Caged in Darkness (Caged #1)(36)
Standing up, I lifted my shirt to show them the new addition to my naval.
“You pierced your naval! Why didn’t I think of that?” Izzy poked at the miniature cross and pentacle hanging from my naval. “Isn’t it a little weird to put those two together? I mean, a cross and pentacle are completely different religions.”
Shaking my head, I explained. “The pentacle stands for what I am and the cross stands for who I am.” I winked. “Besides, they may be two separate religions, but they have a lot of the same beliefs and morals. I don’t see anything wrong with either. Plus, that’s not the only thing I changed.” I let go of my shirt and turned around. Pulling my hair over my shoulder, I showed them the tattoo between my shoulder blades.
The tattoo was the physical representation that demonstrated my acceptance of my lineage. It was a tattoo of wings with black and white feathers. I couldn’t hide who I was. When I went through my ascension tomorrow, I wanted to believe in myself and be proud of the blood in my veins.
Izzy and Willow went home early the next morning, while I prepared for my ascension. Maye performed a cleansing ceremony to purify me, which included using incense to banish negativity and body oils to lock in my natural essence. Ash brought me a lilac dress. The skirt of the gown fell to the floor, but the slightest brush of air would bring about a romantic elegance, while the dress floated on the wind. It was the most beautiful gown I had ever seen.
Willow came over later that afternoon with the elders. While they created a circle around me, Willow painted inscriptions across my exposed skin. The inscriptions were the most important aspect of the pre-ceremonial activities. Painting the inscriptions was one of the highest honors a witch could bestow on another.
Willow used an instrument, which resembled a calligraphy pen to paint inscriptions in silver, blue, and purple. She would paint six main symbols connected by scrollwork. Willow could work more inscriptions into the scrollwork, as personal gift from her to me. The symbols on my skin would represent the many cultures witches descended from. The symbols on the top of each foot would represent protection and power. The ones on my hands would be for life and transformation. The symbol on my head would represent wisdom, but the inscription on my chest was the most important, because it represented the five elements.
Once Willow was finished applying the script to my skin, she took a white robe etched in silver and placed it on my shoulders. It was soft against my skin. We waited for the elders to close the circle before stepping out. I waited in the hallway, while everyone left the house to prepare for the ceremony.
I turned to see Ash approach me. I expected his usual coldness, but instead he gave me a warm smile. “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.”
How did he always know the right thing to say? “I don’t feel fine. I’m scared. Ash, what if the power is too much and I turn out like my parents?”
His moved forward and used the tip of his finger to brush against my neck. “You could never be like them. Have faith; I have faith in you.” He leaned forward and brushed a delicate kiss to my lips. I pulled him forward and kissed him deeper.
“Promise me. Promise me, that if I turn out like them, you’ll take care of me the way the coven took care of them.” I searched his eyes, but they remained warm.
“I promise, but only because you will never be anyone other than yourself. Despite the evil you have encountered you remained pure. I know you believe they tainted you, but they never did. You are the most loyal and caring person I know. You put everyone else before you and ask for nothing in return. You soul is a star that blazes to warm those around you. You guide them towards the light and make them want to be a better version of themselves. You’re a beacon for us to follow and you will never lead anyone off course, because you will remain on the honorable path you have always chosen. I love you and I’m telling you that you have nothing to worry about.”
My heart flipped and a tear slid from my eye. “You’re going to make me mess up all of Willows work.” I laughed awkwardly, while he brushed the tear from my cheek. Ash walked around me, but turned back to deposit a kiss on my nape. I leaned back into him and he wrapped his arms around my middle. “Thank you.” I whispered and he left.
When I walked into the circle, it was mere minutes until the 16th anniversary of the moment I was born. I stood in the center, surrounded by the Meadows Fall coven and their sister covens. In front of each of the five boulders, were five people I chose to represent each element: Willow for earth, Alice, who was Willow’s mother for air, Ash for fire, Maye for water, and Josephine for spirit. They would ground me during my ascension.
I brushed my hood back from my face to reveal the delicate scrollwork and symbol for wisdom that Willow had painted. I faced Josephine to await the inevitable. I was terrified and hoped no one could see my hands shake. I knew what to expect; Maye spent years preparing me for this, but hearing about it and going through it were two separate things.
The joined members began to sing a high pitched song in Gaelic. It was a song filled with hope, love, and the acceptance of change. Their voices were melodic and calmed my anxiety. I drifted into a waking sleep; until my skin tingled and I opened my eyes to see a cone emerge from the coven. It was a cone of power and would serve as protection from outside influences.
My ascension tore into me suddenly.The cone eclipsed the world around me in an icy mist. I screamed; begging someone, anyone to hear my pleas, but my voice had been extinguished and left me with a slight wheeze from what little oxygen I had. I could glimpse the field of energy, as it shrank through the safety of my circle to envelop me in a blazing grip. I was alone; unbearably separated from my haven.