Concentric Circles

by Aithne Jarretta

  “That’s okay, Vince.” Darius held his hand out to shake in greeting.

  “Vince?” Shayla felt a new wave of confusion rise within as she looked from Meekal to James.

  “Yes, Shayla,” James answered. “This is Vince Carlyle and his wife, Daphne. You apparently know about his Thurisa Rune tattoo.”

  Shayla swallowed, understanding, yet still confused. Her eyes locked with Vince’s.

  The corners of Vince’s mouth rose as his eyes danced with laughter. “After the final battle, Joseph worked a tattoo over my Malvenue original.” He pulled his sleeve up. Superimposed over his black rune was the modern standard for no, a red circle with a diagonal line through its center. “I can visit anytime.”

  A laugh of relief escaped Shayla.

  Chuckles moved around the library. Vince pulled a chair out and sat. “What’s the plan?”

  “We’re going to tweak the wards and banish Tebalour Doomstar’s energy from the Manor and Well in much the same way we did the Black Thurisa Rune.” Joseph placed the stone box with Syther’s wand in the center of the table. “At the same time, I want to add in another factor. Any volunteers?” His eyes traveled around the table coming to a stop on Shayla.

  “That won’t work,” James said, sitting forward in his seat.

  “No?” Joseph asked.

  James elaborated. “We can’t use Shayla because she’s too close to Meekal and always near him. We need someone Syther would never think of. We can use the ‘right in front of your face’ method only so many times.”

  “In front of your face?” Shayla asked.

  “Aye. Meekal prancing in cat form right in front of Malvenue’s second lieutenant,” James answered with a flashing grin.

  “Meow,” she said, teasing Meekal.

  “You had to be there, love.”

  “Ha, ha.”

  “Does it have to be a person, Joseph?” Vince asked, reaching across for the stone box. He pulled it closer and studied the broken wand, with furrowed forehead.

  Joseph scratched thoughtfully at his jaw. “What did you have in mind?”

  “Well…” Vince’s voice disappeared in thought.

  “Vince.”

  Vince looked up from the stone box. “I guess I’m thinking if we use an artifact, we can place it the same way we placed the bezoar stone. Well within the wards. That way, anyone who tries to get it, can’t.”

  Joseph began to pace before the fireplace, brow furrowed in deep thought.

  “What type of artifact did you have in mind, Vince?” James shook the box, causing the wand to rattle and roll.

  “It could be anything connected with the Well.” Vince shrugged. “Maybe we could hide it at the Tor, or somewhere right in this library. The possibilities are endless.”

  Shayla found herself looking at the more experienced people in the room. She passed her tongue over the interior of her sore lip as an idea materialized.

  Meekal tapped her foot under the table.

  Two things happened at once.

  “Shay, what is it?”

  “I’ll do it.”

  Their voices collided in the air. Joseph stopped his pacing.

  Their idea melding, Leith and Shayla shared a look.

  “What?” Joseph asked, eyeing them in turn.

  Shayla took a deep breath. “At the root of the Well’s history, what would you say was a beginning?”

  Chilkwell brows furrowed everywhere in the library.

  Leith leaned forward. “That’s it.” He grinned around the table. Puzzled expressions were the only response he received. “Shayla can see it and you don’t?”

  “So enlighten us.”

  “Joseph of Arimathea’s staff.”

  Dawning realization journeyed around the room, one face at a time.

  “Leith is right,” Shayla said, beginning to be excited at the prospect. “The holy thorn tree above the Well is said to have sprouted from Joseph of Arimathea’s staff. What an absolutely wonderful source of magic. Powerful, too. We can either use a part of it as an artifact or leave it intact and use the whole tree.”

  “A wand,” James said, and rolled Syther’s wand in the stone box again. “We’ll make a wand.”

  Joseph leaned on the table, hands splayed on either side of the box. “Daphne, you have a talent for doing wands. Are you willing?”

  “Sure. What other specifics do you want?”

  “Well, how about Leith wielding,” Joseph asked, his gaze locked with Leith’s.

  “I already said I’d do it, sir.” Leith held his gaze. “Think of it as atonement.”

  This comment brought a frown to James’ face.

  “There’s no need for atonement,” Joseph said. “You know that, Leith. The past is the past. Your father’s history isn’t yours.”

  Leith shifted in his seat in apparent disagreement.

  “He’s right, Lee,” James insisted. “I thought you were past this.”

  “I want to do this, James,” Leith insisted. “It’s important that I help stop this newest monster. My father’s history with Malvenue requires much karmic cleansing. I’ll even wield the wand if you like. Syther will never figure it out. Despite my opposing loyalties I’m the last person he’d suspect.”

  “That settles it then.” Joseph moved to a shelf and pulled a book down. “This will refresh our memories of the previous wards. Leith, you and Daphne go and choose your new wand. Chaeli can go with you.”

  He sat in the chair next to Shayla. “Shayla, all of this is new to you. I realize you haven’t had a chance to study the books recommended to you earlier. We’ll begin your training here.” He opened, ‘The Shadow Seeker’s Guide to Esoteric Potions,’ smoothed the page, and passed it across the table in front of her. “This potion, Shadow Perimeters is the basic formula for the current ward. I would like you to read it and familiarize yourself with its properties. Then we’ll begin. It’ll be sunrise soon. I’ll go begin preparations.”

  Shayla pulled her lower lip in and dropped her eyes to the page.

  Guardian’s blood

  Earth

  Air

  Water

  Fire

  Black adamant

  Dragon’s eyelash

  Disbelief spiraled around in her mind. “Dragon’s eyelash?”

  Meekal smirked, his shoulder rising in a half shrug.

  She glared at him, irritation flaring within.

  “Welcome to the real world, cous,” Harry said, returning to the library.

  A growl erupted. “I don’t believe you.”

  Meekal leaned over, smiling and gave her a kiss. “Continue with your studying, love. I gotta go with Harry and collect a dragon eyelash.”

  “Scat cat,” she said, swatting him away.

  Harry laughed at them. “Let’s not forget the hippogriff feathers.”

  The page of the book made a crinkling noise under her fingers. She grumbled under her breath, “What’s next?” and returned to reading the book.

  “He’s just kidding, Shay,” Meekal said, still laughing.

  Shayla flapped her hand at them without looking up. She fidgeted with the corner of the page some more as she skimmed the list. The next two ingredients didn’t improve her confidence.

  Black phoenix feather

  White rose petals

  How are we going to get white rose petals in November? She grunted thinking that Chaeli probably had supplies stored away somewhere.

  “Shayla, we’ll get it,” Gail said, taking the seat next to her. “They’ve done this before.”

  “I know.” Shayla flattened her hand on the page and gave a small smile. “Doesn’t change the fact that it’s new to me. What a list. Most of it seems impossible, but in the face of everything else.”

  “Leith and James are Elementals.” Gail tapped the book. “Their assistance is invaluable. As to Joseph, well, not only is he genetically the protector of the Well, he’s also very learned. He has exceptional power.”

  Shayla si
ghed and changed the direction of the conversation. “Are you all right? It scared me when you were crying and fainted.”

  “I’m fine,” Gail said, tilting her head to the side. She gripped her mug with both hands and tapped her index finger against the ceramic. “Syther was angry he couldn’t make me upset, so he cast Agowilt on me.”

  “What does that spell do?”

  “Agowilt causes unreasonable fear and sickness. That’s what Syther does when he can’t control someone by simply being vicious. I didn’t faint even though the spell weakened me. He cast Soporis Profundus, which is a deep sleep spell. Probably didn’t want to deal with me during the attack.”

  Emotions threatened to overcome her again. Shayla chewed her lip, a habit since childhood when stressed. Tears welled, blurring her vision. “Why did he kill Mrs. Graham? I know you said she was his mum and that she disapproved.”

  “Amethyst Graham was a valiant woman who stood firmly on her principles.” Gail’s hand went to hers and squeezed. “She was determined that her son would get nowhere near the Well. She’ll be remembered for her act of courage and saving my life.”

  Shayla pulled her hand away, shaking her head. Pressing her palms to her wet eyes, she whispered, “I just don’t understand. I get mad at my mom. I’d never kill her.”

  “That’s because you have a good heart. Malvenue corrupted Syther through promises of power and grandeur. He twisted a great many of our youth before finally being sealed in the bezoar stone.”

  The moisture of mourning on her face was more than an annoyance. She wiped tears away, nodding. “Where are we going to get black phoenix feathers, white rose petals and a dragon’s eyelash?”

  “Phoenix feathers and white roses are easy.” Gail smiled, pointing to the list on the page. “Leith happens to be acquainted with a phoenix. Mr. Lunn grows roses all year round in his green houses. Chaeli has an agreement with him that when she needs fresh petals, he’ll furnish them. I believe it has something to do with keeping a couple of mischievous marauders at bay.”

  “Really?”

  “As to the dragon’s eyelash,” Gail said, lifting her shoulder with nonchalance. “It’s actually a code or puzzle.”

  “A code or puzzle.” Shayla let out an upward breath dislodging her bangs from hanging in her eyes.

  “Yes.” Gail said, showing beautiful white teeth. “Someone Meekal knows just happens to go by the name Drake.”

  “Drake?” Realization dawned. “Equals a dragon. Those guys. Ooh. Dragon’s eye-lash, my arse,” she said, making Gail laugh.

  “What’s so funny?”

  Shayla turned to the door with an accusatory glare. “Dragon’s eyelash?” She threw a pen at Meekal and Harry. It stopped mid-air, in suspended animation.

  “Mornin’, love.” Meekal grinned wickedly, approached the table and leaned over to give her a quick kiss.

  She growled at him.

  Harry snickered, fanning himself. “There’s nothing like wrestling a dragon first thing in the morning.”

  “Yeah, rough job.” She didn’t suppress a snort at his outrageousness.

  He winked at her.

  [10] “Where the Light is Brightest,

  the Shadows are Darkest”

  The eastern horizon glowed brightly with shades of gold and pink against a backdrop of ever lightening blue. Shayla sighed. It was like a beacon of hope after the night’s horrendous events. Five Thyrza captured, one Adjutor injured and sent to St. Brigit’s Hospital and three deaths; Mrs. Amethyst Graham, Zubird and the man killed by Sheitan.

  Despite the newness of the experiences over the last few days, Shayla felt growing determination. She had discovered a new purpose. True, it would be difficult telling her family and friends, but she would cross that bridge when she got to it.

  “Gather around, everyone,” Joseph said, and cleared his throat.

  Awareness of the others finally caught Shayla’s attention. Dressed simply in long white robes, they had the look of morning spirits walking the earth plane. She ran her hand down the front of hers. The fabric was smooth textured even as its woven pattern showed Pictish glyphs. The sleeves fell in a wide bell, trimmed with braiding of connected spirals. She fidgeted with the trim, moving her index finger around from the center to the outer edge of one spiral before moving on to its adjoining spiral. She thought of the connectivity of the circle of life.

  “Shayla.” Meekal’s voice cut through her random thoughts.

  She gave him a reassuring smile. Entwining her fingers with his, she walked with the others to the Chalice Well Lionhead Fountain. They would do the ritual from there instead of the Vesica Piscis Pool this morning. They assembled in a circle amidst silence.

  Joseph stood before the temporary stone table placed next to the fountain. He sent his gaze around from one face to another, stopping on Shayla. Facial lines reflecting the seriousness of the situation, he indicated the cloth covered stone where a large sterling silver bowl sat awaiting their contributions for the new protection ward.

  Anticipation traveled along her skin. This was big. She gave him the merest of nods, understanding.

  She stepped into the center of the circle, reached up, and unsnapped the gold chain from her neck. Miniature flexible links moved over her fingers as she laid the locket in her palm. A magical, electrified buzz zipped from her head to her toes.

  Despite their deaths, her maternal grandparents could be here. Her mother, whose baby picture was there, also made this event something of a homecoming. Some cultures believed that to take a picture, a portion of the person’s soul would inhabit the separate image. This simple, but powerful belief aided everyone here today. Slipping her thumbnail into the crevice created by the two heart-shaped gold filigree parts, she opened it.

  She then stepped forward and placed the locket on the round stone brought here for this purpose. “It has long been debated, nurture over nature. Where we come from, regardless of whether we acknowledge it or not, gives each individual the essence of their being. It’s what we do with that gift that matters. My hidden past marks my family. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be here assisting this morning. My family’s presence, even as spectrums of the shadows of my past, is potent. We share in one common bond. Protect the goodness of the Chalice Well and Chilkwell legacy.” Passing her fingers over the small portraits Shayla whispered, “Blessed Be.”

  Next, she pulled CIARANLEXISS from her pocket. Giving him a place of honor next to her family reinforced another acknowledgment of her history and purpose. She turned to Harry.

  “Good job, cous,” Harry said, giving her a lopsided grin as he passed her. He took a leather thong from under his robes, pulled it off over his head and held it up to the golden globe rising in the sky. “This talisman has passed to me from my great-great-grandfather. Red coral symbolizes strength, health and protection. The engraving upon it is an asp coiled around a holy thorn branch. It serves to remind us where we come from and for what we were born. May it assist in our endeavors today.” He raised the coral to his lips, gave it a brief kiss, and then placed it on the stone.

  Gail entered the circle carrying a glass jar filled with an assortment of sharp objects and stood before the stone. “Today we come together to serve and protect the good that comes from this Well. Everyone here knows what a Witch’s Ball or Jar is. I have placed old nails, pins, bits of broken glass and river stones within. The sharp objects will keep those wishing harm and ill will at bay. The water you see is from the healing Chalice Well. The white wax seal represents the divine protection we seek today.”

  She paused and then reached into her pocket. “Joseph has given me permission to add another element.” Tears came to her eyes as she fingered a small glass vial. “This vial has some of Amethyst Graham’s blood in it. The blood of her son will be unable to breach it because he is responsible for her death.” A soft sob escaped as she placed the vial of blood and Witch’s Jar on the stone.

  James stopped her as she made her way to her
place in the circle, offering a consoling hug.

  “Thank you,” she whispered, pulling away with a watery smile.

  James tipped his head, continued to the stone and halted before it. Absolute silence blanketed the garden. Even the birds and eternal spring stilled.

  A strange charge traveled through Shayla, making her skin tingle and blood rush.

  With a sudden flashpoint of phoenix fire, James Alexander transformed.

  Shayla gasped as her heart flipped.

  Phoenix song resonated around them as James continued singing for several minutes. Its harmony invoked a feeling of eternal love and peace, weaving a golden web above and around the Gardens extending well beyond the former wards. James ‘Pyro’ Alexander perched in the center of the stone, voice rising to the heavens. Then, peaceful stillness washed over the gardens.

  Tipping his head, he shed two tears within the sterling silver bowl that held Tebalour Doomstar’s bone, white rose petals, one dragon eyelash, a black adamant and water from the Vesica Pisces Pool. Taking flight, he shook out his tail, releasing a black feather into the bowl. James transformed and stood before them and the stone alter again.

  The birds in the garden resumed their morning rituals of gathering food amidst busy chattering. The water flowing from the Lionhead spout of the Well added its musical tones. Shayla pushed the thought of years of denying the existence of magic as far back into her brain as she could. This was definitely real.

  Leith stepped into the circle bearing a serious demeanor. He approached the stone alter, and then turned to face them. He pulled in a deep breath, and released it. “This morning, I wish to present my ring of Sable Beshrew.”

  He twisted the ring from his left hand. Clasping it tightly, he hissed through his teeth. “I came into my inheritance in a dastardly manner. I’ve spent the last few years attempting to straighten out in my mind the reasons for what happened. My grandfather and father wore this ring in the name of oppressive darkness. I endeavor to bring it into the light.”

  He squared his shoulders and placed the ring next to CIARANLEXISS. “I would also like to thank Joseph for allowing me the honor to wield the holy thorn wand. It will match James’ and forever be used for the good of all.” Leith placed his new wand on the stone, and then returned to the edge of the circle.