Stella passed Ivy the athame. She pinched together some of her white blonde hair and cut it off at the scalp. “Fire, this offering we give freely, in sisterhood to ward this Coven so long as our magic sustains it.”
Ivy threw her hair into the fire. She watched as the flame leaped up and ate the length in a puff of hair scented smoke. She held her breath. Nothing else happened.
Ivy turned to look at Maggie who was smiling proudly at everyone. Stella smiled back. Patricia dipped her chin.
Taking point one last time, Maggie led the women to the place they had entered the sacred space. They passed the spirit wheel.
The wheel hadn’t slowed down. The green magic cast a glow over the entire point of the pentagram. Usually, they were slowing down at this point.
Maggie stopped with her toes nearly touching the salt line. She raised the candle high above her head. “Hecate, goddess of magic and night, we, your worshippers, thank thee for accepting our offerings. We ask that you bless this rite and seal our ward that this Coven might be protected. Thy magic willing, our devotion never ceasing.”
“Thy magic willing, our devotion never ceasing,” all of them repeated.
Maggie stepped over the line, followed by Patricia and Stella. Ivy stopped just before she crossed the outer line of salt.
As the final witch inside the circle, Ivy’s job was to break the salt line and release the magic. Thus, ending the spell. All she needed to do was disrupt the salt and the ward would, hopefully, be recharged. The position was purely ceremonial. Anyone could kick over a salt line.
“Blessed be the goddess,” Ivy softly prayed under her breath. With the tip of her big toe she broke the circle.
A crack sounded. Ivy’s head snapped left. The spirit wheel spun out of control. The dowel had cracked. Green pulsed brightly, getting stronger. With an audible pop, the magic broke free from the wheel in a circle of vibrant green light. The green flame exploded outward, hissing across the grass.
Ivy was terrified. That was all she had time to feel before the ribbon of magic passed through her.
Magic pressed into her core. Sparks of it spread across her body. She barely registered that she wasn’t hurt before she whipped around to face Ezra and Ezekiel.
The brothers had already started running towards her. The band of green passed through Ezra’s legs as she turned. Ezekiel shot an arm forward to grab his brother, not registering that the magic had already passed them both. His brow furrowed as he touched his legs with his other hand. Ezra broke free from Ezekiel and started towards Ivy.
Ivy watched as the magic hit the ward line and shot up. It bent backwards creating a dome over the entire clearing. The magic lit everything in a happy green.
As the magic came back together over the roof of the house, it dissolved. The power split off into small, fading sparks. Ivy watched each of the wild flickers zig and zag until they went out.
Ivy stared at the dark sky, amazed. She glanced around and noticed that Ezra and Ezekiel were standing outside of the salt circle, waiting. The Black Bird Coven walked around the spell grounds. Each woman was at a different altar, all of them were shaking their heads. Ivy gestured for the guys to follow her but didn’t say anything.
“Are you alright?” Ezra asked.
“Yes,” she said sounding shaken.
“Is that how all ward spells end?” He asked.
“No,” was all she said.
Ezekiel held out her borrowed robe. She snorted. “Thanks. It is as cold a witch’s tit.”
They both chuckled tensely. They might not know about magic but it seemed the brothers knew that something had gone wrong. Ivy sighed and started towards the older women who had also put on their robes.
Stella and Maggie were standing at the earth altar. When she got closer, she saw why. The granite altar had transformed into the largest piece of lapis Ivy had ever seen.
She stumbled forward to put her hands on it. She needed to feel it, know if it was real.
The stone was rough and cold. Unlike the polished lapis Ivy had placed on the altar, this was the color of turquoise waters. It shone in the candle light. Ivy ran her hands over the polished stone. The only trace of its origin was a band of granite that tracked down the side of the rock.
“Our offerings were accepted,” Maggie said flatly. The phrasing was respectful but Ivy could feel the sarcasm just under the surface.
Patricia had joined their crowd and was still shaking her head. “How are we supposed to measure the spell’s longevity? How will we know when to recharge this?”
“Until the offering whittles to dust,” Stella croaked. “That is what the texts say.”
“Until that turns to dust?” Patricia shouted. “Is it like a coat of paint?”
The pair began arguing with each other. Maggie wasn’t paying them any attention. She was focused on Ivy. Sweet Maggie, Matron mother of the Black Bird Coven was gone. In her place stood a wickedly intelligent witch who was trying to pick apart an enemy.
She stared down her nose at Ivy. Her chin tilted slightly. Suddenly, the others were no longer fighting. They watched their Matriarch intently.
“I think, Ms. Stevens,” she began slowly, “that we will be having a conversation the day after tomorrow.” Ivy felt the compulsion press down on her. She nodded, knowing not to argue about this. “And this time, leave the dogs at home.”
With that, the three women turned on their heels and headed towards the house.
“Damn that lady turns on a person fast,” Ezekiel growled as he helped Ivy stand.
Ezra lifted his lip in a snarl, “Let’s get out of here.”
Ezra, Ezekiel, and Ivy were silent as they made their way to the truck.
Ivy watched the trio cross the lawn. Patricia broke off from the group and walked to the garage.
Patricia went about her business putting things away and shutting off lights. The bright, hanging grow lights were left on. They cast enough light that Ivy could still see.
Patricia didn’t acknowledge them as they passed her to get into the truck. Neither did they. Her eyes found Ivy’s, unerringly though. Her body jiggled from a snort. Then she followed her sisters inside.
Ezra didn’t say anything as he turned the truck on and backed them out of the driveway. Ivy stared at the digital clock trying to ignore that it was only 12:37pm. A person’s world shouldn’t change in that span of time. It should take longer than that.
“What was that about?” Ezekiel asked once they had gotten far enough into town to have regular street lights.
Ivy burrowed deeper into her burrowed robe. She would give it back the next time she saw Maggie. Ivy was dreading the meeting.
“That was the Matriarch of the Black Bird Coven letting her displeasure be known.” Ivy shook her head at the rote phrase. That was what her mother would say when their Matriarch threw a tantrum.
Her mother had always said it jokingly. Ivy wasn’t joking. Being on the receiving end of Maggie’s disappointed glare had not been fun. She rubbed her face. “The spell didn’t go according to plan. Thankfully, nothing bad happened but Maggie has a duty to keep her Coven safe. If I am to blame,” which she most defiantly was to blame, “then Maggie is within her right as the authority of this area to ask some questions.” More like interrogate.
“Yeah, we have a similar routine with non-Pack wolves,” Ezra nodded absently. His thumb rubbed a circle around the steering wheel as he thought. His eyes cut to Ivy. They flashed yellow in the dark. “Is this why they keep calling you a witchling?”
Ivy’s head dropped so she wasn’t looking Ezra in the eyes. “Yeah.” She hated that tonight had turned out exactly how she thought it would.
Ezekiel made a thoughtful noise in the back of his throat. “Hey, I bet it would have kicked ass in the library if that crowd hadn’t backed off.”
Damn. Ivy had hoped that Ezekiel hadn’t noticed her magic in the library. When Alma had ambushed them, her magic had reared its head ready to protect the twins.
“Yeah well, helpful or not, magic with a will of its own is dangerous. Maggie was being pretty polite, all things considered. She could have bound my magic.”
“Do we have to worry about the Black Bird Coven?” Ezekiel asked like they were suddenly the enemy.
Ivy rolled her eyes. “I doubt they would bother the Pack even if they decided to do something drastic.” Ivy couldn’t see the three witches lashing out at the Tates either. They might target Pearl. That wouldn’t be about tonight though.
Ezekiel growled. “That’s not what I meant. Do we,” he gestured between the three of them, “have anything we need to worry about?”
“He wants to know if you’re going to get in trouble because of what happened.” Ezra clarified. “Which would mean he and I would be getting involved to support you.”
“Oh,” Ivy turned to look at Ezekiel. Her heart melted a little bit. He could be such a grumbly sweetheart. “I’m more scared of Pearl’s Gin Rummy club.” His upper lip quivered at her joke. “They won’t hurt me,” Ivy felt fairly confident of that.
Honestly, Ivy was a little scared to talk to Maggie. She had a lot of leverage over Ivy because of the contract they had made. Even if the location spell was pointless now.
Ezra parked the truck in the space right in front of Ivy’s apartment. He unbuckled his seat belt and started to get out. Then, Ezekiel did the same thing.
Ivy stopped dead. “What are you doing?”
“Walking you to the door?” Ezekiel answered like he wasn’t quite sure why she was asking.
Ivy shook her head. “When has that ever required two of you?”
The twins paused. The silence only lasted for a heartbeat but it was weighed.
Ezra hooked his thumb towards Ezekiel in an over exaggerated movement. “Like I would leave you alone with this idiot.”
Ivy’s eyes narrowed at the lame joke. She didn’t get a chance to call Ezra out though.
Ezekiel sputtered, hamming it up. “Are you kidding me? You are going to try and steal a kiss the second my back is turned.”
He leaned in to help Ivy out of the truck from his side. Ezra moved lightning fast, unbuckling Ivy’s seatbelt and ushering her out of the driver’s side before Ezekiel was fully in motion.
“Don’t pretend like you haven’t been planning something this whole drive,” Ezra said smugly as he led Ivy towards her apartment. He tapped his nose with a knowing smile. “Can’t act self-righteous when I’ve been smelling your thoughts for the last half an hour.”
Ezekiel didn’t bother looking embarrassed. “Of course, I was.”
The twins broke out into wolfish grins.
Ivy looked between the pair mouth open. “You two are insane.”
Ezekiel threw an arm around her shoulder and they walked along the sidewalk with her in the middle. “We’re a little wired from tonight.”
“Yeah, it’s not every day you get to see your girlfriend light an entire lawn on fire.” Ezra chuckled.
Ivy’s easy mood popped at his words. She didn’t bother correcting his girlfriend comment. “Yeah, not every day you set a lawn on fire with magic.” The joke sounded flat.
Ezra squeezed her. “Hey, we are in this together. Whatever happens.” His gravelly voice softened. Ivy could hear the promise in his words.
Ezekiel pressed her into his side. “Rogues, witches, Cassidy’s first boyfriend. Whatever the future throws at us.”
When they reached her door, Ivy pulled out her security charm and started releasing the ward. She didn’t bother hiding it. If Ezra and Ezekiel hadn’t freaked out earlier, they wouldn’t care about her doing a little chanting.
She nearly jumped as the magic came to life along the outside of the door. It looked like a flare had gone off inside of her apartment. The ward glowed brightly along her side of the hall. It stopped around the frame of her door.
Ivy pressed her hand against the door and sent a tendril of magic to investigate. Her ward was deactivated but only surrounding the door. As her magic probed outward, it touched the electric wall of her ward. Ivy mentally flicked the glowing wall. It resonated along her apartment completely intact except for the door.
“What the hell?” She whispered.
This was a premium ward design. Building a ward that allowed for a point of entry took time and magic. It was not the ward she had had this morning.
She shivered as she wondered how her ward had upgraded.
Ezra cleared his throat behind her. She ignored him, completely confused by what had just happened. For the third time that night her magic had gone haywire and done something out of the ordinary. Maybe talking to Maggie was a good idea. Ivy was clearly over her head.
“Ivy.” Ezra’s tone snapped her back to earth. He was standing slightly in front of Ezekiel. Both arms hung relaxed at his sides. His chest strained his shirt. His chin jutted up.
Ivy recognized the pose immediately. Ivy called it the “uh-oh” face. It was usually followed by Ezra saying something that made her go, “Uh-oh.” She frantically looked for Margot Jennings hoping the nosey old bitty would save her.
He took advantage of her distraction and stepped into her space.
Ezra was a big man. He towered over her. He blocked out the light. Ivy had to crane her neck to keep eye contact while he was throwing this much attitude around.
“I am not going to pretend to know what happened tonight.” He rested his hand on her cheek. His thumb rubbed warm circles on her skin. Ivy nearly melted at his touch. Uh-oh. “I wish I did because I hate when you are anxious and scared.” His fingers traced through her hair until he gripped the back of her head. He bent until they were nearly eye to eye. “If you’re worried about us, don’t be. Tonight didn’t scare us away. We are in it for the long haul.” Ezra promised. Ezekiel rumbled his agreement. Ezra’s other hand brushed the fabric over her heart. “You know that, right?”
She knew what he was asking. She nodded wordlessly.
Ezra had the unique ability to cut right to the heart of the matter. He didn’t care if he had to be vulnerable to do it. He was willing to do it at the drop of a hat. It never failed to lay Ivy bare.
Ezra’s lip quirked revealing a wolfish canine. “Good.” He pulled her close. Ivy leaned into him. She couldn’t help herself. She was hypnotized.
Ezra turned and passed her to Ezekiel. Ivy barely noticed what has happening until Ezekiel had his arms firmly around her. “Hey!”
Ezra was crouched over her door, keys in hand. He had picked her pocket!
“We’re in it for the long haul,” Ezekiel repeated, his words vibrating through her. He chuckled when she shivered. “Which is why Ezra is going to make sure your apartment is safe.”
Ivy held up her stone. “I told you. I have security.”
“Oh good,” Ezekiel said happily. “Now, Ezra has an excuse to be extra thorough.”
“Take this seriously,” Ezra snarled from inside. “If it can get past magic, it’s got to be some nasty shit.”
If Ivy hadn’t been terrified that Ezra was going to find something she couldn’t explain, she would have swooned. Swooning would have to wait until after she had a chance to hide the journal at least.
“Ezra,” she called. Ivy looked up at Ezekiel. “Can you let me down?” He laughed but didn’t let go. She rolled her eyes. “Ezra, it’s not safe to rummage in a witch’s house.” He didn’t answer. “Ezra.”
He came back to the living room. He nodded to his brother. Ezekiel carried her into her apartment. Ivy jumped back the instant he let her go.
“You know people can cloak their scent, right? Throw an invisibility spell into the mix and you wouldn’t be able to tell if someone was standing right in front of you.” She straightened her robe, still flustered from Ezekiel picking her up.
“Magic can’t hide everything.” He rubbed his chin, suddenly in thought. “We should practice sensing cloaking spells though.” He focused back on her. “How can you tell if someone is hiding in your house when they’re using
magic to hide?”
Ivy was a little surprised that he hadn’t started arguing with her, “There are spells you can do. There are ways to build long term wards on houses.”
He nodded to the stone around her neck. “Does your ward do that?” She nodded. “How good is it at keeping people out?”
Ivy almost hesitated when she remembered Lawrence’s unexpected visit the other night. She couldn’t lie. She couldn’t tell the truth. She just nodded. That seemed to pacify him. His shoulders relaxed and he smiled.
Ezekiel turned her around. He dipped to give her a tender kiss. “You kicked ass tonight, sweetheart,” He whispered. “Remember to lock your door.” He kissed her again. Ivy closed her eyes and pressed unto his body. Just for a second.
She pulled back. She knew her cheeks were red. Ezekiel smiled but didn’t say anything.
Ezra stepped into Ezekiel’s space. He gave her a hard, quick kiss. “So badass. Remember to lock your ward.”
Ivy rolled her eyes. “Okay boys, get out of here.”
They chuckled as they walked out.
She walked over to lock the door behind them. Before she could pull out her warding stone, her magic reached out to activate it. Just like before, magic ignited around the door frame but nowhere else. Then it settled, locked.
“Good girl.” Ezra barked from outside.
“Go home!” Ivy shouted back.
“Night, baby,” Ezekiel called.
“See you in the morning.” Ezra promised.
She turned around to go to bed. Maybe it was a good thing she was exhausted. She doubted she would have gotten any sleep any other way.
Chapter Fourteen
Paul didn’t like her anymore. Which surprised Ivy since he had always been so nice to her. He usually went out of his way to say hello. Now, he watched her like he didn’t trust her.
Which was extra awkward given the fact that they were crowded around a hospital bed in a tiny room.
Ivy had been at work for two hours when Grace had called Anne to let her know that Betsy was in the hospital. Betsy’s mom had found her passed out in the bathroom that morning and had driven her straight to the ER.
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