I gasped and leaned forward. “Is that…is that…” Words escaped me. Staring up at me…was me. A girl with jet-black hair and pale green eyes watched me with a secretive smirk. And it looked identical to me. The Roman numeral II, just like the one on my arm, was etched in silver at the top with the words High Priestess at the bottom. The girl, me, had an ornate crown of crystals on her head.
Without answering me, Henley flipped the next card over, and my jaw dropped. I looked up at Emersyn, then back down at the card. The Emersyn on the card, aka the Empress, wore a flower crown and a confident smile. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out.
Henley flipped the next card, and I almost moaned out loud. Having to see Tennessee in person was hard enough, but painted on a magical card was too much. The next card was Cooper, the Star. After him was Lily, the Sun, and Henley, the Moon. She flipped another card, except this one was solid black with only the letter V etched in silver. Henley sighed and set the deck back down.
“What…how…why…” I shook my head and looked around the group. Usually I was decently articulate, but seeing my face in a deck of tarot cards blew my mind. “I don’t…”
Henley looked over her shoulder at me and smiled. “The Goddess gave The Coven this deck. Only a Card can use it.”
“How do they look like us?” Emersyn stepped forward and eyed the cards.
“Magic.” Henley shrugged. “The second your Mark appears, your face appears on the card. They change to reflect how we look, too.”
“That one is black. Why?” Emersyn pointed one French-manicured nail at it.
When no one answered, I looked up. All of their eyes were locked on it with dark expressions.
I cleared my throat and turned to Em. “It’s the Hierophant’s card. Number five. I’m assuming the person’s face won’t show until we succeed in this quest.”
“That’s right,” Henley whispered and gathered all the cards back into one stack. “Tegan, when we’re done here, do you want to keep the deck?”
My face flushed with warmth and my pulse quickened. “Really? Yes! Please.”
“Perfect.” She smiled then slid them back into a purple velvet pouch. “For now, let’s get this purification ritual done so we can present the locket to Atley.”
My stomach dropped. We’re guessing wrong. But it wasn’t yet my place to make them change their minds. Tennessee knelt beside Henley and set the leather satchel at her feet. She reached into the bag and pulled out a black-handled dagger that looked dull, an antique ornate golden chalice, and six stones the size of golf balls.
“For protection and purification,” Henley said as she laid each stone out. “Ready?”
Tennessee nodded and stood tall. “Willow, please block us from human sight. Braison, give us some shadow. The rest of you, please stand aside and watch our backs. We remember what happened last time we were here.”
Everyone nodded and stepped into action. Within seconds, the six of us chosen by the tarot cards stood in a close circle. The others spread out around us with weapons in their hands.
To my left, Willow swirled her hands around in the air. Blue mist twirled in and out of her fingers then shot out into the open air. A wall of fog surrounded us, and it shimmered in rainbow colors like the wall that hid the Crones.
Braison rubbed his palms together and narrowed his eyes. Darkness slithered toward us like a herd of snakes. It moved closer until the midday sun no longer touched us. The rest of the cemetery was aglow, but right where we were, it looked like the sun had set.
I grinned. Witchy.
Henley stepped out of our small circle and held her palms out over the ground. “Tennessee, do you mind if I take lead on this ritual?”
“Never thought you’d ask.” Tennessee smiled. He stood tall next to Henley’s open spot. “Tegan and Em, just stand there until Henley says otherwise.”
“I like those directions,” Emersyn mumbled. Her eyes darted around the circle. Her fingers fidgeted with the ends of her Rapunzel-like hair. The Empress in our tarot deck smiled confidently, but the Empress in person chewed on her bottom lip. One day the two would match.
White lightning flew out of Henley’s palms and touched the dirt. She walked around the circle, striking a border around us. “I cast this circle round and round, to follow me as I walk this ground. Come with us where we go today, protect us while we move through the fray.”
The ground glistened like broken glass in a thick border. Energy bounced between the six of us like a pinball. My pulse quickened. Watching magic, literal magic, happen firsthand hadn’t gotten normal yet. Honestly, I hoped it never would. I still couldn’t believe this was real.
“Our circle is complete. Do not break it or the ritual fails.” Henley reclaimed her spot in the circle on my right. “High Priestess, please place the Hierophant’s locket on the ground in the center of our circle between the stones.”
I nodded and slipped the golden tool off of my neck. The dirt was cool under my toes as I placed the locket on the ground as instructed, then retook my spot in the circle. I licked my lips and tried to steady my breathing. The last two rituals we’d done hadn’t gone well for me. The first one I almost drowned everyone, including the Crones. The second one I almost passed out.
“Now, take a step forward.” Henley led by example, then waited for us to get in line. “Everyone wrap your arm behind your neighbor’s back and hold the hand of the person beside them.”
I wrapped my arms behind Emersyn and Henley’s backs. Lily’s thin fingers were cool to the touch, but they didn’t tremble or squeeze too hard. I hadn’t expected the Sun Card to be so gentle. A wave of heat brushed over my fingertips. It was the only warning I had, and it only came a second before Tennessee’s fingers slid through mine. I gasped, then bit down on my bottom lip. Be cool. Stay calm. A bolt of electric energy raced up my right arm and into my heart. My pulse kicked into overdrive, sounding like a jackhammer against cement.
Henley was chanting again. I knew I needed to pay attention…but with my hand in Tennessee’s, I couldn’t hear myself think. His skin was warm to the touch, like a cozy blanket I wanted to wrap myself in and cuddle. Heat radiated from my fingers into my cheeks. I dropped my head and stared at the ground to hide the blush I knew I sported. Don’t embarrass yourself. Tennessee’s thumb rubbed my palm in little circles. My heart fluttered, and butterflies danced around in my stomach. What is he trying to do to me?
Pay attention, Tegan. I shook my head and pushed my thoughts of Tennessee to the back burner. By the time I reined myself in, I’d missed whatever Henley had been chanting. Her lips moved and sound came out, but the words didn’t register. It took me a minute to realize it wasn’t English. A few lines later, she closed her sapphire eyes and took a deep breath.
“Ancient strength of witches beyond, call the Goddess to deepen your bond.” Henley’s voice was low and steady. Her skin glistened like a full moon in a black sky. The Moon’s power shined from inside her. “Sacred stones lend us your charms, purify us of all harm.”
A cold chill slipped down my spine, through my legs, and into my feet. I frowned and watched the energy ripple through the dirt in a straight shot for the center. It hit the stones first; they lit up and sparkled like stars. They hovered above the ground for a moment then spun in a circle around the locket.
“Element of water, come witness this rite. This tool of ours needs your sight,” Henley called out. “Element of Earth, cleanse this space. Set the purification in place.”
Blue and green light shot out of Henley’s hands. They traveled through the circle’s interlocked hands, round and round until they spun so fast they looked like ribbons. The ground trembled beneath my toes, sending vibrations into my bones.
“Element of air, send your charge. Spread your magic with us at large. Element of fire, hear us this hour. Share with us your strength and power.”
Energy popped and crackled around my face like fireworks. Flames sparked from around the locket a
nd danced above the dirt. The locket filled with golden light so bright I had to look away. Heat pressed against my exposed skin.
Tennessee’s grip on my hand tightened, and I took the strength he sent to me. His pulse pounded through his fingers and into mine. My own heartrate fluttered and then slipped into rhythm with his. I took a deep breath, but I couldn’t get enough air. The ground beneath my feet turned to ice. The cold chill slithered up my legs and spread through my entire body. I shivered. My teeth chattered together. Goose bumps covered my skin.
I tried to summon strength and warmth but none came. My energy evaporated. Darkness filled my vision, like I was driving through a tunnel. My breathing turned shallow. Something wasn’t right. My mouth went dry. I couldn’t feel my feet. I didn’t know how soon the ritual would end, but I wasn’t sure how much longer I could stay standing. Henley said not to break the ritual. A violent shiver shook my body, making me tremble beyond control. My eyelids fluttered, threatening to shut.
I looked to my right to Tennessee and found his mismatched eyes wide and watching me. My vision blurred. Colors turned to shades of gray. I wasn’t going to see the end of this ritual. I opened my mouth to call out to him, but I didn’t have the strength to speak.
Tennessee. His eyes widened. I knew he couldn’t hear me, but maybe he understood. Don’t let me fall.
Chapter Four
Tennessee
“Tegan? Tegan, can you hear me?” I said for probably the three hundredth time. We were in Cooper’s truck, sprawled on the back seat with her cradled in my lap. I brushed her hair off her face and pulled the long strands up so the cold air conditioning would hit her neck. Her skin was clammy and covered in beads of sweat.
Don’t let me fall. I wasn’t sure if she even knew she could communicate telepathically, but my gut told me she didn’t. Her mental voice had filled my mind stronger and louder than her normal speaking voice. Don’t let me fall. Her faith in me rocked the foundation I walked on. My feelings for this girl grew exponentially with every interaction. There she was on the verge of slipping into the feared Witch’s Shock, yet her only concern was breaking the ritual. She blew my mind. I couldn’t have dreamed of a soulmate more perfect. But with every minute she remained unconscious, my sanity snapped a little further.
I brushed the backs of my fingers against her cheek. I leaned down and pressed my lips to her forehead. “Tegan, wake up.” Now.
Nothing. My heart sank, and I had to blink away the rush of emotions threatening to overpower me. She was going to be fine. She had to be. After a quick glance around to make sure no one was watching, I dipped my face down and pressed my forehead to hers. Not for long, and not too hard. Just enough for her to feel me. When I pulled back, I found pale green eyes the exact color of peridot staring up at me.
My shaky breath left me in a rush. I smiled and tried to rein in the tremble of my fingers. “Hi.”
“Hi,” she whispered back.
“Hi.” That’s it? That’s all you can say to her?
She licked her lips. “Where…where are we?”
“Atley Carrier’s house. Or parked in front of it.”
Her eyes widened. “What? How? We were at the cemetery.”
“You’ve been unconscious for almost an hour. We tried to wake you.” She tried to sit up, but I stopped her. “You need to lie still. We’re getting you help.”
“But I…”
“Please? For me, just rest?” I had no right to beg her, to use her feelings for me like this…not after the lie I’d told right to her face. But I didn’t have the strength to fight it. At least not until she was healed and back on her feet.
She blinked up at me a few times, and then the corner of her lips curved up on one side. “For you…anything.”
Well…damn. What was I supposed to say to that? I had no words, at least none I was allowed to use. How was I supposed to pretend for much longer? I wouldn’t last. Keeping secrets had never been an issue for me, but this was a different story. It was like trying to keep a secret from yourself.
The back door of the truck flew open and I jumped. I threw my hand out, ready to blast whoever it was across town. Except then I realized who it was, and I dropped my arm. I cursed. She was the second person I’d almost attacked that day. The first person, Cooper, stood behind her shaking his head at me.
I sighed. “Sorry, Katherine.”
“It’s okay, Emperor.” Katherine smiled. She peered over my shoulder with sharp, chocolate eyes. “Your Coven-mates said she was unconscious. Has she awoken yet?”
I nodded, relieved to note there was improvement. “Yes, just now.”
Katherine nodded and flipped her auburn hair over her shoulder. Usually lead Healers were middle-aged, but Katherine was particularly gifted in only her mid-thirties. She’d requested the Tampa infirmary station so she could treat The Coven themselves.
She climbed up on the stepping bar of the truck, then crawled on her knees until she sat between my legs and level with Tegan’s face. “High Priestess, I’m sorry we’re meeting again under these circumstances.”
“Me too.” Tegan tried to smile, but her lips only wobbled.
Katherine pressed her palm against Tegan’s forehead. She wore clear and rose quartz rings on each finger. They were healing stones. A soft pink glow shimmered between Katherine’s hand and Tegan’s skin. “We call this Witch’s Shock. When a witch’s power is too gravely depleted, their body goes into shock and shuts down until enough strength returns for them to awaken. What have you been using your magic on?”
“On our quest, she used too much. Then we did a healing ritual for Libby, and a purification ritual today.” I stopped when realization hit me. We knew she needed her own healing ritual; we’d said we’d do it once we got home. We hadn’t. Damn it. I’m an idiot.
Katherine nodded and pulled a vial from the front pouch of her dress. “You’ll need to complete a healing ritual for her today, within a few hours preferably or she might pass out again. Until then, I’ll give her this potion to stabilize her magic and get her on her feet. Open wide, High Priestess.”
Tegan opened her mouth and let Katherine pour the liquid inside. The second the potion hit her tongue, her eyes returned to their gemstone glow. They sparkled with life and magic. The sickly gray tone in her skin vanished under my eyes. The cracks in her lips sealed. It took every ounce of self-control not to kiss her right then and there.
“Okay, that should do it.” Katherine smiled and pulled her hand back. She stuffed the now empty vial back in her pocket and sat back. “How do you feel?”
Tegan sat up. She wobbled a little but steadied herself by putting a hand on my shoulder. She took deep breaths, her chest rising and falling. “Better. Thank you, Katherine.”
“You’re very welcome, Tegan.” Katherine grinned and shimmied her way back out of the truck. When she slid down to the ground, she nodded her head in almost a bow. “High Priestess, Emperor.”
In the blink of an eye, Katherine was out of sight. Cooper stepped into the open doorway and held his hand out. Tegan took his hand and let him pull her out onto the sidewalk. I jumped out, wanting to be there to catch her if she fell again, except she stood strong.
Tegan gasped and spun around to face me with wide eyes full of fear. She grabbed her chest. “The locket! Where is it?”
I sighed with relief. For a second, I thought she’d been poisoned or was having a heart attack. Wait. Where is the locket?
Cooper’s jaw dropped and his face paled. He didn’t know.
“I have it.” Emersyn stepped onto the sidewalk from behind me. Her hair looked like liquid gold, like pure sunshine in physical form. The white ceremonial sheath dress she’d borrowed from Henley only grazed her knees, just like it did on Tegan. When she reached us, she held her hand out. The Hierophant’s locket glistened like it was brand new in her palm. “I kept it safe for you. Henley said we can’t put it on now that we did the ritual.”
Tegan’s shoulders dropped, and
the worry in her eyes disappeared. She took the locket from her sister’s hand and smiled. “Thanks, Em.”
“Are you okay?” Emersyn looked her sister over several times. “You scared us.”
You got that right.
Tegan gave her sister a hug. “Yeah. Sorry about that.” Her eyes met mine over Emersyn’s shoulder.
“We messed up,” I said. “We were supposed to do a healing ritual for you when we got—”
“It’s okay. We’ll do it today. I’ll be fine,” Tegan interrupted me with a warm smile. She stepped back from Emersyn then waved at something behind me. “You guys can come over here. It’s not contagious.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard that before,” Easton yelled. His sky-blue eyes were bright with amusement as he led the rest of our crew across the street.
“Just what a girlfriend loves to hear,” Lily mumbled and rolled her eyes.
“I think he enjoys torturing you, Lily.” Tegan chuckled then turned her attention to me. “So, did I miss it? Did you present it to Atley already?”
“Nope. We were waiting for you.” I cleared my throat. “All right, guys, let’s do this. Follow my lead.”
It was only after I knocked on Atley’s front door that the reality of what we were doing hit me. We were presenting the locket to our first guess. To the person we thought might be replacing Cassandra. The green wooden door opened, revealing a woman with soft brown hair and gray eyes.
She took one look at me and her eyes widened. She practically leapt out of the way to open the door for us. “Please, come in.”
Once we were all inside her living room, I turned to face our current host. “Hello, Pamela.”
“Hello, Emperor.” Her cheeks flushed. She smoothed the hem of her shirt. “To what do we owe the honor of having The Coven in our home…in ceremonial white?”
The Brave Witch Page 3
