Spellbound by Cate Tiernan Page A

though I’d been caught in the Wiccan equivalent of seeing someone’s underwear.
    “Hmmm,” Finn said thoughtfully, holding out his large hand. “Pleased to meet you, Morgan.” He gave Alyce an odd glance, as if she had introduced him to a questionable character.
    Alyce smiled. “Morgan, this is Finn Foster. He’s helping me in the shop,” she explained. To Finn she added, “Morgan is a dedicated customer.” She offered no other explanation, and with Finn’s eyes on me I felt even more strongly that I had committed a faux pas.
    “Who do you study with?” Finn asked.
    “Um, right now a lot by myself, and some with Hunter Niall.”
    Finn blinked. “The Seeker?”
    “Yes.”
    “You’re Morgan Rowlands,” Finn said, as if he’d just made a connection.
    “Yes.” I glanced at Alyce uncertainly, but she just smiled reassuringly.
    Finn hesitated, as if debating whether to say something more, but then he just smiled and nodded. “Nice meeting you,” he said. “Hope to see you again soon.” He gave Alyce a glance and took the box of candles to the other side of the store. A moment later I heard Bree asking him about some clover oil. I looked for Mary K. and saw that she was holding some silver earrings up, looking at them in a small mirror.
    “What was that about?” I asked Alyce, and she chuckled softly.
    “I’m afraid you’re a bit notorious,” she said. “I’m sorry if you feel like a performing seal, but lots of people have already heard of your power, your heritage—not to mention what happened with Cal and Selene—and they’re curious.”
    Ugh. I shifted uncomfortably.
    Alyce reached past me to straighten some books on a shelf. “Has Hunter talked to you about your studies? About tàth meànma brach ?”
    “Yes,” I answered, surprised by the change of subject.
    “What do you think of the idea?” Her clear, blue-violet eyes searched mine.
    “It sounded exciting,” I said slowly. “I want to do it. What do you think about it?”
    “I think it might be a good idea,” she said, looking thoughtful. “Hunter’s right—you need to learn as much as you can as fast as you can. For almost any other witch I would advise against it. It’s hard, and I’m sure Hunter told you it can be dangerous. But you’re an exceptional case. Of course, it’s your decision alone. But you should consider it carefully.”
    “Would you do it with me?” I asked.
    She looked deeply into my eyes. I had no idea how old she was—in her fifties?—but I saw a wealth of knowledge in her gaze. What she knew could help me, and I suddenly wanted her knowledge with a surprising hunger that I tried not to show.
    “I’ll think about it, my dear,” she said quietly. “I’ll talk to Hunter, and we can decide.”
    “Thank you,” I whispered.
    “Are you about ready?” Bree called down the aisle. Finn had already rung up her purchases; she held a small green bag with silver handles.
    “Yes,” I called back. “Where’s Mary K.?”
    “Right here,” my sister said, emerging from the other aisle.
    “Did you want those earrings you were looking at?” I asked, and she shook her head, her shiny auburn hair swinging around her shoulders. I wondered if she thought buying those earrings would be like taking witchcraft into the house and resolved to try to put her fears to rest on that point. Maybe I could surprise her with them for Christmas.
    It was late afternoon when we headed home in Breezy. I was quiet and full of thought about the possibility of doing the tàth meànma brach with Alyce.
    “Why do you like that store so much?” Mary K. asked from the backseat.
    “Don’t you think it’s cool?” Bree asked. “Even if I wasn’t into Wicca, I would still be into the candles and jewelry and incense and stuff.”
    “I guess.” My sister sounded subdued, and I knew she was struggling with the conflict of liking anything that had to do with witchcraft while remaining true to her own religion and to my