Jewel of Inanna (Perils of a Pagan Priestess Book 1)

by Hannah Desmond

  Tossing a wayward curl off her forehead, Jolene plopped onto the stool behind the counter. “Sabine, tomorrow I will run the register, you work with the clients. I need to put my attention on the store.”

  “Okay, Jo, we can trade places every day until I leave.”

  Jolene looked surprised, “Leave?”

  Sabine sighed, “Yes, remember? I am going to Gulfport. My baby girl is having a baby in a few weeks.”

  “Oh, my stars! When are you leaving, Sabine?”

  “We talked about this last month, Jolene. I’m leaving on December first”

  “Next week? What am I going to do? I have no one to help me in the shop?”

  Lilly, one hand on the door knob, the other clutching her garbage bag of belongings, stopped and turned around. “Jolene, I am looking for a job. I know how to cook. I know a lot about cooking.”

  Jolene and Sabine stared at her blankly for a moment. Jolene grabbed the newspaper from behind the counter. “Let’s see if there are any openings for a cook in the paper.”

  “No, no, I thought I could work here for you since Sabine is going out of town. Nothing permanent, I understand, but I could pitch in for her. I could help out while she is gone.”

  “Yes, I will need assistance, but Sabine is not a cook.”

  Embarrassed, Lilly stammered an apology, “I’m sorry; I thought you might need some help in the pantry and I...”

  Jolene and Sabine cut Lilly’s explanation short as together they toned a compassionate, “Aww.” Jolene came over and put her arms around Lilly’s shoulders, “My dear this is not a cooking school. Is that what you thought?”

  “Seeing the name Panthea’s Pantry, I thought it was a culinary shop or cooking school. I saw all the herbs along the wall, I thought...” A flush crept up her neck and across her cheeks as she blinked back tears.

  “Non, non, my dear, you are not the first person to mistake our little shop for a culinary school. Let me assure you we are not chefs.”

  Lilly looked up, “What are you? Jolene and Sabine exchanged quick glances. Sabine nodded, and Jolene said firmly, “We are witches.”

  Chapter 6

  A Witchy Welcome

  Jolene opened the door in the back of the shop and invited Lilly into the spacious kitchen of her apartment. The warm room, painted bright yellow, boasted a big window with a view of the fountain in the courtyard. Plants hung high in the window in beaded macramé holders. Lilly sat at the round oak table and yelped when a large house cat pounced onto her lap.

  Jolene spun around from the stove, “Meet Topaz he is a long-time member of our family. He didn’t mean to frighten. He is welcoming you.”

  Lilly stroked the furry orange and white cat. She whispered in his ear “Hello Topaz; I’m Lilly,” in a voice only the cat could hear. Topaz purred and curled up on her lap.

  Jolene busied herself at the stove preparing tea while Lilly stroked Topaz and rested her eyes on the flowing fountain in the courtyard.

  A cup of steaming tea and a jar of honey appeared on the table. Lilly breathed in the sweet aroma. She and Jolene sipped tea in comfortable silence for a few minutes. Topaz stirred, jumped onto the wide window sill, licked his paws, wiped his face and settled down for a nap in the sunshine.

  “Jolene broke the silence with a question, “I hope knowing we are witches won’t change your mind about renting the apartment. Do you know anything about witchcraft?”

  Lilly shrugged her shoulders and haltingly listed her ideas about witchcraft, “Not much. Witches cast spells, throw curses, fly on brooms, make love potions. All the things I heard growing up watching movies about magic and witches. I never thought there were real witches.”

  Jolene sighed, “Yes, sadly that is the archetype presented by Hollywood and hack writers. If that is all you know I imagine the idea of moving in with witches may be scary.”

  Lilly pressed her lips together and closed her eyes as Jolene continued, “I assure you there is no reason to be upset or frightened. Most people don’t know a lot about the craft. They are misinformed and have no concept about the practice other than what they have seen in movies. Nothing could be further from the truth.

  Of course, those people who covet power and control over others form covens focused on destruction and manipulation. That focus is called the left-hand path. Misusing the power of the left- hand path leads to a downward spiral into conflict, illness, depression and even violence.

  One of the principal tenants of Witchcraft is, ‘What you put into the world returns to you threefold.’ You can see it is foolish to manipulate and wish pain, grief or loss on others. That mess would come back and wreak havoc in our lives.”

  Lilly nodded as she sipped her tea and watched the sun sparkling on the fountain. Jolene’s voice floated into her consciousness. “At Panthea’s, we practice Witchcraft as a mystical path. We begin our studies with the four elements and their correspondents, knowledge of the feminine archetypes of the goddess, and eventually to the practice of ceremonial magic. As we travel the pathways of the tree of life we arrive at a deeper understanding called mysticism.”

  “Those who follow the right-hand path, the mystical path of the white witch, focus on knowing themselves and connecting to their inner power. We recognize and honor the elements of the earth and embrace them as a part of ourselves. When we begin to know ourselves as a vital part of all that is, we touch power and focus intention to create our lives. This awareness and power is within the reach of every human being.”

  Lilly perked up as Jolene spoke of the power inherent in everyone. A seed took root in her mind, a seed that could grow and lead her to a new reality, a place where her sad, fearful life did not exist. Shaking her head slightly; fear leached away the seed. ‘I’m grasping at straws,’ a voice in her head spoke firmly, denying the existence of her own power. With shoulders slumped and head hanging, she listened as Jolene went on.

  “The first law of witchcraft is Do No Harm,” Jolene continued. “You will find many who practice the Craft are in the healing professions.

  Lilly sat up a bit at the mention of witches as healers.

  Jolene stood, stopped and turned around, “One quick question. Do you feel better knowing we are not evil?”

  Lilly nodded, “Yes, something you just said made me think of my Aunt Pearl. I spent a lot of time with her as a child in Abita Springs. When I walked in the door of your shop and smelled the herbs, Aunt Pearl came to my mind immediately. I never thought about her being a witch, but she was magical. She had a huge herb garden, and people would come to her when they were sick or distressed. Her healing touch was well known throughout the North shore community.”

  Jolene smiled, “How wonderful to have a wise Aunt to guide you.” Lilly nodded and blinked back tears.

  “Ma cher, do you have any more questions?”

  Lilly nodded, “What exactly is Panthea’s Pantry?”

  “Excellent question! We offer many things at Panthea’s. We sell supplies; Eye of newt, and toe of frog, wool of bat, and tongue of dog, lizard’s leg, and howlet’s wing.”

  A look of surprise and disgust passed over Lilly’s face, followed by a smile as she realized Jolene was jesting.

  Jolene was glad to see the young woman’s face brighten. “Non, seriously, we do sell ritual supplies, incense, candles, a variety of herbs, stones, crystals, magic books, and jewelry. We offer psychic readings, teach classes in various aspects of the craft: tarot, palmistry, astrology and some classes on an individual basis.

  Jolene paused a moment and took a close look at Lilly. The young woman was exhausted. She noticed there were not only dark circles under Lilly’s eyes, but red splotches on her neck and one of her ears was bright purple. The poor child sat, shoulders slumped, wiggling her fingers on the table.

  Lilly noticed Jolene staring at her hands and immediately jerked them into her lap. “I’m sorry, my fingers tingle, and I move them unconsciously. I didn’t mean to an
noy you.”

  Jolene smiled as she reached her hands, palm up across the table. “May I see them?” Slowly, Lilly brought her hands to the table top. Jolene took them gently in her hands and stared at the back of the hands for a moment before asking quietly, “May I look at your palms?” Lilly nodded assent as Jolene turned her hands over and studied the lines across the palms.

  An involuntary sharp intake of breath escaped from Jolene. The young woman’s palms spoke of powerful potential. There was great love in her future, magical workings and a bright energy Jolene didn’t recognize immediately.

  “Well, am I going to die soon?”

  Jolene smiled reassuringly, “Non, I am positive you are not going to die soon, ma chere. I can confidently say your life is beginning anew.”

  Lilly released a sigh and tried to smile.

  “So, my dear, I’ve revealed myself to you, would you like to tell me what circumstances have brought you here? You may confide your name to me. I promise it will be safe; I’ve in the French Quarter for over twenty-five years. You can rest assured; I have seen and heard it all.”

  Sitting in Jolene’s kitchen, it was easier for Lilly to tell her story in greater depth than she had in the hospital cafeteria.

  Jolene held her hand, gave her a box of tissues, reminded her to breathe and filled her cup with a soothing mixture of chamomile, hops, and skullcap tea.

  Topaz awoke as Lilly finished telling her story. Leaning over, she stroked the big cats head. She was bone tired and hungry. A turkey sandwich oozing cranberry sauce and a scoop of New Orleans style oyster dressing appeared in front of her. “Left over from Thanksgiving dinner,” Jolene explained. Lilly devoured every bite.

  Resisting the urge to counsel the young woman at her table, Jolene asked, “What time can you come in for work tomorrow?”

  In a daze from the overwhelming events of her day, Lilly blurted “I thought you didn’t need a cook.”

  “I don’t need a cook. I need someone I can trust to watch the shop while I am doing my tarot readings, someone to help me put up stock and, if you are interested..., well we will wait and see what else.”

  “Sabine can show you the ropes over the next few days. She will be leaving next week. We need to get you familiar with the shop so you will know your way around when she leaves. The pay is $5.00 an hour, 10% commission on the jewelry you sell and 25% off on any purchases you make.”

  Lilly’s mouth dropped open, “There is jewelry in the shop?”

  “Yes, a whole case. You didn’t notice it; you were looking for pots and pans.”

  Lilly’s eyelids drooped as Jolene opened the kitchen door and led her into the courtyard and up the winding stairs to her new apartment. Jolene handed her a set of clean sheets, a blanket, and towels. Lilly made the bed while Jolene emptied a bag of provisions into the tiny refrigerator.

  “Get some rest; I’ll see you around 10 AM tomorrow.” Lilly nodded. Jolene slipped out the front door whispering, “All will be well. Blessed be.”

  ~

  Sabine was unloading a box of books when Jolene returned to the shop. “Are things okay with your new tenant?”

  “Yes and no, you are going to train her tomorrow; she will be helping out in the shop.”

  “Thank the Goddess,” Sabine sighed. “With Yule a few weeks away, we are going to need the extra help. She arrived at the perfect time.”

  Jolene raised her arms, her hands closed and opened in a swift poof, “Of course she did. The universe is always unfolding the way it is supposed to.” Sabine nodded in agreement.

  “The poor girl has been through hell, Sabine. I sense powerful energy within her, although she has been playing the role of victim for most of this lifetime. I can tell you priestess to priestess in strict confidence, she has the markings of a wise, old soul. There is some sparkly energy within her I have never seen. I think she may have Faery blood.”

  Sabine’s head popped up from the box of books, “Faery blood! I’ve heard tales of a band of fairies living in the Deep Bayou. I thought they were just that, Faery tales. Where is she from?”

  Jolene shrugged slightly, “Somewhere in the bayou, a little town called, LaPoint.”

  “I’m not sure what I was sensing within her. The energy she carries is something I’ve never seen. Possibly it is Faery energy. James will want to look into it. I will need his educated opinion.”

  “One thing I am sure of, it is no accident she came here. I knew my advertisement would attract the right person. She has been lead here to heal and learn new ways of being. Once she finds her strength, she can connect with her latent power.”

  “Even in the mundane world, she has a lot going for her. She has come to us naive, beaten and afraid. Underneath those dark circled eyes, matted hair and terrified demeanor, she is a beautiful, sensitive woman and a trained musician. I am going to help her, and I hope you will do the same.”

  Sabine nodded in agreement. “I will do all I can to be a part of her healing.”

  Jolene headed for the storage room, stopped and turned around, “Sabine, some of your family lives across the lake. Have you heard of a healer named Pearl in Abita Springs?

  Sabine thought for a moment. “My Aunt Clotilde had a friend named Pearl. They were both avid gardeners, herbalist, I think. Why?”

  “Our new tenant told me she spent a lot of time growing up with an aunt who was an herbalist on the North Shore. She was a healer of some renown in the Abita Springs area. Living at Panthea’s may spark memories of the teachings she received from her aunt.

  Chapter 7

  Morning Terror

  Lilly awoke in the dark. She lay back, closed her eyes and listened for Alex’s location in the house. She hoped he was in the shower so she could get into the kitchen and have some coffee before she had to deal with him.

  Her body shot up into a sitting position. Her heart beat wildly, as she gasped for air. The memory of what she had done flooded her mind and body. Alarm blazed through her, waves of fear washed over her. Trembling, she burrowed under the covers and curled into a fetal position.

  Dawn light was creeping over the horizon when she opened her eyes. The air was filled with the sweet aroma of strong coffee wafting through her floor boards from Jolene’s kitchen below.

  She swung her legs over the side of the bed, put her feet on the floor and walked to her tiny kitchen to make a pot of coffee. Sitting on the couch sipping her coffee, her eyes wandered over her new apartment. She blinked, her apartment disappeared and the sight of Alex’s opened closet door, the shattered lock on the front door, the sink full of dishes she had left unwashed, and the pieces of broken lamp littering the living room floor flashed before her eyes. The enormity of what she had done fell on her. Tears welled in her eyes, sobs shook her body. She put her coffee cup on the battered coffee table, curled into a ball and surrendered to the racking fear.

  ‘Why did I tell Jolene I would work in the shop? I need to stay inside. I need to hide. Alex’s family will be looking for me and he will kill me.’ Nausea overcame her and she ran to the bathroom. When the retching stopped, she stared in the mirror at her red, swollen eyes. She splashed cold water on her face and went back in her bedroom. Throwing herself on the bed, she pulled the covers over her head, and escaped into the oblivion of sleep.

  The knocking woke her. Terrified, she ran to the door and looked through the peep hole. Sabine was standing there knocking loudly. Cracking the door an inch, she peered out, “Yes?”

  “Hi, are you coming to the shop? I wanted to show you around today. I was expecting you around ten. It’s almost noon. I thought I’d check on you.”

  Lilly’s lips tightened, she closed her eyes, “I’m terribly sorry I promised to work in the shop. I don’t think it will be safe for me. I am going to stay in the apartment today.”

  “Okay, I can understand that, but I smell coffee and I could sure use a cup,” Sabine said putting her hand on the door.

  Li
lly stepped back unable to stop the gentle invasion. Sabine closed the door and flipped the lock. They stood in the middle of the tiny living room staring at one another. Lilly remembered her manners, motioned for Sabine to sit down and went to pour her a cup of coffee.

  Sabine sat in the rocking chair, a mug of hot coffee in her hand. She watched as Lilly’s face contorted into a grimace. Lilly stared at Sabine and began to babble, “No, no I can’t go out. It is too dangerous. I’m blind to the colors now, I can’t see who to trust. The thugs will find me. I can’t even imagine what they will do to me.”

  Sabine rose from the rocking chair and sat next to Lilly on the couch, “Everything is going to be fine. We will not let anything bad happen to you. I promise. Once you calm down and reclaim your balance you will see your life in a new light. The shop is strongly warded, no evil energy can cross the threshold.”

  Wide eyed, Lilly asked, “How?”

  “It’s simple,” Sabine explained, “magick wards.”

  Lilly stared at her, speechless. She had not said a word when Sabine grabbed her by the hand and said, “Quick, get dressed, I know part of the answer.”

  “But...” Lilly began.

  “Go, get dressed, all will be well,”

  Reluctantly, Lilly threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Sabine took her firmly by the elbow and lead her out the front door.

  They stood in front of the door of Lilly’s closest neighbor. This apartment faced the courtyard. Sabine knocked and a beautiful young woman with a long blond ponytail, opened the door.

  “Hi Madeline, you have a new neighbor.”

  “Hi, welcome to Panthea’s,” Madeline said.

  Sabine turned to Lilly, “One of Madeline’s many talents is hairdressing. I hope you will let her give you a new look.” Turning to Madeline, Sabine explained, “Our new tenant is in need of a disguise.”