I woke when Simon moved the binder off my lap and removed the pen from my limp hand. He smiled at me. “I went to bed last night and came out this afternoon to find you passed out on the couch.”
“I was just resting my eyes.” I rubbed my hands over my face.
Simon laughed. “Uh huh, that’s why there’s drool on your cheek.”
Ew. “I need a shower.”
“I’ll cook breakfast. I can’t stay too long, but Clarissa called saying that she’d pick you up about four and take you out to the meeting place.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Yeah, that sounds like a load of fun.”
“Not a fan of the coven?” He asked.
I glanced at my phone and realized it was already three o’clock. “I’m registered with them, but they don’t accept me as one. They don’t agree with me working for Levi or the state. They want me to let karma come to those who harm. I’m also more powerful than most of the priests and priestesses.”
“Then why aren’t you one?”
“Because I don’t want to be.” I said honestly. “I don’t have the discipline or the desire to be one. I have other goals in my life than being mother hen over a coven.” In reality I didn’t want to be responsible if something happened to a member, especially in situations like this. The coven tried to take me in after my parents died, but it was in their will that Levi got me instead.
“Abby, you’ve got that look in your eyes again.” His voice was almost disapproving.
I met his gaze. “What look?”
“The one that tells me you’re dwelling on the past. Go grab a shower, I’ll leave breakfast on the counter for you if you’re not out by the time I leave.”
I nodded. “If I miss you, tell the pack hi for me, and toss that name around.”
“I will.” He seemed reluctant to leave me in the living room, but in the end he walked into the kitchen without looking back. I closed the binder that now had my notes in addition to my father’s and went to the guest bathroom to take a shower.
I showered quickly. Once dressed I went out into the kitchen to find my plate on the counter and a note.
Try not to die tonight -Simon
I shook my head. I wasn’t going to die tonight, if anything the opposite was going to happen. I was going to get my life back tonight. It’d only been a couple nights since I was hexed, but I wanted to keep my magic and my life. I ate my eggs and toast and washed my plate. Right after I dried it a knock came on the front door.
I went and answered it and saw Clarissa standing there. She’d dressed in a sweater and jeans, and her fading red hair was pulled away from her face. She didn’t look happy. I sighed. “I’m ready to go, I promise.”
“I need to see the runes and the translation of that spell before we go anywhere.”
Why did I feel like I was in trouble? “Okay.” I went and pulled out the binder. “Here.”
She looked over it and cursed. “What on earth made you even touch this?”
“I was in the chamber and figured the only way to get the message was to activate the spell.”
She growled at me. “Girly, sometimes you are so stupid I wonder why the Goddess gave you the abilities you have.”
That hurt. “I didn’t know it was going to try and kill me. I don’t know why they bothered with contacting me.”
“There’s a long story behind that. Come on. I know what we have to do now. There’s going to be a happy naked pagan dance involved.”
“I’m not getting naked!”
She shook her head. “You’re going to have to. You need to be grounded and the best way to do that is be naked on the earth.”
“Can’t I just walk barefooted? That normally helps.”
“Not for this. This is deep, deep magic, Abby. You’re lucky your mom had that pentagram for you.” She sighed and hugged me. “No more activating spells like this, okay?”
Like I wanted to do it again. “Promise.” I seemed to be promising a lot of things lately, but whatever helped to get this stupid hex off me.
CHAPTER FIVE
The sun had set nearly an hour ago and we were still driving. Clarissa pulled to the side of the road. The coven, like most supernatural groups, had land in the mountains. It was great for privacy, but not so great on gas. At some point I gave up figuring out exactly where we were, but the moment we stepped out of the car I could feel the magic.
A lump formed in my throat. I hadn’t seen anyone in the coven in over a year, and last time it was because one of our members was involved with killing people using sex magic. I had been investigating for the state. It was a mess and it was not fun to explain to the priests and priestesses.
“Nervous?” Clarissa asked and put an arm around me as she led me into the trees.
I nodded. “It seems every time I meet with them, I piss them off.”
“Yeah, you have a special talent for that, but tonight you have to let us help you. Or you’re going to end up being slowly drained of your magic.”
I cringed. “Is that how this spell works?”
“Kind of. Your mother’s pentagram helped slow it, but every time you use your magic or your abilities it takes part of your magic. You’re a witch, your life is attached to your magic.”
I knew that much. “When I activated the hex, it tried to take all my magic at once, didn’t it?”
“Yes and I’m not sure how you survived it, but tonight we cleanse you of this hex and scrub your aura.”
Sounded like horror day at the spa, but it had to happen. No matter how we did this, it would be less painful than the hex. So I hoped. I let her lead me to the clearing and I knew the moment that I walked into the circle. I also knew that somewhere there was a physically drawn circle that hadn’t been closed yet, but the magic was still there and growing. They would close the circle when everyone was here and we were ready to begin. From the looks of it, we were the last to arrive.
Three men and two women stood talking amongst themselves, but they all stopped and turned towards me the moment I walked into the clearing. Clarissa left my side to join them. They reminded me of judges waiting to give me my final fate. I bowed my head in respect. I understood they were helping me and even if I didn’t like them and they didn’t like me, I owed them for this.
I knew all but one of the women. Sean, Jack, and Richard were the men, the one woman was Sonya, and the unknown one was an older woman. They all wore long black cloaks as was tradition for formal events. Despite what books say, we all normally dress like most humans. I knew by memory that Jack had brown hair and eyes to match, and was the shortest of the three men. Richard had cropped blond hair, was a retired marine, and built like a tank. Sonya’s bobbed blond hair bounced around her chin as she moved away from them men and around the circle.
Sean walked up to me, his gray eyes and brown hair were easy to see in the flickering light of the fire on the edge of the clearing. He smiled at me. “You look more and more like your mother each year.”
I tried not to flinch at the mention of my mother. He didn’t look old enough to remember my parents, but I knew he was. “Thank you.” I gave a small smile. “I fear her legacy is what has brought me here.” I didn’t know how much they knew about my parent’s work. I was never comfortable talking about it, because I knew there were those who did not agree with it.
“The hex is the doing of the Cult of Ra, or as they call themselves the coven of Ra. You’re too young to be mixed up in such a mess.” The unknown woman came up to me and tried to hug me. Her green eyes were crinkled in the corners, giving away her advanced in age. I couldn’t tell what color her hair was between the firelight and her hood covering most of it. A chill went through me the moment she reached for me.
I took a step back. “Forgive me, I’m wary of strangers.”
“If you came to our gatherings, you’d know me. My name is Michele.” She held a hand out. “I was your father’s research partner.”
I shook her hand and then glared at Clarissa. How dare she not
tell me? I didn’t care if my face showed my emotions. “Nice to meet you, that doesn’t mean you can hug me though.” I pulled my hand away from the handshake a bit too quickly.
“You have to understand,” Clarissa interrupted. “She was raised by a vampire, she’s not fond of being touched and cuddled.”
That made it sound like it was Levi’s fault. “Levi had never raised a child, he did the best he could. He also taught me to be cautious.” I smiled. “It’s been a great survival skill.”
“Of course.” Michele smiled. “Shall we get this hex off you?” There was something in her voice. I didn’t know her well enough to place it, but I was willing to bet I had hit some sort of button with her.
I nodded and touched the pentagram around my neck.
“You can keep that on, but the clothes go. Lay down in the middle of the circle and close your eyes.”
I took a deep breath and tried not to think about the people around me. I knew this wasn’t sexual, it was ritual. The earth grounded us, made us closer to Mother Earth and the Goddess. It was the easiest way to reset ourselves. Normally, walking around barefoot did it for me. It was one of the great things about going to Levi’s, easy access to the undeveloped land. I took my clothes off and folded them. I handed them to Jack who placed them on a bench outside the circle limits.
I lay down and closed my eyes, feeling the circle close with a warm shiver over my body. We welcomed each of the elements in with the traditional welcome in each direction and asked the Goddess to grant us help with what we asked. They were words and traditions we all knew, and with each one we invited in, the magic grew.
Pain started to crawl up my spine and I knew it was because the hex was not welcomed in the circle. This cleansing was going to hurt, I had a feeling I’d be lucky if I didn’t end up in the hospital again. I took a deep breath and tried to focus on the earth. The cold dirt felt soft under my naked skin. Little pebbles that were mixed in with the soil bit into me, but it wasn’t painful. No grass here to tickle me and the cold breeze blew through the clearing, brushing over my body. Despite the pain, I was calm. I could feel the Goddess’ presence welcoming me into the circle and into her arms.
Chanting filled the circle, each voice matching the other in perfect timing. I caught enough to know that they were starting the cleansing. They called on the salt of the earth and the blessing of the Goddess. The pain twisted and turned through my body, making my muscles feel like they were being torn apart.
My heart pounded and my breath caught in my throat. I felt a physical battle in my body as the cleansing tried to take hold. The pentagram heated up against my skin, but it was nothing compared to the pain ripping through me. A scream escaped my mouth as the pain made it to my head. I balled my hands into the dirt and prayed to the Goddess that the cleansing would work and that the pain would stop soon.
I could see the red runes in my mind. The Cult of Ra was honestly trying to kill me through this hex. The Goddess would not forgive them. I wasn’t exactly innocent in all my magic, but I’d never killed anyone with it. The pain started to fade as the words grew louder. A warm calm flowed through me like water, washing the pain away. I could physically feel the hex sliding off me and my aura. I could breathe again.
The chanting ended, but I didn’t move. I didn’t dare do anything to risk this. They dismissed the elements with each direction, thanking them and the Goddess for aiding us. Someone broke the circle. I cringed, waiting for the pain from the hex but nothing. I could still breathe and I could move if I tried.
I opened my eyes to see Clarissa looking down at me. “Abby? How do you feel?”
“Better. Much better.” I smiled and took a deep breath. “Damn, that hurt though.”
“You’d be wise not to activate anymore spells, regardless of if you get a message or not. Next time you might not be so lucky.” Michele said and crossed her arms. “I know you have your father’s research, but I suggest you leave it be once you’re done with your case.”
I didn’t want to think about that right now, but I needed to. I ignored the fact that her voice was reprimanding. “Once the case is done, I’m putting the Cult of Ra out of my mind and sight. My father’s research will be bound in a book and put in a locked case in the library at home.” Home. It’d been a long time since I referred to Levi’s place as that.
“Good. If you need any help, please let me know. I’d be happy to help you.” She smiled and I found myself suspicious.
I narrowed my eyes. “Clearly, they haven’t shared their rule with you. You don’t help me unless I start coming to gatherings.”
Jack laughed. “It would do you good. Community.”
I didn’t need anyone else to care about or worry about. “Yeah, a sense of community. Maybe once I get murderous cults off my back.” I went and grabbed my clothes, getting dressed and ignoring the itch I felt thinking they were staring at me.
“Thank you.” I said when I turned around, and I knew they heard the honesty in my voice. “I would be dead without your help tonight.”
They all nodded, but only Clarissa smiled. “You live to see another night! So what are you going to do with it? We can celebrate in the full moon light.”
As if on cue howls echoed in the distance and my mind wandered to Simon. “I promised someone that I would stay in and safe tonight. I was thinking wine and stupid TV.”
Clarissa nodded. “I’ll drive you home.” She turned and hugged everyone. “I’ll be back in a couple hours.”
I frowned. “I thought you had to stay with me all night.”
“That was if the spell was still on you. There’s no worry about you randomly being attacked.”
I raised a brow. “Well, in that case, take me to Simon’s and I’ll drive myself home.”
“Do you think that’s wise? You can be alone, but your house could be targeted.”
That was true, Levi did say that they’d checked out my house first before going to his place. “Ugh, okay, I’ll stay at the werewolf’s.”
Clarissa laughed as she led me back to the car. I could already feel the difference in my body without the hex on me, but there was no way I was going to take off my mother’s pentagram. Not until all of this was over.
I spent the night drinking wine in front of the TV. I didn’t expect Simon to be home that night and Clarissa only dropped me off. I wanted to take the night completely off, but I still had my notes spread around me. I hadn’t heard back from Detective Mason yet on those locations which meant either there wasn’t anything there or he hadn’t gotten a crew over there.
I leaned back and swirled my wine in the glass. Something wasn’t sitting right with me with Michele. I didn’t know my father had partners when it came to his research. His work wasn’t something people talked about often and for Michele to bring it up so casually raised my red flags. Seemed to me that the coven should have mentioned something about her to me. Of course the coven didn’t like me. Or so I thought. They went through a lot of work to save me tonight.
The Cult of Ra…
They went through an awful lot of work to try and kill me and I didn’t have the slightest clue why.
My phone buzzed and I glanced at it. Levi’s number flashed on the screen. “Hey, what’s up?”
“I just wanted to see how the meeting with the coven went.” It was strange that he was starting to check up on me, but honestly I knew he cared and the hex probably scared him.
“It went fine, I’m clean, was scolded about activating spells, met someone named Michele who said that she did research with my father. Know her?”
He was quiet on the other end of the line for a moment. I imagined that he was shifting through years of memories trying to bring up one. He was, after all, an old vampire.
“Yes, I do. I wasn’t aware that she was still alive. Your father talked like she had been killed.”
That wasn’t comforting. “And my mother?”
“Had never met her before. I’d be wary of her.” Levi w
arned, as if I didn’t already know.
I sighed. “I hate when my parents’ past comes up to bite me in the ass. I thought you were supposed to bury the past.”
“In your case, we should probably burn it.” He mumbled. “Clarissa staying or did she go back since you were cleansed?”
“She went back. You know her, she loves the gatherings. Tonight is the full moon, I’m sure they are working all kinds of spells.” I smiled and sipped my wine. “Don’t worry about me though. I’m at Simon’s watching stupid reality shows and drinking wine.”
He chuckled. “You’re taking the night off, but I know you.”
“Research, but that’s it, I swear. I’m waiting on Detective Mason to call me back. So unless you have anything for me, I’m free for the night.”
“Actually,” He started.
Ah ha! The truth comes out, I knew there had to be another reason for him calling.
“There’s a vampire in the territory that’s selling thrills downtown. I need you to locate him and put a stop to his antics.” Levi broke out his serious voice, the one devoid of all humor.
I took another sip of my wine and tried to imagine what selling thrills counted as. “Stop him how?”
“Put the fear of god into him and if that doesn’t work kill him.” He said it as if it was the simplest thing in the world, but killing wasn’t always my first choice of action.
I’ve killed people, I wasn’t proud of it and it all was out of self-defense or a life and death situation. Facing the rampaging werewolf last year, I didn’t really have a chance to reason with him. “I’ll get on it.”
“Thank you. Not tonight, you can start tomorrow.” He disconnected the call before I could ask any questions. I had no idea where to find a vampire downtown. Of course I could use my magic, or I could do what any logical human would. Go look and ask if someone knew where I could buy a thrill. Whatever the hell that meant.
I finished my wine and washed my glass out. I wouldn’t sleep until the sun came up and I had a couple hours before that would happen. I returned to the notebook and started putting my notes in order with my dad’s. I shuffled the papers and something fell out.
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