Dead Moon Awakens: A tale of Cherokee myth and Celtic magic (Mystic Gates)

by Teresa Joyce Jackson

  Her thoughts rambled on then settled on the riddle and Eagle Woman’s letter. Could solving the riddle help her now? She found the letter in her backpack and reread the riddle. This can’t help! She threw down the letter.

  As the closed is opened … as the closed is opened … as the—It hit her like a sudden gale. She picked up her grimoire, turned to her parents’ inscription and read, “Forevermore, believe in the magick of this book, in the magick of the Sidhe, in the magick of our Celtic and Cherokee heritages, in the magick within you. But remember, you must first open your heart and soul in order to perceive the magick. If you do, a bright light will eternally follow you and protect you, even when total darkness surrounds you.”

  How could she open her heart and soul? As soon as she wondered that, she remembered part of the dream when Ma told her to find her wish box. Ma had said her sadness, her hopelessness kept her heart closed.

  Maybe the breathing would help! She began taking long, deep breaths, filling her lungs, blowing out all muddy, hopeless air. As she did, more and more connections and revelations bounded into her thoughts until one priceless answer shaped itself into a golden key.

  Hope!

  With hope, she could open her heart and open her soul. With hope, she would find the magick she desperately needed. Yet, everything appeared hopeless.

  Again, she began taking long, deep breaths. Find the hope. Find the hope. Find the hope.

  Wasn’t she still alive? And the Uktena hadn’t bitten her. It could have in the tunnel. Hadn’t she managed to get away from it again just a moment ago? Lance was still alive. Her healing touch had helped Kelile and Morrigan. Hadn’t she been able to make Lance somewhat comfortable and safe? Hadn’t she made it this far? And now, she’s solved the riddle!

  “Okay, I can do this. I can find the Suti Stone. Where the four elements meet and join. Elements … air, fire, water, earth … elements … elements … elemental aspects …Yes! Elemental aspects.”

  She opened her grimoire and found the page that described her amulet.

  The answer was there all along, right there! “The elemental aspect of rose quartz is water. The elemental aspect of moldavite is air. The elemental aspect of jet is earth.”

  But, what about fire? It always came back to fire. She moaned and picked up her obsidian stone. While rubbing her thumb nervously over the circular, concave indention on it, she thought—If the stones in my amulet represent three of the elements, another stone could represent fire. “Oh, that’s got to be it!” She paged through her grimoire once again until she found the passage describing peacock obsidian. “Yes!” she declared. “Its elemental aspect is fire.”

  She set down her grimoire and took off her amulet, holding it in her left hand. As she picked up the obsidian with her right hand, she realized the concave circle indention in the obsidian was the same size as her circular amulet. Where the four elements meet and join.

  She placed her amulet facedown into the circular indentation, closed her eyes, and hoped.

  At once, she felt a quiver in the energies around her and opened her eyes. Along the far wall, one of the crystals shimmered and pulsated brighter than the other crystals. The crystal shook itself away from the wall and fluttered in the air.

  Spellbound, she watched as it sporadically flew up and down, sideways, all the while edging closer to her. The stone danced and floated like a dazzling, jeweled dragonfly.

  In one final swoosh … it landed on her forehead. The Uktena lifted its head, staring at it.

  The Suti Stone had found her!

  Though dazed, she gently lifted it off her head and placed it in her right hand, admiring its beauty until her awareness brought her back to Lance.

  How could she get past the Uktena? How could she use the stone to heal him?

  As soon as she asked that question, the Suti Stone quivered and lifted off her hand, hovering in front of her face.

  “I believe in the magick. I believe in the magick,” she whispered. Hope once again flooded her fears. She closed her eyes and thought of Lance and Kelile and Morrigan. She imagined them alive, happy, and laughing. This was her greatest hope. She held that vision of hope and asked the dragonfly stone to heal them.

  In answer, it danced and floated out through the entrance of the tunnel where Lance lay. Not moving, she closed her eyes and envisioned the stone healing each of them, once again whispering, “I believe in the magick.” Within a short stretch of time, the Ulunsuti fluttered back into the cavern and landed on her lap.

  Now she had to get out of there, past the Uktena. She rummaged through her backpack until she found the pillowcase where she kept her old diary. As she placed the Suti Stone inside the pillowcase, the Uktena reared up and rammed into the protective circle. Though it bounced off, screeching, it positioned itself around the invisible boundary again and began squeezing. Its body tightened more and more, as though it thought it could burst open the boundary.

  With that, Aishling knew she couldn’t take the stone with her. She removed it from the pillowcase and let go. The dragonfly stone briefly landed on her forehead again—a gentle kiss goodbye—then lifted and fluttered over to the screeching Uktena. It landed on the top of the serpent’s head between its eyes, as it had done with her.

  The Uktena stopped screeching and squeezing the protective boundary. It uncoiled itself and slithered off toward its water chamber, with the dragonfly stone nesting on its head between its horns.

  This was her chance for escape.

  Hurriedly, she gathered her amulet, grimoire, magical tools and backpack.

  As she dashed toward the tunnel the dragonfly stone had used, she scooped up the flashlight. Before exiting the rainbow cave, she turned and gazed once more. “Thank you,” she said, hoping the dragonfly stone heard her.

  When she reached Lance and bent over to examine his bite, he groped for the flashlight in her hand and mumbled, “Let’s get out of here. Help me get up. Hurry, I’m about to faint again.”

  The Suti Stone had healed his bite, but not his broken shinbone. She strained every muscle in her body trying to hold him up. Though the flashlight shone faintly, its glow was enough to help her find the way to the opening.

  “Not much further now. We’re almost there,” she consoled him as he hopped on one foot, and they slowly moved out of the cave.

  He lost consciousness as soon as they made it through the gateway. She toppled with him to the ground.

  As she pulled herself from underneath him and sat up, she instantly flinched and threw her arms in front of her face. Towering before her, five paces away, was Redhawk. He stood poised in position with a massive bow stretched taut and ready to deploy its arrow.

  Aishling peeked through her arms and stammered, “We took it back! The Uktena. We took it back! But it broke Lance’s leg.” She lowered her arms.

  Redhawk remained in position, his arrow aimed for her heart.

  “Redhawk! Lance!”

  He gradually released the pressure holding the bow taut and lowered it. Without saying anything to her, he laid down his bow and arrow and rolled Lance on his back, examining his shin.

  Lance stirred. His eyes opened, grabbing Aishling’s eyes first with a questioning stare. He looked next at Redhawk and uttered, “My leg.”

  “We’re taking you to the clinic,” Redhawk answered. “Hold his leg steady as I lift him up.”

  44

  Monday, May 27

  When they left the clinic with Redhawk that afternoon, Aishling squeezed as close to Lance and as far from Redhawk as she thought possible. Her whole body had remained strained and as taut as Redhawk’s bow. She couldn’t get over the feeling that earlier he had been a fraction of a second from releasing his arrow. Lance’s broken shin had been the only thing stopping him.

  Redhawk hadn’t done anything since to show otherwise, either. In fact, every time he had looked at her, his eyes stabbed at her heart. She had wanted to ask him about Kelile and Morrigan. Yet each time she had tried spea
king, she became breathless, unable to form words.

  Lance broke her aching dilemma. “What day is this? I mean, how many days were we in the cave?”

  “You’ve been missing for nine days.”

  “What about Kelile and Morrigan?”

  “They’re still at my house.”

  “Are they …”

  “They’re healed.”

  “The bite marks are gone?” Aishling said, feeling blood rush to her head.

  “Vanished.”

  “Vanished?” Lance said.

  “Yes.” Redhawk turned into his driveway.

  Both Kelile and Morrigan flew out the front door. They helped Lance get out of the truck, almost knocking him and his crutches over when they latched on to him and Aishling and pulled them into a group hug.

  She couldn’t decipher what the others were saying because everyone talked at once. Wanting to leap, swirl, and dance, she didn’t care. They were okay! She wanted to kiss them all. The dragonfly stone had healed them. The magick had healed them. Hope had healed them. She had found the key.

  Screeching car tires crushed their reveling as Kelile’s mother drove up and slammed her car into the driveway, stopping inches before hitting Redhawk’s truck. She burst from the car and yelled, “Kelile Manannan King, get your things, now!”

  “Mom?”

  “Now!”

  He ran into the house. His mother pointed at Aishling, saying, “I don’t want any of you near my son again, especially you. Do you hear me? You stay away from him.”

  Aishling raced into the house after him, choking on her tears. When she hugged him, she babbled, “Your mother said you’ll have to stay away from us. I won’t ever see you again. I don’t think I could bear that.”

  He hugged her, too. “Listen, good witch. I’ll talk to her. I’m not goin’ to let anything come between us. The four of us are a team. Stop cryin’. I’ll figure out a way to get in touch with you. Okay? Besides, girl, come to me in my dreams. You know, like you did when you healed me last night. You can do it.”

  “What?”

  “When you came to me last night and healed me.”

  Aishling muscled a heartsick smile on her face. She hugged him again and said, “I’ll try, Kelile.”

  “Don’t try. Do!” He clutched her shoulders with his hands. “Listen good witch, remind the queen to get in touch with me. She knows how. Okay?”

  “I thought you didn’t like each other.”

  “I told you the first day we met that I like trouble. Now promise me.”

  “I will. I’ll tell her.” She hugged him again.

  “Come to me in my dreams,” he said as he walked back outside.

  She followed close behind. He and Lance gave each other a pat-hug as he said, “I’ll find a way to keep in touch, brother.”

  When he paused in front of Morrigan, she sniffled once. “I’m not going to miss you … Kelile.”

  “Yes you will … my queen.” He smiled a lingering moment, and then jogged to the car.

  Aishling stared through tears at the space where he had been moments before. She and the others didn’t move until Redhawk ordered them to come into the house.

  They had barely sat down in the living room when another car pulled up into the driveway. Morrigan jumped up and looked out the window. “It’s Ma—my aunt.”

  Aishling’s heart stopped beating and splintered. “No, Morri,” she murmured. Not you too.

  The doorbell rang.

  The look on the aunt’s face confirmed Aishling’s fear. She would have to say goodbye.

  “You’re that girl that made my niece run away,” she said, glaring at her.

  Unable to find her voice, Aishling jumped off the couch and leaped into Morrigan’s arms. They hugged and cried. “I’m going to miss you so much, Morri.”

  “Morrigan, that’s enough. Get your things. You’re going home, now.”

  Morrigan released Aishling and nodded, then, “Can’t you foster her? We want to be together. She’s like my sister now.”

  “No. I do not want you anywhere near her. Come on.” She looked at Redhawk. “Thank you for taking care of my Morrigan.”

  Aishling disintegrated. She knew Morri and Lance were saying goodbye, but didn’t hear anything, see anything.

  As Morri lumbered out the door, Aishling’s heart cried out.

  Was Lance next? She gagged at the thought.

  45

  There was little conversation on their drive back to Herald Home that evening. Redhawk had promised Lance he would do whatever he could to foster him, but had not uttered a word to Aishling.

  By the time they reached Herald Home, she ached all over from sitting so tensely. Her hands were sweaty. Her throat, dry. Anticipation choked her, and she had to keep reminding herself to breathe.

  Redhawk parked in front of the administration offices. He paused, gripped the steering wheel, and looked directly at her. “Before you two get out, you must tell me the truth.”

  Aishling shuddered from his piercing eyes.

  “Did you find the Ulunsuti?”

  She glanced at Lance as he shook his head and said, “No, sir. I don’t remember much, but, no.”

  He doesn’t remember? Her breath formed a knot in her throat.

  She gathered all her will and stared into Redhawk’s eyes. “No, Redhawk, we didn’t find it.”

  It found me.

  —End of Book One—

  “Under a waxing moon—when dead moon awakens—Goddess becomes maiden swelling with light. This is the time of the Mystic East Gate … a time when the magick of Goddess revives. This is the time for new beginnings, new friendships, new powers … a time when a shattered soul may be reborn.”

  —The Book of Gates

  Author’s Note

  Thank you for reading Dead Moon Awakens. I hope you enjoyed your reading experience.

  If you have any comments or would like to get in touch with me, my email address is:

  info@TeresaJoyceJackson.com

  If you did enjoy reading Book One of the Mystic Gates Series, please spread the word to family and friends. (Favorable reviews are great for getting the word out, too. Please take time to write a short, one or two sentence review. It doesn’t have to be long; but, readers appreciate reviews. Thank you!)

  The Mystic Gates story continues in Book Two Smothered by Light. Check my website often for upcoming previews of Book Two and for other Mystic Gates Extras—like the continually updated series’ “Glossary and Pronunciation Guide” and “Aishling’s World.” You can reach my website at:

  http://www.TeresaJoyceJackson.com

  or at the following address:

  http://www.MysticGatesBooks.com

  Read for fun. Read to learn. Read to expand your world!

  Acknowledgments

  A hearty “thank you” to the oodles of wonderful authors and wise teachers who I’ve never met but whose books and articles have shaped my every step in creating and writing this book. There are too many of you to name, but you can be sure I will recommend your books and articles whenever possible. Another hearty “thank you” to my readers. Not only do I write for me, I write for you.

  And now to specifics: Thank you Mary C. Ryan of the Institute of Children’s Literature for helping me early-on shape my book and edit my pile of …stuff… into a book. Thanks to Susan Chang of Tor Teen who kick-started me into even more serious editing; your fifteen minute first pages critique made a tremendous difference in my book! A thank you to someone I’ve never had contact with, Chris Roerden, whose book Don’t Sabotage Your Submission: Save Your Manuscript from Turning up D.O.A. helped me carry out that recommended serious editing.

  Many thanks to the Institute of Children’s Literature and to the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators for providing invaluable learning and networking experiences.

  Thanks to Kathleen for reading my first draft and consulting with me regarding Wiccan beliefs. Thanks to Linda Aksomitis for her great
course on how to publish and sell eBooks.

  To my special friends: (Yes, they know who they are.) Thank you for your eternal guidance, support, and friendship.

  And to my wonderful husband, Bill, a “thank you” is not enough. Without you, honey, this dream wouldn’t have happened.

  About the Author

  Teresa Joyce Jackson was born on Beltaine in the year of the Dragon. A lifelong explorer of the paranormal and supernatural, she believes magical, mystical events play before us all the time.

  She lives in the deliciously gorgeous mountains of Western North Carolina surrounded by trees—wonderful, wonderful trees—with her husband, senior cat, and rescued Border collie.

  By the way, her stories are whispered to her through the trees.

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