Rising Moon (The Rune Stone Trilogy) (12 page)

CHAPTER ELEVEN

             
The following evening Aylin had been successful keeping El home instead of going on another date.
"
I can’t believe you told her about The Rune without me.
"
El was washing the dishes from their dinner.
"
That’s kind of a big deal, you know.
"

             
"
Well, if you were home longer than to just change your clothes and shower then you could have been here. You are so busy dating the entire male population and expect me to plan around your schedule. Guess what El, life doesn’t happen that way.
"
Aylin narrowed her gaze at El.

             
"
I like the attention of a good man. When was the last time you went out on a date?
"
She pointed a sudsy finger at Aylin.

             
"
If you get one more drop of that dirty dishwater on my hardwood floor you’ll be the one refinishing it with one of your magic potions.
"
Aylin turned on her heel.

             
"
Good job changing the subject,
"
El muttered, putting her hand back over the sink.
"
Part of us is still human, you can’t ignore that!
"

             
Terra arrived shortly after, and they were still bickering with each other.
"
What’s going on?
"
Terra asked El quietly as Aylin went to grab candles.

             
"
Your brother is what’s going on. He’s got her all bent out of shape and she’s taking it out on me. Unfortunately, I dish it right back to her.
"
El was wiping down the counters.

             
"
My brother? But she said-
"

             
"
Ready?
"
Aylin walked into the kitchen.

             
"
Let’s go.
"
El opened the back door.

             
When they stood at the edge of the woods Aylin turned to Terra.
"
Just watch this time.
"
She and El cupped their hands together, forming small balls of twinkling light. They let the balls go, and the twinkling lights hovered just in front of them.
"
Lead us to The Rune,
"
Aylin spoke to the lights, and slowly the lights began to drift into the woods in a single line. Aylin held out her hand to Terra, who took it quickly. El led the way, and soon the forest surrounded them. The lights were bright enough to show them an easy path through the brush and roots of the trees.
"
There it is.
"
Aylin stopped and pointed for Terra.

             
Only a few yards away in the middle of a small clearing was a large white stone slab set on a pedestal. The two pieces formed a table that might as well have grown from the earth as naturally as a tree. Aylin let go of Terra’s hand and walked into the clearing. The lights hovered around The Rune. Once Terra was in the clearing the noise of the forest ceased. Here there was no sound of the wind, or birds chirping, or the sound of the ocean. Here, it was The Rune and them only. The pedestal and sides of the slab were covered in small carved symbols. Terra bent over to take a better look at them, still standing on the edge of the clearing.
"
What are those?
"
She asked.

             
"
Those are the runes. Each has a different meaning, and when used together they can create spells. If you listen you can hear them whispering their secrets,
"
Aylin said from the edge of the clearing.
"
Do you see? It is welcoming you.
"
She motioned to the top of the slab. Four large symbols were etched into the top.

             
"
What do they mean?
"
Terra whispered.

             
"
The first one is Beginnings, next is Protection, then Journeys, and the last is Fate,
"
Aylin pointed to each individually as she said their names.

             
An ancient force pulled Terra forward and she had
n’t realized her legs were moving
until she stood within a foot of the stone. She laid her hand on the stone, and found it to be warm and smooth. Aylin and El stood on the other side of The Rune, watching her.

             
Terra closed her eyes and focused on the air around her. A gentle breeze swept her hair against her neck, and on that breeze were faint murmurs, just barely audible. She concentrated on those murmurs and they became louder in her ears. It was a chant in a language she’d never heard, at the same time was strangely familiar.

             
Something inside her settled. Her heartbe
at slowed to a
relaxed beat. The chanting slowed with her heart, turning to a haunting melody, and it vibrated in the blood that coursed through her veins. The Rune wasn’t something just for her to protect, it was a part of her. She was tied to it just like she was to the earth, to the air she breathed. Without The Rune she couldn’t survive.
"
I understand now.
"
Terra closed her eyes. In those brief moments she had assumed the responsibility that every protector before her needed. The feelings poured into her like water in a fountain. She felt a connection to The Rune and could feel the power it held inside. A power that belonged to no one, and it was her duty to make sure of that.

             
They left the clearing almost an hour later.
"
That was amazing!
"
Terra was almost floating. She was intoxicated by the deep connection she now held with the earth, and had promised The Rune that she would protect it with her life. She’s never felt so strongly about anything before.

             
"
Yes, it’s incredible. But remember, you must not mention any of this. Especially to your brother,
"
Aylin warned.

             
"
Yes, I know,
"
she said with sadness.
"
Though, it would make things easier. But I understand,
" s
he said quickly before Aylin rounded on her.
"
Can you tell me what each one means? The symbols that were on the top?
"
She changed the subject.

             
Aylin let out her breath. Terra was sly, but Aylin wasn’t distracted. The look in Terra’s eyes was screaming at Aylin to accept Blake and open him to their world. It was eventually going to crush Terra when she realized that she couldn’t. One thing at a time.
"
The first symbol, the one that looks like a B, is for Beginnings. It envelops our lives from the beginning of our magical lives to the end. It was once used to open the gates to the first forest.
"
They were walking slowly through the woods toward their home. El was silent as Aylin explained this to Terra.
"
The second symbol, the one that looks a bit like a fork, is for Protection. That is pretty self-explanatory. It will protect you as you protect it.

             
"
The one that is shaped like an R is for Journeys. To help you take the safest route in your journey through this. And last, the diamond with the elongated ends is Fate. It has always been your fate.
"
They broke through the trees and into the backyard.

             
"
There were so many others too, all over it.
"
Terra was chewing on her lip.

             
"
Yes, and each have their own meanings. Runes are very old, and hold ancient powers that shouldn’t be taken lightly. We avoid using their magic because it is very strong and hard to control. They were formed by the oldest of our kind. It is The Rune’s magic and spells to use, not ours. Do you understand that?
"
Aylin looked to El for support.

             
El stepped closer to Terra.
"
I once tried to tap into one of the runes. It was the symbol for Memory. I wanted to keep some of my memories crystal clear for as long as I was alive, and instead my mind was taken back to an ancient time. I have some memories now that weren’t mine, and they still haunt me. If Aylin hadn’t come to my aid, I would be still lost in history.
"

             
Terra’s jaw was hanging open.
"
Wha-
"

             
"
No. I’m not going to tell you what I saw. It’s…
"
El tightened her jaw and narrowed her eyes.
"
I’m not going to talk about it.
"
She turned and followed the stepping stone path to the patio.

             
"
Not much scares El. She’s tough, and if something can jar her, than you know it’s not something to meddle with.
"
Aylin watched El disappear into the house.