by Nikki Landis
“Yes, but it won’t be easy.”
“Wait, why are you teaching me this now?”
“Something bad is coming, Cora,” I replied carefully, “and I want you to be ready.”
“What do you mean?”
“We need to prepare you in every way. I don’t want you vulnerable when it can be prevented. Trust me, I won’t fail you.”
“Alright, Rex. Show me.”
Chapter 12 – Casey
“Where is she?”
“With the sexy bloodsucking biker. I don’t blame her for being late.”
Ignoring my sister, I turned to Colin. “Don’t you care?”
“Calm down, Casey. Don’t pretend to know how I feel. And yes, I’m agitated.”
Agitated? Why wasn’t he pissed?
Pacing the length of Cora’s room as Corinne and Colin watched, I was tempted to blast them both with magic. My temper was rising, and I was in a foul mood. Cora had ditched school to spend the day with that dhampir Rex. It was after midnight before she opened the door and found the three of us waiting.
“What’s this?” she asked, her eyes narrowing. “An intervention?”
“Nope, I just want the juicy details,” Corinne blurted, winking at Cora.
The two of them giggled as Cora flopped down on the floor next to my sister. “Isn’t Rex dreamy?”
Gagging on her description, I stomped forward and hauled Cora to her feet. “Hey, where the hell have you been? You ditched school. No one has heard from you all day. Did you even bother to check your cell?”
Cora sighed, gently pushing my arms away. “Casey, stop. It was a long and overwhelming day. I don’t need any shit from you on top of it.”
“Overwhelming how? You alright?” Colin tugged her into his embrace, and she relaxed as her cheek rested over his heart.
“Yeah, thanks for telling me the truth by the way. Why didn’t you all mention about being witches? Rex has been the only one to spill any secrets and he did so without any problem. I didn’t even have to ask. And yes, Casey, I know he’s half vampire and half witch.”
I huffed a breath in agitation and sank down on her bed. “We weren’t allowed to tell the truth. The council forbade it until they knew more about you and your abilities. I’d have shown you right away. I did, if you remember.”
She left Colin and sat on my left. “I remember the lights blinking from your fingertips.” Our eyes met as she lifted her head. “I’m sorry if I made you worry. Rex and I weren’t messing around. He’s been extremely helpful today.”
Uh huh. “What did he teach you?” I couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of my voice.
“First, how to block compulsion. Then he helped me memorize a few resistance spells and a couple of other incantations that will help if I’m attacked.”
Frowning, I cupped her cheek, my thumb brushing over her velvety soft skin. “What’s he worried about?”
“Rex discovered something crucial when he searched my memories.”
What!? Jumping to my feet, I began to pace with fury and couldn’t speak for several minutes.
“Shit,” Corinne whispered.
Colin bolted forward with a snarl. “You let him into your head? What the hell were you thinking? He’s half vampire, Cora. He can’t be trusted.”
“Really? I suppose I should trust you all more?” She glanced at Corinne. “Not you, babe. I mean these dumbasses.”
“No offense taken,” she sighed, shaking her head. “This is serious, Cora. Did Rex explain what could happen?”
“Yes, he explained everything in detail and was a perfect gentleman. So, don’t get any ideas that he forced himself on me, Colin. Or you, Casey.” She sent a glare my way. “I know about the bond. We discussed it for a long time. I’m not ignorant.”
“Then you know you’re now bonded to a dhampir?” Corinne was wide-eyed. “I have to admit I’m kind of envious.”
“What?” I blurted, stopping in front of my sister. “You can’t be serious.”
Corinne rolled her eyes as I grumbled under my breath.
“You can’t be bonded unless he ingested some of your blood.” Colin’s eyes narrowed. “That hasn’t happened, right?”
Cora shrugged. “I touched one of his fangs and a drop of my blood landed in his mouth.”
Dammit! “Then you are bonded to that –”
“Casey, sit down,” she ordered. “There’s more and I need you all to remain calm.”
Cora’s order sent a chill down my spine. “No way. Tell us. I’m too anxious to sit.”
“Rex found out that I’m a Syre.”
“Fuck,” I whispered, dropping into a nearby chair.
“Wow,” Corinne whispered.
“That explains a lot,” Colin admitted. “I can’t say that I’m as shocked as they are. I could sense a deep level of magic in you, Cora. It makes sense. Did Rex tell you what a Syre is?”
“Yes, and he also confided in the dangers. He thinks something is after me. Something evil that keeps trying to invade my dreams and appears in my nightmares.”
“I’ve seen it,” I admitted, swallowing loudly. “I’ve blocked the dark presence on multiple occasions, but I haven’t been able to discover what sort of immortal is trying to penetrate your shields. I added my own magic as a buffer and so has Colin. We’re still in the dark though.”
Cora nodded; her expression grim. “Rex wants to complete the Circle.”
The room went eerily silent as my siblings and I remembered what happened the last time that spell was attempted. “We can’t,” I choked, “I won’t lose anyone else.”
Corinne was silent as her head lowered and I thought I saw her eyes fill with tears.
Colin sighed as he reached for Cora’s hand. “This is precisely why you need an Elder. If you had grown up in the circle this knowledge would have been imparted from a young age. You’re at a disadvantage and we don’t have a lot of time. If Rex thinks something is coming it probably won’t be long before an attack. We can’t risk anymore witches.”
“I’d rather talk with you all, Colin. I don’t know any of these Elders.”
“You can’t always have your way, little Blackbyrd,” I replied with frustration.
“Oh, shut up, Casey. Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle a little too black?”
Scowling, I folded my arms across my chest. “Carry on, Cora. Don’t listen to your Guardians.” Yeah, I was acting like an ass, but I didn’t care. The thought of endangering any of the people I loved was tearing me apart inside.
“Casey, I am listening, but I think Rex is right. He says it’s different because I’m a Syre. You tried the spell without a proper anchor. It was a costly mistake and I’m sorry Emma and Connie are gone but Rex thinks I’m powerful enough to balance the Circle.”
“He might be right.” Corinne peeked at Colin and then shifted her gaze my way. “I think we should try.”
Colin stood and shoved his hands into his pockets, his expression far too neutral. “We gather everyone and meet at the stones. I’ll bring the supplies.”
Before anyone could reply he walked briskly to the door and opened it, leaving without another word.
“This is risky, Cora. I don’t like all the uncertainty. We’ve been concerned that someone is trying to sabotage the Coven. What if it’s Rex?”
Cora’s eyes flashed an angry violet before she clenched her fists tightly at her sides. “I understand how hard this is for your family. Please, trust me when I say this. Rex isn’t the one you should be worried about. It’s the dark presence that keeps trying to infiltrate this house, my dreams, and the Coven.”
Rushing forward, I pulled Cora into my arms. “Forgive me, I can’t help feeling a sense of doom. I don’t want to fail again.”
“You won’t fail, Casey,” she whispered, placing a kiss on my cheek. “I believe in you.”
Cora
“I SUPPOSE THIS IS EVERYONE,” I wondered aloud, my gaze shifting from person to person and stopping at R
ex. Twelve other witches stood in a circle as I moved into the middle. Casey, Colin, and Rin were directly in front. Rex and his sisters Demi and Sadie were to my right. Landon and Coop were on the left. Behind me Paige Westfall completed the circle with Tilly, Greer, and Jason Soto.
White candles had been lit and were at the four corners of north, south, east, and west. A large pentagram had been drawn with chalk beneath our feet and encompassed all thirteen souls. The space had been cleansed before my arrival as the strong, heavy, smoky scent of sage saturated the air. As a precaution, a ward against intrusive spirits who might attack as we cast the spell, salt was distributed in a wide circle just outside the pentagram.
Stars twinkled above our heads as we met at the stones, a place of considerable magic that had been used to cast all manner of spells and incantations for hundreds of years. The ground beneath our feet was solid as I shifted from foot to foot. Little bursts of energy could be felt as slight zips and zings of electricity danced on the layers of my skin. Closing my eyes, I lifted my hands and extended my arms outward, palm side up.
Maybe it was the combined presence of so many witches at once, but my magic immediately rose to the surface and I felt the churning, vibrating pulse of power as it expanded and grew. The multiple energies surrounding my body soon joined my own until I held such a vast and nearly overwhelming amount of power that I groaned lightly with the pressure. It bubbled inside my body and bounced around as if looking for a release.
On an inhale, I sucked every last drop and bundled it together while focusing on infusing my words with the magic that transformed ordinary language into a powerful and infallible spell.
“From the incomplete of separation and the darkness that hides the truth,
Bring forth revelation and expose the hidden in light.
The Circle that was once broken,
Sever the ties that bind it in unending night.
Bring forth revelation and restore our lost power
As per our unified decree,
Now are we forever bound to one and all,
An unbreakable anchor for our Circle of thirteen I will be.”
My magic struck and fused together with the words that I chanted, repeated by every member of the Circle as our voices rose in perfect harmony. Above our heads a vibrant crash of thunder boomed across the sky as bolts of lightning lit up the dark night. My body began to tremble and shake as my arms lifted higher and I felt the power of our Circle strengthen. Each witch was infused with the extra energy as their bodies fell to the ground and writhed in a few moments of agony. A scream launched from my throat as I remained standing and a tight ball of energy began to grow in my stomach. The sensation built and increased to the point that I could barely withstand the force pressing in on my organs from every angle.
A few seconds later the ball of energy released from my core as my knees buckled and I fell to the ground. The remaining jolts settled on the others as the crackling of bright blue and white light rippled along the surface of their skin. Rin followed my scream with one of her own as I fought an overwhelming wave of fatigue. Black shadows reached in from every side. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could fight the urge to sleep.
Panting, I gathered my remaining strength and spoke the final words that sealed our Coven’s thirteen and repaired the previously broken bond. “The Circle is complete.”
Unable to fight the mind-numbing drain on my body and power, my eyes closed, and I drifted into unconsciousness . . .
Chapter 13 – Cora
“Cora? Can you hear me, my sweet?”
Rex’s anxious voice penetrated the fuzzy barrier of sleep.
“Hmmm?”
“Open your eyes. You’ve been out too long.”
Blinking, I obeyed and found Colin, Casey, and Rin in the room. All three were watching me anxiously as I moaned and lifted my hand to my head. A light headache throbbed along my temples. It took a minute for me to realize that no one had spoken since my eyes opened.
“Is everyone okay? The Circle . . . is it complete?”
Colin beamed a wide grin. “It sure is.”
“You were magnificent.” Casey winked as our eyes met. “You’re something else, precious.”
My gaze shifted to Rin as she shrugged and stood, standing next to the bed . . . without her wheelchair.
“Oh my God!” I blurted, throwing the covers aside and leaping off the mattress. “Rin! You’re healed!”
She was a blubbering mess as I launched toward her with a shout of joy. We hugged and laughed, tears rolling down both of our cheeks. Astonished, I was nearly at a loss for words.
“You’re on two feet!”
“I can’t believe it’s true,” she joked. “A few seconds before you said the Circle was complete, I felt tingling up and down my spine. When you passed out, I didn’t know what happened. All of a sudden, I could stand and walk, Cora. A true miracle.”
“It’s freakin’ awesome!”
“Your magic healed every one of our ailments. If you hadn’t fixed the Circle I never would have walked again. Thank you,” she gushed as we hugged one another harder.
“Rin, we all did it together. I was just an anchor. The combined power from every witch restored the Coven and completed the Circle. We’re powerful now. A force to be reckoned with.”
“And soon to be tested,” Rex added. “Sorry to be negative but several members of the Circle had visions while we were casting including Corinne. I can’t make sense of some of the details. I was hoping you could help, Cora.”
Me? “How? What are the visions?”
“I saw something similar in your memories. An underground chamber of some sort with chalk and red candles, witches in ceremonial robes, and blood from animal sacrifices. It’s dark magic, my sweet.”
Dark magic? “What do you mean?”
“Maleficum.”
“I don’t know what that is,” I admitted.
“Dangerous and powerful,” Casey explained. “A magic used for malevolent and dangerous reasons and intended to cause harm or death to people or property. Our Coven is in danger. We have to find the witches responsible and stop them before it’s too late.”
“How are we going to do that? We don’t know what’s happening,” I pointed out.
“Blood magic leaves a trace,” Colin explained. “It’s easy to follow for certain witches.”
Certain witches? “You mean witches with certain abilities.”
“Yes and no,” Rex answered, “in this particular instance . . . it’s a direct relative.”
Confused, I wasn’t putting the pieces of the puzzle together as quickly as usual. “Are you saying that whoever is responsible for the Maleficum is a blood relative of mine?”
“Yes,” Rin confirmed. “I’m sorry, Cora.”
“I don’t have any surviving relatives.” Staring the four of them down, a sinking and horrible feeling began to churn in my gut. “Rex?” I turned his way as he reached out and pulled me into a hug.
“There’s a reason you’re the Syre for our Coven. Your bloodline is old and powerful. The Blackbyrne’s have been witches in Harwood Estates and the surrounding hills for centuries. Long before this area became a prominent and ritzy piece of property it was known for its beauty and seclusion from the larger cities.” Rex tilted my chin up until we met eye to eye. “Your only relative is an old recluse. A powerful witch we’ve been trying to find since he disappeared over a year ago. He’s been quite hard to locate and I now I have my suspicions why.”
“An old recluse? What’s his name?”
“Gerard Blackbyrne.”
No one bothered to disclose this crucial bit of knowledge before now. Up until this moment I’d never heard his name mentioned.
Pushing away from Rex, I turned on the four and backed away slowly. “Why wasn’t I told sooner?”
“I was afraid to overwhelm you that day at the lake. I’d already revealed so much and invading your memories left you weak. I chose not to press the i
ssue further until you were ready. Pushing you too far could have caused damage to your mind.”
I could accept his reasoning but not the silence from my new family.
Rin’s lower lip trembled. “I wanted you to know. I was overruled.”
“By who?” I asked, placing my hands on my hips.
“Both of us,” Casey admitted, gesturing to his brother. “We didn’t know much about you when you came here. You could have been sent to infiltrate our Coven or learn our secrets. Not all witches practice the same. Loyalty is earned.”
Annoyed, I shook my finger at the twins. “I’m an orphan. How dangerous is that?”
Colin took a step in my direction. “None of that matters now. You need to know that your Uncle Gerard is somehow linked to the Maleficum. You’re the only one who can help locate him.”
Great. My first interaction with family would be a confrontation.
“And you need to find your family grimoire, Cora. It’s extremely valuable. As the Coven’s Syre, those spells and incantations can be used against us. There are decades of history in that book. Answers to questions you never even thought to ask.” Rex placed his palms against my cheeks and pressed a kiss to the tip of my nose. “I think it would mean a great deal to you if we locate it.”
The Blackbyrne grimoire. I never thought I would ever find out a single bit of information about my ancestry or witch legacy. “Rex,” I choked as my emotions chose that moment to surface with a vengeance.
“I know, my bonded. We’ll find the truth. I’m with you every step of the way.”
Taking several deep breaths, I calmed my anxious heart. “How do I track down my uncle?”
“It’s as simple as a locator spell,” Casey divulged. “We just need something that’s personal to your uncle or family.”
I gave him a frustrated look. “I don’t own a single damn thing. Orphan, remember?”
Colin sighed. “If we had the grimoire . . .”
“We don’t,” Rin replied with a huff. “This is hardly helpful.”
Rex snorted, glaring at both Casey and Colin. “You’re idiots. We don’t need a locator spell. Cora simply has to close her eyes and search for her uncle’s aura. Once she finds Gerard, she can always track him.”