“Regardless,” I said. “Aphrodite has a point. They can’t come inside our circle.”
“Children, conceal yourselves so as not to offend these simpletons and remain with our Lynette.”
“Whatever.” Aphrodite rolled her eyes. “Z, where do you want me?”
“Last time you were able to cross the circle barrier when we needed you,” I said. “This time I think you should be inside it with us.”
“Will do,” she said.
“And we’ll be outside the circle?” James asked.
I nodded. “You and Stark keep your bows ready, but don’t draw them, and position yourself around the circle with Dragon. Remember to look protective and not menacing. This Kalona is supposed to be good, and we don’t want to seem threatening and be mistaken for forces of Darkness.”
Anastasia clasped her hands in front of her and said, “Then why the show of force at all? Perhaps we should have our Warriors back off.”
“You know, that’s not a bad idea,” I agreed. “Dragon, please have the Sons of Erebus move away and not draw any weapons.”
He didn’t look happy, but he nodded and went to the circle of watching Warriors and relayed the order. They dispersed, finding shadowy spots near the school where they silently waited and watched.
“Okay, take your places and let’s do this,” I said.
My circle was a well-oiled machine. Shaunee fit right in, and even though she was still a fledgling and didn’t actually know any of us—except Kevin—she seemed at ease and more excited than nervous.
I, on the other hand, was just nervous. I took my place outside the circle and nodded to Anastasia, who started the music.
I easily recognized the hauntingly beautiful tune of Loreena McKennitt’s “The Mummers’ Dance,” which was especially perfect because it was just the orchestral version, which allowed all of us to focus on the beat of the drums and the pulse of the music.
As always, as soon as I began to move with the tempo, my nerves slipped away. As I swayed and twirled to the music, I felt myself enter the presence of our Goddess and I was filled with confidence and intention. I danced a full pass around the outside circumference of the circle and loved that my people were swaying with me. When I danced into the circle, I could see that Aphrodite and Kevin, Rephaim, and even Neferet were twirling with the music as well, and for a moment I saw real joy on Neferet’s face—something I’d never before witnessed. I glanced outside the circle to see Lynette standing beside Anastasia. Both women were also swaying to the music and Lynette was grinning happily at Neferet.
Let her be different, I sent an unexpected prayer to Nyx. Let this Neferet actually know love and happiness and forgiveness.
I moved to take my place before Damien with Kevin by my side and the music faded away, leaving only its memory pulsing through our veins. Then I began my invocation—starting, as always, with air and my friend Damien.
“Wind, you are as dear to me and familiar as the breath of life. Tonight, I need your strength to cleanse anything stagnant from us. I ask that you come to me, wind!” As I spoke the invocation that was traditional for a ritual cleansing, Kevin touched the match Damien gave him to his yellow candle. It lit instantly as the first element of our circle rushed to us, lifting our hair and circling precociously around Damien.
From there Kev and I moved deosil to Shaunee, who grinned at my brother before eagerly lifting her red candle.
“Fire, you warm and cleanse. Tonight, we need your cleansing power to burn Darkness from us. Come to me, fire!”
Kevin didn’t have to light the match. Shaunee’s candle burst into a bright, beautiful flame.
She sucked in a breath, and her gaze met mine. “It’s incredible!” she said.
“Yes, it is,” I said.
“And so are you,” Kevin added before moving clockwise to Kacie and her blue candle.
I shot a look at him and was glad to see a happy smile on his face. Shaunee and Kevin, huh? I like it. I like it a lot!
We paused before Kacie. “Water, we go to you dirty and rise from you clean. Tonight I ask that you wash us free of any Darkness that might want to cling to us. Come to me, water!” Kev lit the match Kacie had ready and touched it to her candle, and we were rewarded with the scent of spring rains.
We moved quickly to the northernmost point of the circle where Stevie Rae stood with her back to the huge oak. She lifted her green candle and we shared a smile before I invoked her faithful element.
“Earth, you shelter us and feed us. Tonight, I ask that you also strengthen us and help us stand against any Darkness that might try to come against us. Come to me, earth!” When Kevin lit the green candle, birdsong whistled around us and I smelled the sweet scent of jasmine.
We moved to the center of the circle where Rephaim, Aphrodite, and Neferet waited. They formed a little minicircle around us as I lifted my purple spirit candle and said, “Spirit, you are what makes us human. You are always with us—from beginning to end and beyond. Tonight, I ask that you fill all within this circle with Light and allow no Darkness to penetrate. Come to me, spirit!” When my brother lit my candle, I felt the wonderful inrush of hope and happiness and love that spirit brought with it. With new confidence, I carefully placed my pillar candle on the ground and then looked around my circle.
Stretching along the circumference was a glowing silver rope that bound us together. It was thick and bright and undeniably strong, imbued with the five elements.
“I have never seen anything like that,” said Neferet, sounding honestly in awe.
I turned to her. “Let’s go to the tree.”
She nodded and swept back her thick auburn hair with a trembling hand.
With Neferet
