When the meeting dispersed Roland and Lilly took a walk by the river bundled up against the chill morning air. “So, what did Jason say about the music?”
“Ah, good news! He wants us to play for happy hour on Friday night and on Saturday and Sunday for brunch. It’s not much money, but we can get used to playing together in public and refine our music.”
Lilly smiled, “It is nice to hear a bit of good news.” They walked in comfortable silence, arms around each other’s waists, as the morning sun turned the river to molten gold.
PART V
Supernatural Intervention
Chapter 41
The Forces Unite
Panthea’s apartments were quiet throughout the day. The members of the coven rested, preparing to offer support, magickal or mundane.
As the moon rose, those directly involved gathered in the meditation temple. Tall candelabras stood in the four corners, providing the only illumination. A small brass gong hung on a stand and a Tibetan singing bowl rested on a cushion next to the gong.
The group stood in the center of the temple holding hands. Sabine cast the circle, James called on the powerful protection of the four watchtowers. Jolene lit the candle on the low table in the center of the circle. Together the group called upon ancestors, guards and guides of all present asking for protection and assistance. The circle quickly filled with benevolent energy.
Sitting on cushions the small group formed a close circle filled with intention. Sabine tapped on the Tibetan bowl with the wooden mallet. She slowly rubbed the mallet around the edge of the bowl, the tone and vibration cleared their minds of all thought and distraction. As the clearing tone faded, the group’s attention focused on the inhale and exhale of breath. They breathed together, becoming empty vessels.
Lucky was the first to see the vision and the others quickly followed. As the higher dimensions opened, intricate designs filled the mind’s eye of each participant. The mandalas swirled and morphed into flames.
The flying serpent, Quetzquata,l appeared forming a circle of glowing green light. The ancient Atlantean priest from the Order of Interplanetary Adepts stood within the glowing circle.
The serpent faded as an expressive and beautiful face appeared in Jolene’s vision. It was her long time friend and Vodou mambo, Alustra. The mambo was dancing through a ritual veve invoking the Loa. Alustra’s consort, Shemo was dancing by her side. In a circle of fire, an unfamiliar energy emanated power. The spirit took form as a large man, brandishing a flaming sword.
James sat motionless in deep meditation. A swirling black hole filled his vision. The akashic egg formed before his inner eye, “Ah,” he voiced, “The zero point.” The group breathed together in the dark void.
The visions slowly faded and Sabine tapped the gong softly, calling everyone back to waking reality. It was clear, the three strongest magical powers in the French Quarter; The Mystical Witches of Panthea’s, the Atlantian Order of Interplanetary Adepts from the Ursuline Temple and the Vodouns lead by the Mambo Alustra and the Hougan Shemo, must work together.
It would take their combined power to break the magickal hold the sorceress, Regina, held on the Raven and return the ancient Jewel of Inanna to its rightful protector.
By noon the next day, Lilly, Roland, Lucky, Jolene and Sabine, the Druid high priest James, the leader of the Atlantian Temple, Kumira, the Queen of the Vodouns, Alustra and the Hougan, Shemo, were gathered in Jolene’s living room.
Alustra spoke up, “From what ya’ll are describing it sounds like we’re gonna’ need the help of Ogue La Flambo.” Her heavy lidded eyes looked from face to face at the table. She licked her thick lips before continuing, “I’m willin’ to help out as much as I can. No way can I promise the Loa will respond. They are temperamental and may not feel this is their problem.”
“We understand, Alustra. But think of this, the Valraven sorceress, most likely, has little or no experience with Vodou. Your help may be the key to our success. She is here in the French Quarter. If she is not vanquished it won’t be long before her eyes fall on another. She will covet your power sooner or later and go after it.” Jolene sat back, tilted her head and raised an eyebrow at Alustra.
“Yep, that’s fa’ shore,” Alustra responded, nodding thoughtfully.
Kumira, looking matronly, her long red hair in a bun at the back of her head, spoke up, “I’m in! I think she’s a real threat. Together we can create a ritual unlike any she has ever encountered and defeat her quickly. You say Quetzequatel appeared in your meditation? I believe the winged serpent will lend powerful energies to the ritual. Let’s do this as soon as possible. No need dragging it out.”
Jolene poured coffee all around as the Circle of Adepts created the ritual the way they hoped it would play out.
James spoke solemnly, “I recognized the energy of Pluto in my vision. A swirling black hole appeared. As I watched, the dark void fell in on itself, forming a huge black egg. The black egg will absorb and dissolve matter. This energy appearing in my meditation, strongly implies it will be needed.”
Roland, looking more serious than Lilly had ever seen him, spoke softly, “If the raven appears, possibly we can disrupt its DNA sequence with the help of Ogue Flambo. When the black egg appears, it will pull the ravens scattered molecules through the hole into another dimension. The distorted Raven energy Regina controls would be gone forever.”
“Possibly, the essence of the poor creature she has been using, will survive the ritual,” Jolene added.
Lilly looked puzzled, “How do we invoke this black egg?”
“This type of energy is usually evoked by aligning your energy to Pluto or the center of the galaxy. You, Jolene, Sabine and Kumira will be scrying through the cauldron, watching as our mission unfolds. You will know when
