Page 27 of The 13th Daughter
"Come on." Kay grabbed my hand and pulled me to the front where Ethan and Billy waited. Jeff trailed behind us. "You'll be able to see everything here."
"The prodigal daughter returns," Billy winked at me.
"Hardly," I scoffed, aware of every eye in the place on me. My mom beamed at me from across the clearing. People whispered, pointed, and just plain stared. I shifted, uncomfortable with all the attention. It creeped me out.
"Behave," Kay warned Billy and gave him a quick kiss before she went back to her own preparations.
"CJ, welcome."
I turned to see Kay's dad standing to my left. He was the head of the Senior Coven now that my father had stepped down. Kay bore a remarkable resemblance to her father with his jet black hair and dark, olive skin. They might look alike, but that's where the resemblance ended. The biggest difference was that Mr. Martin was only out for himself. While Kay could be, and was the Queen Bitch of the school, she was also fiercely loyal and would defend her friends to the death. Her father wouldn't think twice about throwing his friends under the bus to save himself.
"Thank you, Mr. Martin."
"We are all delighted that you have finally joined us, CJ, and it will give me great pleasure to formally welcome you into the Coven tonight."
"No, you won't," I told him. "Tonight is about Megan and only Megan." It would crush her if they tried to make it about me and I wouldn't put it past Kay's father to do just that.
"Yes, of course it is," he frowned, "but we can still welcome..."
"NO. If you try to take this night away from her, I will leave this minute."
He sighed. "You're right. We can welcome you at the next meeting."
"I don't think so," I shook my head. "My coming doesn't mean I'm joining anything. It just means I'm curious."
His nostrils flared and his eyes hardened with anger even as his face turned an ugly puce color. Definitely mad.
"Kay is trying to get your attention." Ethan cut off whatever he was about to say. "I think it's time to start."
"He's such an ass," Billy growled. "I don't know how Kay puts up with his crap."
She gets dead dog drunk, I thought to myself.
"Yeah, he is," Jeff agreed. "Thanks, CJ."
"It's her night. No one, especially me, should take it away from her."
"Why especially you?" Ethan asked.
"Because I don't believe in it."
"Are you sure about that?"
No, I wasn't sure, but neither was I about to admit it. Fortunately, Mr. Martin saved me from answering when he called everyone to attention.
"Welcome." His voice boomed throughout the clearing and the noise died down instantly. Everyone turned to look where he stood beside the makings of a smaller circle. "It is my honor and privilege to open tonight's meeting on this very special occasion. A child has been decreed ready to join us. She stands on the verge of change and growth. We welcome you to our circle, little one, and greet you with open arms and open hearts."
Megan stepped forward wearing a gown of white lace that seemed to flow and ripple as she walked forward. It had long billowy sleeves that ended just at her fingertips. It looked old, but very beautiful. I'd bet anything it had been worn by all the women in her mother's family before her. It had a certain Old World feel to it. Megan looked radiant as she curtsied before him. Wait, she curtsied?
"Merry meet, sir."
"Merry meet, Megan Allison Parker," Mr. Martin bowed to her. "Now, our Junior Coven Leader will guide you through the Rite of Initiation."
He'd used her full name as was our habit. It was a witch's greeting. A person's full name held power.
Kay stepped forward and held out her hands.
"I call upon the guardians of the watchtowers to the north, the east,
