precious moments I needed to stop it.
The swell crashed down on me and pulled me into the center of it. As I was
spun and twisted through the watery cage, I could not speak for fear of
drowning. Realizing how the other elements had responded, I held out my hands
and willed the water to consume me.
After several long seconds, the waves slowed. They gently rocked me down
to the ground, cradling me as if I was a small baby. As it set me down, small droplets danced around me, and a warm breeze dried me off.
Holding my hands out again in front of me, I strongly spoke, “Winds of Air,
flames of Fire, drops of Water, and salt of Earth, I command you to come to me.”
The water and the air around me pressed against my palms before they burst
inside me. I gasped at the contrast of ice and warmth that ran through my body.
As white smoke emitted from both my hands, I knew I had passed the test.
We spent the rest of the time talking about the lessons they had taught me as
a child. My first priority was to always be safe and to use my magic carefully.
Though we spoke for a few hours, the conversation still felt rushed. It was as if
they were trying to teach me seventeen years of knowledge in one afternoon.
When Daisy settled on my lap with a sad expression on her face, I knew
what was coming.
“I won't see you again, will I?” I questioned, hoping I was wrong.
With a soft smile, she answered, “Not for a while, but we are always with you. We'll be in the air you breathe, the water you drink, the warmth of the fire,
and the ground beneath you. We've always been here to remind you what you
already have inside.” She kissed me on the cheek and said, “You know what the next step is, Mara. Follow your heart. The Goddess has blessed you.”
“Enough of this sentimentality, Daisy,” Blaze chided. “She needs to be
strong now.”
“And to use her intuition,” said Breeze.
“Oh, and to never forget her joy,” Bay added.
“More than just being strong, she has to know she is strong," Daisy said.
"Most importantly,” a divine voice whispered, “she needs to remember she is
loved.”
The elements clasped hands and spun until they formed white streams of
smoke. As if saying farewell, they twirled around me one last time.
“I won't forget my promise,” I whispered as they faded away.
Chapter
Twelve
Isat out under the tree, thinking, unaware of the time. The rustle of leaves
from behind stirred me from my contemplations. The sun was beginning
to set, which shocked me when I realized how long I’d been alone.
The scent of lavender and vanilla enveloped me as Gram sat down next to
me. Without a word, she took my hand in hers. We sat in silence as the sky changed from orange and pink to a star-filled black.
