Shadow of the Moon

All Souls Night

-One year later-

Samhain. The night of spirits. I raised my hands to the sky, my black silk shift hugging my skin tightly. I danced around the fire with Miah, our hands locked together. Our bodies and feet in sync as the music flowed through me. Our eyes were locked onto one anothers as we danced. Her face was serious, but on the inside i knew she was proud. I kept my emotions in check, mimicking her serious expression.

As we danced, Darian and Marcus pounded on drums (i wasnt surprised anymore about Marcus' attendance and appearances in rituals). I knew he still didnt like the fact of me being the Maiden but at least he tried to stay silent about it. As the music and drumming died, Miah and I came to a stop.

We lifted our hands to the full moon. Miah and I ended the ritual with "Merry meet, merry part, until we merry meet again!"

We all walked to the fire pit, where music burst loudly in our ears. I listened to the familiar rythm of Loreena Mckennit. I recognized the song as the familiar words fell through my ears.

"Bonfire dot the rolling hillsides

Figures dance around and around

To drums that pulse out echoes of darkness

Moving to the pagan sound."

Miah and Darian pulled me over to the bonfire, and we began to spiral dance. I laughed as we danced, my hair flying behind me. A black mane of midnight.

"Somewhere in a hidden memory

Images float before my eyes

Of fragrant nights of straw and of bonfires

And dancing till the next sunrise."

A hand gripped my shoulder tight, and i turned and stared into Marcus' pitch black eyes. I gasped as he bent down to whisper, "And on this night, she died."

"I can see the lights in the distance

Trembling in the dark cloak of night

Candles and lanterns are dancing, dancing

A waltz on All Souls Night."

I stared up at him as his arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me over to a shadowed aread. I tried to get away from him but he kept me by his side. "Do you remember what a Dark is?", he asked.

"Yes.", i answered warily.

"Good, because i want you to take a good look at Iria. Tell me what you see."

"Figures of cornstalks bend in the shadows

Held up tall as the flames leap high

The green knight holds the holy bush,

To mark where the old year passes by."

My eyes found Iria, her dancing figure spinning. Her scarlet red cape flowing around her. I looked up at him questonally and he raised an eyebrow. I looked closer and watched as her hair and cape lifted slightly off her shoulder. And i saw it. The small scorpion and snake wrapping themselves together. I fell back and Marcus caught me.

"I can see the lights in the distance

Trembling in the dark cloak of night

Candles and lanterns are dancing, dancing

A waltz on All Souls Night."

His laugh filled my ears. "Good girl. Good little maiden." His voice turned dark and cold and I spun around to look at him.

"Why do you hate me?"

His eyebrows lifted up slightly, "I don't hate you. I hate your position."

I shook my head. "I'm sorry about Anna. I didnt know her, but i do know that you loved her. But it isnt my fault that she's...gone."

His eyes turned pitch black.

"Bonfire dot the rolling hillsides

Figures dance around and around

To drums that pulse out echoes of darkness

Moving to the pagan sound."

I gasped as he grabed me. "Do you want to know what really happened?" His voice was cold and i was afraid of him.

He didnt wait for me to answer but said in a voice like ice, "She died because of me. I loved her and i let her down. I watched them take her and burn her!"

Images filled my head and suddenly i had his face in my hands. His eyes were wide and his breathing was hard.

"Standing on the bridge that crosses

The river that goes out to the sea

The wind is full of a thousand voices

They pass by the bridge and me."

Everything was just so loud, and i felt myself going insane. His grip slackened as he fell against me, i heard him crying. Another surprise. "It's my fault.", he kept repeating.

I held him, because it was the only thing i could do. Because, i was afraid.

"I can see the lights in the distance

Trembling in the dark cloak of night

Candles and lanterns are dancing, dancing

A waltz on All Souls Night."

"I can see the lights in the distance

Trembling in the dark cloak of night

Candles and lanterns are dancing, dancing

A waltz on All Souls Night."

The song finished and so did Marcus' weeping. His eyes flashed and he looked up. And when he did, i heard a scream.