Hidden Magic: An Ancient Magic Novel

by Stephany Wallace

  And smile as I caress you,

  Forever lowering your walls?

  If you could find yourself one day,

  Embracing your love for me,

  I promise to be yours forever,

  And carry you underneath my skin.

  With me to love, to spoil, to cherish,

  With me to make you happy each night,

  And live a life that is worth living,

  A life where I am yours and you are mine….

  I placed my plum down on the table and waited for the ink to dry. This would be my gift to my Goddess tonight. I wanted to offer something special to her after everything she had given me.

  For bringing me back to life.

  Everything had changed since I met her, since she pulled me out of my path that fateful day. I was not entirely sure what the reason was for us to come together. Nevertheless, I was thankful. Tonight I would share the final piece of myself with her. Offer it to her in hopes she might finally accept me. Faithfully open her heart to me. Nonetheless there was something crucial I must to do. If I hoped for Bri to committedly accept me in her life, in her heart, I had to accept her in mine. I stood up and walked out my hut. I needed to see my brother.

  I knocked on Art’s door feeling pleased with my decision. My brother and Eisha were the most important people in my life. They were my family. Now that I had finally found a way to move on, a chance to be happy I wanted them to know. I wished for them to meet my Goddess. It was time to bring her into my world. The excitement ran through my body like a charge of lightening. I took a deep breath in an attempt to calm.

  “I must speak to you, brother. I require your help.” I said knocking once more. He opened the door and without awaiting his invitation, I strode inside.

  “Daingead” I heard Art curse a moment before my eyes settled on his bed.

  “I didn’t want you to find out like this Bro.”

  The words reached me while my eyes widened in bewilderment. How long had it been since I had visited my brother’s hut? My pulse took on a racing pace and I thought I might very well have a heart attack as it thumped in my chest. I slowly turned towards him, my eyes taking everything in. Art’s hut was filled with modern objects. From the massive bed that resembled Bri’s. To the table and TV placed on it. There were paintings hanging from the walls and a tall doubled door chest. It lay open displaying an array of colorful mortal clothing inside. On the other side of the hut I spotted a wooden table with several small black and white boxes of different shapes and sizes. Some of them displayed flickering red or green lights and a phone much like Bri’s. A wooden mirror stood on the corner and there was a sofa and a chair.

  Modern articles. Everywhere. Art was going to be the death of me.

  “Daingead, Art! What is all this?” I asked flabbergasted.

  “Ok so here’s the thing. I brought a few things from the mortal world here.”

  “A few things?”

  “Ok, I know you are surprised, but I was only trying to see what would work for the village and what wouldn’t. I was going to talk to you about it after I figured it out. Most of this stuff runs on batteries, not the TV of course but the rest we could use. We could even get a generator. We don’t need electricity, yet they would help our people have a better quality of life.”

  I pinched the bridge of my nose and took a deep breath. “How did you get all this, Art? Did you steal it?”

  “No! Of course not. I… I kind of got a job.”

  “A Job!” I roared turning to face him.

  “Ok, calm down. I am working in construction. Nothing too crazy and they really like my building skills. Also, I was only trying to help, I just thought…”

  “You thought? You thought, Art? No, you did not think. You were irresponsible and you acted without taking into consideration the risk you were putting everyone in! You did all this without thinking! How did you even manage to get all this here? Through the portal? Someone could have seen you! Are you out of your mind?” I stopped and took a deep a breath. I was going to kill my brother.

  He took a step toward me regarding me with worry, “Bro, are you Ok?”

  “No I am not ‘Ok’ we do not need this!”

  I walked past him to the wall, turned and rested my back on it. I looked at the things that surrounded us then at my brother. He remained quiet while I tried with everything in me to see things from his point of view. I sighed feeling defeated. Lifting my hands to my face I tried to rub the tension away.

  “Is it so deplorable to live the way we were raised? The way our parents lived? Why do you need to be part of that world so desperately Art? Why is the life that I have made for us here not good enough? Have I failed you?”

  His gaze became burdened. He took a step towards me shaking his head.

  “No brother you misunderstand. Ever since I was a child you have taken care of me. We are but a year apart yet you have been like my Father. Since our parents died, you have taken care of everything around us. It is because of you that the High Priest took us in. That he helped us and even then you never acted like a child. I never even thought about where my next meal would come from because I knew that even if the High Priest were not around you would provide for us. You have been my guidance and example since I can remember. It is because of you that I became a warrior. Because I wanted to be just like you. I wanted to make you proud. Show you that your efforts were not given in vain. I wanted to show you that I could be an honorable man. And after all these years you are still taking care of us. You found me when I thought all was lost. You saved my life and brought us here. Made a village for us where we could continue our lives and be safe. You have done all of that and what have I done? What do I have to offer? I mean no disrespect with what I do brother. This is not an attempt to undermine you or show you that our life is deplorable. This is my attempt to do something for you and our people. To prove to them that I am your brother in every way and that when you finally find the happiness that you so greatly need and deserve I will be here for them. That if you ever leave, they will not be left alone. I may do things differently but please never think that I do them out of disrespect. There is a world out there that is filled with wonders. A world that could help our people. Allow them to live a better life. I want to be the one to do that for them. I promise you, I am only trying to help brother.”

  I regarded my brother silently. It baffled me that during all these years being by his side, I was not able to point out the moment in which he became the man that stood before me. I had severely underestimated him. Yet more proof of how dead I had been all these years. My brother was a noble man. He was only thinking about helping our people. I knew his heart was in the right place.

  “You are mistaken, brother. It has been a long stretch since I have been there for you. I have been drowning and in my fight to stay afloat I have forgotten you,” I closed the distance between us and embraced my brother. He held me tight for a long moment then we let go. My eyes sought his. “You are right brother. There are things we could do to better the life of our people. And we will talk about that more soon. For now, there is something truly important that I need for you to know.”

  I sat at the table silent. Staring at the wooden surface underneath my fingers while I allowed my brother to process everything I had conveyed to him. My secret was no longer mine. Now he knew about my Goddess, her essence and the connection that existed between us. The way she called to me. And what I had been doing since I met her. I had also explained my decision to let go of Mo meantóir and move on. I pressed my hands flat against the table to prevent them from trembling. It had been a long time since I had felt this type of anxiety. Would my brother accept her in our lives? Would he understand that I need her or think me a hypocrite? He was my brother, and I needed him to understand. I needed his blessing before I could take the next step with my Goddess.

  “Please brother, speak,” I begged. The prolonged silence was killing me. Without saying a word, he looked at me
then stood. I stood as well. He walked around the table and grabbed my arm, then began to drag me out of his hut. “Brother please, let me explain…”

  “Silence.”

  I sighed. He opened the door to toss me out of his hut. To my surprise he stepped through it with me, and closed it behind us. Then began to drag me towards Eisha’s hut. This was worse than I anticipated. He was going to throw me to the wolves.

  He knocked on Eisha’s door with force. I frowned, I had never seen my brother this upset.

  “Dear mother Goddess! What is this ruckus you are causing at my door?”

  Her voice reached us from outside. She was going to be displeased by this. I took a deep breath just as she flung the door open. She gazed upon my brother, his hand on my arm, then at me and grimaced. She moved out of the way to allow us to pass and Art pulled me inside her hut. He sat me on her bed, and stood beside me crossing his arms over his chest.

  “Tell her what you just told me. Go on, tell her everything.”

  I rubbed my hands over my face and prepared to tell Eisha my secret. “Well, you see. There is this woman…” Before I could finish the sentence she shrieked and jumped on me hugging me. My brother’s laughter rang through the hut.

  “You found her! I cannot believe you finally found her!”

  She let go of me and held my hands sitting beside me while I looked at her perplexed. “Found who?”

  She chuckled “The girl with the long red hair. The one from the flower trees clearing.”

  I looked at her stunned. My gaze fell on my brother. He laughed.

  “She’s been having visions of the red haired princess for months now bro.”

  I blinked trying to make sense of what he was saying. Eisha was an Ovate like her mother before her. She had seen visions of Bri? My gaze returned to her. “You have seen her?”

  “Yes. I have been seeing her for almost a year now. It began with a vision of her in a strange place.”

  “An office.” My brother offered and she nodded.

  “Yes an Office. At first it was the same vision over and over again. Her sitting at a table looking into some kind of…” She looked at Art for assistance.

  “A monitor. She was at work.” He offered.

  “Yes, at her work. The vision never changed. Well she changed, but not the vision. She wore different outfits, her hair was different but she was always there. Motionless. Then one day I was finishing a demonstration with Art and I got the pain again. It was stronger than before. You were there, you carried me here remember?”

  “I looked down at her hands trying to remember. I nodded. “I think I do. You were having a peaceful vision so I left you with Art.”

  “Yes. That day. When I awoke and you were gone. I was confused because you never leave before I awake but Art told me you had gone to rest. In any case, when I entered the vision it was different. This time I was standing in the middle of a clearing with beautiful pink flower trees all around. Fallen flowers and petals were flying everywhere, as though dancing to a melody only they could hear. Then I saw her. She was standing in the center of the flowers. Her arms rose to her sides and she was bouncing flowers off her hands like bubbles. You were standing right behind her holding her hands while the flowers danced around the both of you.”

  “It was so romantic, Bro. Super Romantic. I’m going to need some pointers later. You know, for the ladies.”

  Eisha’s hand moved so fast I barely caught it. She threw something at his head. Her eyes never left mine.

  “Ouch!”

  “Too slow.”

  She said taking my hand again. I was not aware of what she threw. I was too stunned by the fact that she had seen us.

  “Like I was saying, I saw you both and the smiles on your faces were so breathtaking. I have been praying to the Goddess since that day for you to find her.”

  I looked at Eisha unable to form any words other than, “Why?”

  She smiled. “Because she’s your soul mate, a chara. You are two sides of one coin. You complement each other. Need each other. You belong together.”

  “Ok bro, I have to say it. Are you ready?”

  I looked at Art waiting for his revelation.

  “She completes you,” He said drawing a heart in the air with his fingers. “Ouch! Stop it woman!”

  This time I laughed.

  Eisha cupped my face and my eyes returned to hers. She smiled. “Bring her here. We want to meet her.”

  *

  The light of the moon and stars above us, were the only light illuminating us tonight. Their gleam bathed the site and my Goddess with absolute splendor. Having her here meant more to me that I could verbalize at the moment.

  “Are you ready?” I whispered in her ear while my hands covered her eyes. She giggled.

  “Oh I’m a Ginger. I was born ready, baby. Let’s do this!”

  I chuckled uncovering her eyes. A small gasp escaped her lips. She took a step forward leaving me and covered her mouth. She slowly turned to take in the sight. Seventeen organically sculpted, honey-colored stones including the altar stood proudly around us.

  “The Druids Altar…” She whispered prompting me to smile. In the time we had been seeing each other, she had become extremely interested in my people and our history. I wanted her to see where I came from and where I grew up. I wished for her to know everything that was left to know about me.

  “This is incredible Cyn. I can’t believe I’m standing in the middle of the Drombeg Circle right now. I’m in Ireland!”

  She said excited and hugged me. I placed my hands on the small of her back and leaned in. I inhaled the scent of her. She smelled sweet with a hint of spice. Like honey and wild flowers.

  “Are you happy I brought you here, my Goddess?” She raised her gaze to mine and smiled. That was all I needed. She left my arms and walked towards the stones. I walked with her.

  “May I touch them?”

  She asked extending her hand towards it.

  “If you desire to be transported to another world. Yes you may,” she gasped and pulled her hand back looking at me with wide eyes.

  “Really?”

  I laughed. “No,” she swatted at my arm making me laugh even more.

  “Oh you are terrible!”

  “Well you could, but it will not drag you into a different world against your will. You must perform the rite and request passage. Then you might be able to cross over.”

  “You are joking again, right?”

  I shook my head still chuckling. “No. What I tell you now is the truth. The Drombeg Circle is one of many natural portals that exist in this world. It can transport you to any of the many dimensions that exist.”

  “Wow.”

  She whispered and looked upon it once more. She extended her hand and placed it on the stone. When she did the stone glowed. It was only for a split second but it glowed nonetheless. I frowned just as she pulled her hand back shrieking and jumped into my arms scared. I laughed and held her close.

  “You are alright, my Goddess. I am here.” I kissed the top of her head and returned my inquiring gaze to the rock. I extended my hand and placed it on it. It glowed once more. “Dùin,” I whispered, not sure of what had caused the glow. Her eyes returned to mine.

  “Is this where your portal stones come from?”

  I smiled. “Yes, from these very stones.”

  “How do you get them? Do you chip at them or pick up the rocks from the ground?” She asked looking down, then proceeded to pick up the small stones scattered on the grass.

  I laughed.

  “No, my Goddess. I am afraid those stones will not grant you passage.”

  Her gaze became disillusioned, and she dropped the stones. I chuckled when she bent down once more, and picked one up. “For good luck.”

  I took her other hand while she placed the stone in her pocket. “There is a prayer and a blessing that must be performed. Then you will be granted the use of the stones and they will be provided. You must
be deemed worthy to use them,” she nodded looking at me with wonder and I lifted her hand to my lips. I placed a kiss upon it. “Come with me, I wish to show you another place.”

  We stood on a small hill in front of the place I had long ago called home. Modern houses had been erected where my parent’s farm once stood. Their lights illuminated them, and the area enough for us to see in the dead of the night.

  “This is ár sráidbhaile mháthair—Our mother village. It is where Art and I grew up.”

  “And Eisha?”

  I smiled. “Yes, and Eisha,” she rested her back on my chest placing her hands on mine, which rested on her waist. “Do you see that tall white house to the left? The one with the white pillars?” She nodded. “That is where my parent’s farm was.”

  “And you had sheep.”

  “Yes, and we had sheep,” I said grinning. “The hill we are standing on at this very moment is where I would bring them each day to pasture. It has orchard grass which is the best type of grass for sheep.”

  “Well now I know who to call whenever I decide to become a farmer and get me some sheep.”

  We laughed. I kissed the top of her head and held her while her eyes traveled the land.

  “This truly is a beautiful island. I would have loved to grow up in a place like this. I’m sure you have many happy memories from your childhood here.”

  “Mostly… From the first eight years of my life I do.”

  She turned to face me, still in my hold.

  “What happened to your parents, Cyn?”

  I took a deep breath and held her tight. That was a subject I rather not talk about.

  “My parents died when I was nine years old. Art was only eight. A horrific plague found its way to our village and many perished from it. It caused a terrible fever and triggered the organs to fail one by one. My mother acquired it first. Art and I were sent to Eisha’s mother to care for us while my Father took to aiding mother and trying to cure her. She was one of the first to become ill in the village and we had no knowledge of what was truly upon us.”

  My hands tightened around her waist and I held on to her as though she would keep me from falling.

  “It was my fault. Mother died a couple of weeks after she became ill. Being in the same room with her for so long made Father acquire it as well. He died a week after. Others followed,” my chest tightened at the memory and I took a deep breath as the onslaught of emotions that I had kept repressed for so long overwhelmed me. I held on tightly to her.