Deception by B. C. Burgess

retaliate, but Brietta dodge, letting Skyla take a face full of flora.
    “That was excellent,” Brietta gushed, darting in to kiss Layla’s cheek.
    “To say the least,” Skyla agreed. “I can't wait to see what you'll do next time.”
    “Come up with something crazy, Sky,” Layla offered, “and I'll try to perform it for you next time we play.”
    “Ooh, good idea. I'll start brainstorming tonight.”
    Catigern approached and placed a hand on Caitrin's shoulder, but he and his hawk looked at Layla. “That was quite a spell, Layla, very impressive for someone new to the craft. Not only do you make this coven complete, you make us proud.”
    “Thanks, Catigern.”
    He smiled then soberly turned to Caitrin. “It's getting late.”
    Zenith soared into the air with a screech, and the coven looked at the clouds, their senses alert to the incoming storm.
    “Yes,” Caitrin agreed, following Catigern to the center of their happy clan. Everyone gathered around them, and Quin took Layla's hand, compelling her to do the same.
    She furrowed her eyebrows as she fell into step, wondering why the family was paying such rapt attention to Catigern. Even little Alana was wide-eyed and mum as she watched and listened, struggling to keep her collection of petals ensnared, but she obediently ignored those that fell.
    Layla leaned toward Quin and whispered. “What’s going on?”
    Before Quin could answer, Catigern suspended the silence. “This is the first time in over twenty-one years we've had to watch members of our family depart.”
    “Oh,” Layla breathed, heart plunging into her stomach.
    Quin pulled her hand to his lips, kissing it as Catigern went on. “And while our hearts ache the same, this situation is different. Those leaving will return, and they’re not going far. We'll see each other often, and we’ll gather when it's safe to do so.” He paused, sweeping his shiny gaze across everyone’s faces. Then he cleared his throat and ticked off sixteen names.
    Layla's mouth fell open. Less than half of them were staying, and some of the women were leaving their husbands behind.
    “We’ll miss each other dearly,” Catigern continued, “and until we're together again, we'll be missing a piece of ourselves. Let us ask the Heavens for a quick and safe return for all of you, and a safe stay for all of us. We'll keep in touch daily and provide each other with constant updates. Now say your farewells quickly. It's getting late.”
    The stillness shattered, and those leaving began making the rounds.
    Layla looked at Quin, lungs full and burning as she tried not to cry, but she couldn’t hold her breath forever.
    “They’re not going far,” he assured, pulling her into a hug.
    The floodgates burst, and her lungs emptied into his chest as her tears moistened his shirt. “I had no idea so many were leaving.”
    “We'll see them nearly every day,” he soothed. “It’s for the best.”
    “I know,” she breathed, trying to stem the tears and strengthen her heart. “Actually, it would probably be best if everyone left.”
    “No one wants to go, and some of us have to stay to maintain our homes and land.”
    “How did they decide who stays and who goes?”
    “The children are going, including Bann and Sky, and all the women are leaving, with the exception of you, your grandmas and my mom. The only men leaving are those who were wounded last night, except for my dad. He’s staying.”
    “I see,” she whispered, still struggling with overwhelming guilt and sorrow, but she had to suck it up and try to stay strong through the goodbyes.
    She did fairly well through most of them, keeping her shoulders straight and the tears at bay, but then Selena approached with a sad and confused Alana.
    Layla quickly turned away, wiping the tears swelling from her lids. Then she took a few quick breaths and glued a smile on her face. “Hi, angel,” she greeted, holding out her arms. “Are you going on a trip?” Her lips