“Maman, please. At least hold off until we finish with the regression. You can tell Dad and the others once we have the demon’s true name. After that we can head to Brock Farm and be done with this whole mess.”
Marie considered for a moment. “Is Gabrielle involved?” She glanced past him to her daughter-in-law. “She’s carrying your child, Luke. She shouldn’t do this. It’s too dangerous.”
“Gabby is as safe as kittens, Aunt Marie,” Aiden replied. “She’s practically invincible because of the baby.”
Marie looked at Luke and he nodded. “It’s true. Capiria tested and approved, but no, Gabrielle is not involved now that Capiria can take over.”
Capiria hmphed. “I’m surprised at you lot. A regression is tricky. If done incorrectly, Raven could remain a child in a woman’s body.” She turned her gaze to Aiden. “Not an appealing prospect in a mate.”
“Okay, then. Change of plan.” Aiden pulled over a comfortable chair, moving it beside Raven’s seat. “Capiria is now our designated driver. I will anchor, and that’s that.”
“You already smudged the room, but we need a few more items,” the elder witch said, looking around. “We’ll need white candles, black salt, a moonstone, an amethyst, Herkimer diamonds and a little sandalwood essential oil.”
Gabrielle looked at Raven and then Capiria. “Where are we going to find all this tonight? It’s not like there’s a new age store anywhere around.”
“Your items are already on their way.” Marie finished a text, and then put her phone in her robe pocket. “Josee dabbles in Wicca. She’s bringing down what you need.”
Luke’s sister walked in minutes later carrying a small, black satin hat box. Yawning, she put the box on the table and then turned on her heel to head back to bed.
“Wiccan Doordash. Who knew?” Gabby smirked.
Capiria grabbed Gabrielle’s hand, putting five white spell candles in her palm. “These are wide enough to stand on their own. Put one at every point on the pentacle. Luke, get rid of these chairs. Raven, you will be on the floor.”
“What pentacle?” Gabby asked, earning a pointed look from the elder witch.
“You mean envision and then place.”
Capiria waved her off. “There’s hope for you yet, preggers.”
They set the ritual stage quickly, with Capiria spreading the black salt in a circle around the candles.
“Raven I want you to lay in the center with your head facing the top point of the star.”
Raven did what she was told. Capiria then placed the Herkimer diamonds around her head, the amethyst on her chest, and the moonstone between her legs to awaken feminine energy.
“Aiden, you’re her mate. Anoint her forehead with the oil. Get it in good. Don’t worry about her hair.”
Gabrielle stifled a laugh, earning herself another dark look from Capiria. “Sorry, oh Wicked Witch of the Northern Drill Sergeants.”
“Very funny, my pretty,” she answered, but her look was more amused than irked. “You’re lucky time is of the essence. This ritual needs to be done under a full moon, and we only have hours left before this one starts to wane.”
Luke lit the candles, and then stepped back with Gabrielle and his mother.
Aiden sat inside the salt circle with Raven, hand in hand. Capiria stepped inside the ring as well, and lifted Josee’s athame. She called to the four corners, cutting the casting circle and invoking the elements for protection.
“It’s best I didn’t do this,” Gabby whispered. “If I invoked the elements, we’d have biblical level shit.”
Capiria held a hand out, palm up. “Raven, close your eyes and repeat after me.”
I am one with the universe.
I am nothing and everything.
I am sea and storm,
air, earth and fire warm.
I am the living and the dead,
The past, the present and the future led.
I am witch and wind, angel and elements.
Manifest pure, my desire and sentiments.
Raven uttered the words exactly. The lights went out, and in that moment the black salt seemed to spark violet. The same purple as Raven’s eyes. The same purple as Raven’s aura. Angelis Gloriana.
“Your angel core has been noted by the Goddess. We can proceed. I’m going to say the spell, and as soon as I utter the last word, you’ll be pulled back. Aiden, you must keep hold of her hand, both in the physical plane and in the one in between. If you let go, she will be lost to the age we cast her back.” Capiria looked at him. “Do you understand?”
“Yes.” He nodded, lacing Raven’s fingers even tighter.
“Ow.”
“Too bad,” he said, lifting her knuckles to his lips.
“Raven…do not, and I repeat…DO NOT engage with anyone or anything you see, hear or feel. You are but shadows. Guests of the Goddess viewing the past as though living it again. Even if it seems real enough to touch, do not. If you see a friend, and they seem to notice you watching, again, do not engage.
“Aiden, this is where you need to keep hold of Raven. She will be tempted. Especially since we are dealing with an in spiritu demon. Who knows what was unknowingly planted in Raven’s mind? Temptation. Illusion. A disconnect from purpose. You need to be strong. Even if it goes against everything you hold and cherish.”
“You mean knock her out if needed?” he joked, but Capiria’s face wasn’t amused.
“If you must, yes. Whatever is necessary. Lie if you have to. Pull her back by the hair, but do not let her engage with the images presented.” She paused. “Agreed?”
He nodded again, no joke this time.
“Are you both ready?”
They answered, and Capiria lifted her hands, thrusting the ritual knife upward.
Moments lost, threads asunder.
Witches plot, demon plunder.
The truth we seek, buried long ago.
When time was young, and memories sewn.
Cast her back, in memory solely.
This angel to see, what
