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With Finn missing and Sebastian—my paranoid, hallucinating vampire mate—being the one we’re depending on, my nerves are jumping like live wires.
Dumont witches have always been leaders in our coven. I can’t think of anything worse than Mother Gaia telling me I lack focus and don’t live up to the Dumont name.
Scratch that—worse would be losing Finn.
If Summer is as frazzled as I am, she doesn’t show it. The only thing on her face is unwavering determination, her intense gaze focused and unblinking.
Zana moves to stand before Beatris. She lifts a ceramic jug, tipping it slowly until a dark amber liquid pours into her raised chalice.
Josie? Can you hear me?
I look into Zana’s eyes as she fills my chalice and school my expression. Have you found him?
Not yet, but Sebastian is back and has an address. He and Rune are going to check out a house down the street.
Thank Gaia.
Zana finishes pouring for Summer and leaves the circle. “You may drink.”
The potion is a luminescent elixir that shimmers with ethereal energy. I raise the chalice to my lips and take a measured sip. It’s not as bad as I expect. It’s earthy and invigorating. I tip the rest back and swallow every drop.
Magical awareness surges through my veins. It’s like I can see energy.
Atoms. Cells.
Wow. This stuff is potent.
The potion takes hold of me fully, and I send one last thought to my familiar. Keep them safe, Phi.
I will do my best.
The awareness of my familiar fades away, and I find myself standing in a lush garden. The cool evening air brushes against my skin as I stand barefoot in the soft, dew-kissed grass. My sacred space is defined by a circle of stones, each emitting a faint, comforting glow under the twilight sky.
I turn to face the North, arms lifting slightly with palms open to the heavens. “Guardians of the North, element of Earth, I call upon you.” I smile as a stable, grounding energy rises through the soles of my feet. “Lend me your strength and stability, ground my energy as I seek deeper truths and wisdom.”
Pivoting smoothly to the East, I continue. “Guardians of the East, element of Air, I invite you into my circle.” A playful breeze teases strands of hair across my face. “Bring me your breath of inspiration and clarity, guide my thoughts to soar high and free.”
As I turn to the South, the last rays of the setting sun warm my face, infusing me with vitality. “Guardians of the South, element of Fire, I welcome you.” The fire within me stirs. “Ignite my will and passion, fuel my spirit with your transformative power and courage.”
Facing the West, I inhale deeply, tasting the moisture in the air that hints at the nearby stream. “Guardians of the West, element of Water, I embrace the cooling touch of water’s wisdom. Flow through me with your healing, cleanse my soul, and refresh my purpose.”
Finally, I look upward, acknowledging the vast expanse above. “And to the Spirit, the Aether that connects all, I acknowledge your sacred presence in my circle,” I speak with reverence, my arms reaching towards the sky and then drawing down to my heart. “Bind these elements together within me, balance within as without, as above so below.”
With my ritual words spoken, I lower myself to the ground, settling into a cross-legged position. My hands rest on my knees, palms upward, ready to receive my message.
Closing my eyes, I let out a deep, settling breath and begin my meditation, embraced by the powerful presence of the elements, each enhancing my spiritual journey and anchoring me to the world around me.
The elemental energies coalesce into a swirling vortex of power, and I sit in the eye of the storm. A surge of energy envelops me, and I gasp air back into my lungs so quickly it leaves me coughing and choking, desperate for breath.
RUNE
I pace the front hall of Josie’s family home while Elara and Nadine work on the shrouding spell that will keep Sebastian from burning up in daylight. We’ve used the spell before, but usually with a team of witches. I’m worried it will be too much for just the two of them, but we’re only going a few doors down the road and Sebastian will vamp run, so he’s confident he’ll be fine.
“Josie’s offline,” Phi tells me, tucking her huge ebony wings to fit through the open window. “Which means Summer is offline too.”
“It’s go-time.” I look toward Sebastian and the witches. “I’ll do a quick perimeter check and wait for you there.”
Sebastian shuts that down. “No. We go together. They’ve already got Finn. We need to be a united force.”
