And as her words faded away, I began to feel dizzy. Holding my head, I sat down on a nearby tree trunk, closing my eyes, and when the fog began to lift, I looked up…
…and found myself on the Aseer’s sofa.
I sat up, very slowly. Everything seemed different, and yet everything seemed the same. I had found my magic. I was bound to the earth, connected to the soil and the forests and the woodlands. And yet…I was connected to the Underworld as well. Feeling more at peace than I had in many years, I slowly smiled, and the Aseer smiled back.
Chapter Eighteen
“Welcome back,” the Aseer said.
I yawned. Blinking, I glanced at the clock on the wall and realized that I had been out for over an hour. “I’m sorry I took a nap on your sofa!”
She laughed. “Oh, you weren’t napping. You were out on the astral, January. You were a busy bee, I could tell. Well, did you find your element?”
I grinned at her. She knew very well what element had picked me—that I could already tell, but it was nice of her to let me start the conversation. I told her what happened.
“So, it seems as though the element of earth claimed me…but the skull…” I hesitated. “This doesn’t mean I’m…well…what Peggin’s friend is, does it? A spirit shaman?”
“No,” the Aseer said. “Being a guide for the dead is different. It means you can hear them and see them, but that doesn’t give you the power to send them over through the Veil. You are more of a medium, than anything, when it comes to the dead. You’ll be able to pick up on hauntings, and spirits. They can talk to you, if they choose. This would be ideal for a ghost hunter, you know. You should have a better chance of exorcising ghosts when need be, but remember—this does not apply to astral beings. It’s not the same as taking on a demon or any such thing as that.”
I paused, then asked the question I had been dreading to ask. “I told you that my paternal grandmother is Rowan Firesong. My father never knew she was his mother. Does that play into matters any?”
The Aseer stared at me for a moment. “Your father tested out high in his range, but there was never anything to tell me he was from such a strong family. But that does explain why your magic is focused in two areas. Rowan is a powerful witch from a powerful heritage. You should ask her more about your lineage, because there are several tales back there that may come back to haunt you…literally. Your magic both with the element of earth and with spirits will be very strong, so be cautious what you focus on. Make certain of your ethics, lest your strength lead you down a dark path. Rowan may seem abrupt, but she has an honor code that she will not break.”
I nodded, feeling like I was being handed the key to the candy store and being told to ration myself. But it was good advice and, having sensed how powerful Rowan was, I was determined to avoid any more mistakes like the wishcraft ceremony Ari and I had performed for my birthday. I was still feeling ramifications from that ritual.
“So, what next?” I asked.
“Ask your aunt Teran to teach you how to use herbs and how to work garden magic. Learn to coexist with the Mystic Wood—I sense a hesitation in you about the forest.”
I wasn’t sure whether to tell her about the Woodlings and what had gone down. I decided to wait and talk to Rowan about it. “And talking to the dead?”
“Since your element is that of earth, crystals are your forte. Rather than tarot cards, a crystal ball. You’ll find you commune well with the world of crystals and that you will respond to their energy in a way you didn’t expect. By all means, experiment with the cards, but your strength lies in using the bones and stones, the herbs and woods of this world. Flower essences—magical blends using essential oils—this is your niche.” She handed me a piece of paper.
It was a certificate that I had undergone the test of the Aseer and had tested out in the categories of earth and mediumship. I had seen my mother’s certificate, though I didn’t recall ever seeing my father’s.
“Thank you,” I said, feeling like I had just passed some sort of test with honors. Though it had brought up even more questions that only Rowan could answer.
“I’m glad you came to me. January, your magic has been bottlenecked for a long time. You’re going into perimenopause, aren’t you?”
I blinked. I hadn’t expected that question. “Yes, why?”
“If you don’t start using your magic on a regular basis, the shifting hormones are going to set off…quakes, you might call them. You have to have an outlet for the magic, so use it. Don’t store it up, or you might find yourself neck-deep in chaos caused by the energy breaking loose on its own.” She laughed. “And it’s not use it or lose it.”
Blushing, I shook my head. “Oh good heavens, well, that I don’t need. I’ll start up regular practice, because the last thing I need is more chaos in my life.”
As she showed me out, the Aseer and I stood on her deck, watching the waves swell as they reached the zenith of the high tide.
“Why am I so pulled to the water, if my element is earth?” I asked her.
She leaned on the railing of her deck, overlooking the shore. “We’re all pulled to the water. It makes up around 60 percent of our bodies. Water is the primal mother—the great womb of the earth—and we respond to her. Her tides are ruled by the moon, and so we respond to the moon. The Ocean Mother is vast and comforting, terrifying and beautiful. She’s so nebulous and yet she can grind down the mountains and carve deep channels in the land.”
I thought about her words, then nodded. As I returned to my car, I felt like I had been in the Aseer’s presence a long time. And in some ways, I had. I had gone in January Jaxson, recently returned to Moonshadow Bay, and I had come out a part of the witchblood community, with answers about who I was and who I was meant to be.
* * *
That evening, Tally, Killian, and Ari joined me for dinner. I told them what I had found out at the Aseer’s.
I had spent all afternoon thinking over what I had found out about myself, and starting to make plans. It was the perfect time to plant a garden, so I’d plan out an herb garden and a kitchen garden. There was plenty of room in the backyard to plant some fruit trees, and somehow…someway…I would try to strike up a deeper connection with the Mystic Wood. Meanwhile, I’d also start looking for a crystal ball, and I realized, and not for the first time, that I needed my own athame. Both my mother’s and my great-grandmother’s athames were beautiful, but they weren’t made for me. I needed one I could steep in my own magic.
“So…herbs, crystals…that makes sense. But the mediumship part is a little spooky,” Killian said.
I shrugged. “I knew I had that part in me. Rowan gets back next week, so I’m going to talk to her then about it. And…I still need to finish reading my great-grandmother’s book of shadows. There are things in there I need to know.”
Ari leaned back in her chair, staring at her plate. I had made spaghetti and she had just polished off her second helping. “I think we should go on a camping trip over at Mount Baker. You and Killian, Meagan and me, maybe your aunt? You can’t get much closer to nature than that.”
“That’s a good idea,” I said. “When it warms up a little bit.” I turned to Tally. “So, Killian said you’re heading home?”
She nodded. “Tomorrow. I’ve had fun but it’s time to go home. I need to enroll in the community college—I decided to take night courses there. That way I can work my job and still get my medical records certification. I really enjoyed meeting you, January. And all your friends,” she added, smiling at Ari. “Maybe Killian should bring you down to meet the folks soon.” She gave Killian a playful nudge and he grunted, but then he broke into a wide smile.
“That’s my sister’s formal seal of approval, love,” he said. “And I am more than happy to schedule a time for you to meet the ’rents.”
“I think that sounds…both delightful and daunting,” I said. My phone rang at that moment. I glanced at the caller ID. “Damn it. Ellison.” I was about to l
et it go to voice mail, but Killian grabbed the phone out of my hand and answered.
“Listen to me, slimeball. If you ever bother my woman again, I will go full-wolf on you and you can guess what that means.” He was practically crackling. He paused for a second, then added, “Rant all you like, but keep it to yourself. You’ve been served with the restraining order, so fucking abide by it, Ellison, or you’ll be in a world of hurt.” And with that, he hung up.
I stared at him for a moment. “My gods, you really…” I stopped. I had been going to chastise him for threatening Ellison without asking me, but what Tally had told me about the Pack had stuck, and I realized that Killian needed to express his concern for me in the best way that he understood. He was a wolf shifter, and he would never be fully domesticated. There would always be a wild side to him, and that expressed itself in his concern for his loved ones. I was part of his Pack, regardless of how I saw things.
“Really what?” he asked, holding my gaze.
I shook my head. “You probably threw him into a tailspin,” I said, sidestepping the issue. “Anybody ready for dessert? I bought a lemon meringue pie.”
And as I dished up dessert, I couldn’t help but think about how drastically my life had changed over the past few months. As I mused on the gardens I would plant, Xi and Klaus came racing by. Xi skidded to a halt beside me and looked up, sending a massive rush of love and joy my way. She was starting to grow up. She was still young—still a kitten—but she was growing into my familiar, and we would work wonderful magic together. Klaus sat down and started grooming his butt in front of everyone.
Laughing, I served the pie, grateful for my new life, and my new path. Both promised to be incredibly exciting.
Late that night, after Killian and Tally had gone back to his place, I padded into the library and turned on the light. I couldn’t sleep, so I pulled out my great-grandmother’s book of shadows and sat down, starting to read.
Colleen’s Book of Shadows
Entry: May 8, 1924
And so it’s been a year to the date since they found our blessed Lara. We’re keeping her death quiet. Only the sheriff knows, besides Rowan and myself. And we’ve decided to just tell people that she wandered off into the forest and hasn’t been heard from since.
The sheriff actually believes that, and so does Brian, thanks to Rowan and her friend, Val Slater. We’re hoping they never remember that my daughter was murdered. Because to tell people that Lara was dead would mean that eventually, the truth about Lara’s killer would come out. Given the circumstances, people would talk, and rumors don’t die and this lovely town would never be the same.
I’ve never mentioned it, even here, because words can be damning, but I have to tell someone, and I keep this journal hidden away, so the time to put words to the truth is now.
Rowan and I know who killed Lara, and he will never again harm another child. Rowan helped me make certain that he’ll never again breathe the air, walk upon the earth, warm himself by the fire, or soothe his thirst with cool water.
And only his grave deep in the Mystic Wood holds the truth, along with his skeleton. I left an account, sealed in a jar, should anyone ever find his resting place in the future and exhume his body. But as the gods are my witnesses, he was guilty of killing more than just my baby girl. So Rowan and I sought him out to make certain he’ll never again touch another child. I feel neither guilt nor remorse. The only thing I feel is sorrow that we didn’t find him in time to save my daughter.
But life goes on, and I will never again mention this. Rowan and I have taken a vow of silence. If she outlives me, she will do as she pleases, and vice versa…but yes…we who are of witchblood stick together. And women have always had stronger stomachs for doing dirty work than men, which is why we didn’t bring Brian into it. And that is the way it will stay.
I stared at the pages, feeling something shift. As I slowly walked into the kitchen and out on the back porch, I realized just how strong the women in my family—both sides—were.
Out back, the Mystic Wood was lit up with a ghostly aura that shimmered over it, as brilliant as the aurora borealis. And out there in the forest was a grave and in that grave, the remains of a murderer, and my great-grandmother’s story of what she and Rowan did.
Someday, I’m going to go hunting for it, I whispered to myself. Someday, I want to find it and read what happened.
Or you can just ask Rowan, Esmara said, her words tickling my ears. Before you do something that might not be undone, talk to Rowan and ask her for her story. You may otherwise regret your actions—they may set something dark into motion that you cannot control.
With the past hanging heavy in my mind, I took a deep breath and returned inside, closing the door firmly behind me, mindful of Esmara’s warning.
Yes, the past was a mystery that beckoned, but meanwhile I had my future to face, and gardens to plant, and friendships to nurture, and a budding relationship that was getting more serious every day. I had a job that I loved, and now…ghosts to meet and talk to, and spells to cast. And I was looking forward to every minute of it.
* * *
If you enjoyed Conjure Web, be sure to read Starlight Web and Midnight Web, the first two books in the Moonshadow Bay Series. You can preorder the next book in the series: Harvest Web. There will be more to come of January’s adventures after that.
If you’re curious about Peggin and the town of Whisper Hollow, where spirits walk among the living and the lake never gives up her dead, you can read Autumn Thorns, Shadow Silence, and The Phantom Queen. Come join the darkly seductive world of Kerris Fellwater, spirit shaman for the small lakeside community of Whisper Hollow.
If you love urban fantasy and mythology, then you might want to read the Wild Hunt Series. Check out The Silver Stag, Oak & Thorns, Iron Bones, A Shadow of Crows, The Hallowed Hunt, The Silver Mist, Witching Hour, Witching Bones, A Sacred Magic, The Eternal Return, Sun Broken, Witching Moon, Autumn’s Bane, Witching Time, and Hunter’s Moon. You can preorder the next books in the series—Witching Fire and Veil of Stars—now.
If you like paranormal women’s fiction, try my Chintz ‘n China Paranormal Mystery Series: Ghost of a Chance, Legend of the Jade Dragon, Murder Under a Mystic Moon, A Harvest of Bones, One Hex of a Wedding, and a holiday novella: Holiday Spirits. You can preorder the next book: Well of Secrets.
If you prefer a lighter-hearted paranormal romance, meet the wild and magical residents of Bedlam in my Bewitching Bedlam Series. Fun-loving witch Maddy Gallowglass, her smoking-hot vampire lover Aegis, and their crazed cjinn Bubba (part djinn, all cat) rock it out in Bedlam, a magical town on a mystical island. Bewitching Bedlam, Maudlin’s Mayhem, Siren’s Song, Witches Wild, Casting Curses, Demon’s Delight, Bedlam Calling, Blood Music, Blood Vengeance, Tiger Tails, and Bubba’s origin story—The Wish Factor—are available.
I invite you to visit Fury’s world. Bound to Hecate, Fury is a minor goddess, taking care of the Abominations who come off the World Tree. Books one through five are available now in the Fury Unbound Series: Fury Rising, Fury’s Magic, Fury Awakened, Fury Calling, and Fury’s Mantle.
For a dark, gritty, steamy series, try my world of The Indigo Court, where the long winter has come, and the Vampiric Fae are on the rise. Night Myst, Night Veil, Night Seeker, Night Vision, Night’s End, and Night Shivers are all available now.
For all of my work, both published and upcoming releases, see the Biography at the end of this book, or check out my website at Galenorn.com and be sure and sign up for my newsletter to receive news about all my new releases. And if you want to support me in other ways, I have a Patreon Page and I also have a YouTube Channel.
QUALITY CONTROL: This work has been professionally edited and proofread. If you encounter any typos or formatting issues ONLY, please contact me through my website so they may be corrected. Otherwise, know that this book is in my style and voice and editorial suggestions will not be entertained. Thank you.
Playlist
I often write to music, and CONJURE WEB was no exception. Here’s the playlist I used for this book.
Air: Moon Fever; Surfing On A Rocket
Android Lust: Here And Now
Arch Leaves: Nowhere To Go
Asteroids Galaxy Tour: The Sun Ain’t Shining No More; Sunshine Coolin’; Major; Heart Attack
Band of Skulls: I Know What I Am
Beck: Qué Onda Guero; Farewell Ride; Emergency Exit; Think I’m In Love; Cellphone’s Dead; Nausea; Broken Train; Where It’s At
The Black Angels: Don’t Play With Guns; Love Me Forever; You’re Mine
Black Pumas: Sweet Conversations
Blind Melon: No Rain
Brandon Fiechter: Night Fairies
Broken Bells: The Ghost Inside
Bobbie Gentry: Ode to Billie Joe
Camouflage Nights: (It Could Be) Love
Crazy Town: Butterfly
D.J. Shah: Mellomaniac
David Bowie: Fame; Golden Years; China Girl; Let’s Dance
Deuter: Silver Air 1; Petite Fleur
Donovan: Season Of The Witch
Eastern Sun: Beautiful Being (Original Edit)
Fats Domino: I Want To Walk You Home
Gerry Rafferty: Baker Street
Gordon Lightfoot: Sundown
Gorillaz: Last Living Souls; Dare; Demon Days; Hongkongaton; Rockit; Clint Eastwood
Heart: Magic Man; White Lightning & Wine
Jay Price: Dark-Hearted Man; The Devil’s Bride; Coming For You Baby
Jeannie C. Riley: Harper Valley P.T.A.
Conjure Web: A Moonshadow Bay Novel, Book 3 Page 20
