Lilly ran to her apartment and put Roland’s silver spiral necklace around her neck and ran back to Raven Moon. As she entered, Lilly sensed tension in the air. She looked back and forth between Claude and Regina “What is it?”
Regina sounded exasperated as she explained, “Nothing, I have an after hours client coming in for a reading. She made the appointment before Mardi Gras. I can’t cancel. I’m upset I won’t be able to participate in the scrying. I wish you could wait for me and do it later, but Claude says it is too important to put off for another minute.”
There was a knock on the door and Regina admitted a nervous middle aged woman wearing a pants suit. Regina was leading her tarot client to the reading tent when Claude grabbed Lilly’s hand and lead her out of the shop. They made their way up a flight of stairs, but didn’t stop at the apartment. Instead, they entered another narrow stairway which lead to the magic temple in the attic of the old building.
It took a moment for Lilly’s eyes to adjust to the shadowy attic. One end was lost in darkness, while the dim winter sun poured through the dormer window overlooking the street. The attic was long and the roof over head was high enough for Claude, at six feet, to easily stand and walk. Looking around, it was obvious he had already been upstairs and turned on a space heater. Two large pillows were placed beside a low altar, a crystal ball glowing in the center.
Claude took her hand and guided her to a pillow. He stood and cast a magic circle, called in his protectors and assisting energies as well as Lilly’s. Returning to the center of the circle, he sat beside her and lit the candle. As he put his open palm on the altar, Lilly laid the silver spiral necklace in his hand. She watched as Claude took three deep breaths. She breathed along with him and felt the tingle of magic awaken in her fingers as Claude slid into trance. His voice was deep and low as he began:
“Scrying orb before me rest, a vessel strong
to manifest he that I would conjure here,
by Baphomet come through clear.
Roland now, arise, draw near.”
Swirling smoke filled the crystal ball. Colors appeared, vague at first, but growing brighter. There! Lilly could see him dimly. It was Roland. His full beard had grown back since Mardi Gras and his dark hair hung over his shoulders. He was staring out of the crystal ball. Claude drew her near and said, “Speak to him.”
“Roland, it’s Lilly. I miss you, I love you. Is there any way you can return to New Orleans?”
Roland nodded his head. Before he could speak, the image faded. Lilly grabbed Claude’s arm, “Bring him back, I want to talk with him.”
Claude lay back on his pillow. Sweat poured from his pale face, “Maybe later, Lilly. I can’t do it right now.”
Lilly looked at him, her eyes wide. “Does this exhaust you?”
Claude nodded. “Yes, it has been a long day for me and this was no parlor trick. True magick takes its toll.”
“Thank you, thank you so much for doing this for me. Please let me compensate you,” she said as she reached for her purse.
Claude put his hand on her arm. “Ah, Lilly, it is not your money I yearn for.”
“Well, how can I thank you for helping me. This is so important.”
Claude shook his head slowly. “I would like to think we are friends. Possibly we could be more than friends.”
Putting her purse aside, Lilly nodded. “Claude, I am happy to call you friend. You are, without a doubt, a kind and powerful ally. But, surely you can see, my heart belongs to Roland.”
Sitting up slowly, Claude took her hand and put it to his lips. He gently pulled her forward and kissed her lightly on the lips. Lilly pulled back as the door opened and Regina came in full of questions.
Lilly stood and filled Regina in on the scrying. “I think we made contact. I saw him and I think he saw me and hopefully heard me. I guess I will have to wait and see if he calls or shows up.”
Claude nodded wearily, “If not, we will have to try again.”
Regina entered the circle without a thought and put her hand on Claude’s shoulder, “You have exhausted yourself. We could all use a glass of wine. Come on, let’s go back to the living room where it’s warmer.”
Claude released the four quarters, thanked the guides, guardians and ancestors and opened the circle. He turned and wearily led the way down the stairway.
Chapter 34
Contact and Confusion
Four days later, a postcard of a bright white beach and turquoise water arrived for Lilly. Turning over the card she read, “My dear Lilly, I sit on a beach in Florida missing you. I believe my leaving was a mistake. Your music and beautiful face have filled my vision. I have my obligations to fulfill with the band. I’m looking for replacement so I will be free to return to New Orleans. Love, Roland”
Lilly laughed and cried simultaneously. Her loneliness disappeared momentarily along with her doubts. The lock on her heart fell open and she was flooded with memories of his touch, his scent, his soul.
‘I want to tell Claude the scrying was a success,’ she thought as she grabbed her jacket and headed for Raven Moon.
The bell jangled and Lilly heard Regina’s voice coming from the back room. “I’ll be with you in a second.”
“Hey, Regina, it’s me, Lilly, take your time.” Lilly busied herself reading the titles of books on the shelf near the check out counter. Regina appeared taking off an apron. “Hi, Lilly, I’m trying to get the backroom cleaned out. We have more books coming in soon. I want to make sure we can move things around, store what we must and display the new
