Coven of Dixon Cliff

By Cheryl L. Hyde

Time Traveling Sexy Witches Kick Butt Following A World Apocalypse

Cassy, Max, and Ayla left Earth three years ago to avoid an impending apocalypse, as was the destiny of their bloodline. The utopia they now reside in, Muria, allows for time space travel. The three travel back to SoCal to help a small coven defeat an evil warlock. It should be a simple mission—arrive, kick some evil warlock butt, party, and go home. But things are never as simple as one thinks they should be.

 

You see Max has a habit of attracting the opposite sex and his sometimes 'harmless' flirting has him in trouble from day one. Mona, the young woman destined to be the High Priestess and power behind the new Coven of Dixon Cliff, believes Max is her one true love. One big problem with Mona's plan, Max is married to the princess of Muria—the world that he now calls home.

 

Will Mona be able to defeat the evil warlock and bring the Coven of Dixon Cliff back to life?

 

Can she convince Max to stay with her in this time direction and be her High Priest?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Whisper Publications
• Release date: Aug 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9781950598106

Cheryl L. Hyde

I make my home in the beautiful state of Colorado backed up against the Rocky Mountains. I live with my husband Anthony, and my rescue Blue Front Amazon parrot, Riley. I enjoy traveling, writing, painting, fitness, nature, visiting with friends, curling up with a good book, and the awesomeness of every day.Each new day is a blessing to be treasured!One of the greatest joys of writing is losing myself in the story—I may begin the story, but soon it is writing itself—sometimes taking me on a totally different journey than originally imagined. I find myself on a magical ride to new places, or reliving and reinventing places I've visited.I hope you enjoy my stories and please feel free to connect with me. I love to hear from my readers and fans. I feel very lucky to have connected with and made so many friends in this very special world we live.Through social media, especially my Twitter Tribe and Writers Community, I am blessed with a multitude of caring and wonderful friends who support me in so many ways—you are awesome!It is with heartfelt gratitude that I thank my readers and fans around the world. I feel extremely honored to be a part of your reading list.Visit me on Twitter at: @Cheryl_L_Hyde

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Copyright © 2019 Cheryl L. Hyde

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-950598-10-6 eBook

ISBN: 978-1-950598-09-0 paperback 5x8 format

Whisper Publications UNITED STATES

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Cover design by Anthony D. Hyde and Cheryl L. Hyde

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

This eBook contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties.

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This novel is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted material, as this violates author’s rights. If you would like to share the eBook version with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Disclaimer

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, settings, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, names, business establishments, locales, or organizations is entirely coincidental.

Connect with Cheryl L. Hyde

Visit me on Twitter.com: @Cheryl_L_Hyde

A note before you read Coven of Dixon Cliff (Source: Paradise Twice by Cheryl L. Hyde)

Thousands of years ago there existed an island utopia in the Pacific Ocean called Muria. Muria was isolated from the rest of the world and inhabited by intergalactic travelers living peaceful, coexisting lives with the evolving human population. They shared their knowledge, technology and special 'talents' with other Earth populations.

When a pyroclastic event devastated much of Muria, many of its peoples ventured into the unexplored world to protect their now limited resources, as well as begin new lives. The Murians became scientists, teachers, philosophers, musicians, artists, cooks, ranchers, and ship captains.

As Muria drifted in time, its residents intermingled with society, marrying non-Murians and raising families. Although diluted, Murian DNA has a unique power to regenerate, thus ensuring the survival of Murians. The Murian DNA signals to and seeks to find its perfect match, creating a purebred Murian.

This is where the story gets interesting.

Max and Kaylie thought they were just normal young adults living normal lives and doing normal things—going to college, dating, partying, and building a future—until a strange man, Kahu, approaches them with an unbelievable prophecy. They are pure Murians and their destinies are to be the Prince and Princess of Muria.

Say what?

Muria is regenerated and once again the utopia it was before the pyroclastic event. Earth, on the other hand, is nearing an apocalyptic demise—the end of life as humans know it. For centuries humans have disregarded—ignored—the warnings Earth sends out that the abuse and disrespect for the world they inhabit cannot persist. But humans continue to pollute and destroy their world.

Max and Kaylie are charged with discovering other Murians and leading an exodus to the island paradise of Muria before the apocalyptic event occurs on Earth. Time is of the essence as they struggle with accepting their new charge and destinies. Finally, seeing no choice but to accept their fates—destinies—Max and Kaylie enlist the help of two close friends, Cassy and Ayla, to assist in the exodus. Cassy claims she’s known since childhood that Kaylie was her princess and thus willingly does as she asks.

But Coven of Dixon Cliff isn’t really about Muria, that is just the jumping off point. It is about the chaos Earth endured at about the same time the great exodus took place. Everyone living on Earth knew it had been on the brink of destruction for decades, but people were not willing to change their ways for the good of all—for the good of Earth. This story is about three young Murians wishing to return to post-apocalyptic Earth to help those left here three years before.

Cassy is a powerful witch, as is her friend Ayla. They wish to return to the old time direction, the time direction they would be living in had they stayed in SoCal three years earlier, to help the small coven they once belonged to. A coven where Murian talents are disguised as magic.

Chapter 01 Permission

YOU don’t have to ask permission.

I thought I should ask. I want you and Max to come!

"Utopia can be tedious, Kaylie feigns. So you want to leave here and join the other time direction three years after our departure?"

Yes, the sisters who remained need me. Persecution of all religions is running rampant. Groups who were once at odds are joining forces to survive. It is agreed that all traditions need to band together for any to continue. My old group has real Goddess given magic, but need three more to optimize their work. You, Ayla, and I could elevate the status of my sisters using our Murian talents. Then they will be able to lead the others on a path of light and compassion.

They can’t find three more witches in all of SoCal to join them?

Cassy shrugs. A warlock is claiming everything west of the Rocky Mountains his realm and declared a witch war on my sisters, so many are afraid to join them.

Are you serious?

She nods. It’s a frightening time for Earth and fear is used to manipulate weak wills. He’s a fraud using stage magic and absinth spiked with drugs to deceive an anxious collective, seeking safety in the storm.

Some things never change, Kaylie replies sadly, shaking her head. The Universe has abundance for all, but guys like evil warlock dude have to take. I so don’t understand. She thinks for a few seconds then adds, Why don’t you take MaryAnn?

She’s pregnant.

What? Kaylie’s eyes round big and blue in surprise. I thought she was a lesbian.

So did she.

Kaylie chuckles at the picture in her mind of MaryAnn discovering she is not a lesbian. Mind sharing has Cassy laughing equally. Laughter subsides and the princess suggests taking Summer, then quickly retracts said idea thinking she might take a war too seriously.

The world left behind still has a chance, albeit a very small one, to recover. In the short three years following departure, some countries totally destroyed themselves. Power struggles and revenge resulted in desolation and decimation. Who can I send that can help with strategy? They need someone who has a calm head and strong heart.

Take Max, she blurts.

Cool, a man will help balance the coven. Won’t you miss him though?

We are together all the time, a break will be nice. Besides I’ve heard welcome home sex is great fun! Be careful, even though you can’t affect this time direction, dead is dead.

No one is going to die.

Promise me that if it gets dangerous you all will come back immediately—all three of you, at the same time. Max has final say on this point.

I promise. Are you going to tell him the good news?

She shakes her head. "I think you should ask him. I will play reluctant Princess, while blessing the mission. I might get some I’m-gonna-miss-you-sex."

"If you guys’ sex life is getting boring, I can give Max some pointers, help out you know."

Mind share can be very embarrassing sometimes as both young women’s minds drift, playing with various scenarios, warming them from ear to toe.

Go! Ask Max. Clarifying, Kaylie continues, About the mission to San Diego not sex.

Cassy is very persuasive and has Max agreeing to the mission enthusiastically. Plans are solidified that include start and stop dates and regular check in times, as well as a few code phrases in case things go south. As a rule, one takes very few things with them when joining a different time direction. Anything outside the body can cause drag and affect travel.

The sendoff is unceremonious because time travel is highly discouraged. The Murians tried for centuries to set Earth on a better path without success. Kaylie hopes Cassy is able to help her friends optimize their current environment, but has no illusion the world will change for the better because of their attempts.

Max, Cassy, and Ayla slip to a time three years post-Muria departure, landing near the portal once used to transport so many individuals from pre-apocalyptic Earth to Muria. They hit the beach near the amusement park they all enjoyed and loved. A quick visual survey tells them things have changed dramatically. The once openly accessible park is surrounded by chain-link and its broad welcoming walkways are now dotted with large concrete barriers to slow patrons, thus deterring unchecked approaches. The beach is awash in seaweed and covered in trash of all descriptions, which was never allowed to accumulate in grander days.

Early morning still brings joggers to the water’s edge, but Max notices they all carry pepper spray, stun guns, or other deterrents, gripped tightly in fisted hands. A sad sight, he thinks.

Not sure how this time direction may greet them or what it holds, Cassy questions Max whether they should be equipped with similar devices.

He replies explaining that, During an altercation the attacker, as well as the intended victim, become focused on whatever weapon is presented, closing the door to more creative thought.

But that can save your ass, right?

Max chuckles. Surprise can be the greatest weapon! Do the unexpected! Max reminds. Now, I need coffee and I happen to know the best place to go.

Walking along the boardwalk towards Anthony’s Jolt, they find more street people and homeless than surfers. The volleyball nets are gone and all the beachfront condos that still remain, have bars on the doors and windows. Max can taste the coffee as he starts to open the gate leading to the patio where he and Kaylie had their first sorta date. His forward momentum is abruptly stopped because the gate is locked. With shock he glances towards the counter and sees a rather haggard looking Sweetie.

What ya want? a gravely, less-than-friendly voice asks.

Coffee, maybe a couple of lattes for the ladies, Max answers with question and confusion. He hears a buzz and the gate unlocks. He ushers the girls to an empty table, of which there are many. Sweetie marches over and demands their order.

I need a house coffee black and two white chocolate lattes for my friends.

That’ll be sixty-nine dollars, without the tip.

Max’s brain jumps into overdrive, quickly analyzing the situation. It is important to act like locals, so he reaches into his pocket and peels a fifty plus three ten dollar bills off the small wad of money that is expected to last through their entire mission. Max casually drops the bills in the general direction of Sweetie.

Keep the change.

Sweetie stares at the fifty, holds it up to the light then heads to the counter. With hot coffee in hand, and great anticipation of flavors experienced in another life, Max inhales the aroma. Cups lift in a mock toast and delicate swallows ensue.

Pphesst, Max spits the disgusting drink. He looks to his companions and sees the distaste on their faces. In another time, Max would have complained and gotten his money back with apologies. Here, today, he must blend in, until all the strangeness can be quantified.

Let’s take these with us, he announces, loud enough that Sweetie hears. As expected the gate opens easily to allow guests to leave. They travel a short distance then add their drinks to a large, overflowing trashcan on the edge of the boardwalk.

That was absolutely horrible! Cassy declares. What has happened?

I believe some inflation may have occurred since we left, Max answers grinning.

Yeah, and now apparently old running shoes are used as coffee filters, Cassy adds.

And rabbit turds as coffee beans, although that may be an insult to rabbit turds, Ayla tacks on, chuckling.

Max and Cassy agree.

Let’s go and walk along the ocean and sort things out, Cassy suggests. Heads nod in agreement.

I’m sorry, Ladies. I meant that to be a treat!

Not your fault, Max. Things change.

We have been prepared for the unusual in a benign way. Perhaps this was a blessing in disguise.

If so, it was a bad tasting blessing, Ayla whispers, as laughter comforts the group. She continues by asking, Why did you call the man Sweetie under your breath?

Long story, Max says dismissively. Where’re we meeting up with your friends? he questions.

Paige and Terra moved into my old place. I hope they are still there.

Max looks at Cassy and she hangs her head. Now it’s my turn to be sorry, I didn’t think.

Max shrugs. Let’s find Paige and Terra and do what we came to do.

A sand dollar! A sign! A true blessing! Ayla drops to her knees and gently with reverence captures the sand dollar from a retreating wave. She holds it gently in her open palms, showing Max. This is nature’s pentagram—earth, air, fire, water, and spirit.

Cassy folds her hands under Ayla’s as does Max, sharing the special moment and significance of the object the women are holding. A new light shines, brightening their mission. They return the sand dollar to the ocean before walking a mile. Soon they are standing outside the apartment building Cassy and Ayla called home.

This is new, Cassy exclaims. A six-foot fence separates the building from the sidewalk. The gate is locked. There is a directory with no names and no apartment numbers, just a keypad beside a questionable-looking speaker.

Here goes. Cassy punches in three one three.

Yes? squawks over the speaker.

Terra? Cassy asks indecisively, not recognizing the low-pitched, slightly raspy voice.

Cassy? Terra responds in her usual voice.

The succeeding shrieks cause Max to cover his ears.

Come up, come up!

The three scamper up the stairs. Landing on the third floor, Max feels a suffocating denseness in the air. He is having a little trouble breathing. I am not that out of shape, he thinks. He watches from the doorway as the four women exchange hugs and kisses with an intimacy few will ever experience. His sensitive side basks in the loving glow, while his male side naturally slides to the erotic. Looking from the entryway, feeling weak, his eyes meet Cassy’s.

The women break apart and Cassy quickly explains the man in the door is a friend.

Avexi Avectum! Terra commands. She and Cassy throw their arms around Max, helping him to the sofa.

"Wow, that must have been some really bad coffee, he groans. Great first impression. I apologize."

It’s a protection spell Terra and Paige cast for their safety. You weren’t known to their heart or mind.

Good to know it works! Paige mischievously adds.

Feeling better, Max stands and offers his hand in introduction. Terra and Paige encase him with full body hugs sharing a healing touch.

That was more than friendly, Max thinks to himself. No wonder women hug so much. However, I am feeling much better.

"So what can we do to help?"

A ceremony tomorrow night, out on Dixon Cliff. The moon will be a full super moon—it is perfect. Our power will be known to all.

Thinking quickly, Max confesses he has only practiced in groups of three or four and needs to rehearse the choreography.

This is so great, Terra gushes. We spread our arms and form a large circle then walk the circle three times. We each cast salt as we go.

Clockwise and sea salt, Max pretends he knows.

Depending how the circle forms the chosen Wiccans will share the fire and light the pentacle. Cassy will bring the chalice to the center altar and you, Max, the athame.

Cassy begins an objection then figures it is safer for Max if she is the chalice bearer. He hasn’t a clue on the symbolism involved.

Quarters will be called. We pull back our hoods, focusing our gaze from the fire to the light. Finally, Cassy will ask the Goddess to join us, and Max, you will ask the God. We will take three steps forward, reveal ourselves for who we are, and join hands again. Thanks will be given and we will ask for the divine power to overcome our challenges for the good of all.

I think I got it, Max states with hesitant confidence.

We’ll practice later, Cassy suggests. We need robes. Is the occult shop still open?

Only during the day now. So much has changed, Terra laments. Let’s all go. I haven’t been there in ages.

Chapter 02 Stuff

EXCEPT for the hours, the occult shop looks exactly the same. Nothing has changed. Business remains steady because tools of the trade must be felt before purchase. A chalice or athame must be held. An altar cloth caressed.

A slight, young girl glances up from the tarot cards she’s reading and offers her assistance. Cassy smiles as she remembers her time working in this shop when she was this girl’s age.

We need a couple small black robes and one extra large. Natural fibers of course.

Of course. Follow me right over here. She guides them to a rack where Cassy, Ayla, and Max begin trying on robes. Each finds one that is a good fit and feels just right. The garb will be consecrated before tomorrow night’s ceremony.

Terra and Paige find several items they didn’t know they needed, but now simply must have. Terra requests the honor of purchasing the robes because she has store credit that she simply must use. Pleasant objections are offered without acceptance.

Terra gives the clothes to the anorexic-looking clerk, along with her first name and shopping code. After deducting the appropriate amount from Terra’s account, the clerk asks Max if he is from around here. He states he is, but moved away, and is back visiting friends.

Back from where?

Uh, Maui.

She points to a ten card Tarot spread on the counter and says she saw Max coming from far away bringing two very powerful witches. She taps a card and adds, You are lovers.

No. I love Cassy and Ayla, but we are not lovers.

The clerk tips her head, squints one eye, and lifts an eyebrow believing the cards to be never wrong. This one, she continues, pointing at Cassy, and this one, she points at Ayla, are both your lovers. I see you naked together!

Our nakedness is a representation of love, not lovers or love making, Cassy diplomatically interjects.

Undaunted, the clerk continues, You are here to fight the warlock plaguing our people. He is evil. The Chariot indicates you and your lovers can be victorious if the battle is very well planned, but... She hands Max the remaining deck of cards and asks him to shuffle, then cut three times.

Cassy shakes her head no, but Max has already started the process. She grabs his arm and whispers in his ear, We don’t know the provenance of this deck, decline her request.

Max opens a channel for mind share