by Rachel James
Spinning back, Devlin studied the circle, discarding option after option in his head. A loud purr soon echoed from beside his ankles. Damn cat. He oughta be shot. And so should his mistress. But he had the right idea. They had to disconnect the circle by any means necessary.
“Any suggestions on how we disconnect it?” Eileen asked, settling beside him and studying the markings.
“I’m fresh out of ideas,” Devlin remarked. “What do you think, Brianna?” He turned, expecting to find Brianna studying the circle as well. When he didn’t see her, he scanned the room. A door slammed, followed by the sound of a rebar dropping. He flew around the reception desk, emitting a vindictive curse on all stubborn she-bears. Reaching the front door, he tried the handle, knowing full well he’d find it sealed shut. Exasperated, he whirled on his heels and dove back around the desk, dragging Francis forward.
“Have you any idea where Sally might erect a circle to match this one?” he asked.
“It isn’t possible for Sally to deceive us, Devlin,” Eileen stated. “There is too much foot traffic in the gardens for her to do so. Members are always cutting through, meditating on benches, or greeting guests strolling the footpaths.”
“And there’s always nighttime vigils,” Brad added. “No one can be everywhere twenty-four seven, no matter how many of us there are.”
Devlin’s gaze shot to Francis again.
“You know Sally the best, Francis. How much time occurs between these fugues?”
“Sometimes years, but each episode is more severe than the last—and lasts longer.”
“There’s always Green Glen,” Eileen stated, suddenly.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Francis stated. “No one uses the original gardens anymore. It’s off-limits.”
“Is that the old Sacred Circle site?” Devlin asked, a frown emerging on his lips. Eileen answered for Francis.
“Unfortunately, yes. But you can cross it off your list. The ground is contaminated. Not even Sally in her madness would dare to initiate a ceremony there.”
“But how did the ground get contaminated?” Devlin asked. Looks of horror marred each face, as they supplied their own answer. Their expressions were enough for Devlin. They had to find a way out of the library and fast. A pull on his sleeve had Devlin turning to Tommy.
“The cat’s on to something,” he stated. He signaled the floor behind them. “Something in the circle.”
Devlin twisted around, spotting Nicodemus sitting in the center of the circle. His mind clicked into focus.
“Not in the circle, Tommy, but beneath it,” he muttered. His gaze collided with Francis’s and held.
“The emergency tunnel,” they said, simultaneously.
Devlin dove forward, shoving Nicodemus aside. The cat hissed its displeasure; however, in seconds, the floorboard was raised, and the cat was diving down the steps into the hole. Peering into the darkened space, Devlin called after him.
“You better wait for us, you miserable beast!”
Devlin heard a chuckle from beside him.
“Are we relying on that creature to show us the way again?”
Devlin’s lips twitched, but he sobered instantly.
“If you say one word of this to Brianna, I’ll do more than bust your jaw. Now, hang back and stay with the others.”
“The hell I will. I’m going with you.”
Devlin frowned, but made no other demand as he dropped down on the first step, and began his descent. Time was once again his enemy, rushing forward like a raging river gone wild. He listened as his boots stomped on the wood, wondering why he hadn’t kept his attention on Brianna. The circle was meant for her and she had sensed it from the get-go—which meant he would’ve sensed it too, if Nicodemus hadn’t blocked her essence from him. What would she find when she arrived in Green Glen?
He didn’t want to think that far ahead. He had to cut her off and prevent the confrontation Sally was obviously intending. He heard a light wheeze from above him and knew Francis was dogging his footsteps.
“Hang back, Francis. I can handle this one without you.”
An out-of-breath stutter floated in his right ear.
“Yeah, just like you did fifteen years ago.”
His meaning was clear, and it stung Devlin to the core; however, he didn’t lessen his pace. Instead, he reached the exit door, jerked it open, and headed for the wooded pathway off the Crystal Gardens. If he cut through to the Sage cottage onto the old path outside the back door acreage, he could shave off at least four minutes of their running time. Brianna was no more than five minutes ahead.
Increasing his stride, he barreled down the garden path, and into the old orchard bordering the Green Glen cove.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
GREEN GLEN CLEARING
Brianna crashed through the underbrush and into the hatchery clearing, skidding to a halt when she spied the figure draped in glittering black, kneeling over her father’s prone body inside a painted circle. Tuning into the buzz of energy alive in the air, she realized she was a total idiot. Sally had been waiting for her arrival. And thanks to the dark entity who had latched itself to her essence, she was bent on making the entire Sage family pay for the death of her sister.
Feeling a tremor beneath her shoes, Brianna glanced down at her feet. She was standing inside an outer circle similar to the inner one, and Sally had already called the Quarters. By stepping into the clearing she had triggered the second circle outside the inner one. Taken back by the tremendous flow of energy bouncing around her, she glanced at the woman straightening in the circle. Her change in posture and Gothic looks were staggering as she took a defensive stance and threw her tattooed arms out towards Brianna.
“If you want your father, cross over and get him,” she taunted.
Brianna realized that initiating any counter-attack while inside a double circle would backfire on the person inside the outer circle, not the one in the inner circle. And that was just what this new Sally was hoping for. She glanced at her father’s prone figure and took a step forward.
“Papa?”
His head rolled towards the sound of her voice; however, before he could reply, Sally stepped over his torso, and blocked his face with her cape. She waved her hands toward Brianna again.
“I bind thee from doing magic to aid this spell; I bind thee from entering all gateways as well. You cannot stop the motion I have set into place. From sister to sister, you will suffer his fate.”
Ignoring the chant, Brianna stepped to her left, catching sight of her father attempting to lift his hand. That he had been condemned to some awful mental fugue by Sally’s psychosis was clear. A band of black auras surrounded his prostrate frame. It didn’t take any magical skill to see that his earlier illness was preventing him from throwing off the stupor he had been paralyzed with.
“You can’t save him,” Sally mocked. “I have seen to that.”
A surge of anger welled in Brianna’s chest. She wasn’t about to give any credence to this Sally’s threats. This Sally was simply too unfocused and in-experienced to maintain two magic spells at once. Besides, she didn’t have the power of six generations of High Priestesses as her back-up.
Realizing she had to do a quick assessment of the circle she was in, Brianna made a hurried walk right, then left, studying the markings on the ground as she went. She had to give the appearance of being in control—even if she wasn’t. And she had to trust she’d be shown any error this Sally might’ve made in the construction of the spells.
“You’ll never figure it out,” Sally jeered, mirroring Brianna’s walk along the markings. “I have seen to that as well.”
“The day I can’t beat you at casting spells hasn’t arrived yet, Sally,” Brianna retorted. “You’ve never done anything on your own that I didn’t do first, and better. Once a copycat; always a copycat.”
A maddening shriek echoed in the clearing, proving Brianna’s taunt had found its mark. The hair around Brianna’s ears crackled un
der an influx of static electricity, and she felt the tendrils lift from her face.
“I forbid you to say such things to me. I hold the power of the Queen of the Witches!” She raised her hand, and Brianna felt a spray of pain along her right arm. She clutched her wrist, rubbing the sore spot. She had to think of a way to throw Sally off her game. If she didn’t, her time in the clearing would be filled with non-stop pain. But what to try?
The sound of crashing shrubs erupted behind Brianna, and she spun about, horrified when Devlin dove into the clearing and skidded to a halt beside her. A moment later, his legs buckled, and his knees hit the ground. The aura around his frame went from white to grey to black, and she knew his entry into the clearing had been anticipated as well. Hearing a second series of crashing twigs, Brianna flew to the edge of the circle and flung out her hands to the arriving group.
“Stay back,” she warned. “The clearing’s in flux.”
The group’s faces registered alarm; however, Brianna had no time to worry about their fears. She had to think and think fast. Devlin was already thirty seconds into his binding. Whirling about, she dropped to her haunches beside him. How far gone was he really?
“Can you hear me, Devlin?”
He didn’t answer, and the fact that he didn’t made Brianna’s pulse shift into overdrive. What horror had Sally concocted for him?
“Rrr-owww.”
Brianna jumped at the sound of Nicodemus’s wail. She looked down at the sleek black fur brushing against her thigh. Nicodemus, ever vigilant. Thank the Goddesses, Sally’s spell couldn’t keep him out. Cats had an affinity for skirting the fabric of spells.
She heard a light chuff, followed by a sneeze, and watched as the cat sat down abruptly by her right side. His gaze centered on Sally, and Brianna had the feeling his presence was one of intimidation. When he gave a low growl in his throat, Sally moved away.
“Not even a spirited cat can halt what’s been set in motion. The Weavers of Death have been called, and their vengeance cannot be undone.”
“She’s bluffing,” Eileen called from behind Brianna. “Rituals can always be undone. All you need is a trigger.”
Brianna hopped to her feet quickly. Should she attempt a counter ritual without knowing what the original curse started off as? She glanced at the area around the circle. This Sally had been clever in building the circles, she’d give her that. Devlin’s head suddenly knocked against her thigh.
“The ritual’s . . . too far . . . gone . . .” he muttered. “Let me . . . go down.”
“I’m not letting you go down,” Brianna stated, tartly. “Not you or Papa.”
“It’s . . . too . . . late.”
“It can’t be. Otherwise, Nicodemus wouldn’t be . . .” Brianna’s gaze shot to the cat. Of course, that was it. Nicodemus had the power to cripple the original curse. A busted sneeze echoed, sending her gaze skimming along the angles of the quadrants. There was no sign of a trapdoor anywhere between the first and second circle. Sally must’ve been truly riding the edge of insanity when she created her spells. She had left the book as bait in the library, forgetting the most important quality it held—the wrong essentials for a ritual.
“Rrr-owww.”
“Yes, I’m wearing it,” she said, aloud. Reaching into her dress, she withdrew her necklace. Why hadn’t she thought of it before? Crystal energy had restored Nicodemus’s essence before; her necklace had the power to poke holes in the fabric of time. She glanced at the markings in front of her again. Eileen was right. No circle was absolute. They could always be re-programmed, especially by a High Priestess with the right tools.
The first gateway was built with two boundaries, and Devlin had triggered the first with his sudden entrance into the clearing. Now, it was time for her to take a leap of faith and trigger the second gateway. To do that, she had to act without thinking of the consequences. Dropping her left hand to Devlin’s shoulder, Brianna placed her Pentagram against her forehead with her right. If she merged her energy with Devlin’s, and used it to tap Nicodemus’s power, she should be able to harness enough power to rework Sally’s ritual.
“Heed me, Saviors of doubt. Shower me with light, within and without. No other use may be made of this channel, except for the energies your goodness does handle. I ask that my aura be protected from ill. So mote it be, this is my will.” She opened her eyes, bent, and placed the Amulet in front of Nicodemus, and then straightened. “From witch to witch, and mortal to immortal, I invoke the Guardian to open a portal. Switch without to within, and awaken the Towers, as above, so below, transfer their power.”
“Stop! You will not call the Towers to arms,” Sally shrieked. She moved to a spot in front of Brianna. “If you dare to coax them any further, I shall end your father’s life.”
Brianna ignored her shrill tones and continued chanting.
“Mind the threefold law you should. Three times bad, and three times good.”
Sally’s counter-attack came on top of hers.
“Heed the shadows’ mighty gale, lock the door, and drop the sail.”
Brianna immediately countered her chant.
“Recast the circle thrice about, all evil spirits ferreted out. I beseech the Guardian to un-barricade this gate and reverse the curse . . .”
“. . . Weavers of Death, initiate her fall. From sister to sister, ignore her call.”
Brianna felt a sudden tingle in her fingers, and realized the Weavers were having difficulty deciphering her life force from Devlin’s. Buoyed by the knowledge, Brianna bent down and patted Nicodemus’s head.
“Without to within, awaken the Towers.”
She felt the rush of energy as soon as her fingers left his fur. Don’t panic, her inner voice warned. Nicodemus needs time to clear the blockages in and around the gate so the switch can take place.
Feeling a soft ripple of air fan her hair, Brianna knew her leap of faith was paying off. The gateway could be switched without it caving in on itself—if she didn’t let up on her chanting. It was time to raise the stakes—with Devlin’s help. Brianna squeezed the fabric beneath her fingers.
“Listen to my voice, Devlin. Focus.” His head rose at her words, but slumped down again immediately. Her heart skittered, seeing the motion. Don’t let him die, she prayed to the Goddesses. I need him to make mad, passionate love to me for the rest of his life. “Stay with me,” she urged, panic-stricken. “Focus on my voice. If you don’t, we’ll die.” His head lifted again and she heard a stuttered whisper.
“. . . still . . . here.” His head dropped, and Brianna knew he was drifting off again. “Stay with me, I said! Focus on my voice.”
His head sprang up, and his hand lifted and settled on her fingers. A hefty jolt of electricity suddenly passed between them.
“I bind you, Devlin. I bind you.”
Sally’s call seemed confident; however, Brianna heard a small quiver in the pitch as she focused her gaze on Devlin’s hunched form. Was Sally beginning to doubt her powers? She hoped so. A witch who had sudden doubts would be hard-pressed to keep the negative energy from a total backlash.
A surge of energy rippled through her fingers, and encouraged by the sign, Brianna shifted her body closer to Nicodemus. Nicodemus and Devlin were doing their part. Now it was her turn.
“From witch to witch, I invoke this vow. One shall win, and one shall lose . . .”
Sally’s voice over-pitched hers.
“Weavers of Darkness, vanquish her plea. Show her no mercy, until I grant a reprieve.”
“. . . one shall sleep, and one shall choose . . .”
“Stop! I forbid you . . .”
A huge blast of wind careened from the north quadrant of her circle, and spiraled upward. A second blast followed the first, this time from the south quadrant. Two more blasts followed the pair, and Brianna knew the cones of power were switching places. Sally’s knees buckled at the switch, and she hit the ground, totally surprised by the sudden attack.
“No, I won’
t be denied.” Her cry was tortured as she clutched her head and then doubled over. Brianna felt a sudden surge of pity well up; however, she quickly dispelled it. No matter how sorry she felt for Sally, she couldn’t show any feeling or remorse until the curse had been severed. Raising her voice, Brianna addressed the Guardians.
“Standing between the worlds of the known and unknown, I call to the Ancients to rise from the river. Come from your resting place, your light to deliver. I am your daughter, a sister of light. Respond to my call and show yourselves bright.”
She paused, waiting for a response. None came; however, she felt a change in energy levels as Nicodemus stood and approached the inner circle. He sat in front of Sally’s hunched and sobbing form, and Brianna heard a loud purr begin to bounce off the cone of power.
A jarring bolt of electricity suddenly erupted in the middle of Brianna’s palms, and she marveled at the awesome rush of adrenalin that suddenly shook her body. She had never expected to experience a healing wash in her life, and here she was being totally cleansed and purified by the arriving Masters. Was Devlin being cleansed by the same waves of light?
She closed her eyes, and felt an immediate connection to his life-force. A second later, an unexpected transfer occurred from his body to hers, and back again. The exchange was so powerful that it was all she could do to remain on her feet.
For a moment, she saw two sparkling lights slamming into each other and then, by magic, both merged into one bright, white light. Immediately on the heels of the first vision, the Masters sent a second one, filtering the image through a scrim of blue light. This time, the vision that swept over her didn’t stay hers alone. Instead, bits and pieces of it washed over Devlin, who clutched his head in self-defense. Ten seconds later, he blacked out under the powerful assault. He hit the ground with a thud, severing his connection with Brianna, who ended up taking a full hit of energy as it looped back around to find an alternate source.
