"Don't worry, Mel. We don't blame you. We still want you to join us." Morgan said softly, reaching out to grab Mel's hand. She gave it a weak squeeze.
"Helen, we need to talk about this." Rachelle said, standing up and turning toward Helen.
"Yes, I thought Morgan and her Coven might have cursed Diedre, you know that, Rachelle. But after Diedre woke, we didn't pursue the matter. I would certainly never curse anyone, and especially when there was no solid proof of their guilt." Helen said, barely audible above the murmuring crowd. The witches weren't convinced.
"If you don't believe me, ask her to empty her pockets." Morgan said roughly, clutching her belly.
"Helen, you don't have to do anything." Frankie said before Rachelle could speak.
"I don't have anything to hide, Frankie." Helen raised both of her hands and then placed them into her pockets.
Mel saw Helen's face blanch, the color gone from her cheeks in an instant. She slowly pulled her hand out of her pocket, holding a small doll.
"A poppet. She has a poppet!" Alice said, pointing at the small linen doll in Helen's hand. It was about the size of a small apple, with a few strands of black hair and a smear of dark red on its face, a smear that looked like blood. A large silver needle poked out from its belly.
"Helen, what is that?" Rachelle asked, extending her hand for Helen to hand it to her. Mel saw the confusion flooding Helen's face.
"I don't know what this is. I've never seen it before!" Helen handed the doll to Rachelle, shaking her head in disbelief as she did so.
"Helen, let's go back to the shelter to discuss this, with the Council. Everyone else, please disperse for now. We'll gather again before moonrise." The crowd murmured, clearly not pleased that the rest of the conversation was going to happen away from their ears. Mel saw M.C. stand and walk over toward Helen. Frankie stood between them, with Kat leading Helen away.
"Everyone calm down. We are going to get to the bottom of this. Widdershins Circle - tend to your leader. Sisters of the Crescent Moon - let's go to the picnic shelter."
"Alright, let's have your explanation." Rachelle said, once the Council was back at the table under the shelter. Helen stood before them, with Frankie, Kat, Mel and Diedre standing behind her. Naomi Green had come along and stood to the side, watching with a sly smile.
"Council, you must believe me. I did not make that poppet and I did not curse Morgan. I wouldn't even know how to make a poppet to curse someone." Helen said in a pleading voice. Naomi let out a loud "Ha!" in agreement and Kat threw her a look to be quiet.
"This poppet has orange rabbit fur in the linen. It has black hair sewn on it - no doubt they are hairs from Morgan's head. How do you explain a poppet clearly made to harm Morgan being found in your pocket?" Rachelle's voice sounded all business and Helen knew she was taking this allegation seriously. As she should - a curse against a fellow witch was a serious claim. One that Helen herself had made against Morgan just a few weeks ago.
"Why would Helen do such a thing?" Diedre asked. "I mean, I'm not in a coma, I'm not sick, so what would be the reason? If anyone had a right to curse Morgan, it would have been me, am I right?" Diedre smiled but none of the rest of the Coven joined her.
"Revenge, naturally. Why else does anyone curse someone?" Naomi said, rolling her eyes at Diedre. "But I agree, Helen doesn't have the skill to do it. None of them do. And I didn't teach them. Ha!"
"Thank you, Miss Green, but please refrain from commenting. You are not a member of this Coven yet. Helen, any other words in your own defense before the Council deliberates on this?" Rachelle passed the poppet to another Council member, keeping her eyes on Helen.
"I can't explain why the poppet was made or how it came to be in my pocket, but I absolutely did not make it. Scry into the matter and see for yourselves. This is not my doing." Helen said, her lips a thin hard line. She couldn't believe the Council would actually believe she had anything to do with this. Obviously, Morgan had planned the whole thing. Somehow.
"I can't believe Helen would have done this, but I don't think Morgan is behind this. She was in terrible pain and she has no reason to make that up. It's true that I went to her Coven to try to learn if she had cursed Diedre, but I found no evidence at all. I don't think Morgan was behind that curse and I don't think she is behind the poppet." Mel said, sounding certain.
"No one is suggesting she cursed herself. The Council will review the matter and we will seek the truth behind the poppet's creator. For now, we ask that you all stay away from Morgan and her Coven. We will announce our decision at moonrise. You may leave now." Rachelle dismissed them all with a wave of her hand. The four Council members were going to continue the conversation without them.
"Helen, let's go get something to eat. I think we could all use a bit of a break." Kat said, lightly tugging on Helen's sleeve. Helen allowed herself to be led from the picnic shelter toward the food trucks.
"Mel, hang on." Frankie said, stepping off to the side. She waited for Naomi to take the hint and stroll away from them. Diedre joined them near a fir tree.
"You don't think Helen did this, do you? I know you like Morgan, but you can't think she had anything to do with this. You know Helen." Frankie said. Mel was silent for a moment.
"No, I don't think she did this, but honestly, I don't know for sure. I know she was disappointed that the Council didn't believe her. I know she was worried about Diedre. I honestly don't know what is going on, but I'd like to think Helen had nothing to do with it." Mel had a tear at the corner of her eye and she rubbed the back of her thumbnail against it to wipe it away. It had been such a stressful day, no wonder she felt like crying.
"I would hope you had more faith in her than that. You haven't known her that long but a lot longer than you have known Morgan. Remember that." Frankie said, walking away while shaking her head. Diedre and Mel watched her stride toward the food trucks and the rest of the Coven.
"Don't be hard on yourself, Mel. There is nothing wrong with not being sure. I mean, I don't want to think Helen was involved either but how do you explain the poppet in her pocket? And Hester's fur on the cloth? Morgan hasn't been anywhere near Hester. Sometimes the obvious answer is the right answer, as much as we don't like it." Diedre said, giving Mel a side hug.
"Whatever happens, whatever the Council decides, we'll get through it. I promise you that."
Mojo
Fifteen Minutes Until Full Moonrise
The Council called all the witches to gather, ringing a large brass bell that peeled through the woods. It was minutes until moonrise and the Council normally would have announcements before the group casting. Tonight, they would have several things to share.
The Sisters of the Crescent Moon were in the clearing, watching the Council enter the space, with Rachelle ringing the bell. Helen perched on a small boulder, the place she had been sitting for the last hour. Each member of the Coven had taken turns trying to coax her not to worry, but Helen was deep in thought and they eventually gave up, choosing to sit near her in solidarity instead. Now that the Council had arrived, Helen stiffly rose from her seat.
The clearing was packed with witches - all wearing gowns that ranged from white to black to every color in between. Without a word, they formed a loose circle around the Council; the same circle they would have formed for a blessing or the power summoning promised by Diedre. With the accusation of cursing, would the group casting even happen, Kat wondered. Everyone seemed to be murmuring their own doubts.
"Sisters, brothers, witches. We are gathered at the moments before moonrise to celebrate the Eve of May, but also to hear the judgment of the Council on matters before it." Rachelle said, speaking loudly over the hushed circle. Kat and Frankie flanked Helen on either side and Kat gave their leader a little squeeze. As much as she hoped everything would be fine, she had a feeling in her gut that she couldn't shake.
"We have two matters before the Council and we will announce our decisions now. First, we received a petition f
or Morgan Cornwall of the Widdershins Circle to join the Council as its fifth and final member. The motion was seconded by Diedre Connolly of the Sisters of the Crescent Moon Coven. We have reviewed the petition and we accept Morgan Cornwall to the Council." The Widdershins Circle broke into applause with the rest of the crowd following suit. Morgan was there, sitting on a chair and she rose slowly to wave toward the crowd. With Avalon's help, she sat back down.
"Second, before us, we have the matter of the accusation of cursing. The evidence is a poppet found on the person accused. The accused denies the allegation and our own efforts to divine the truth have not led to clarity. We have decided, based on what is before us, that Helen Griffith, Head Witch of the Sisters of the Crescent Moon Coven, shall be banished from the Council's jurisdiction and her Coven." The crowd clammered, some cheering and some booing in response. Rachelle held up her hand for silence.
"However, she shall have until Summer Solstice to prove her innocence. If after the moonrise on June Twenty-First, she has no evidence exonerating her, she shall be permanently banished from our network. Until that date, the Crescent Moon Coven shall be led by Diedre Connolly. This is the will of the Council, so mote it be."
Kat felt Helen sink a little next to her and she instantly reached for her arm to steady her. Frankie apparently had the same reaction because they were both holding on to their friend. Kat spied Rachelle coming toward them from the stage and she whispered to Helen.
"Steady, the High Witch is coming. Remember, this isn't over yet."
Rachelle passed by the few witches standing near the trio and she leaned in to keep her voice low.
"Helen, it was the best I could do. The rest of the Council wanted immediate banishment. I advocated to give you time to clear your name. Use it."
She turned to go, but Frankie piped up. "Why is Diedre leading our Coven?"
"She has been an initiated witch longer than any of the other members of the Coven. There was no other reason behind the choice." Rachelle said before turning again and heading back toward the rest of the Council members.
"Yeah, sure. It couldn't have been because Diedre asked for it, right?" Frankie said, clearly not believing the High Witch. Kat didn't know what to believe.
"Helen, we should head back toward the shelter area, don't you think?" Kat asked, giving Helen's arm another squeeze.
"Rachelle didn't say I had to leave right now. I want to see what happens next." Helen said, her voice full of grit. She was now solidly on her feet.
Rachelle had returned to the stage, with Diedre at her side. Rachelle raised her arms again for silence and the group hushed to hear her.
"The moonrise is almost here. As a member of the host Coven, Diedre will lead us in power summoning. On behalf of the Council, thank you for coming to the Festival. We look forward to attending some of your circles on Summer Solstice. We will also be announcing the host Coven for next year's Festival at that time. And now, let us form our circle."
The sky was uncharacteristically clear for a spring night in Washington and the full moon shone on them, pale white despite its pink moon status. The witches circled, hands clasped with their neighbor, with Diedre now standing in the center of the circle, along with all five members of the Council - including Morgan, who was now on her feet.
"Come on, Helen. Let's go." Frankie said, as the trio moved back from the circle to the side of the clearing.
"Let's watch. I want to see." Helen said, her arms now folded across her chest. Kat and Frankie gave each other a look but said nothing.
Diedre raised her hands above her head, her fingers splayed toward the sky. The five Council members stood slightly behind her.
"On this full moon, on the Eve of May, we gather in these woods as our ancestors did in the days of yore, facing death for practicing their Craft. We join together to raise a cone of power this night, to send our will forth and to draw down the power of the moon upon all in this grove tonight. Witches, focus your power and repeat after me. 'Mother Moon, we call to thee. Send your power down to we, the witches who circle and honor the three, the power we conjure, so mote it be. Mater enim vocationem luna te.'"
The witches began the chant, their voices starting low and soft, the words of Diedre's power spell hard to make out at first. Kat saw Diedre start to sway, drawing her arms in undulations above her head, her eyes closed and her face smiling. The chant became louder, filling the clearing with sound as the witches' chants were raising power from the moonlight washing over them.
"Do you see it?" Helen whispered. "She's raising a cone of power. Look." Helen pointed toward the circle and Kat squinted her eyes to see what Helen was talking about. There, just above their heads, she saw the faintest threads of golden light, like flickering candles, drawing a line of light above their heads. The threads were becoming thicker, joining into ribbons and weaving into a shape that started stacking skyward.
"How is she doing that?" Frankie asked. Kat was blinking at the swirling light that now was now rising into a cone shape, faint but growing.
"I don't know. I've never seen that before. A cone of power is felt not seen, as far as I know." Helen breathed, her voice nothing but a whisper. Kat turned to see the light shining off her friend's faces. What exactly were they witnessing?
The chants of the witches grew to shouts and Kat could only make out the words "moon" and "power" above the roar. She was about to cover her ears from the sound when Diedre twirled and flung her arms to the sides. The cone of light whirled around them all and then exploded above their heads. Flickering specks of light rained down onto the witches, who shouted in delight. The power from the circle now rained on them all - all except the trio who watched in wonder from the side.
"Witches, take this power with you and may your magic grow. Nothing shall contain you, you are witches and you can do as you please!" Diedre shouted to the crowd before she collapsed in the center of the circle.
"Well, that was a bit melodramatic, wouldn't you say?" Frankie commented dryly as the trio walked back toward the picnic shelter. The bulk of the witches were all still marveling at the cone of power they had raised and were clustered around Diedre and the Council.
"She has talent, and power that I never knew she had." Helen said, reaching for her rubber totes to pack up her personal items.
"Well, power or not, I'm not comfortable with her running the Coven until you return." Frankie said as she and Kat watched Helen stuff her personal items into the tote.
"We don't have a choice. The Council has assigned her to lead in my absence."
"Then I resign. It's that simple." Frankie replied, hands on her hips.
"No, you can't. Please don't leave the group." Helen said sharply, turning to look at them both. Kat was sure she saw tears clinging to the older witch's eyelashes.
"Helen, I can't stand by while you are railroaded and Diedre takes over the Coven. I don't want to be a part of that." Frankie said simply.
"I need you both to stay in the Coven, to keep an eye on things. Sage will need you, I will need you. Please, promise me you will both stay and help make this right. Okay?" Helen snapped the lid on the tote and grabbed her coat. She wasn't going to be camping with them apparently. Kat couldn't blame her.
"So what do you want us to do?" Kat asked, taking the tote from Helen's hands. Helen thanked her and then gathered up Hester's cage.
"Be my eyes and ears, keep an eye on things with Diedre, with the Council, with Mel. I'm going to prove it wasn't me but I need you there to help keep the group together."
"I am not happy about this, Helen, but I'll do as you ask." Frankie replied, as she followed Helen and Kat toward the parking lot. Diedre and the Council were walking toward them. Kat thought if they hurried, maybe they could get away before they reached them, but Helen stopped in her tracks.
"I am not running, not from them. I am leaving, but I'm not running away." Helen said, clearly reading Kat's intentions.
"Helen, I wanted to catch you before you left
, to let you know that I am only leading the Coven until you can come back. I am just a placeholder." Diedre said, smiling a broad smile as she walked toward the women. The Council was to her left, with Morgan standing next to Diedre.
"Morgan, I want you to know that I did not do this and I intend to prove my innocence. I wanted you to hear it from me that I will get to the bottom of this and the person responsible will be found out. You have my word on it." Helen said.
"I think we know what happened, but whatever our differences, Miss Griffith, I abide by the Council's decision. I will take no action on this matter." Morgan said.
"Rachelle, I will be in touch, once I have the evidence to clear my name. May I make a last request of the Council?" Helen paused while Rachelle murmured to the Council before nodding.
"Please reinstate Naomi Green as a member in good standing to the Sisters of the Crescent Moon. She has served her penance and it benefits the Council to show clemency." Kat heard Frankie give a soft grunt but neither of them contradicted Helen. Kat couldn't imagine why Helen would want Naomi in the Coven, now especially with all this disorder going on.
"We will consider your request, along with the comments of the other members. Helen, I hope you find what you seek." Rachelle said and with that, the Council turned to head back toward the camping area, where the firepits were stoked and the revelry would carry on through the night.
"Thank you. And Diedre, take care of the Coven. Be the leader I know you can be." Helen said, turning back toward the parking lot before Diedre could respond. Kat and Frankie followed her to her car in silence.
"Frankie, I need to talk with Kat for a minute. Can you take the tote to my car?" Frankie nodded and took the tote from Kat's hands, leaving the two witches standing under the moonlight.
"I have a favor to ask, Kat. I want you to take care of Hester for me. Will you do that?" The rabbit shuffled in her cage while Kat looked at Helen in surprise.
Pink Moon Rising: The Witches of Enumclaw Book One Page 14
