“Thanks.” A grin spread across my face.
“Now, come on. We’ll go out back. It’s the perfect day for this.”
I followed her to the back garden, which was a beautiful rectangular space that stretched out from the house. It was surrounded on all sides by high stone walls covered in vines. Autumn flowers bloomed in profusion, and their scent filled the air. The sound of running water came from the back of the garden.
Familiars were appearing out of thin air to join their witches—a skunk, two cats, a large gray rat, and tiny teacup poodle—and I realized I’d better try to call Poa to me.
Poa? I need you. I called to her with my mind. I’d done this in the past and it had worked, so hopefully, she’d listen to me.
A moment later, she appeared, staring up at me with annoyance. This had better be good.
“It is, I promise.” I gestured to the other witches and their familiars, and she turned to look at them.
Now this is what I’m talking about. Approval sounded in her voice. Finally, you’re hanging out with some real power.
“I’ve got real power,” I said, offended.
But it’s a mess.
“Not for long. That’s why you’re here.”
Oh, good. Let's get this show on the road.
Chapter
Eighteen
Isobel
Hazel was definitely running this show. In her white dress and colorful jeweled belt, she looked like a bohemian princess as she swept her arm out in front of her and removed the grass from the ground with a shower of sparks. A perfect circle of fresh earth remained, and all ten witches took up positions around it. Half the witches had familiars, and the animals stuck close by their sides.
“You’ll be in the middle,” Hazel said. “But give me a moment to prepare the space.” She went to the center of the circle and knelt, drawing a delicate gold athame from a hidden pocket in her skirt. The ceremonial blade was inset with gems that glittered in the bright autumn sunlight, and she used the tip to draw a circle in the dirt about a meter across. She then pressed her hand to the soil and hummed a note that was so pure and beautiful, it didn’t sound human.
Lavender sprouted at the edges of the circle, and fresh green grass grew in the middle.
Hazel smiled and looked up at me. “Lavender. Unusual, but how appropriate, given that you own Lavender House now.”
“It’s normally another type of flower?”
“It depends on the person, but I haven’t seen lavender before. It’s ancient and powerful.” She rose and gestured for me to step inside the circle.
I did so, with Poa jumping over the lavender bushes to follow me. Once I was in the middle, Hazel went to the last open space in the ring of women surrounding me. She raised her hands, her athame pointed toward the blue sky. When she spoke, it was in a voice that vibrated with power. “Witches, begin.”
In a synchronized motion, each witch knelt and pointed an athame at the dirt in front of her. Their movements were so perfectly choreographed that they’d clearly done this before. The ceremonial blades were all different colors and styles—silver, gold, bronze, and even obsidian. Each witch drew a different symbol in the dirt, though I couldn’t make out the details from where I stood. I craned my neck to get a look at everyone, and they were all intensely focused on their work.
When the designs were done, the witches sank their blades into the soft, dark dirt and began to chant in low voices. They were so quiet that I couldn’t make out the individual words, but I was pretty sure they were each saying something different.
Magic swelled, sparkling brightly despite the sunlight. It swirled golden through the air, rushing around me in a spiral. Flowers budded from the symbols etched into the dirt, beginning to fill the circle with colorful blooms. More and more sprouted, drawing closer to me with every flower, until the entire earthy space was filled with fresh new growth.
The scent was incredible, and I drew it into my lungs. As I did so, the magic in my chest began to loosen. It was the strangest feeling—I hadn’t even realized it had been tight. I’d lived this way so long that I’d become used to it. But I could actually feel the power untangling, just like Hazel had said.
Poa leaned against my leg, her purrs vibrating through me. I could sense her joy, as if the magic inside her was feeling better as well.
Poor Poa. I’d had no idea that my familiar was also uncomfortable, but she was definitely happier.
The entire process felt like it was over in seconds, but I wanted it to last longer. It had been incredible.
As the golden sparks faded, the witches stood. “Well?” Hazel asked.
“I feel better.” I drew in a deep breath. “I hadn’t even realized I’d felt bad. But everything just seems…aligned? I don’t know how to describe it.”
I do. Poa looked up at me. Amazing.
I gave her an apologetic smile, guilt tugging at me. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea you were all tangled up, too.”
Well, it’s better now, so let’s forget it.
“Wow. That’s unexpectedly forgiving.”
She glared at me. Don’t get used to it. You owe me tuna.
I grinned. “There’s the Poa I know and love.”
She purred and rubbed against me, and warmth filled my chest. She was definitely feeling better.
Hazel walked toward me. She held out a hand toward my chest, stopping before she made contact. “May I?”
I nodded.
She pressed her hand to the same spot as before, and her magic flowed into me. She grinned broadly as she removed her hand and stepped back. “You’re a Reader. The most powerful one I’ve ever felt, in fact. With practice, one day, you’ll be able to read any spell, curse, or enchantment that has been placed on a person or object. Eventually, you’ll be able to undo the magic if you desire.”
Wow. I’d heard of Readers, but I couldn’t believe I was one. I looked from Hazel to the other witches, turning in a circle to make sure I could see all of them as I said, “Thank you so much. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.”
“Tell us by practicing,” Hazel said. “Emma will take you up to the workshop to help you get started. We want you at full power if you’re planning to become an apprentice.”
I wanted to salute but resisted. “I’ll get there. Thank you again.”
Emma led me upstairs, and Poa stuck close to my heels. Penelope joined her, and as they communicated in their silent familiar language, I had a bad feeling that they were planning something.
“This is fantastic,” Emma said as she walked into the workshop. “The coven hasn’t had a Reader in years. And I mean years. It’s been at least a couple decades. This is going to be so helpful with our work.”
Her words thrilled me, filling me with an intense desire to start practicing. I wanted to be the best damned Reader this coven had ever seen.
“We’re going to start with enchanted objects,” Emma said when we stopped beside one of the tables. “You touch them and see what you can feel.”
“All right. Let’s do it.”
We spent the rest of the day practicing my power. I felt guilty about spending the time away from Lavender House, but if I could use this gift to more accurately identify the spell that had been placed on it, I could perhaps improve its mood even faster. With any luck, I could make it cheerful enough to let workmen inside.