* * *
Leading us through the house, Viv warned us to be quiet. When we stepped out into the cool night air, I took a deep breath. As I focused my energy on connecting with Danu, I felt a sadness envelop me. The warm energy that I would normally feel when I thought of the Goddess was muted. The sadness and pain that our mother was feeling overshadowed the joy I had felt.
Whispering to me, Blaze said, “No time for sadness. Energy on our task.”
Holding hands, we followed as the girls led us through the Silver’s property and into Starten forest. The black barked trees with red leaves left me with an eerie feeling.
When we reached a clearing, Michelle handed me a blanket and said, “It gets chilly out here at night even with the fire. We should have warned you to dress warmer.”
“Thank you,” I said, taking it from her. Silently, I sent a warm breeze towards her. Her eyes brightened as she felt the air.
“How odd. The night air smells like lavender in bloom tonight,” she commented.
“Everyone come sit in the circle,” Camille said, pointing to the clearing that was surrounded by sticks and twigs. “I will start the fire. Viv, can you hand me the matches.”
Digging through the picnic basket, Viv had a look of concern. “There are none in the basket,” she said, nervously. “I know I put some in here.”
Frustrated, Camille took the basket and began pulling everything out. When she reached the bottom, she snapped, “Who forgets matches?”
“Obviously, we do,” Viv said, looking around. “I can run back and get some.”
“No don’t,” Blaze said, as she went to the wood that Camille had stacked. “I can start the fire.”
Unsure what she was planning, I watched her rub her hands together and then hold each palm down over the wood. Smoke grew from the logs and then erupted into a blazing fire. With a look of amazement and a hint of fear, Lucy, Michelle and Viv stared at Blaze like she was a magician.
Shaken but not silenced, Camille marched over to Blaze and said, “How did you do that? Where are the matches?”
Examining the area, her eyes narrowed onto Blaze when she did not find the evidence she was looking for. “Cute trick. Can you do any other magic tricks?”
In a cold voice, Blaze released the glamour she had been holding and showed her true form. “No trick, Camille.”
As quickly as she had released her human appearance, she called it back. With no other words, she went to the picnic basket and picked up the zizzleberry wine. “You might want to have some of this if you want to learn more about me.”