The Equinox Read Online Free PDF Page A

that our
ancestors worked so hard to build, destroyed because of the Equinox. We refused
to let their evil sabotage us, and once again, we refuse.”
    A burst of applause sounds from the crowd
but it dies down quickly. Rose is only getting started.
    “For those of you who aren’t aware, I’ll
tell you the story now. The more information we all have will only make us
stronger. This—I’ve learned from our newest Enchanter—my
granddaughter.”
    More applause. She turns and I catch her
smile. My entire body sinks with a hint of embarrassment at being called out
like that. My cheeks grow warm, but I feel something else bubbling inside me too—delight.
Maybe Rose does listen to me.
    “Almost ten years ago our community was
bustling, healthy, and flourishing among the Normals, much like it is today. It
was the first time in our history that the Solstice community could
successfully report inhabiting land in a community with greater Normal ratios than
Enchanters and Followers combined. Over time our numbers have proved to work
well. We have been able to keep our secret from the outside world while still using
magic to keep others safe.
    At the time, George worked for the energy
plant and they started to get reports of toxins from unidentifiable pollution coming
from the bay. The energy plant was blamed for the pollution, but we knew
better; it was as if someone was purposefully dumping massive amounts of toxins.
Sea inhabitants were dying rapidly, but that’s not all. Mysterious deaths began
to occur within our community. Tragic, awful deaths of Elders. Then there was
vandalism, arson…”
    As Rose’s voice trails off I wonder if the
arson she’s referring to has to do with the Summer Estates fire. Just the
thought of it feels like someone grabs hold of my insides and squeezes.
    “The Equinox invaded our land. We know it
was them because they left their mark after nearly every destruction.”
    The room goes dark and there’s a flicker
of bright white light in the back of the room. The light thins out in my
direction and I turn to see where it leads. I hadn’t noticed the large
projection screen before, but I see it now as an image illuminates from the
screen. It’s just a white background with a black infinity symbol, except when
I look closer at the details of the infinity I see a much more disturbing
picture.
    The air around me runs cold, and I hear
the whispering begin. I grip the fabric at the skirt of my dress, unable to
pull my eyes away from the image. The texture of the infinity is formed by
scales of a snake. At the center of the infinity are beady, evil eyes, and the
snake’s mouth is wide as it stuffs its own tail in its mouth. I look
away—but it’s too late, the image is already seared into my mind.
    “The symbol of the serpent represents
dual meaning, good and evil. Every god and goddess is given great power with
good intention. Human nature, however, strikes us all. Even as deities we feel
jealousy, anger, hate; we are far from perfect—but it’s up to us how we
choose to express those emotions and how we choose to use the magic that’s been
graciously passed down to us.
    Descendants from the Equinox lean toward
the poison from the serpent rather than its healing powers. Their nature is
evil, which is why they commit evil acts. You see, just as our ancestors passed
down their genes and powers of Enchantment to us, the Equinox did the same.
    In today’s world, descendants of the Equinox
have learned how to blend in with Solstice communities well. A decade ago, we
were blinded by those we loved and trusted because it’s not our natural
instinct to be suspicious or expect danger. It was all in an attempt to thin
out our population and take the only things they’ve wanted from us since the
original Goddess of Enchantment, Astina Somer’s birth: power and revenge. We
were warned that the harm they caused us then was only a taste of what was to
come. I think the Equinox has made it clear that the