AN ETERNAL LOVE

You simply must come to the meeting today, Adira. People will think it odd if you don't. The new Church minister is here!"

Aunt Helen fussed with the skirts of the new dress that Adira had made for her, then stopped herself. "Vanity," she said. "At my age, one would not think it a sin that would tempt me."

"Wishing to look one's best when greeting a newcomer is not vanity, Aunt Helen," Adira told her sternly. "It is simply good manners."

"If you knew so much about good manners, child," her dear Aunt said, "you would accompany me to church."

Aunt Helen made her eyes soft and pleading, like those of a child coaxing for a sweet. And again Adira marveled at how youthful and vigorous her Aunt had grown under her care.

"Please come with me, Adira."

Adira closed her eyes in defeat. "Oh, all right. But if he is as fond of shouting and pounding his Bible as the last one was, I shall get up and leave."

Aunt

put on one of her own new dresses

back of her head, and covered it with a small white cap with its dangling ribbons, as was customary. It was considered sinful for a woman to wear her hair loose, though she failed to see why that silly townsfolk said so. She wore her hair down and flowing all

of the same kind as the Puritans she had the misfortune to

Also, Aunt Helen's fortune had shifted so completely from the moment of her arrival had not escaped the notice of some people. She could feel the eyes on her, hear the gossip in the whispers they shared as she walked among them. Perhaps it was time she convinced Aunt Helen to sell the cabin and move away with her. She would not wait until

becoming unsafe for her. She could not quite smell the danger in the air... yet. But she felt it

Onyx into her harness. Her poor mare hated towing the thing, and she could not say that she blamed her. However, the sight of her aunt and she

with food for the meal that would follow services. Adira

though she detested it, she did look fine pulling

fell loose, but she was enjoying the ride far too much to fuss over them. They traveled the worn track they called the Coastal

Adira disliked and distrusted the people of the Alpena Sanctuary. Alex Davies, the village elder in particular. But she was utterly enchanted with the place itself. The ground beneath her and the sky above. Sea to her left, and forest to her right. It was like a magic circle unto itself. She felt the earth's power here as she never had before, and perhaps it was not all because of the forces moving in and around this wild, new land. Perhaps it was another bit of her new self making its presence felt. The ability to feel the places where Mother Nature's power pulsed strongest. She wished she understood more about her own nature. She