Turning her head slowly from side to side, she placed her hands on the edge of the altar and pulled herself up. Standing at the altar, she lifted her hands, forming them into a triangle, she voiced a long incantation which ended with the proclamation, “May her body be captured, her soul cleansed. May the darkness within her be transmuted, may her quest for power and disregard for all living things come to an end, may she be shorn of her magic, cleansed of her misdeeds, may she choose peace over power.” As the priestess finished her incantation, disembodied laughter echoed in the high vaulted ceiling of the sacred temple.
The tableau faded as Lilly fell and jolted awake in her bed. The dawn light filled the window of her bedroom as she reached for the fluffy pink robe at the end of her bed.
The day crawled past while Lilly moved numbly through meaningless tasks. She tried to block the disturbing scenes from her dream, but they would not be ignored. Her nocturnal journey and all it had revealed churned through her being. Visions of the young woman lassoed and placed on the stake to burn clawed at her heart. The cawing of the huge raven who rescued her echoed through her mind.
She sighed heavily, wishing Jolene was home! Placing the priestess crystal around her neck, she sat before her altar and took centering breaths. The dream, really a nightmare, had affected her more than she wanted to admit. She called upon her guides, guardians, ancestors and allies to protect and guide her. She felt nothing. No smiling goddess appeared. No ancestors whispered, no angels comforted her. She received no solace. After an hour, she stood and walked away from the one place of solace she thought she could always depend on. Her vibration would have to change before she could contact the higher realms.
Chapter 32
The Fool
Roland sat alone on the beach in Coconut Grove. He rubbed his hand over his weary eyes. He had come to the beach desperately seeking some time to himself. He needed the energy of the earth to renew him. He needed the earth mother’s powerful healing, to soothe his emotional turmoil.
Traveling on the bus with the band members was fraying his nerves. His lifelong dream of being in a band, traveling across the states in a bus was wearing thin. He was no longer the carefree musician who had left San Francisco a few months ago, nor was he the self assured young Druid exploring his magickal path. Living in a big tin box, rolling along on asphalt roads left him drained of energy and inspiration.
He missed Lilly and New Orleans. He thought he might be in love with both of them. The realization confused and bewildered him. I’ve never gotten this hung up on a lady before, he thought.
Lying back on the sand, he put his hand over the crystal on his chest, the piece of magick Lilly had gifted him. He closed his eyes to the bright sun and found a vision waiting for him. Jewel toned butterflies fluttered, dancing to faint flute music. Lilly appeared in a mist, but faded too soon. Roland’s hands clenched, as he opened his eyes. He sat up slowly, blaming the blazing sun for the tears filling his eyes.
Thoughts of Lilly overwhelmed him. He remembered her delicate features, her laughing green eyes and the look of ecstasy on her face as she lifted the flute to her lips. Flopping back onto the sand, he berated himself for being a fool.
He fell asleep on the beach and woke to the soft cadence of Lilly’s voice. “I miss you, I love you, return….” Feeling a visceral connection to the young woman he had known so briefly, remembering his vision of the butterflies and her music, Roland tried to convince himself he had been dreaming. ‘Am I going mad? I swear I saw her face and heard her speak to me.’ Brushing the sand off his clothes, he walked to a nearby convenience store and dialed Panthea’s Pantry. The phone rang and finally the answering machine picked up, “You have reached Panthea’s Pantry, we are closed for the two weeks following Carnival. Please leave a message and we will return your call when we reopen. Blessed Be.” Putting the phone down, Roland shook his head. I don’t know what to say. I have never been this hung up on a chic before. Leave it to me to fall for a Faery witch with no home phone.
Chapter 33
Desperate Measures
Days passed and Lilly was unable to calm her nerves or meditate. She paced through her apartment, the the Priestess Crystal weighing heavy over her heart. Her need for Roland’s touch was physically painful.
Deciding on a course of action she pulled a knit cap over her curls, threw on her jean jacket and a pair of sneakers and headed out the door. She walked fast, trying to contain her nerves. She was going to ask Jason if he knew the bands schedule. “Oh, jeez, this is so lame! I can’t stand it,” she muttered to herself as she crossed Esplanade Avenue, entered the Marigny and walked down Frenchman Street.
She stood in front of Valentine’s, hands stuck in her jeans pockets, head bowed, kicking at the sidewalk with the toe of her shoe. Jason came out to grab his morning paper and Lilly stepped up to say hello. “Well, hi there Lilly. It’s good to see you. Hey, why don’t you come in and join me for a cup of coffee?
“Add an almond croissant and I’m in,” Lilly said sounding
