3. Amma

Chapter 3

Amma

T he full moon hung heavily in the midnight sky as over three hundred women and children gathered around the willow tree. Each one wore a flowing yellow, sea green, or red sleeveless dress, and nothing else. They needed to feel the earth beneath the soles of their feet to renew their magic, share their magic with the land, and connect with each other. They stood in four circles, each one representing a generation. Each generation protected the next one inside, and the ancestors protected all four.

Amma had never had as much fun as she had in the last four days. The increase in the number of witches had meant she was able to learn new skills from newly met family members. She had also stepped in a few times to stop arguments from going too far. There were a lot of strong women with strong opinions. From the early morning chant circles to the evening meals and restful nights, Amma didn't want it to end.

"Pay attention," Lesedi hissed.

"Sorry." Amma took Lesedi's hand and her cousins on her other side.

"We thank the Goddess for the blessings she has given our family." The younger girls, mostly five- to twelve-year- olds, stood in the smaller circle grasping hands and chanting together. "We thank the Goddess for the magic she has entrusted to our family. As the generation that is just gaining our footing, we ask for guidance and patience as we grow and learn. We promise never to use our magic for harm."

"So mote it be," everyone said.

"We thank the Goddess for the blessings she has given our family." Composed of thirteen- to twenty-year-olds, the voices of the second circle rang loud and true. "We thank the Goddess for the magic she has entrusted to our family. We lend our protection to those who are learning their craft, and promise to help them understand the importance of what we have been given. We look to those who have gone before as they guide us to become better witches. We promise never to use our magic for harm."

"So mote it be," everyone said again.

Amma felt the power start to flow through the ground, and the soles of her feet tingled. She tightened her hand around Lesedi's as they started chanting.

"We thank the Goddess for the blessings she has given our family." Amma took a deep breath as the power flowed through her. "We thank the Goddess for the magic she has entrusted to our family. We lend our protection to those who are learning their craft and promise to help them understand the importance of what we have been given." Amma's fingertips tingled, and she felt her magic mix with that of all the other witches in her circle before a small amount flowed toward the inner circles. "With age comes wisdom, and with wisdom comes peace. May we become the examples our mothers have always been. We promise never to use our magic for harm."

"So mote it be," everyone repeated.

The fourth circle was the largest and held some of the most powerful witches in the world. They had forgotten things that hadn't even been learned by those they surrounded. "We thank the Goddess for the blessings she has given our family. We thank the Goddess for the magic she has entrusted to our family. We lend our protection to those who look to us for guidance. We share our magic, and our knowledge so future generations can understand how to stay on the path the Goddess has set before us. We promise never to use our magic for harm."

"So mote it be," everyone chanted again.

Amma sucked in a breath as a hot rush of magic flowed through her and through every woman in the clearing. Lesedi's hand tightened around hers as they waited for the best part of the ceremony to start. Amma looked up as the moonlight took on a bluish tint and the sky filled with the outline of thousands of women. Arches of color flowed through the veil and swirled around the women below.

"We thank the Goddess for the blessings she has given our family. We thank the Goddess for the magic she has entrusted to our family. Through our blood we are all connected and through our blood our magic flows. We lend our protection, our love, and our knowledge. May our blood continue to run pure."

"So mote it be," everyone chanted.

Amma closed her eyes and listened to the echo of the chants fade away. The ground trembled as it replenished their magic and the air shimmered with power. She took another deep breath and welcomed everything the earth had to give her.

"Thank you, Goddess, for the blessings you have given our family during this gathering," Lily's voice rang out. "May our family line stay strong and survive the trials that are about to be placed upon us."

"So mote it be." The air vibrated as the promise rose from every mouth.

"Time to eat!"

Everyone laughed at the excited young voice. Zuri was seven years old and had come into her powers during the second day of the celebrations. It had shocked everyone, her mother included, when her powers as a seer manifested. It was a heavy burden for a young girl, and it was unusual for seers to come into their powers at such a young age. As Zuri played with her cousins, the little girl gave no signs that she understood exactly the burden she would have for the rest of her life.

With the ease of family, everyone dispersed and claimed seats at the multiple tables piled high with food. Amma joined the older cousins and caught Mike before he could jump headfirst into a bowl of cracked walnuts. Sam was right on his heels.

"Don't embarrass me," she hissed. "I know you're wild, but I know you have manners."

Everything looks too good. Mike wiggled to be let down.

We behaved during the ceremony, Sam said.

"Fine but let me set out a small setting for you. Not everyone wants to eat out of the same bowls as two hungry squirrels." She grabbed a smaller plate and piled it with some bread, meat, cheese, and nuts. "If you want more, ask."

"They are so cute." Dina was also a zoopathy witch and lived in Canada. "I had to leave my panther behind. It seems traveling to the States with an exotic pet is frowned upon."

"Haven't you had him all his life?" Amma asked.

"Yes. Donnie is my little kitty." Dina laughed as Amma snorted. "He will always be a kitty no matter his size."

"How big is he now?" she asked.

"Hundred and fifty pounds," Dina answered. "He still thinks he's a lap cat."

"I don't think animals actually grow up," Amma said. "That's one thing I love about them. So innocent. Speaking of, I heard you are thinking of starting a family."

Dina smiled. "Yes. I'm not getting any younger."

"Have you picked a father?" Bisa leaned forward to see Dina from Amma's left side.

"I have not," Dina said. "But I'm hoping to pick one before the end of the month."

"No love interests?" Amma asked.

Dina shook her head. "I am going to get a donor."

"You have to send me the contact info of who you choose," Bisa said.

"So you can steal him?" Dina smirked. "Never."

"Why not share?" Amma asked. "I have the same father as Jo."

"And I regret it every day," Jo yelled from where she was sitting. "Every day!"

"Seriously," Amma shouted back. "Can't I have a second of peace from you?"

"Never!" Jo threw a piece of steak and it struck Amma on the forehead.

"Oh no…" Royian, who was sitting next to Jo, said and held up her hand. "Don't even think about it."

"Don't think of what?" Amma peeled off the meat and tossed it up in the air before catching it. "I'm just returning Jo's food." The second the meat left her hand, she ducked.

Someone screamed a war cry and food started flying. Amma laughed so hard tears streamed down her face as she was pelted with mashed potatoes and peas. She gathered a handful of mashed potatoes and drew her arm back, but before she could let loose, her auntie Tiana's voice rang out.

"Stop."

Suddenly everyone froze. Amma tried moving, but her body refused to listen. She moved her eyes as far to her right as she could and saw her auntie Tiana standing with her arms outstretched. Tiana had the same powers as Poni. They could freeze time.

"Amma and Jo, you are both too old to be starting food fights." Tiana frowned. "I want everyone to sit down and finish your meals like sophisticated women."

Amma caught herself on the table when Tiana pulled her magic back. She snickered as Jo fell backward and landed on her butt. She quickly looked down at her plate and started eating what was left to avoid Jo's glare. The rest of the meal was a little more civilized, and afterward many prepared to return to their home.

"I loved getting to know you better." Dina gave Amma a hug. "I can't believe we have never hung out before this."

"I know, right?" Amma tightened her hug. "How about we chat every week?"

Dina stepped back. "Definitely. Take care and say bye to Mike and Sam."

"I will," Amma chuckled. "They ate so much that the last time I saw them, they were snoozing on the table."

Amma stood with her mother, auntie, and cousins to wave goodbye to the family leaving. A long line of taillights snaked out down the driveway and toward the main road, and she wished they had a little more time to be together before the real world interfered. She turned from the door and stared at the couch, wondering if anyone would notice if she face-planted there and didn't wake up for a few days.

"If anyone knocks on my door before I wake up, I will dissolve their molecules," Jo warned.

"I'm with you." Rachel yawned as she walked past Amma.

"I will make sure there's food you can eat without cooking," Lily said. "You girls head up to bed."

Amma didn't wait for another invitation. She raced upstairs, threw off her clothes, and dove into her bed. Within seconds, she was lost to the world of dreams.