"Okay, this is totally creepy. I don't want to get involved in any of this." Keelin stumbled out of the circle. Her breath hitched as she started to walk the path back. Dark energies were too much for her. She felt the long dregs of panic begin to claw at her stomach. Was her grandmother talking about demons? The devil? Heat flashed through her and Keelin broke out in a sweat. She had no frame of reference for handling any of this. Science didn't address demons and Catholicism shunned them.
"You can't ignore what you are, Keelin. You'll die. You must either give away your power or use it."
The words stopped her. Their truth resonated deeply in Keelin. She had a choice to make. Keelin stared at the water and trembled at opening the door to what she hadkept locked away for so long. She was scared to lose her tightly knit control over what and who she was.
"You'll be safe, Keelin. But you must learn." Fiona's voice was gentle.
Keelin turned. Her grandmother stood in the circle, her white hair whipping in the breeze. Her weathered hands held bunches of herbs and a leather cord wrapped around a crystal. Destiny came in the strangest of forms, Keelin thought.
"Why do you say that I will die?" Keelin needed to know.
"If you have a child, and your child becomes ill, you will give everything you have to save them. Without proper training and protection you will die in protecting what you love. This goes for your one true love as well. Your purity of love will make your strength of healing the highest it can be and in exchange, you will give your life if you remain untrained."
The thought of being a mother slapped at Keelin. She had always rebelled against it. Yet…yet something tugged in her. Deep down. It was hard to argue with the absolute truth behind Fiona's words.
"Okay, I will stay and I will learn protection. But you really scared me with the whole dark energy talk. I'm not into that voodoo, conjuring spirits stuff." Keelin wanted to be firm on this point.
Fiona laughed and gestured for Keelin to join her in the circle.
"Where there is light, there will be dark. You can't change it any more than you can ignore it. All you can dois learn to protect yourself the best that you may. To ignore doing so is unconscionable."
Nodding, Keelin stepped back into the circle.
"Now, first things first. Draw a circle, step into a circle, build a circle with small stones, sticks, chalk, twine…anything around you. A circle is an age-old sign for protection and safety. Yes, the witches use the same and it is for good reason. Do not ignore me on this one particular aspect."
Keelin pulled out her notebook and began to take notes.
"Circle, got it. What next?"
Fiona began to rattle off simple prayers for protection.
"You always want to ask your angels and light bearers for their help and protection. They are here for you."
Keelin nodded diligently and continued to write.
Fiona handed over the leather necklace with a stone attached.
"Wear this when you are doing healing work. It helps to absorb and deflect any negative energy. It will also help you to channel your purest form of energy towards the work you are doing."
The leather cord was knotted and wrapped in an intricate braided pattern and it circled a crystal that was easily the size of her palm. The clarity of the stone belied the strength it held. Keelin admired the craft with which the necklace had been made. The beauty of the design reflected strength and delicacy at the same time.
"Thank you, this is lovely."
"It was Grace O'Malley's."
The enormity of what Fiona said struck her. The crystal warmed in her palm and she was flooded with emotions of hundreds of years past. Flashes of battles at sea, giving birth, and chanting around the cove whipped through Keelin's mind. Her stomach heaved as powerful emotion swamped her. Keelin grabbed Fiona's hand and Fiona steadied her.
"That will happen sometimes when a stone first connects with its new owner. It recognizes your blood."
Keelin was dizzy and her vision blurred for a moment. Slowly, the panic drained from her and she was left with a softly knowing power. Confidence soothed her like a cool balm.
"It's a beautiful feeling, Keelin, yet a responsibility as well. Always tread carefully with your abilities," Fiona warned. "Now that you have learned some basic protection skills and the amulet has recognized you, we can go to the cove."
"Really? I can't wait." Keelin bounced on her toes. The cove held so many unanswered questions. She was itching to get her dive gear and to get a closer look at what lay under its waters.
"Can we go back so I can get some of my equipment?" Keelin asked.
"Not today, Keelin. You need to be accepted by the cove first or you will know its wrath."
