Escape the Covenant || Shawmila [Completed]

Chapter 4

I sit cross-legged on the grass and the air is filled with a calm tune. Sylvia is braiding my hair, adding colorful flowers between the intertwined strands, while she sings an ancient lullaby. Everybody in the coven knows the song about the first witches who reached the promised land. They came from France centuries ago, looking for a place where they could live together as a family and away from the threat of the Church. I guess they found what they needed.

«Can I braid your hair for next week's ceremony? » Sylvia asks me. «You'll be even more beautiful!»

«Ok, but just because you asked me». She leaves a soft kiss on my cheek to thank me. «Are you excited about it? »

«About braiding your hair? »

I laugh. «No, silly! I was talking about the ceremony. It'll be your first time as an official member of the coven».

A proud smile appears on her face. «I'm counting down the days. I can't wait to take part in it. And I'm so happy that my first ritual is going to be the Early Summer Feast». I know how she feels, back in the days I was as excited as her. There's something special about casting the first spell being a member of a coven. Maybe it's because everybody shares their energy and for a moment, we became a single entity, a single soul. «I just hope I won't mess anything up» she mumbles under her breath.

I turn to face her and take her hands in mine. «You know, it's ok to be anxious because it means that you care. But I'm a hundred percent sure that you'll be perfect. You know what you have to do, and anyway you're not alone. Besides it's a simple rite, you don't have to worry about it».

She rolls her eyes, but I see her smiling. «It's easy for you! You're like the most talented witch of all times! »

I cross my arms on my chest. «That's an exaggeration, and you know it. The truth is that I'm a nerd and I spend most of my time experimenting in my room».

«My mom is always talking about you and your talent. It makes me want to be like you».

I smile, not really knowing how to reply. «You just have to practice».

She stands up and suddenly leaves. A few minutes later she brings out of the house a deck of cards. «Can I read your future? I'm trying to improve my abilities on this discipline, but I'm tired of reading my mom's future. Her life it's boring!»

I giggle at her remark. «Sure, but I have to warn you: my future could be even more boring that your mom's».

We sit in front of each other, she starts to shuffle the tarots, she cuts the deck and shuffles again. She lays five cards on the ground and when I see them, I feel chills run down my spine. Sylvia looks down, confused, and I know why. The cards aren't necessarily bad, but in some cases, they have opposite meanings.

«The first one is The Lovers» she begins. «It symbolizes love, physical attraction and the desire to be in a relationship. This card tells me that sooner or later you'll meet someone! Aren't you excited?». No, I'm definitely not excited, but I don't need to answer her question because she carries on reading the cards.

«The second one is The Moon. This isn't a good card, but at least it's not the worst. It indicates that somewhere there's a guile. You need to be very careful otherwise you could make a big mistake» If this isn't the story of my life...

«Then we have The Fool. This card has two meaning, and if I'm being honest, I can't tell you which one relates to your case. The Fool expresses the need of letting go, the need for freedom and rashness. But it also entails the possibility to act irresponsibly. It seems like you have some choices to make...». I sigh as a sudden uneasiness floods my body.

«The fourth card is The Hermit. Usually it's the symbol of wisdom, but your card is upside down, which means that you don't understand what is really going on. Your wisdom translates into excessive caution and this leads you to a confusing path». I'm beginning to get annoyed. I don't need a stupid piece of paper to tell me how I should act.

«And finally, The Hanged Man. It represents sacrifice. This tarot tells you that you need some efforts to improve your situation. To conclude, it seems that in your future something is about to change. The arrival of a lover will bring some chaos in your life and you'll need to be careful, make the right choices and fight for what you want. At the end, with a lot of work and if you don't mess anything up, everything will end at the right place».

Well, I think I'm screwed.