by Rachel James
It took all her self-control not to wither under the onslaught that began jamming her thoughts. And then, out of nowhere, a peaceful euphoria saturated her entire being, and she knew the Ancient Ones were powering down the wash and preparing to respond to her request.
Ahead of her, in the circle, Sally’s tortured sobs turned to full-scale weeping. Hearing the sobs, Brianna knew Sally’s spell was imploding, and so was her psychosis. It was impossible to maintain a spell against the Ancients, and she was learning that lesson the hard way.
Nicodemus stood then and entered the circle, brushing past Sally and jumping over Brianna's father’s motionless form. Swinging about, he raised his paw and laid it on her father’s chest.
“Rr-roow.”
His cry was directed at Brianna, who immediately responded. Snatching up the Amulet, she placed it in the middle of her forehead.
“Givers of light, let me share in your glory. I seek your light for one who comes from a long line of stories. Send your daughter, Sienna, back to the light of the earth. Restore her to all who know her true worth. Remove all discord, trauma, and strife. Make these distresses unable to pierce her new life.”
A spiral of wind buffeted Brianna’s body, and she knew the ascended Masters were assessing her second request. She braced for the administration of their powers, aware that the Ancients waited on no one, not even High Priestesses. Her hair rose from her shoulders and billowed around her face, and Brianna marveled at the pure joy of being at one with the River of Souls. Directing the stone towards the inner circle, she addressed the Masters.
“Live and let live, fairly take, and fairly give. Bide the Wicca laws you must, in perfect love and perfect trust. I ask that all be released from their river of dark. Their spiritual essence once more energized by your powerful mark. I ask that you dispatch my sister Sally’s pain to the earth. And align her once again with the renewal of birth. Thank you all for this healing. Your work now is through. Return to your resting place, to refresh and renew.”
The wind rushed up at the dismissal, swirling into a cyclone above Brianna’s head, and then splitting off into the separate quadrants and dissipating. The sudden loss of power in the clearing brought Brianna to her knees, and she hit the ground alongside Devlin. Her vision clouded at once, and a huge buzzing erupted behind her temples. She clutched her head in self-defense. She had temporarily forgotten about the after-effects of releasing powerful entities from a circle.
“Brianna?” The voice sounded far away, but she recognized it.
“Brad.” She turned her head in the general direction of the voice. “I’m b-b-lind as a bat.”
“What do you need me to do?” The voice came closer, and Brianna felt a presence settle beside her.
“Check Devlin. I tried to protect him, but he got hammered by the Masters.” Brianna heard movement and queried anxiously. “Is he alive?”
“Alive and breathing; although, he’s going to have a whale of a headache when he wakes.”
Brianna suppressed a grin. A gigantic headache was just what he deserved for following her to the Glen and triggering the ritual. He was attempting to keep you from getting yourself killed, her ego chided. He loves you. She did grin then. Well, he’s going to get a sizeable shock when he wakes and remembers the healing wash vision.
“Is it safe to check Sally’s vital signs?” the doctor queried. “She seems to have passed out.”
“Yes, but be careful. I can’t be sure how much payback the Masters administered to her. And don’t forget about Papa. He will need medical help as soon as possible.”
Brianna heard movement, followed by Francis’s voice.
“Let me take her, Brad. She’s my responsibility.”
Brianna heard boots scrape on the ground, and knew that Sally was being carried from the clearing by the one person who loved her more than life itself. Francis may have been at fault in keeping silent on her increasing paranoia, but she’d not judge him harshly for that. After all, Sally’s madness had resorted to a binding of the worst kind.
A hand landed on Brianna’s shoulder, and she jumped.
“Sorry,” Tommy stated. “I forgot about the left-over energy thingy. Is the circle safe for you to leave?”
“Yes, but give me a minute anyway.”
A companionable silence descended, and Brianna was grateful not to be rushed into leaving the circle. She felt as if the Pentagram had dissolved inside of her, and reset the relays of her mind. The buzzing in her head was finally lowering its volume, allowing her to hear the sound of bubbling water and swaying branches in the distance.
A loud groan shattered the silence and she felt a bump against her knees.
“I hope you got the license plate of the truck that hit me,” Devlin muttered. “I’ve got a headache the size of Texas.” His fingers fumbled for her legs. “You?”
“Grateful to be alive.”
“Amen,” Brianna heard another groan and assumed that Devlin was rolling onto his back and studying the stars. “How do you go back to the real world after experiencing that?” he asked.
Brianna didn’t need to ask what he was referring to.
“You take all the love and light with you, and you do your best to make this world a better place to live in.” A thoughtful silence descended, and Brianna sensed Devlin was digesting her words.
“Help me up, Tommy,” he finally mumbled. “I need an aspirin as soon as possible. By the time Brianna reaches the clinic, her vision should have cleared.”
“Righto.”
A flash of white moved in front of Brianna, and the blurred image sprang from the ground. In a matter of seconds, she felt strong hands yanking her to her feet. The touch sent an intense physical awareness of who was lifting her. Not Tommy, but Devlin. Fleeting thoughts of his naked body claiming hers pranced through her head, and she shut the image out. Backing out of his arms, she patted his chest.
“On the mend.” A new pair of hands whirled her around and nudged her forward. Tommy’s voice assailed the top of her head.
“Can I make a suggestion now that I’m temporarily in charge?”
“I’m listening.”
“Don’t you ever scare the hell out of me like that again, do you hear?” His fingers squeezed her collarbone. “My heart can’t take it.”
“Trust me, next time I’ll let someone else rush in where angels fear to tread.”
His fingers left her shoulders, and she heard a light growl.
“There won’t be a next time. I’m taking you back to Washington where they’ve never heard of Sacred Circles—or demons who want to rip your heart out and eat it.” His mention of Washington had Brianna’s pulse skittering. “Sorry,” Tommy said, a moment later. “I forgot you can’t go back to Washington.”
To her surprise, Brianna laughed at his sarcasm, and then spying Devlin’s blurred form striking off through the trees, she sobered. Where was he going in such a hurry? Leaving you behind, her inner voice nudged. He’s through with you. The observation was a stab in her heart and she felt as if her breath was caught in a whirlpool. He wouldn’t leave her, not after all they had been through together. He would and he is, her voice pressured again.
“Rrr-owww.”
The wail was at her feet and she looked down at the black blob keeping stride with her steps. Nicodemus—ever faithful. The blob streaked away from her ankles; however, Brianna was sure she would soon find him tailing her again. So mote it be, she thought, as her vision suddenly cleared. She searched the tree line for Devlin’s retreating figure, only to see him falling into step with Eileen. He flung his arm around the woman’s shoulders and bent and whispered in her ear. Your pulse is racing like a mad man, her inner voice chided. You’re jealous of the attention he’s showing Eileen. Do something. Make a move on him. Prove to him he’s not the only one who can deliver a killer kiss.
A flicker of a smile rose on her lips and with it, a new determination. She would kiss Devlin very soon. And when she did, the pleasure w
ould be pure and explosive—for both of them. Glancing back, she saw her father struggling to sit up and gave a sigh of relief. Her father was moving like a slug, but at least he was moving.
Entering the tree line, she lost sight of the clearing, and by the time, she arrived in the Main Street Plaza, Devlin was nowhere in sight. Her mind floundered, once again—as dark as the night sky around her. She felt a warm touch on her arm and, seeing Tommy’s keenly, observant stare, she burst into tears.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
THE CROWNING
Brianna sat in the dimly lit room, deep sobs rocking her insides. For twenty-four hours, it had been touch and go; her mother on the verge of slipping away permanently. And then she had stunned them all by regaining consciousness—moving out of the dark, and into the light again. So why then, was she sitting in the dark crying? You know why. He’s leaving—without acknowledging the vision. Brianna gave a choked sob. Perhaps he doesn’t remember the vision. It happens sometimes, her cynical voice added. Besides, why should he stay? You’ve never shown him a lick of kindness ever.
Brianna swallowed hard and her clamped lips imprisoned a wail. She was facing a desolate future without Devlin, and it was just what she deserved for not discussing the binding with him. Beg him to stay, her inner voice urged. She snatched up another tissue and wept into it. Beg him to stay? No, he wouldn’t like it if she begged him. She had to sheath her inner feelings and shore up the old Brianna—the one who was in perfect control. The bedside lamp snapped on, startling Brianna. She scrambled forward in her chair, capturing her Mother’s trembling hand. She stuffed it back under the covers, scolding her lightly.
“You must rest, Mother. Doctor Ellis’s orders.”
Her mother’s whisper was raspy.
“What’s wrong? You’re crying. Are you ill?” Hearing the concern laced in her Mother’s voice, Brianna emitted a convulsive sob.
“He’s leaving, Mother, without remembering the healing wa . . .” She broke off, covering her face with her hands. Her Mother couldn’t know about the healing wash. No one could. Her Mother’s fingers exited the covers and found her manicured ones. She squeezed the digits.
“Is he going without acknowledging the healing wash?”
Dropping her hands, Brianna drew in her breath.
“How did you know?”
“I’m ill, dear, not blind,” Her voice faltered. “And of course, your father has told me some of what’s occurred while I was comatose.”
“Devlin won’t talk to me; he won’t let me beg his forgiveness for consenting to the binding with Nicodemus. He refuses to believe I had no choice.”
Her mother jiggled her fingers.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but did you or did you not vow to love, honor, and obey Devlin when you married him.”
“Yes, of course, but that was days ago, when I still had his respect.”
Her mother’s voice turned irritable.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Brianna, the boy has been your constant shadow since you were three. Surely that should tell you something about his character.” She paused to catch her breath, and Brianna saw a stab of pain cross her features.
“Rest, Mother, you need rest.”
Her eyes closed and Brianna sensed she was drifting off to sleep.
“Tell Devlin you love him, dear,” her mother said, sleepily. A second later, she wafted into sleep.
“It’s too late,” Brianna whispered, watching her features relax.
“RRR-owww.”
Brianna turned at the meow, studying the cat sitting outside the hospital room. She swiped at her wet cheeks.
“It’s alright to come in. She’s asleep.”
“Rrr-oww.”
Brianna sighed.
“Alright, have it you way. Sit out in the cold corridor all night. I’m sure I don’t care.”
The cat yawned rudely at her, and then standing, he meowed at her again. He moved then, out of her sight, and Brianna stood and crossed to the door. Peeking around the doorframe, she saw him slip into a second room. She followed his path, surprised to find the room occupied. She glanced at the two men shaking hands, and drew back.
“Come in, Brianna,” Tommy’s voice hailed her. She peered around the doorframe again to find Tommy’s hand beckoning. She entered the room, hearing his added mutter. “Help me convince this stubborn fellow that he should stay a few more days.”
Brianna blushed at Tommy’s words.
“We have no hold on him, Tommy. He’s free to stay or go.”
“Rubbish! You two need to talk to each other. You belong together, and it’s time you both admitted it—to each other!”
“Tommy!” Brianna’s cheeks turned scarlet and she began twisting her hands nervously.
“Leave it alone, Cloisters. You’re making matters worse.”
Brianna’s heart sank at Devlin’s rebuke. He hadn’t lied in the library; he was through with her, and worse, he’d never know the Ancients had given their approval to the marriage. Tell him then, her inner voice pressed.
Brianna tore her mind from the thought. She couldn’t tell him. In her bid to protect him from Sally’s curse, she had inadvertently diverted the vision. And since there was no way to shore it back up, it was useless to go on fighting anymore.
“It’s best this way, Tommy,” she finally said. “The Coven can’t have a leadership that is divided. The community is built on harmony. It cannot have a High Priestess who wishes harm on another.” She took a step forward. “The annulment papers are ready for your witness signature. As a witness to the marriage, you must witness the divorce.”
“I won’t do it. I may not have been for this marriage at the start, but after seeing the two of your together over the last couple of days, I know this marriage is right for both of you.”
Brianna gave a huge sigh, stepping forward, and laying her hand on Tommy’s sleeve.
“If you love me, Tommy, you’ll do this for me.”
His scowl was fierce.
“It’s not fair to play the ‘L’ card against me.”
“I know it isn’t, but it’s the only card I have to play.” He nodded this time and Brianna knew there’d be no further argument. A second later, he was exiting the room, and she was alone with Devlin. She craned her head, studying his back as he finished zipping his suitcase.
“Have you said goodbye to my parents at least?” she finally quizzed. He turned then, giving her a nod.
“I talked to them a little while ago—told them my intentions.”
“You could stay a few days longer, you know—for Mother’s sake. I can make myself scarce to give you time with her.”
“Let’s not push our luck, shall we?” he replied. “I’m pretty sure the Sisters of Fate have washed their hands of us once and for all.” A black streak flashed by Devlin’s ankles and he sprang back. “Damn cat!” He eyed Nicodemus as he vaulted to the windowsill and began washing his paws. Devlin’s gaze returned to Brianna. “I promise to take care of Sage Industries for at least a year. After that, I make no promises.” Briana frowned at his words, but didn’t offer a retort. “You aren’t regretting how this all played out, are you?” he asked, suddenly.
Surprised that he had asked her that, Brianna gave a choking laugh.
“Good heaven’s no, I’ve been tired of my life for a long time, and spirit has now given me an opportunity to mend some over-due bridges—especially with Francis and Sally.”
“They have a long road ahead of them,” Devlin murmured.
A huge lump formed in her throat at his words. Their road was nothing compared to the road she would be facing now that Devlin was abandoning his responsibility as a High Priest. His annulment would force her to choose another husband in the upcoming months, and the prospect was as depressing as a monsoon rain.
“Earth to Brianna . . .”
Brianna shook off her reverie.
“Sorry. I was just thinking of the long road ahead.”
He felt silen
t, and Brianna wondered if she should tell him that before he had dammed their union, the Council had reversed their opinion of the marriage. Would he even care that the Elders were willing to accept him as their High Priest now? No, that piece of news would stay buried—like her love for him.
A moment later, he dropped his suitcase to the floor and lifted the handle. Turning, he stepped to Brianna and lifted his hand to her cheek.
“I wish it could’ve worked out for us, Brianna.”
She plastered a smile on her face, giving a shrug.
“Wrong fairy tale, I guess.”
“It would seem so,” he replied.
His hand left her cheek then, and he skirted her shoulders, heading towards the doorway. As if crushed beneath a heavy boot, Brianna felt her heart shatter in two. It was over without even starting, and the knowledge would fester and gnaw at her for the rest of her life—just like the evil that had corrupted Sally’s soul. She spun suddenly, shoring up a last bit of courage.
“You do understand that if you don’t mend your ways, a powerful High Priestess will be forced to place a curse on your head that can never be removed.”
He glanced over his shoulder, and then held up his fingers in a Boy Scout salute.
“I promise to mend my ways, Cinderella. After all, I’ve seen firsthand what a High Priestess can do with just a sweep of her hand.”
He didn’t give her a chance to reply. Instead, he executed a mock bow and strode from the room. Watching him go, Brianna’s vision clouded with tears. That was that. Swallow your pride and go after him. Beg him to stay, her inner voice nudged. Not that. She’d not ask him to sacrifice all he had worked for in Texas for her.
Whirling on her toes, Brianna hurried across the room to the bay window. She swatted her eyelashes, waiting for Devlin’s tall frame to emerge on the steps below. When he didn’t appear, she brushed Nicodemus’s fur.
“I can’t ask him to give up his old life to stay with me, can I? It’s too big of a sacrifice. Isn’t it?”
“Rrr-oww.”
“Well, what do you suggest I do to make him come back?” She glanced out the window, still not seeing Devlin’s tall frame on the steps. Where was he? Why was he dawdling? She craned her head, studying the area around the Jeep. When she still didn’t see him, that same, crushing pressure exerted itself in her chest. Another set of tears sparkled on her eyelashes. She drew back from the window, with a sob.