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  The raspy voice of Doriya broke the roar of the clan. “Welcome clan family. As you can see, our young ones, Greta and Thad, have taken their oath of white magic to heart. Each member here today has the ability to do the same. Some will, and some won’t. Most of you here have gone through my teachings. Those who have know to ward off negative thoughts, evil spirits, and live for the day as it was meant to be.

  “As we accept the bounties bestowed upon us, Greta and Thad deserve the positions with respect and dignity that they show unto others. They are well versed in the art of white magic and wish to continue their tutelage to move forward to gain the honor of Shuvihanis. Thank you all for joining us today. There will be a great celebration in their honor tonight.”

  Chapter Three

  The seductive rhythm of the music calmed Greta. The communal fire drew her in. Her tired, muddled mind relaxed as she admired the beauty of the flames swirling around in a colorful dance. Immersing herself in the sight before her, she released the confusion of Cleo and the discomforting, evil Madonna.

  Out of the corner of her eye, Greta caught movement coming toward her. The amulet around her neck warmed. The fresh cut wood smell reached her before Thad did. He joined her in dance.

  She caught her breath. His slow sway picked up the beat of the music. Thad’s eyes dilated as he gazed at her. He matched his rhythm with hers. Together they swayed and shimmied near each other. Their bodies so close, but not touching.

  A new kind of heat burned deep within Greta. Together they raised their arms above their heads, clicking the finger cymbals as they snaked their arms down to their sides and then back up again. Greta thought her heart would burst from the overflow of energy as they teased, taunted, beckoned one another to come closer. Yet they restrained from making contact.

  New energy flowed from between them. Greta accepted it into her body. Their souls touched even though their bodies were a few inches apart. Her breath labored at his nearness. Desire bubbled deep within her core as she watched Thad’s seductive dance. Love burned within his eyes as he kept his gaze upon her face.

  Pride, joy, and a special connection that was only meant for Thad poured out of her as she concentrated on melding it with his. A bright, white light swirled around them, pushing them closer, intertwining their spirits. The dance became a marriage between the two souls, bonding their futures, gripping their hearts.

  As Shuvihanis, together they were stronger, wiser, more powerful. The intensity didn’t go unnoticed by the clan. Mumbles of the union roared amongst the crowd. The blaze of the fire dimmed in comparison to the brilliant white light that illuminated the area.

  The clan relied on the wisdom and strength of the Shuvihanis. The acceptance of Greta and Thad’s display brought smiles Greta hadn’t seen in some time. She faced the crowd with outstretched arms. Slowly she pulled in the energy and confidence building within the people. She glanced over at Thad. He too was drinking in the excitement.

  Greta couldn’t help but wonder why, with all the energy, didn’t the crowd ward off the evil of Cleo and the dark witch? Had the caravan become so reliant upon Doriya they expected her to do it alone?

  Every threat put the people on high alert. The whole process of darkness had flogged the caravan so fast it was hard to take in until it had already been done. Others had noticed. The signs were there, but Greta didn’t want to believe Cleo would turn on her people the way she had.

  Cleo’s odd behavior worried the clan. Doriya, Thad, and Greta worked closely to plan their strategy to fight Cleo and Madonna. With this dance and the support of the clan, Greta was sure it wouldn’t take long to get everyone back to normal. She dug deeper into her soul and poured more of herself into the dance.

  The crowd started to wander off to their vardos. The step of the wagons creaked as they replaced the music. Thad stepped away from Greta and glanced over at her father who was now standing on the bottom step. Andrew Smith nodded at Thad.

  Greta’s heart skipped a beat, and her lips tingled as she waited for Thad to kiss her. She shook from head to toe in anticipation of his wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. Every cell in her body waited, burned with intense yearning.

  Thad gently took hold of her elbow and pulled her into the shadows of the nearby forest. Greta held her breath. It was going to happen. It had to happen.

  “We need to talk.” Thad’s husky tone sounded more businesslike than one of wooing.

  Her heart plummeted to her stomach. What happened? Didn’t he want to kiss her? To run his hands across her skin? She wanted to know what it was like to freely love him without being restricted by anything or anyone. Now Thad wanted to talk.

  “I don’t understand. What about the dance? Was that a false gesture? I thought, maybe, you loved me as much as I love you.” Heat traveled up her neck and across her face. Her vision clouded as the tears pooled on her eyelashes.

  “You have it all wrong, Greta. I do love you. Don’t ever question my feelings for you. You are as much a part of me as I am.” Thad swiped her tears from underneath her eyes. “Right now I am worried about you.”

  Thad reached out and pulled her into his chest. His arms wrapped her into a comforting hug. She lay her ear against his heart and listened to it pick up a beat. “Why are you worried? Have I done something to disappoint you?” Greta held her breath. She wanted to pull away from his warmth. His warm arms held her pressed against him.

  “This thing with Cleo.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and set her back from him. “Greta, you told Doriya and me about the way Cleo and this Madonna witch won’t let you close them out of your mind.”

  “Yes, it is true. I don’t want to listen to their evil. They keep dragging me around through their thoughts. They refuse, even chain me to the ground, to keep me from walking away. I am powerless to do anything.” Greta gazed into Thad’s concerned eyes.

  “You must stay away from Cleo. The dark witch is inside her.”

  “Yes, I know this. I have tried to stay away.” Greta lowered her eyes.

  “They wait until you are alone.” Thad gave her shoulders a very light shake.

  “I think they cast a spell to keep me within their circle before they get close to me.”

  “They double their strength by feeding off each other. Why don’t you call on me to help you?”

  “That’s another thing, Thad. Somehow they close off my abilities to call for help before I know they are there. I can’t help it. I know I am in danger.”

  “Listen to me, Greta. Doriya is working on a spell to protect you. In the meantime, you need to stay close to me or Doriya.”

  “You and Doriya are always so busy. I can’t get my work done if I stay with one of you all the time.”

  “This is not open for discussion. I know you felt the power we have together.”

  Oh yes, she felt the power, and the love, and the burning desire coursing so deeply in her she couldn’t explain it. Staying close to Thad wouldn’t be a problem as far as wanting to be near him. The problem lay deeper, within her heart. Greta couldn’t let Thad get sucked into the dark gloominess of the evil.

  She had dreamed of this kind of connection with him since they were young. To be able to trust outside of her family was something she had experienced before. No matter the cost, she couldn’t let Thad endure the wrath of Madonna as the witch twisted Cleo’s mind.

  Staying away from the sneaky Cleo and Madonna seemed easy enough. The amulet wouldn’t let her down once she cleaned the bad energy away.

  Thad stepped closer to Greta. The warmth of his minty breath caressed her cheek. His woodsy aroma tinged with smoke from the communal fire lingering in the vicinity. She inhaled deeply. The amulet heated against Greta’s skin.

  Her lips parted as he lowered his face close to hers. The pulse in her neck picked up a beat. Wild, tingling goose bumps peppered across her skin. Greta’s mind raced. A yearning desire burned hotter than any bonfire she had been near.

  Thad pulled her
closer. His soft brown eyes twinkled with passion. His strong hands cupped the sides of her face. Greta leaned into him. He was only a breath away, his lips softly grazed hers.

  The amulet grew cold. Thad dropped his hands to his sides. He glanced down toward the pouch that held his talisman. His lips moved without sound.

  Greta tried to reach his mind, but was blocked to send the cry for help. She glanced around. Cleo stepped from the shadows. The dark mist of Madonna hung around her.

  “Well, what do we have here? Another Shuvihani. Seems to me you two should pay more attention to your surroundings than to each other.” Cleo circled around them.

  Thad’s lips moved. His brows narrowed. Heated anger sparked in his eyes. Madonna’s black misty figure swirled around him. She pointed her finger at him. Sooner or later I will penetrate that barrier around you. You will rue the day you closed me out.

  “You leave him alone. We have other matters to tend to.” Cleo stomped her foot on the ground.

  Doriya stepped out into the open. Her arms stretched out. She mumbled in a foreign tongue Greta couldn’t understand. Cleo sagged to the ground. Madonna screamed as she shrank in stature.

  I told you I would come back someday. Cleo set me free. She turned to me for help, not you, Doriya.

  Madonna, it will be a pleasure to banish you again. Next time it will be forever. Doriya began another chant.

  You will not win this time. Madonna faded as if she were smoke in a strong wind.

  “Come along Greta, Thad.” Doriya waved her hand in the air. The bonds holding Greta and Thad captive broke.

  Greta took a few steps forward and then stopped. She stood over Cleo and looked into glazed eyes. “What about her?”

  “She will wake up and make her way back to camp. They always do.” Doriya strolled down the path leading back to the caravan.

  Chapter Four

  Greta held her breath as her father called on Barry Little. Her father, Andrew Smith, said he hoped the announcement would help ease whatever had been troubling her. She listened intently as she moved closer to him. The tightness in her chest sent thrills through her body. It had been a few weeks since an announcement surprised her. Standing on her tiptoes, she waited. Her hands pressed together in front of her lips.

  The crowd wandered around smiling as they called out greetings to one another. It would be another big night for the clan, and reason for another nightly celebration, even though they didn’t need a reason to dance.

  Barry Little stepped onto the bottom step of his vardo. Through his cupped hands, he called to the milling crowd of the caravan, “May I have every one’s attention please?” A few mumbles lulled the crackles and pops of the blazing bonfire. Musicians tuned their guitars and fiddles in the background. Then the clan quieted and stared at the speaker.

  Greta’s father leaned toward her. “You will be happy with this announcement. But, poor Mr. Little may have a few problems with his daughter. She is uncontrollable.”

  Before Greta could respond, Mr. Little called Cleo to join him.

  “As you all know my daughter, Cleo, has become of marriageable age. Through the gypsy laws, her marriage was pre-arranged eighteen years ago to a special young man. A young man who has proven himself to be honorable and trustworthy. It is with pleasure to announce on this special occasion, Cleo is free to accept the courtship of Garland Tierney. As of tonight they may take time to get to know one another.”

  Greta glanced at Cleo. The black fog of Madonna surrounded her. Greta tried to shut out the evil witch and being drawn into another round of evil plotting of destruction. It was too late. She was powerless to fight against the entity.

  Her knees weakened. The pulse in her chest pounded in her ears. Fluttering in her stomach skimmed around as if someone had tried to skip large stones across a pond.

  Greta tried to shut Cleo out of her mind. At first she only caught bits and pieces of the conversation. Open to court… free to get to know… Garland Tierney? Shaking her head, Greta tried to wipe the confusion from her thoughts. Had Cleo’s father lost his mind? Did he expect his daughter to follow through with the old beliefs of the clan?

  Cleo and Madonna started scheming. Madonna led the way, tempting Cleo further into her black web of darkness.

  The roar of the crowd echoed in Greta’s ears as she stepped backward to lean against a vardo. This couldn’t be happening. Garland was in love with someone else. Did Cleo’s father realize the danger he was putting Garland in by forcing Cleo to marry a man who did not want to marry her?

  How far would Cleo allow Madonna to rule her life before she put an end to the evil?

  Madonna screamed at Cleo. What about your needs, wants, and feelings? You should have the right to choose your own husband. It’s 1866. A lot of things have changed since your parents married.

  Greta glanced at Garland. His face reddened. The smile on his face didn’t reach his eyes. Garland reminded her of someone who had just been punched in the stomach with an iron fist. He nodded to the young men as they slapped him on the back.

  His muscled arms flexed under the material of his shirtsleeves. The wind whipped a few strands of his black hair across his dark brown eyes. The tall, handsome gypsy man stood quietly across the camp with a disgusted look on his face. He was everything Mr. Little said. Any other woman would be honored. But, not Cleo.

  A small warm hand touched Greta’s arm. She glanced up to see Cleo’s smirk. Greta couldn’t believe Cleo came to her. “I will get out of this, and I will come after Thad. Heed my warning Greta, you have not heard the last of me.”

  “Congratulations, Cleo. I wish you many days of happiness with Garland. I believe he will provide you a very pleasurable life. I’m so happy for you.” Greta stepped forward and thrust her arms around Cleo’s neck. The brief hug turned her stomach, and she opted to ignore Cleo’s nasty remarks.

  “Thank you.” Cleo stiffened. Evil radiated from her eyes. The spell or whatever the dark witch held over Greta was broken. Cleo didn’t want to be congratulated. She turned and walked away as the musicians strummed their instruments.

  Greta moved toward Thad and Doriya. She stopped in front of them. “Madonna is influencing Cleo to keep her from marrying Garland. It’s horrible the way she’s manipulating Cleo.”

  “Garland is caught in the crossfire. Is there anything we can do to protect him?” Thad shifted his eyes from Doriya to Greta and back again.

  “We can only add a small amount of protection…as long as it doesn’t interfere with his true destiny.” Doriya half-heartedly smiled at Thad and Greta.

  Soft music filled the air. Garland still hadn’t approached Cleo. Couples, young and old gathered around the bonfire. They moved to the music. There would be no dancing for Garland tonight. Cleo proved with her outward actions that she had nothing to celebrate regarding the announcement. Greta’s skin crawled across her bones as she thought of the heartache and embarrassment he would have to endure from Cleo.

  Cleo turned her head to the group of men. The outstretched arms and typical jibes from the single men pushed Garland toward her. Garland started her way, and she shook her head. He advanced to her side anyway. “Hi Cleo.”

  “Go away, Garland.” How rude and easy Cleo’s words slipped off her tongue. Greta wanted to go tell her about how she should act, but Doriya clutched her arm.

  With his head hung low, Garland tried to make conversation with Cleo. She refused to speak to him for most of his interview. Finally he gave up and bid her good-night. She sneered as he turned on his heel and strolled to the group of young men.

  Cleo moved to the outer circle and glared at the dancers taking their turn around the fire. Each couple danced with more vigor than the ones before them. She folded her arms across her chest. Greta tried to ignore the blood pulsing through her veins. Tears of disgust and disappointment stung her eyes. The dance seemed to last longer than ever before. Three hours later, the gypsy clan made their way to their vardos.

  Doriya an
d Thad left Greta. Cleo pushed into Greta and made her way toward her parents’ wagon. Greta moved to the shadow and watched Cleo climb the stairs before her parents and siblings. Greta knew Cleo planned to cause trouble. Cleo’s anger had to be stopped. The more information Greta could gather, the better to control Cleo.

  As soon as her family entered and closed the door behind them, Cleo yelled, “I will not marry Garland Tierney. It’s not fair to either one of us to be forced into a marriage we do not want.”

  Greta cringed at the outburst. How could Cleo be so disrespectful to her family? Cleo would never have raised her voice to her family before Madonna came along.

  “How do you know he doesn’t want it? There is nothing wrong with Garland. He is one of the most respected men in the clan. He is willing to marry you, despite your rejections of him tonight.” Barry Little sounded as angry as his daughter.

  “He’s in love with Sophie, Papa. My own sister. Let them get married.”

  “You haven’t given him a chance, Cleo.” The warmth of her mother Ernestine’s soft voice barely filtered through the wall of the vardo.

  “Only a fool cannot see he is in love with her, Mama.”

  “Do not talk to your mother that way. You will marry him or be banished for going against gypsy policy,” Barry said.

  “He may think he’s in love with Sophie, but he’ll learn to love you. Cleo, you didn’t even talk to him at the dance tonight. You do not know how he feels,” Ernestine said.

  “I talked to him.”

  “I heard the conversation. You told him he’s free to pursue Sophie. That’s not giving him the chance to know you,” Her father said.

  “I do not want to have this talk with either one of you.”

  “We will continue this conversation tomorrow, Cleo. You are being disrespectful, not only to me, but to your mother as well. Not to mention the embarrassment you caused for Garland. I will not tolerate your behavior.” Her father’s heated anger could be heard.