Page 69 of Resurrecting the Witch
“But to answer your question,” Cliona said as she pulled out of her long gravel driveway. “I’m ready. I waited too long as it is.”
I nodded and squeezed her hand in mine for the next ten minutes as we drove to Town Hall. The Samhain Festival was still going strong, but the sun was setting, and most folks would be returning to their individual homes for the Silent Supper.
Cliona parked her tiny car that was the bane of my existence, and we made the short trek into the center courtyard, where the night’s more intimate gathering would take place. Walking into the space was nothing short of breathtaking. Lights decorated the vine-covered walls, twinkling so the entire courtyard would remain lit, but not overwhelming, throughout dinner. There was only one table in the direct center of the courtyard with seats enough for twenty people. Most everyone had arrived before us. I took in our friends underneath the sparkling lights.
Guillermo, Dom, Lennox, Drew, Arch, Merrick, and Gioia stood on the opposite side deep in conversation about one thing or another while Lavinia, Matteo, Massimo, Sergio, Sebastiano, Grom, Rory, and Kady (who refused to miss Silent Supper despite everyone telling her to stay resting) stood across from them looking up at the night sky while Grom waved his hands around as if explaining about some orc tale.
“Is everyone here, then?” Dr. Borisyuk asked, walking in behind us with Bert as her escort.
“It looks like it,” my mate said, pulling away from me slightly to hug Dr. Borisyuk.
“I’m hungry, so let’s get the magick bit over, yes?” Dr. Borisyuk laid out a round tapestry on the cobblestone with the shape of a pentacle in the middle. The corner of each point in the star had embroidered symbols for each element and a swirl to represent spirit. My chest tightened at the sight of it, recognizing it as the one used by Bryg and her mates in several rituals I’d witnessed. The history and power in the deep purple fabric and gold stitching wasn’t lost on me and judging by the silence in the rest of the group, I knew the others were as well.
Guillermo and Cliona helped Dr. Borisyuk set up various crystals at different intersections in the design, along with different herbs sprinkled around. They were beautiful, the three of them, as they glided across the circle, communicating with one another without speech. They all hummed the same tune throughout the process, as if they rehearsed. It must have been a witch thing I wasn’t privy to. Dr. Borisyuk wasn’t even a witch, but I knew she’d been close with Bryg so had taken part in past rituals.
They stopped, and Cliona stood in the middle of the circle and faced us all.
“Thank you all for coming and Blessed Samhain to everyone and to any ancestors and family beyond the veil who are witnessing this event,” Cliona spoke into the space, filling us all with a sense of belonging and that we were witnessing something truly special. “I have held onto the Ó Cuinn magick by myself for too long, and I know that isn’t without any lack of trying to intervene by most here tonight. Gran would have been annoyed at my stubbornness, but I think she knew I was waiting for something, or someone, to show up and remind me of how I’m not as alone as my brain tricks me into thinking sometimes.
“I look around and see everyone I love and care about in the entire world in this courtyard right now. Matteo, Massimo, Sergio, Sebastiano, Merrick, and Gioia, y’all are my siblings, even though we don’t share any blood. The Hemlock house was my second home growing up, and I’ve neglected our relationship due to the guilt over Mamma and Papá dying, even though I know they would have kicked my ass for hearing that. They were the parents I never really had, and I love and miss them dearly. So, thank you for being here for them, and as my family to witness this.”
Cliona met each of Drew’s younger sibling’s eyes and nodded. Gioia looks a few more words away from tears, so Cliona moved on.
“Drew, you are the closest thing I have to a brother. You were there with me during our revenge on the ones who attacked us before, and it’s been hell staying away from you like I have the last few years. I let the guilt eat away at me. I didn’t want you to see what the magick was doing to me, so I hid the best I could.”
“And how many times did I threaten to kick your ass for it, just like you say Mamma and Papá would have?” The others laughed at Drew’s response.
“You’re not wrong. Which is why I need you as the first member of my coven, to always bring me back to the girl my grandparents raised and Mamma and Papá made an honorary Hemlock pack wolf.” She winked at the siblings for the last part. “If you will join me up here as the first member of my coven, that’d be great.”
Drew’s jaw dropped as he looked at the others, who all pushed him to the tapestry with smiles. He stood on one point of the star.
“Grom.” Cliona’s eyes moved to my big green friend and his cheeks actually darkened in what looked like embarrassment. “You are the foundation for everything happy and good in Haven Pass. You not only bring the children joy with your personality every day, but you bring a level of compassion and levity to the council that I know wouldn’t be there without you. I will need you as the second member of my coven to—”
Grom didn’t let her finish and instead, in the three large steps, he swooped Cliona up in his arms and swung her around. Another male might have stabbed him in the dick for touching their mate like that, but I wouldn’t be that kind of brute. I did, however, growl until he set her down and threw an apologetic grin my way.
Then Grom kneeled in front of Cliona with his sword outstretched to her in offering. “I will gladly pledge myself to you as the High Priestess of this clan and protect it with all the honor and blood in my veins.”
Cliona nodded at his offering and pointed toward another point of the star before turning toward Lennox.
“I’m human, babe. In case you forgot.” Lennox waved Cliona’s stare off and tried to laugh it off. “You sure you’re up for doing this if you can’t even remember what your best friend is?”
“Lennox,” Cliona started, ignoring her friend’s words and kept a serious tone to her voice. I’d noticed Lennox tried to hide behind humor more than the others, something Cliona cherished in some scenarios, but not this one. “You brought laughter and a zest for life back into my own when you migrated to HOMES. I didn’t know how to love myself until you brazenly loved me enough until I could get on the same page. You are the light of so many people’s lives you don’t even realize the impact you have. You will be the third member of my coven because, despite your human heart, youaremagick in every cell of your body.”
Lennox looked at Cliona in disbelief and then turned to Dr. Borisyuk. “Anya, tell her she’s crazy.”
“She’s not, girl,” she said dismissively while waving her hand. “Covens aren’t about magick ability as much as the connection. Your soul will be tied to the coven’s magick, but you’ll still be human in every other way. Don’t overthink it and accept the honor.”
Lennox nodded, clearly not wanting to argue with the doctor, then walked toward the next available star point.
“Anya,” Cliona said.
“No, you brat. I already told you I am not doing it!” Dr. Borisyuk looked like she was going to run from the room.
“As a wise woman once said, ‘Don’t overthink it and accept the honor,’” Lennox interrupted, and I laughed loudly at her throwing the same words back in her face.
“Anya. You were Bryg’s best friend. You have stayed here to help rebuild. I don’t expect you to stay here full-time if you want to get back to traveling, but I need you in my coven. You will come and stand at the point of that star and accept this.”
Dr. Borisyuk shook her head slightly and then looked up to the sky. “Bryg, if you are here, I hate that you left me, you old hag. And your granddaughter is a bully just like you.” Then she walked forward to the fourth point of the star.
