Ezekiel turned so he could face her. “You have a ward on your apartment to keep people out? I thought you didn’t work magic?”
“I made an exception when I moved here.” She snorted. “After this morning’s little incident, I think I made the right call.”
His eyes widened. He blew out a heavy breath and rested more heavily against the truck’s seat. “Shit.”
Ezra ran a hand through his hair. His eyes reflected the lamp from a passing street light. “I’m not getting any sleep tonight.”
Ivy shook her head at that confusing statement. “Hopefully, it won’t take all night. Drawing the circle and setting up the points of the pentagram will be the longest part. The actual spell only takes a few minutes. It’s kind of disappointing.”
Ezra reached over and caught her hand, rubbing his thumb over the back of it. “I’m not too worried about that. I’m enjoying just spending time together.”
Thankfully, the cottage came into view. It saved Ivy from having to reply.
Flood lights lit the entire clearing. The cottage sat at the back of the property with lights shining out of every window. While Ivy watched, Maggie came out of the front door and made a beeline for the garage.
Stella was on the front lawn organizing stuff on a long card table. She raised her hand over her head as they drove past but didn’t stop what she was doing.
“Do we need to park outside the…ward line?” Ezra asked like he wasn’t sure if that was the right word.
“No, we’ll be fine. We will be able to leave once the ward is up, we just won’t be able to enter,” Ivy answered.
As they pulled in front of the garage, Ivy saw that the Coven had converted the space into a green house. Gardening tools lined the walls. Along the back was a table scattered with bound herbs and scissors. At the center of the space were rows of earthy beds sitting on raised tables. Long, industrial grow lights hung over each one.
Patricia paced the rows. She stopped in front of a heavy bush of rosemary and pulled out a bone knife. She didn’t stop when they pulled up.
Ivy was not happy to see that all three women were wearing thick, quilted robes over their orthopedic shoes.
“Are witches nocturnal?”
Ivy turned to stare at Ezekiel. He wasn’t joking. “No.”
He took in the three women’s hurried movements. “Just had to ask.”
Ivy shook he head. Ezra snorted and dragged her over to his side of the cab. She grabbed the roll of maps before she let him pull her out.
She had managed to get the photos from her phone blown up and printed. They had used the Sheriff Department’s printer. The copier store had outright refused when they had seen that Ivy had snapped photos from the library’s collection. She didn’t blame them. Alma Jensen scared her too. Ezra took the roll from her once she had gotten down.
They were barely out of the truck when Patricia yelled, “Good of you to show up. After we’ve done all of the heavy lifting.”
Ivy glanced at her phone. It was 11:04pm. She looked around the clearing. Stella hadn’t even drawn the pentagram yet. She ignored Patricia’s attitude. “What can I do to help?”
“At least she came to work,” she muttered none too quietly. Ivy thought it might be Patricia’s version of an apology. “I can manage gathering the herbs but Stella always needs help with setting the pentagram.” Patricia shook her head, “Always so picky.”
Ivy turned with a nod and went to go see Stella. The older woman was still standing where she had been when they drove up. Ivy didn’t bother her as she looked at what was laid out on the table.
In organized lines were tea candles in tin holders. A single mechanical lighter sat on top of the candles. Five carboard cylinders of table salt were next. That would be used to draw the pentagram and circle that would encase it.
Past the salt were two bowls: one was a polished copper, the other was a deep, wide clam shell. They were offering bowls meant to be laid at different points on the pentagram. The clam shell looked like it would hold an offering to water. Ivy guessed that the copper bowl would be used to make an offering to fire.
She stepped up to the table and lifted the clam shell. The weight surprised her. She held it up to the light. The center of the clamshell was inlayed with mother of pearl. No matter how closely she looked, Ivy couldn’t see any seams. It looked like a single piece of mother of pearl. Which meant it was probably made using magic. Very impressive.
At the center of the table was a wooden spirit wheel. Similar to the bowls, spirit wheels were vessels used to carry an offering. Spiritual offerings were different though. They were less tangible than other offerings. That was where a spirit wheel came in to use.
It looked like a miniature water wheel, minus the water. Six wood paddles were placed evenly along the outside of the wheel. A single dowel went through the wheel’s hub attaching the instrument to a stationary stand.
The Black Bird Coven’s spirit wheel was made of light-colored wood. Most likely ash or rowan. It was only a foot tall, even with the stand. It looked delicate with its thin wooden parts. She knew from years of using spirit wheels that it wasn’t. They were made beautifully but with magic. They could handle a lot of wear and tear. For all she knew, this one was over a hundred years old.
“What is that?” Ezra asked.
Ivy’s harsh exhale was the only indicator that she had forgotten the twins were with her. “It’s a spirit wheel.” He shook his head like he had no clue what that was. Why would he?
Ivy paused what she was doing and looked between the brothers. Now that she knew a little about their past, she wanted to show them that not all witches were bad. The Black Bird Coven was an example of a good Coven.
She looked at the spirit wheel. It would be a good place to start.
“In order to understand spirit wheels, you need to know about pentagrams.”
Ivy crouched down and drew a pentagram in the dirt. She pointed, “The five points of a pentagram symbolize spirit, air, earth, fire, and water. When you perform spells that require a pentagram to be drawn, you need to give an offering for each to the five elements.” She stood and pointed to the wheel. “That allows you to make a spiritual offering.”
Gently, Ivy lifted the spirit wheel and turned it until the was facing forward. “The spirit wheel is placed at the top peak of the pentagram, facing north. It is the first offering you make. When it is time to make offerings, a magic user stands facing the wheel,” Ivy pointed to where she was standing in front of the wheel, “and blows into the paddles, causing the wheel to spin.” Ivy pretended to blow into the paddles.
“Why wouldn’t you use that as an offering for air?” Ezra asked, stunning Ivy. He was quick.
She chuckled. “It’s not a person’s breath that moves the wheel. Go ahead, try.”
At her nod, Ezra stepped forward and blew into the wheel. Nothing happened. The pedals didn’t twitch. Ezra looked perturbed and blew even harder. His cheeks puffed out. Ivy tried to keep herself from laughing.
“Thanks for the demonstration, big bad wolf.” She patted Ezra on the shoulder. “These are made to collect spiritual energy. Like I said, it’s not breath that moves the wheel, its spiritual energy. The more energy offered, the longer the wheel spins. The only catch is that the wheel needs to spin for the duration of the spell. So, you need to offer a lot of energy if you want to be able to complete a spell. One person usually doesn’t have enough energy to complete the offering on their own.
“If you don’t have enough energy to keep the wheel spinning then you can ask others to join you. Join enough witches together and you have yourself a Coven.” She held her arms out. They both nodded. She dropped her arms and got serious. “Covens were started by people who wanted to share magic. Not take it. True followers give their magic. I’m sorry you had so much taken.”
Ezekiel gave her a small smile. Ezra nodded once.
Ivy set the wheel back down.
Stella blocked the rest of the table.
Both of her hands hovered over it not touching anything. She wasn’t moving. Ivy noted an athame sitting in a leather sheath next to a pile of large ceremonial crystals.
“Do we need an offering for air?” Ivy asked as she glanced around not seeing one.
Stella didn’t say a thing.
“Stella?”
Her palms hit the table startling Ivy.
“None of these are right.” She pointed to the pile of crystals. “I’ve brought out all of my strongest crystals but none of these are right. I thought one of them would be it but,” Stella threw a hand out, “none of them are right.” She shook her head clearly disappointed. “What were you asking, my dear?”
“I asked if we needed an offering for air.”
Stella waved her hand. “No need to worry about that. Patricia is sacrificing one of her hens. She loves her chickens. It is a generous offering.” Stella’s voice wasn’t catty as she complimented Patricia. That alone told Ivy how she felt about Patricia’s sacrifice. “I have every other offering prepared. Except for earth.” She pointed to the crystals. “I wanted to use one of the ceremonial crystals from my collection but none of them are meant for this spell. They don’t feel right.”
“Are we using blood as the offering for fire?” Ivy asked.
Stella scoffed. “No, with the blood thinners we take, we would bleed out. We are using hair.” Stella shook her head. “If we can manage to make an earth offering.”
Ivy nodded.
“Just pick one.” Ezekiel suggested.
“This is a very important spell. We want our offerings to be accepted by Hecate so the ward will be strong.” Ivy pointed to Stella. “It’s very important we pick offerings that will be accepted. If something about the crystals feels off, then we should pick a different offering.”
Stella crossed her arms over her chest. She tapped her chin while she stared off into the night. “Earth wants a crystal. I can feel it.” She shook her head. “Everything else is foggy.” She pointed at Ivy. “You should go to my collection and see if anything speaks to you.”
Ivy didn’t need to be told twice. “Where’s your collection?” She asked as she headed towards the house.
“In the formal dining room,” Stella yelled. “And in the lounge.” Her head rocked side to side before she nodded and yelled, “And in the library!”
Ivy, Ezra, and Ezekiel chuckled as they walked up the stairs of the house. Maggie came busting out of the door. She started when she saw them.
“Oh, dear, I forgot you were here. I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off.” Maggie’s paper-thin skin blanched. She pat over her heart nervously. “Best not say that around Patricia tonight.” Maggie turned to face Ivy squarely. Her face brightened with a warm smile. “She is so excited to have you here to help with our ward. She didn’t think a feather was appropriate.” Maggie leaned in and said in a conspiratorial whisper, “We are all pretty excited that you are here to help.”
Ivy’s heart warmed at the same time her stomach turned.
She really liked the Black Bird Coven. They were funny. Patricia was crotchety. Stella was sassy. Maggie was amazing. Worst of all? Ivy suspected that they might be genuine. Hopefully, her magic behaved and nothing exploded tonight. She didn’t want to let them down.
Ivy smiled. It felt stiff. “I am glad I can help.” If I can help. “I brought those maps we talked about. I wanted you to have some time to look them over first.” she hooked a thumb to the bundle Ezra had.
Maggie nodded then gestured to the house. “You can put them on the kitchen table. Are you heading in to change?” Maggie took in Ivy from head to toe. “Do you need a robe? It’s nippy out there.”
Ivy barely stopped herself from groaning. “No robe needed, Maggie. I practice, uh, practiced a more modern interpretation of magic,” She tugged her coat closer. “I’ll be keeping my clothes on.”
Maggie shook her head before Ivy finished. “That will not do. We are communing with the Powers of the Universe. We must all be in harmony tonight.”
“Maggie, I don’t think-”
Maggie cut her hand through the air. “None of that. You are a guest in this Coven. I, as the Matriarch, insist you attend our casting skyclad.”
Ivy’s mouth dropped open. She felt thoroughly scolded. She half expected Maggie to end her declaration with a “young lady”.
“Then could I borrow a robe?” Ivy asked between clenched teeth.
Maggie’s face transformed as her smile came back. “You will find the spare robes on the coat rack.” She pat Ivy’s shoulder as she walked past. “We are starting at twelve o’clock on the dot.”
The three of them did not move as Maggie made her way to the garage.
“You got told.” Ezra shook his head.
“I was expecting her to grab you by the scruff.” Ezekiel said never taking his eyes off of Maggie.
“A bite on the nose at the least,” Ezra countered.
Ivy dragged her hand over her face. “Let’s go get a crystal and maybe by then, I’ll be okay with getting naked outside, in the middle of winter.” She went inside the house without another word.
Ivy walked to the kitchen, hoping the formal dining room would be next to it.
“Are you upset because it’s going to be literally freezing tonight-” Ezekiel asked as he followed her into the kitchen.
“-or is it because you have to be naked in front of us?” Ezra finished as he followed behind them.
Ivy felt her eyes flare. They were not pulling their punches anymore. Maybe Grace and Anne were right about the guys. Damn them.
Ezekiel passed by her as he walked through an open doorway on the right. For an instant, his heat was pressed against her for the second time that night. “We weren’t joking in the truck. Nudity isn’t a big deal for us.”
Ezra nudged her forward until they were all in a formal dining room. “I won’t lie and say I don’t love the idea of seeing you naked,” he winked before shrugging one shoulder, “but context and all that.”
Ezekiel snorted, “Yeah, not the time or the place. Or company to be honest.” He fake gagged before getting serious. “We understand that this is sacred.”
Ezra looked at Ezekiel. “I was just thinking that.”
Ezekiel rolled his eyes, “You are such an idiot.”
“I was just thinking that too!” Ezra shoved Ezekiel with a smile. “Get out of my head.”
The brothers kept play fighting but Ivy tuned them out.
Along one wall was a massive china cabinet. The shelves had been redesigned to display a collection of colorful crystals. At first glance, they looked like a variety of altar pieces. They were larger, single purpose stones used in home altars. They were all beautiful, exotic specimens.
Ivy only made a cursory glance though because she was lost in thought.
This is sacred.
Ezekiel was right. What they were doing tonight was sacred. Patricia had known it, hence why she was sacrificing something dear to her. Magic felt different when it was done by those who respected it.
She wanted to treat this with the respect it deserved. Ivy closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and coaxed her magic out of the tight place she kept it in her chest.
The magic expanded. As it unfurled, it carried a warm breeze across Ivy’s body. She barely kept herself from shivering. It felt so good.
The magic felt the same as it always did. She recognized it immediately. For an instant, the magic squeezed Ivy tightly before letting go.
It filled the room. The magic almost sighed. This space was familiar to it. Comfortable. In its own way, sacred.
Ivy felt years of love rippling through the magic. This house was full of it. Ivy felt how many hours Stella had spent preparing food in the kitchen. She could sense that Maggie sat in one particular chair so she could see the kitchen and the living room at the same time. Maggie spoke to Stella while she cooked and often coaxed Patricia into joining the discussion from her recliner in the
living room.
Ivy tentatively reached out to touch the cabinet. Her fingers pressed into cool glass. She settled her palms flush against it.
A vision settled in her mind’s eye. Once upon a time, Patricia had remodeled this china cabinet as a surprise to Stella. Opening her eyes, Ivy zeroed in on a crooked, unused peg hole. It was below where a peg held up one of the display shelves. The hole had been filled in and sanded. Patricia had taken the time to go back and mend her mistakes. It felt like sharing a tender memory with a friend.
And just like that, all of Ivy’s nervousness about the night melted away.
After feeling the residual love of the three old ladies who called this cottage home, Ivy knew she would be doing good tonight. And the people she would be helping were just as amazing as she had thought. Genuinely.
Ivy did not practice magic because she felt like it had betrayed her. She had been taught that magic was a gift, it was sacred. Then the blinders had come off. She realized her parents had taught her one thing and practiced another. Her only Coven had tried to force her to commit the most heinous of crimes against magic. Magic had turned out to be something that stole from the innocent to benefit the unworthy.
Heat swelled around Ivy. The primitive part of her brain registered another presence. It engulfed her body. “No longer.” The words were spoken inside Ivy’s mind.
Between heartbeats, the presence faded to nothing.
Ivy gasped. The voice had been crystal clear. For an instance, she had felt the heaviness of another human press into her body. She had been embodied with something other.
She snapped out of the peaceful trance. What the fuck? Ivy flinched, half expecting something to answer her. Nothing did.
Does magic speak to people? Ivy racked her brain but couldn’t think of anything that would explain what had just happened. Was there a ghost in the house?
“Is everything alright, Ivy?” Ezra asked like he already knew it wasn’t.
Ivy stared at him for a second. He had a column of rose quartz in his hands. His black eyebrows were pinched with concern. Oh, he was going to be a lot more concerned if Ivy told him that she was hearing voices.
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