by Pat Esden
Devlin glared at her. “I wouldn’t talk, after last night.”
“That was Athena’s—”
“Go ahead, say it.” Devlin’s voice rumbled, a threatening tone infused with magic. “Are you forgetting this coven has a high priestess—and a high priest?”
Even at a distance, the power of his tone reverberated into Chloe’s bones, bringing her to a halt mid-stride. Devlin was the Northern Circle’s high priest. It made perfect sense. In fact, she should have considered the possibility before. Most often, covens had both a high priest and priestess. But it wasn’t uncommon for their level of involvement in the coven to vary greatly, especially if one took on the coven management role as their full-time employment and the other had an outside profession—like with Athena and Devlin.
Jessica sliced a glance at Chloe. “I get it now.”
“Leave it be,” Devlin said.
Chloe stared at him as he pivoted away from Jessica and strode toward her. She wanted to say something, but the warm blanket Brooklyn was draping around her shoulders stole her attention. It was amazing, its magic-enhanced comfort soaking into her like sunshine.
“Wonderful,” she murmured, snuggling into it. Her voice rattled like castanets. She could barely feel her feet.
Brooklyn tsked. “Jessica’s right—you’re a total wimp.”
Matt thrust a steaming travel mug into her hands. “Nothing fancy, just mint tea. But it should help.”
Devlin was next to her now. He rubbed his hand down her back, his fingers sliding about her waist as he urged her forward. “We need to get you to a warm car.”
Happiness radiated through Chloe. She leaned into him and rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m fine, really.”
His breath nuzzled her ear. “Congratulations, by the way.”
“Thanks,” she mumbled.
Chapter 11
We would have thought the box nothing more than a stone, entangled in the oak’s roots, if it weren’t for the runes that brought us to that circle of earth and for the solstice moon that illuminated it.
—Journal of Chandler Parrish
June 21st, Isle of Anglesey
When they arrived back at the complex, Brooklyn took Chloe up to Athena’s personal suite, a series of rooms on the second floor of the main house, and directed her into the most amazing bathroom in the universe. Candlelight reflected off mirrors and moonlight-blue tiles. A stemmed glass and an open bottle of May wine waited next to a steaming whirlpool bath. Chloe’s chills had subsided thanks to the roaring heat vents in Devlin’s BMW. Still, as soon as Brooklyn left her alone, Chloe stripped off her wet underwear and slipped into the water.
She rested back, closing her eyes and listening to the drift of Celtic harp music coming from the nearby bedroom, and sipped the wine. She could have floated off to sleep in about a half a second, except Brooklyn had told her that once she was dressed, a circle would be cast and a ritual performed to welcome her into the coven. Soon she’d be a part of a group who could help her make everything right.
She wove her hands through the water, letting it flow between her fingers as she replayed everything that had happened at the quarry. The surrender of jumping off the cliff, going under the water—the terror of realizing it was a quarry, not the lake. Despite the warmth, she shivered as she remembered the moments when she was certain she was going to die. Loneliness. Determination. But mostly fear. Then the joy of succeeding. She was certain Devlin had helped her do that, thrown her a lifeline. Still, she’d really done it on her own. She’d noticed the smell. She hadn’t given up. He’d just been like a guardian spirit.
A mix of happiness and desire washed over her. She scooched deeper into the water, remembering the protective strength of his hand against her waist, his warm voice close to her ear. The harder, stronger voice he’d used on Jessica. There was something going on there behind the scenes. But more importantly Devlin was the Circle’s high priest. Standing behind Athena, letting her take the reins. Still, he was there and vigilant. And beyond gorgeous and sexy.
Chloe finished the wine and was about to give in and take a quick nap, when the bathroom door slid open partway. “It’s just me,” Athena said quietly. She opened the door the rest of the way and stepped inside. “I’ve brought a heated towel and your robe for the ceremony.”
“Thank you.” Under normal circumstances, having someone she barely knew walk in while she was bathing would have felt uncomfortable to Chloe. But with all that had happened and the serene gentleness of Athena’s voice, it felt natural. In fact, shyness would have felt odd.
Athena pulled the vanity chair up next to the tub and sat down with the towels and Chloe’s ceremonial robe in her lap. She was dressed in a similar robe with her black choker around her neck and rings on every finger, all carved with symbols of the Craft and accented with different types of stones. Her hair was piled on top of her head, held in place with gold pins and a band of embroidered white cloth. With the steam of the bath and the harps playing in the background, Chloe had no trouble visualizing Athena as an ancient high priestess, perhaps even a queen.
“I’m so happy you’re going to join us.” Athena rested her hand on the foot of the tub. “I was afraid you might change your mind.”
Chloe laughed. “I was afraid about that too—especially right before I jumped.”
“But you did.” She looked down at her hand, fiddling with one of her rings for a moment. Her voice hushed even further. “My parents never would have allowed me to join a coven like the Circle, something new, something they don’t understand. I’m not saying they didn’t love me and Devlin, quite the opposite. But holding your children back isn’t right either. Children need to be given wings. Chloe, you astound me—how you reach for what you deserve.”
Chloe pulled her washcloth up close to her chest, more self-conscious now. “I wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t invited me.”
“Perhaps that’s true.” Athena hesitated. “Parents like ours aren’t evil or hard. It’s just…They think we are too inexperienced to handle our powers. They’re afraid we will end up shunned by the witch community.”
“Yeah.” Chloe totally got what she meant. It was a large part of why her parents had insisted that she live at home and get her undergraduate degree at a community college. It was a nice surprise to learn that she and Athena had something in common besides the Craft. Not to mention how wonderful it felt to talk to someone who came from the same place, but was brave enough to bring innovative ideas to the Circle. However, a part of Athena’s story didn’t quite add up. “But your mother surrendered the coven to you.”
“She did. But she’d never have done it if it weren’t for her own fear of failure—and selfish interests outside her duties.” Athena refilled Chloe’s wine glass. “I’m so happy for you and for us. Together we’re going to do great things.” She got up and set the robe on the chair but kept the towel. “Now we should get you dressed, everyone is waiting. They’re all so excited about you joining.”
“All of them?” I’m not so sure about that, was what she wanted to say. But passing judgement on other coven members didn’t seem the best way to start a new relationship, no matter how close she felt to Athena.
“What’s wrong?”
Chloe shrugged. “Nothing, really.”
Athena raised an eyebrow. “Is Jessica giving you problems?”
“I’m not sure. She seems…” Man, this was impossible to say out loud.
“If you’re thinking she’s jealous, you’d be right. If you think her feelings are only toward you, you’d be wrong. She doesn’t warm up to new people quickly. She’s equally uncomfortable about Em joining. Perhaps more so since Em is pansexual.”
Chloe’s face heated, surprised by the level of Athena’s laidback straightforwardness. At the same time, it was a huge relief to know why Jessica was giving her attitude, and that Athen
a was aware it was a problem.
“Jessica and I have occasionally been lovers.” Athena shook out the heated towel, letting it fall open in an invitation for Chloe to get out of the bath and wrap up. “Don’t worry about her. She’ll come around.”
“I hope so.” Chloe set her wine down and got out of the tub. She liked Athena a lot, but Jessica didn’t have anything to worry about in the romantic area.
Athena moved behind Chloe, enveloping the towel around her body. As she snugged the towel tight, her hands stopped on Chloe’s upper arms. “We have no issue with coven members becoming involved, casually or seriously, like Brooklyn and Matt. I’d like nothing more than to see my brother involved with someone like you.”
Chloe stiffened. Athena didn’t sound angry, but there was a note of warning in her tone. “Nothing’s happened between us. You know that, right? Like the other night after the gathering?”
“I don’t care about that. I love my brother. I want to see him happy.” She picked up Chloe’s wine glass and handed it to her. “It’s you, not him, I’m concerned about. He’s—when he was in prep school—”
Not even daring to breathe, Chloe waited for her to go on. What the heck had Devlin done?
Athena motioned to the vanity chair. “Sit. Let me do your hair while we talk.”
Chloe hurried to do as she asked.
In silence, Athena stroked the brush down her hair. She sighed. “He’s a lot like our father.”
Chloe shuddered, a chill going straight to her heart. He couldn’t be. Devlin couldn’t have fooled her to that much of a degree. He was sweet and kind, not at all like his father.
“Have you ever been with a witch?” Athena asked.
Chloe frowned, unsure what that had to do with anything. “I’ve been with guys, if that’s what you mean,” she said, though she suspected it wasn’t what Athena was getting at. Her parents had been dry and straightforward when it came to talking about sex. But one afternoon, when she was far too young for it, she’d stumbled across a dog-eared book in her older sister’s room. The Witch’s Way of Love. That had been an eye opener. Another whole realm that explained the late-night moans and throbbing energy reverberating from her parents’ bedroom. A realm beyond anything she’d come across since then in her dating experience with normal guys.
“The thing is”—Athena gave her hair an absentminded stroke with the brush—“hooking up with an empowered witch is as wonderful and as different as you’ve heard—and as addictive, more quickly than most are willing to admit. That, I believe is the root of Jessica’s jealousy. And something she and I need to work on.”
Chloe’s nervousness subsided and she took a long sip of wine to relieve the dryness in her mouth. So this wasn’t about Devlin being an asshole then. Relief spread through her body. This was about his witchy bedroom skills, and that wasn’t exactly a turn off. “Oh, I never thought of that.”
“It’s not just that.” Athena rested a hand on Chloe’s shoulder. “Guard your heart. When it comes to relationships with women, Devlin isn’t good at commitment. I don’t want to see you hurt.”
Chloe nodded. No doubt, Athena was trying to be nice. But her advice hardly put Devlin in an unusual category. That sounded like ninety-five percent of the guys she’d dated.
Athena’s voice lightened. “Enough serious talk. This is your night. What do you say we get you into that robe? I’m sure everyone is wondering where we are.”
Since Chloe’s clothes were at the bottom of the quarry and her underwear was still wet, she pulled on her robe with nothing underneath. It felt rebellious and new. As a rule, her family wore clothes under their robes. Athena, however, confided that she preferred going skyclad as a way to feel closer to nature. Chloe smiled at Athena’s preference. It didn’t surprise her in the least.
Once she was ready, the two of them went downstairs and out into the garden, where Midas and Devlin waited on the bridge. Chloe barely had time to catch Devlin’s eyes and share a smile before Em and Chandler arrived. Seeing all of them in robes, knowing that Em and Midas had also chosen to join, eliminated the last speck of wariness Chloe had about her decision. Joining the Circle was the right path for her, she was sure of it.
She walked next to Athena on their way to the teahouse. Her robe whispered against the glowing path. Overhead, the stars sparkled, more brilliant than ever. Chloe’s fingers rubbed at her wrist, unconsciously reaching for her charm bracelet that was back at the apartment on the coffee table. A bittersweet feeling flittered through her chest. Ever since she could remember, she’d worn the bracelet for Sabbats and rituals, whenever she worked the Craft. It had been lengthened as she’d grown. Charms had been added on special occasions. It felt odd not to have it with her now.
Inside the teahouse, Jessica, Brooklyn, and Matt stood around an altar draped in white cloth. Candles representing the four directions—north, east, south, west— and a smoking incense burner awaited on the altar, along with as a bowl of water, a chalice, and what appeared to be Merlin’s crystal.
As the ceremony began, Athena and Devlin worked together to cleanse the room and cast the circle. Chloe dipped her head, listening and enjoying the heady sage scent that permeated the air. The words they used were slightly different than what she was used to, but not so much that she couldn’t adjust and join in. A warm sense of safety and timelessness enveloped her as the coven’s magic filled the room.
“Chloe, come forward,” Athena called out. “Come forward, Emily and Midas.”
Keeping pace with the others, Chloe approached the altar. As was traditional for a blessing, she held her hands out with the palms up.
Athena dipped her fingers into a bowl of water, touched Chloe’s palms, then forehead. “Blessings and welcome to the Northern Circle, Chloe,” she intoned.
“Blessings and welcome, Chloe,” all the other members repeated the words in unison.
Athena moved on, repeating the blessing for Em and Midas. Then she raised her hands and voice. “Tonight, we are not only blessed with new members. We are also on the cusp of a new beginning.” The pitch of her voice dropped, each word becoming concise and rhythmic, as steady as the hypnotic pulse of a metronome. “We step out. As the Fool off his cliff. As the Wizard from the dark of the winter solstice. A new beginning. A new path for the Northern Circle.” With a flick of her wrist, a slender silver knife appeared in her hand. With another flick, she sliced her palm with its blade.
Chloe cringed. This wasn’t any ritual she was familiar with.
“Athena?” Devlin said in a hard whisper. “What are you doing?”
Ignoring him, she held up her hand and turned in a slow circle, revealing the stripe of welling blood on her palm to everyone. “I welcome you all to pledge as I am doing. Rededicate yourselves. To a new age. A new way. A new path.” She turned to the altar and rested her bloodied hand on Merlin’s crystal. White and purple light exploded outward, followed by a wave of surging energy. The walls of the teahouse rattled. Bright light flashed again and Athena’s voice roared, loud and powerful as a thunderstorm. “I offer myself. I rededicate myself. To a new path. To Merlin’s return.”
“Athena.” Devlin’s voice cut sharply through the room, the surge of energy freezing in midair—Chloe had never seen him turn on his magic full force like that before, but now she understood to a greater degree why he was the high priest.
Her gaze darted to him, then back to Athena. What had she said? To Merlin’s return. That made no sense.
Athena wheeled toward Devlin, her jaw set, her gaze unflinching. “If we wish to search for things lost to history and do it safely, we need the wisest guide we can find. Unlike all the other great witches and wizards, Merlin is not dead. He is merely sleeping. Why do you think we went to such lengths to acquire the stone?”
“Certainly not this.” His voice rumbled, so thick with magic and anger that Chloe felt it right down to her
toes.
Her body went cold, colder than when she’d emerged from the quarry. She couldn’t have moved even if the teahouse were on fire. She now fully grasped what Athena had meant the first night, when they’d seen the crystal. Athena hadn’t lied. She hadn’t even avoided the truth. But she sure as heck had hidden it.
“…with this item, guidance, and the right coven members…the Northern Circle can be used to accomplish the unheard of.”
By guidance, Athena had meant they could explore the past and discover lost magics literally with the help of Merlin—after they used his crystal to awaken him and return him to this world. Athena had never meant—or even actually outright said—the crystal alone could be used for incorporeal time travel. And, clearly, Devlin hadn’t known about awakening Merlin either.
Athena softened her voice, once again taking on a slow measured beat. “What are you afraid of, Brother? Afraid of losing your position to a more powerful man? Are you so self-centered to put yourself before the coven—and before the welfare of mankind?” She stepped closer to him. “Have I ever not supported you?”
“Of course not. I—” His voice broke, and the surge of Athena’s energy that had hung frozen in the air broke with him, cascading like a wave through the teahouse and swirling in a giant eddy. The power of its return made Chloe’s head swim and she had to fight to regain her equilibrium.
Athena thrust the knife handle-first at Devlin. “Brother, join me. We need the strength of the entire coven to succeed. This alone will not bring Merlin back. This is merely the first step of that journey.”
His fingers clenched into a fist. Indecision and fear flickered across his face, followed by desire and a desperation Chloe couldn’t understand. Slowly, he unclenched his fingers and reached for the knife. In one swift motion, he drew the edge across his palm. Blood gushed to the surface, flowing down his skin.
