The Arrival

by Nicole MacDonald

  I glanced at Loi’s hair. Whew, the ringlets still held, I thought the rain might have ruined them. My own hair began to ping back into unruly waves. Darn it.

  We arrived at the door and smiled at the host when Loi introduced us.

  'Brad, this is Sian, Kassandra and Catherine.'

  A tall, lanky guy with dark auburn hair grinned at us. 'Welcome! I love your costumes. You’ve made one heck of an effort.'

  'We never do anything by half,' purred Kassie, fluttering her lashes.

  Brad laughed. 'My girlfriend, Fi, would love your costume. Jessica Rabbit?'

  'Well done.' Kassie smiled and sauntered into the room, turning heads with her sultry walk. We followed.

  The room pulsed with music and people clustered about in groups. The others ducked off to say hello to friends while I wandered to the drinks table and grabbed a juice. A work friend and her fiancé brushed past me, calling out hello before spinning off.

  I flashed a smile. 'Love the costumes.'

  Raggedy Ann and Andy, I shook my head in amusement. Must get a photo, I thought, turning to look for Loi who had the camera. Hmmm, can’t see her. Hold on, who's that in the middle of that group?

  LOI LAUGHED WHEN another admirer attempted to flatter her. The crowd of boys wore openly appreciative expressions. Pity none of them are of any interest, she thought. Oh well, fingers crossed Sian’s love spell works. Loi turned and caught sight of Cat making her way over, so she pushed through the group of guys.

  'Cat, what’s up?'

  I BEAMED AT Loi. 'Having fun?' I teased.

  She flushed. 'What’s so important?'

  'Can I have the camera? I want to take some photos. And it seems you’re a little busy,' I grinned wickedly.

  Loi smirked, 'What’s wrong, Cat? Jealous much?'

  I wrinkled my nose at her. 'Nope. I just want the camera.'

  It took her ages to locate it in the small clutch bag she carried. That teensy purse could put Mary Poppins carpet bag to shame. Eventually it emerged and I spun off to look for good shots. An hour later I’d amassed all of ten photos. Finding a seat, I scrolled through them. Loi’s friend Shelley had come dressed like the Green Fairy from Moulin Rouge and next to the four of us had to have the best costume.

  Most of the other costumes looked like okay attempts by local costume shops and I picked them apart in my mind, deciding how I’d improve on them. Sian and I often daydreamed about owning a costume shop together and I loved to get new ideas.

  Speak of the devil.

  I glanced up and noticed Sian sauntering my way. There seemed an almost audible pause in the room as people watched her walk by. She’d done an amazing job with her costume, the corset looked incredible.

  THE NUMBER OF male heads that twisted to stare at her gave Sian a lovely sense of validation. Oh I’m hot and you know it, she sang to herself. The costume looked almost identical to the one worn by Kate Beckinsale in the movie. It’d taken hours to complete the corset and thankfully the playsuit had only needed to be taken in. It hugged her tiny, size six figure like a glove and showed off her ass. With a serious lack of boobs Sian was grateful for her ass.

  Cat watched in obvious amusement when she sauntered over.

  'Having fun?'

  Sian grinned. 'I am, Kitty Cat, and you?' Sian knew Cat hated that nickname and grinned at the narrow look Cat gave her.

  'Fine. Thanks. Actually I took pics of the good costumes. Want to take a peek?'

  'OOO-OO YES.' SIAN seized the camera from my hands and began to scroll through the pictures. 'Wow. Is that Shelley? Oh I love her costume, I’m doing that next.'

  'I had an idea for you, how about a goth Tinkerbelle?'

  Sian contemplated the idea. 'Maybe…'

  'I saw a really good picture on the internet, I’ll show you when we get home.'

  We chatted through the rest of the photos and discussed what we’d have done different and which bits we liked. In the midst of conversation, Sian looked past me.

  ‘Hey! What’s that guy doing to Kassie?'

  I jerked my head up and peered in the same direction. Across the room Kassie stood with wide eyes, nervously watching a huge guy who lurched closer in a belligerent manner.

  I frowned. 'Let’s get over there.'

  Dodging those dancing in the middle of the room, we came up to Kassie’s side.

  I glared at the moron. 'What’s your problem, mate?'

  His eyes widened and he swayed.

  Smirking at the three of us, the oaf slurred, 'Shhheesss a black belt, right? C’mon ya little pussssy, letss see what shhhe can do.'

  A couple of his drunk friends nudged each other and snickered. By now, more people had realized something wasn’t right and I caught sight of Loi and Brad working their way through the crowd.

  KASSIE FELT RELIEVED to have Sian and Cat on either side. The moron male might be six foot tall or so and nearly as wide, but she knew she could take him. The girls would offer backup if she needed it; if they could hold off for that long. Loi yelled something and the moron laughed then made a sudden swing.

  Kassie watched while his fist came at her, then took a step forward, grasped his arm and pulled while turning her body with her back to him. Bending at the waist she hefted the idiot over a shoulder and onto the floor. It shook under foot and those watching gasped.

  'WELL DONE, KASSIE!' I laughed and reached to squeeze her shoulder.

  Sian and Loi laughed too and applauded along with those who'd seen. Kassie blushed and managed a smile.

  'It’s not like we don’t practice enough for this,' she mumbled.

  I gave her a gentle nudge; I knew how much physical confrontation affected her. 'Yes, but doing it in practice and doing it in real life are two different things.'

  Kass has the same natural flight impulse like I do. It has taken years of practice to overwhelm that instinct. We still work at it.

  KASSIE SMILED UP at Cat through clenched teeth. While she might be prepared for such a thing, she didn’t have to like it and physical confrontations in everyday life always made her shake. Loi and Sian pressed themselves to her back and side while Cat chatted to those around them. Brad and some friends dragged the drunk guy and his mates out of the party. Kassie gently bumped heads with Loi and Sian, silently thanking them for their closeness which helped stop the shaking.

  I CHATTED AWAY to try to distract Kassie, she hated people to see her shake after these sorts of things. Not that it happened often, but she has such an air of confidence about her that people seem to enjoy challenging her. The last couple of times it was women, the nasty cowardly ones who hang out in groups and like to threaten people. I couldn’t help a grin of delight, that idiot would be hassled about this for the rest of his life.

  The party atmosphere shifted back to normal and we stayed to chat a while longer then Sian leaned over, whispering, 'I think we should head off now, probably enough excitement for one night.'

  I nodded to her then glanced at Loi who led the way to the door.

  'I’m so sorry about that guy,' Brad looked concerned. 'Are you alright? We can call the cops on him if you want.'

  Kassie gave a tiny laugh. 'I think the humiliation of knowing you were beaten by a slight of a girl may be enough revenge.' She eyed him with a thoughtful expression, 'If you wouldn’t mind mentioning it to as many people he knows as possible…?'

  We laughed and Brad promised to spread the news which made Kassie perk up while we walked to the jeep.

  On the drive home we gossiped about the costumes, avoiding any mention of the annoying incident. I pulled into the driveway and the others clambered out. After locking the garage, I followed them inside.

  Audi whined at the back door, I let her in and she followed me to the lounge where the others gathered. 'So? What’s the plan, Siany? What do you want us to do?'

  SIAN SMILED AT them. 'Actually, if you can grab all the candles in holders and bring them into the lounge, that’d be a good start.'

  The girls
disappeared off down the corridor and Sian turned her attention to moving the couches and chairs back, out of the way.

  I FLICKED THE light on in my room and stared around it.

  Yikes, I gulped.

  I have A LOT of candles in holders; it’s the one present people always fall back on for me. My gaze dropped to the edge of the box hidden under my bed, crammed full of even more candles and holders that I could no longer, sensibly, fit in my room. I’ll just grab the ones that are out, surely that’ll be enough for Sian, I thought while collecting them.

  Staggering to the lounge, I stumbled and ended up dumping them on the ground making Audi leap out of the way. 'Whoops, sorry Audi.'

  The dog grumbled then stomped to the couch and climbed on it, glaring at us while we set up the room.

  Sian glanced over and laughed. 'She really hates it when we move stuff around doesn’t she?'

  'It’s her farm dog breeding. She dislikes anything out of the ordinary happening.'

  SIAN WATCHED IN amusement as Loi climbed onto the couch and curled herself around Audi, who gave her little kisses and whined in excitement at the attention. 'That has to be the nosiest dog I’ve ever known, Cat. She seems to have an opinion about everything.'

  Cat laughed. 'Audi is definitely one of a kind. Now what else can I do?'

  Sian gazed about the room for a moment. The candles sat positioned in a large circle on the floor and Loi had placed a crystal vase filled with water at the West position. 'We need something to represent Earth, Air and Fire.' Sian frowned, thinking through her options.

  'Won’t all the candles cover fire?' Cat asked.

  Sian shook her head. 'The candles are just to mark the circle, you can use them to represent fire as well but I like using something else.' She went to her room to fetch the items, then came back and placed them at their correct positions. Cat walked in from the kitchen as she finished.

  'OH,' I STARED at the fire position, a delicate wand set in its place. The brilliant citrine and garnet crystals at its tip glowed in the candle light. 'It’s beautiful.'

  Crafted out of a silver metal about ten inches long with a straight cylindrical handle, a narrow cable of the metal twisted around the length of it. The two naturally faceted crystals created the tip, their flat halves pressed against each other so it looked like one stone. At the base of the handle was a simple sphere of quartz crystal, wrapped in the end of the silver cable.

  I looked up and met Sian’s gaze. 'Can I pick it up?'

  'Of course, you’ll be holding it during the spell,' she said, then ducked to the kitchen.

  Oh right, Leo, the fire sign, I thought. The wand felt weighty and cool to the touch. I ran my fingers over the metal while I studied it; beautiful workmanship, it certainly isn’t like the cheap clay wands I’ve seen. I twisted it and watched the crystals sparkle in the candlelight.

  SIAN CAME OUT of the kitchen with a small dish of rock salt and placed it at the earth position, then lit the charcoal in her incense burner, sprinkling herbs over it. A fragrant scent came with the smoke that drifted about the room. She paused to glance around, checking they were ready and then smiled at the others who watched her. Turning to the coffee table, Sian removed a pile of cards from it.

  'Here.' She handed them each two colored cards, Loi green, Kassie yellow, Cat red, leaving Sian with blue. 'Your first card is to call your quarter North, East, South or West. The second card is to join in with the ritual at the end. I’ll perform the majority of the spell.' The look of relief on their faces amused her. 'Read through the cards until you are comfortable with them. Let me know when you’re ready. Kassie, you start first.'

  I READ THROUGH mine a couple of times, then nodded to Sian.

  She stood. 'Ready? Right, then in your quarters and I’ll cast the circle.'

  We shifted to our appropriate positions. Audi sat between my legs and watched curiously while Lucky purred from her usual spot about Kassie’s neck. Sian had her wand in hand while she paced her way around the circle chanting. Once, twice, three times she walked around it. Then she stood in the center and declared it cast. She handed the wand to me and took her position at West.

  Kassie looked at Sian who nodded.

  In a clear voice Kassie began. 'Watchtowers of the East, element of Air, we invite you into our circle to witness and aid us in our rite. Welcome.'

  I lifted the wand and spoke. 'Watchtowers of the South, element of Fire, we invite you into our circle to witness and aid us in our rite. Welcome.'

  Then Sian spoke, 'Watchtowers of the West, element of Water, we invite you into our circle to witness and aid us in our rite. Welcome.'

  And lastly Loi. 'Watchtowers of the North, element of Earth, we invite you into our circle to witness and aid us in our rite. Welcome.' She paused then continued, 'The circle is cast, the quarters are called. The rite may begin.'

  Sian stepped into the center once again.

  'Mighty Khronos

  Father of time and space

  Hear us.

  Glorious Ananke

  Wielder of destiny

  Hear us.

  Reveal our soul mates

  Their time and place

  Entwine our lives

  As our souls are embraced

  Open the Portal of Time and Space

  Carry us to our meant to be

  Glorious Ananke, make this our destiny'

  Together we spoke the last line, declaring, 'This is our will, we mote it be.'

  The words rang out and we stared wide-eyed at each other.

  Kassie went to speak when Sian put her finger to her lips. 'Shh. Now we will thank our quarters and then I shall close the circle. This time Loi starts.'

  LOI BLINKED IN surprise, there wasn’t a thank you part written on the card. Thinking quickly, she stepped forward. 'Watchtowers of the North, thank you for attending our rite.'

  WE COPIED LOI’S format then Sian paced the circle three times again, though in the opposite direction and blew out the candles on her final loop.

  'There, all done,' said Sian.

  'So now we meet our significant other?' Kassie teased

  We sat on the carpet, still in our positions and chatted, questioning Sian about the spell. Leaning back against the couch I stroked Audi's head while I listened. Loi and Kassie lay on the floor while they conversed, Kassie resting her head on Loi’s back. Sian looked bright eyed, chatting away perkily and gesturing while telling us about the other spells in the book that she wanted to try. The dim light from the candles at the corners of the room made me sleepier and sleepier. Without intending too, I dozed off.

  Chapter Three

  UGH; MY BACK ached when I woke and I grunted in pain. Why the heck didn’t I just go to my bed? Man this floor feels lumpy. I shifted position. Five more minutes then I’ll get up, I thought before dozing off again.

  Some time later I went to roll over but jammed up against a large warm shape. Patting blindly down my side I felt Audi lying next to me. Cracking open an eye I peered down at her.

  'Audi,' I mumbled. 'You’re blocking me again.'

  She gazed up at me and her tail thumped in the dirt, dislodging a couple of yellowed leaves that fluttered into the air.

  Dirt? Leaves? My scrambled brain registered that I too lay in the dirt.

  'Whhatt?' I croaked. Hearing something move, I pushed up onto my elbows. The world spun before my eyes. 'Ooooh dizzy.' I slumped back down and held my head with both hands. 'Helloooo?' I called. 'Sian? Kassie? Loi?' The shuffling sound started again.

  KASSIE HEARD A voice call her name and woke up. Why do I feel so tired, she thought in bewilderment; her whole body felt like it weighed twice what it should.

  'Sian? Kassie? Loi?'

  Kassie opened her eyes and squinted at the light. She blinked in surprise and stared at the large tree in her immediate line of vision.

  'Cat?' she mumbled. 'Why are we outside?'

  'We’re outside?' Sian sounded confused.

  Loi groaned, 'I�
��m so dizzy. Guys, are you dizzy?'

  The others made noises of agreement.

  CAUTIOUS, I OPENED my eyes and could just make out the tops of trees.

  Whoa, that's weird.

  'We ARE outside.' I eased up to sitting and blinked, looking around. The others seemed as groggy as me.

  Holy crap! Where the hell are we?

  We lay in a circle on the ground in a clearing. Trees, bushes and low vegetation surrounded us but it didn’t look like any forest I knew. Distant birdsong felt disconcertingly like listening to a radio, none of the calls recognizable as any I knew. The air had an almost spicy, fresh fragrance of ozone, damp and plant life I’d never smelled before. Swirls of panic spun in my stomach while I stared around us. I couldn’t recognize any of the trees or bushes, nothing that looked like New Zealand forest, nothing at all!

  KASSIE COULDN’T SPEAK. She simply gaped at their surroundings. What part of the spell had said this? Her brain just didn’t want to make sense of it all; a dream she thought desperately, trying to ignore the sharp, clear scent of the forest and the rough dry dirt beneath her palms, the soft grasses tickling the back of her hands. Her heart thudded madly while her face grow hot, anger and fear rising.

  'Sian,' she growled. 'Where the fuck are we?'

  The others turned to stare at her in surprise, Loi arched an eyebrow.

  'Don’t arch your eyebrow at me, Loi,' she snapped in a thin, tight voice. 'There’s a time and place for strong language and this is it!'

  SIAN FELT TRULY little while she stared at the enormous trees surrounding them. Her stomach felt like it hit her feet when she’d first sat up and looked around. No spell she’d cast before had ever done this, how could she possibly explain this to her friends? Cat and Loi looked dumbfounded while Kassie looked as red as a roasted lobster.

  Sian gulped, 'I, I don’t know. This has never happened before.'