Page 64 of Autumn Secrets
“Oh my God, it’sthisFriday. You need to find something nice to wear, ASAP girl.” Jasmine laughed.
I knew I was unprepared, but I hadn’t paid too much attention to this autumn party. I’d been too preoccupied with learning about a secret world and my strange new abilities. I sucked in a deep breath and looked at my friends.If they only knew…
“I’ll get right on it,” I murmured.
When the bell rang for the day, I happily packed up my belongings and left school. I didn’t see Adrian, but I knew that he was at soccer practice for the school team, which was probably for the best anyway. He had a perfect track record of distracting me, and I needed to get home to see Mr and Mrs Peters.
I started my first lesson with the Peters, learning more about the time my grandmother was a guardian of light. I learned about the struggles my grandparents had faced when they first met, with my grandfather being a human, and the controversy that came along with my grandmother’s decision to marry him. They told me everything up to the point where my mum was born.
“That’s all the history I can give you about your family. The next part of your family history, which includes you of course, is up to Helena to share.”
“Do you know who my dad is?” Ever since I found out about all of this, I hadn’t been able to shake the feeling that this world I’d been introduced to included my dad somehow.
Mr and Mrs Peters looked at each other. Mrs Peters answered cautiously. “Like we said, Helena needs to tell you the rest. This is her story, not ours to share.”
“But she doesn’t want to talk about him; she never has.”
“Things have changed, dear. I’m quite sure she will tell you about your father if you ask her again.”
I knew then that my dad was somehow involved in all of this. I could tell by the way they looked at each other.
“Okay…so what about the amulet and the harvest ritual? How does that work?” I asked instead and grabbed another cinnamon bun from the platter on the table.
“There is only one amulet of its kind and it has been in your family since the first battle between light and dark here on Earth. The amulet is crafted with pieces from nine heirlooms. These heirlooms were carefully selected from particular angels of light. They were strong light bearers with very special powers. Piece by piece the amulet was put together, two Thursdays in a row. On the third Thursday it was the harvest moon.
“And this was around the time of the Black Death?”
“Yes, in the fourteenth century.”
“Okay. And why the harvest moon?”
“It’s the closest full moon to the autumn equinox. The name originally comes from our farmers, who would harvest their crops from early morning until late, as the moon offered light to help them finish the harvest. With the amulet, the night of the harvest moon was the night it was forged with all its powers. You see, the moon is a powerful tool when it comes to spell work and magic. It has unlimited energy and power to offer. By forging the amulet under the harvest moon, it enhanced its power. It’s the most powerful piece of jewellery in the world.”
“And the harvest ritual?”
“On the fourth Thursday, they entered the day of the autumn equinox, and the first guardian of light was crowned in a harvest ritual.”
“Was their blood being spilled in this ritual? Animals getting slaughtered? This sounds really ancient, and a little bit crazy.”
Mr Peters laughed. “No, it was and still is a celebration of our new guardian of light. No sacrifices needed. Back in the day, harvest rituals were associated with nature’s cycle and the seasons. Regular farmers had rituals, just as we did. The difference was that they did it to enhance their upcoming harvest, while we did it to crown a new guardian of light or celebrate other light bearers. These days, rituals are not that common, which makes it harder for us not to stand out. That’s why the chosen location is a little bit isolated.”
“Which is where?”
“Outside Lovika Creek. The farm is owned by, well, you and Helena now. The harvest ritual takes place inside the big red barn by the river on the farm.”
“And who will be there?”
“Well, every light bearer will be invited. It’s a very special night for all of us.”
“And what exactly happens that night?”
“Well, we will start with a massive feast. Everyone brings food, and we all sit down to eat together. Most people know each other, so it’s just a nice gathering. Then the most powerful light bearers, apart from you and your family, will bind you to the amulet. It’s a magical night for so many reasons.”
“And who are the most powerful light bearers, apart from me? Do you know them?”
Mrs Peters cleared her throat. “Well, that would be us, love.” She smiled kindly.
“You?!”