East,
Rising in the West,
Rising in the North,
Rising in the South.
Ancient guardians
Now send this demon back to where he came from.
Never to return, protect our city of Briar Glen.
Now there's nothing
Left to fear
All our fear
Can drain away
Thanks are to our Father Sky and our Mother Earth.
Thank you Ancient guardians we remain faithful and true.
For now and evermore, this is our will, so mote it be!”
The Demon looked at Anna with an expression of bewilderment, sucking his teeth for a moment before speaking carefully. "Just to be clear, you wish for me to surrender to the light?” He was tapping his way around the circle. “Don’t send me away,” he bellowed. “I’m sure I can do what’s right.” The previous brash coolness was replaced with a humbled connotation that seemed very out of character.
The words weren’t cruel, per se, but they had the same impact as a car wreck. It knocked all the wind from Anna and brought her thoughts to a screeching halt. Her chest ached with the weight of grief, and the responsibility of allowing a demon to live in Briar Glen. It hung heavy on her conscience. She had to make the right decision. She could not believe that he had begged to stay.
The Angel Evangeline appeared next to the circle. “Witches of the Briar Glen Covenant of Earth Magic, this Demon has no where to go. He has lost his wings and his real power. Although he can still shape shift he is unable to rule his forty legions. I suspect he is responsible for the cow mutilation. He could have started killing you humans. You have sent his soldiers back to Hell. Let him stay and I will see to it that he stays in line and walks a straight line.”
Anna addressed the Angel, “Why should we allow him to stay?”
“He is not such a bad guy. He is a fallen angel who prefers to stay here and watch you humans. He and I cannot really do anything now. We are powerless on earth, and all we can do is watch until the most high opens the gates. He has lost everything and wishes to find and seek peace.”
Dartmoor was speechless as he gawked at the little angel and his heart began to soften.
“Is this true, Demon?” Anna inquired.
Before he could speak on his own behalf, Evangeline interrupted, “I know you humans think my life is easy and you may even seek to become an angel too. But I’ll let you in on a secret. It is a hard life being me. I’m the one sent here to protect all of you humans in Briar Glen. The truth is, I never met a demon until I met Duke Dartmoor. I always wished that there existed a demon in the underworld with a good soul. I think I am the only one with that wish. You see, there was a time that all the angels and demons lived together and we were friends. Then the bickering started and our leaders divided us. Some of us had no choice where we ended up. The demons’ wings turned black and angels turned white.” She opened her wings and they glistened a blinding snow white. She drew them in and continued. “Dartmoor needs a second chance. I believe he has a good soul. So please leave him be. If he starts his evil ways I will see to it he returns to the underworld dimension.”
The coven was blown away. It was the first time an angel had appeared at the magick circle. “What are we to do?” whispered Nadine.
“It is for our High Priest and Priestess to decide,” answered Rose.
Anna stood frozen as if in trance. Mark asked the Angel Evangeline to list more reasons why they should allow Demon to stay.
“The truth is,” the angel paused gathering her thoughts, “well, the truth is that Demons and humans have a lot in common. You both have been banned from heaven and are in exile. The major difference is that humans have a second chance. Since demons no longer have conversations with God, they turn to you. And what they talk about over and over is their fall, their exile and damnation. This is all they know. They try to convince humans that Hell is the only way to go, because that is what they experience. So you see, you must let him stay,” insisted Evangeline.
“What do you have to say in your defense, Demon?” demanded Mark.
“Well my good man, let me tell you. I was angry when my legion of forty was sent back to Hell through the portal in the old well. I flew off to the troposphere and landed on a storm cloud. Lightning and thunder were everywhere. I believe the thunder started my plummet to the earth. I was smoldering with anger to begin with, I ignited and went up in flames. I couldn’t breath or see anything. Every bit of my skin was on fire. I understood it was all over when I hit the ground. I wanted to die right then and there, but I was paralyzed. I couldn’t move or do anything. Then that quick,” he snapped his fingers, “it ended and I was in pure bliss. I was finally free of my pain. And that’s all I could think about. I no longer had wings and I could move. I became the creature you see before you.”
Anna pushed her shoulders back and tilted her chin up to look down her nose at the Demon. “Demon, tell us what do you plan to do if we allow you to stay? “She said.
Dartmoor began to tap dance. “You see I have no wings now and I’m stuck here. If you continue your spell I will be sent to the bottom of Hell. I was a Duke. I have become fond of the Angel Evangeline. Won’t you let me stay?”
Anna, as the High Priestess, made her decision. She lifted her arms and said,
“Goddess and Gods
Ancient Guardians,
We ask if the Demon Dartmoor
Should turn to ash or be allowed to stay
Here in Briar Glen?
We want what you want
It is our wish
Give us direction
On this night that the moon is waning
Should he stay or should he go?
Ancient guardians
Old and wise
Ancient guardians
From starry skies
It is up to you
Ancient Guardians of the west
Ancient Guardians of the East
Ancient Guardians of the North
Ancient Guardians of the South
Thanks are to our Father Sky and our Mother Earth.
Thank you Ancient guardians we remain faithful and true.
For now and evermore, this is our will, so mote it be!
At that moment a silver light surrounded the Demon. He was dancing when he suddenly stopped short, doubled over, and fell to his knees. A loud, almost deafening ripping noise emitted from Dartmoor. The back of his shirt tore open, and his skin started tearing away from his back. Two small wings appeared. They were white with black speckles. His dark heart started beating and his emotions returned. He had his wings back and they w
ere no longer black, nor bat-like. He was overwhelmed with gratitude for he was given permission to live on earth.
The witches were stunned and on the verge of protest. Anna raised her arms and ordered the witches to be quiet. “Duke Dartmoor, the Ancient Guardians have given you a second chance. It is hereby ordered that your name is no longer Demon Duke Dartmoor. You are now known as Mr. Dartmoor and will remain here in Briar Glen. We hope you will live your life in peace.”
Mr. Dartmoor did the happiest dance he had ever done. He was overwhelmed with joy. “Witches of Briar Glen Covenant of Earth Magic, coven of white witches, I want to thank you. I feel my heart filling with gratitude. At least I think its gratitude. Nonetheless, I want to thank you for hearing my case, and High Priestess Anna, I most wish for you all things that are good. If anyone tries to harm you I will be there to defend you even if it means my death.”
THE SUNSET WAS ILLUMINATING the horizon and the woodland path was still dark. Mr. Dartmoor and the Angel Evangeline became somewhat of an item. Since angels are powerful spiritual creatures and are not bound by the law of physics, they can appear anyway they wish. Evangeline and Mr. Dartmoor appeared in their human form during the day and in the evening they enjoyed their wings. They would fly to the cumulus clouds and dance the night away.
After two weeks of dancing with his dear little angel, his heart shone through with joy as he rhythmically moved to the music with the beautiful little angel before him. One night they would be ballet dancers and the next hip-hop. But when they waltzed, Evangeline’s celestial eyes were shining like mirrors as she placed her delicate hand in his; he placed his hand on her waist and whisked her onto the cirrus cloud. Around and around they turned and twirled. His dark and hollow places became alive and filled with beauty and love. He knew they would forever trust in who they were. And as love filled his heart his wings began to grow and the black speckles began to fade away. Soon they sparkled silver.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Soul Mates
THE SEASONS HAD COME and gone and every year at the end of summer Mark appeared before Anna, in all his grandeur. Her face would blossom each time when she caught a glance of him. She soon realized he was going to be a great sorcerer in all his glory. His costume for the Haunted Manor had always been the same. A dark hooded robe and he carried a wooden staff, which made him seem mysterious, like a young Merlin. His chiseled jaw lifted with a satisfied, pleasant grin. His eyes a sparkling gold, just like in her dream. His soft, feather-like black hair brushed away from his brow. He was charming and smart. Anna adored him.