Lilly’s head moved slowly signaling she had no questions.
Feeling the energy fading, Claude closed the session. “In a few moments you will return to ordinary waking awareness. You will know I am a trusted friend.”
On Claude’s command Lilly opened her eyes and looked around. In the candle lit room, an aura of golden light surrounded Claude. His blue eyes stared into hers. “You have great potential. I hope you will allow me to be a part of your journey and assist you in remembering the wisdom you embodied in previous lives.”
Lilly blinked and looked around. The air was thick and warm in the velvet tent. She put her hand out to open the flap. Claude’s hand covered hers, “Let me get that for you.”
They walked back into the main shop and sat on the two wooden stools behind the counter. “How did you like your reading?”
Lilly thought for a moment and spoke quietly, “It wasn’t what I expected. I don’t know how you know those things about my past life. The information is surprising and, shocking. I hope, one day, I will be able to awaken the knowledge and power I once owned.”
“On a more immediate note, I thought I would hear a message from my friend, Roland. I wanted to know if he is coming back or how I can be with him. You asked if I had a specific question at the end of the session, but my mind went blank.”
Claude’s face grew serious, “At this point, as much is concealed as is revealed. It appears the most immediate and important focus is developing your power and controlling the magick you hold.”
Lilly’s attempt at a smile resulted in a grimace. She sighed, venting her frustration, “I keep being told I have this ancient knowledge and magickal energy. Some days I feel it. Other days, I have a hard time believing it is real. The Cajun girl within me has a hard time wrapping her head around Faery blood and ancient magick.
Claude smiled and tilted his head to one side, looking at her intently with bright blue eyes, “It was obvious in the reading. You are more than a Cajun girl from the Bayou. You have an inborn power. It may be untapped, but I can help you awaken your magic.”
Lilly leaned forward, “How?”
Chapter 28
Regina
Lilly’s question was left hanging in the air as the doorknob rattled and a key quickly opened the lock. The bell over the door chimed as a willowy brunette entered like a queen surveying her kingdom. Long dark hair and straight bangs across her forehead gave the illusion of a modern day Cleopatra, if Cleopatra had worn a leather mini skirt, knee high boots and a tight red cashmere sweater. Big brown eyes, painted with a touch of dark witchery, focused on Lilly as full red lips curved into a smile.
Claude introduced Lilly to Regina and she came around the counter to give Lilly a hug. “Hi Lilly, I’m so happy to meet you. Madeline says you are the star initiate in Panthea’s Coven.”
Lilly rocked back on the tall stool, surprised at this description of her. “I don’t know about being the star initiate. I love learning about the craft and sometimes, I’m told, I become a bit obsessive about learning more.”
“Perfect,” Regina purred. “Now you are here, you must stay. Our business is slow as New Orleans gets over its Mardi Gras hangover. Please say you will stay and have dinner with us. This way we can get to know one another better. I know we are going to be great friends.”
Lilly agreed to stay for dinner. She was ready to branch out from her family at Panthea’s and meet more magical friends. With her soon to be ex-husband in jail and his mafia family no longer looking for her, she was free to go and be and do anything she wanted.
Seated on a red velvet sofa, Lilly admired the mahogany coffee table and blanched as she realized it was a small coffin. She diverted her attention to the painting over the fireplace and allowed her eyes to wander to the group of fancy glass jars lining the mantle. She got up to inspect the jars and flinched when she saw the contents. Each jar held the body of, what appeared to be, a small black bird suspended in viscous fluid. Claude came in, put a few logs in the fireplace and noticed Lilly chewing her fingernails as she stared at the jars on the mantel.
“Hey Lilly,” he said, as he stood next to her and looked at the glass jars lining the mantel piece. “Regina decorated the apartment. Her vision prevailed as she had the money to furnish it. I had no say in it.”
“I understand,” she said smiling as she returned to her seat on the sofa. She sat back and continued to chew her nails.
Claude studied her for a moment and said, “I know exactly what you need.” He whisked off to the kitchen and returned with two glasses of wine.
Lilly rubbed her hands together and wiped them down the front of her jeans. She took a deep breath, lifted her wine glass from the coffin coffee table and took a deep swallow. Turning to face Claude she leaned slightly toward him and asked, “I hear you are from New York.”
“Yep, I have escaped the madness of the Big Apple and landed in the Big Easy. I’m loving it.
“Where are you from, Lilly?”
“I’m from a small town on the bayou. I’ve only been in The Quarter a few months.”
“You haven’t been a part of Panthea’s Coven for long?”
“I was initiated right before Candlemas, but it feels like I have always been part of the coven. Living at Panthea’s feels like coming to my true home. Jolene says I am a pagan priestess reborn. You spoke of it in my reading. I was amazed you picked up on it. I hope I
