Capricorn Cursed (11 page)

Most of the other ladies were in the circle room when Natasha arrived. She hugged and kissed Madeline and Veronica, then turned to Ellie.

“Maggie's not here yet, I see.”

“No, as late as you are, you still beat her.” Ellie giggled.

“Good.”

“Happy birthday,” Ellie said as she hugged Natasha. “I'm sure we'll be celebrating later.”

Gwen and Ursula came over to give their birthday greetings to Natasha. “How old are you now?” Ursula said as she reached up to kiss Natasha.

“Can't be a day over 30, except that I've known you for about ten years,” Toni joked as she squeezed Ursula and Natasha in her arms. “Happy birthday, darling.” Toni tossed her short, black hair.

“Oh, you cut it all off,” Natasha said as she lightly touched it. “How ‘20's. You look like a flapper.”

“You like it?” Toni turned around. “I heard it was all the rage.”

“In the Roaring Twenties.” Gwen laughed.

“Oh my God, Gwen. You made it. In this weather.” Natasha hugged Gwen. “It must have taken forever.”

“Well, it was a good two hours from the Boston airport, but I'm here now. Ready to use your birthday greetings to bring love into my life.”

“Boy, do I need some good-year bumping,” Lily said, joining the group. “It's been forever.”

“Dry spells all around,” Toni said.

“Not Maggie. She's the first to go in a long time,” Ellie said conspiratorially.

“Oh yeah. That guy she was all over New Year's Eve. Well, you know Maggie, he won't last long.” said Toni.

“I don't know. She's rather smitten,” Natasha said.

“I guess it's going well. From all accounts. Well, she can tell you herself if she ever gets here,” Ellie said as she looked toward the lobby.

“Maggie in love. Wow.” Toni sighed. “So romantic. Right on the new year.”

“Yeah. Amazing, isn't it?” Ellie said.

“Ellie
feng shui
ed her house according to Gwen's astrology charts,” Natasha told them. “I think that and the circle brought love into her life.”

“You don't say.” Veronica tossed her hair and put her arms around Toni and Ursula. “Maybe we should all do that. On our birthdays, we
feng shui
, do a circle and see what happens.”

“I'm one step ahead of you.” Natasha laughed. “Ellie just did my music room. And I think it's working already.”

“Not that guy from the jazz band?” Ellie said.

“What guy from the jazz band? I thought she was getting hot and bothered on New Year's Eve with that Gus guy,” Toni said, cocking her head at Natasha.

Natasha grinned. “Gus did send me flowers for my birthday. Black roses.”

“Get out,” Ursula said.

“Perfect for the music room,” Ellie said. “Put them in your love corner.”

“I'll remember that,” Natasha said.

“Maybe it's the beginning of a magical year.” Toni grinned. “Wouldn't that be romantic?”

“Wouldn't it be great to fall in love?” Veronica sighed.

“I want to know how Natasha keeps having birthdays and looks younger each year.” Ursula wagged her finger at Natasha.

“One day she'll share with us the secret to her eternal youth.” Toni winked. “That new Botox clinic, perhaps? I've been there myself.”

Natasha smiled secretly and let them rib her.

At last, Maggie bustled into the room, all scattered energy as she begged forgiveness for being late yet again. The women quickly greeted her as the sweet smell of burning frankincense filled the room from wrought-iron pots swinging from chains on large posts at the far end of the room beside a large carved throne.

The center of the room was carpeted with a deep black runner. The spots in the circle were well worn where some of the ladies had stood for years. Lucy was wealthy partly because she was thrifty. The carpet had been in the house for over a hundred years.

Lucy entered the room wearing a long, black robe. She stood at the front, near her mammoth throne, and greeted the ladies.

“Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the first full moon circle of the year. And for double good blessings, today is Natasha's birthday.”

The ladies politely clapped as Natasha blushed.

“Tonight, we're going to focus on bringing in positive energy for the new year. New loves, new beginnings, new jobs, new clients.”

The ladies murmured happily among themselves.

“You may find this will be a difficult year for some of you and yet for others, a prosperous one. You must remember to consult your charts or, if you can't do it, get someone like Gwen to prepare one for you. The planetary alignments are very important in your lives, as you've grown to understand. This is why we cast our circles on full moons or new moons or special occasions such as the solstice. But enough of that. Put on your robes and we shall begin.”

The ladies made their way over to the four cloaked handmaidens who had their robes sorted and ready for them. Each lady stripped off her clothes, folding them neatly and putting them on the large wooden shelves that covered one entire side of the room. The clothes didn't take up much space. Other shelves were filled with books, jars of liquid, herbs and other ingredients for spells.

Once naked, Natasha slid the robe over her body, pulling the hood over her hair.

Thick incense burned in the air as Lucy rang a small bell. Candles flickered from sconces in the walls and along the altars that ran along the other side of the room.

The 12 women stood in their places in the circle.

Lucy stepped into the center of the circle with a large bowl of salt. She scooped up a handful and walked around in front of the women until she had made a complete circle. When she was done, she returned the bowl to the nearest altar and took her place with the others.

Natasha could feel the energy shifting as the ladies focused into the circle. She closed her eyes and followed along as Lucy led them through a full moon ritual. They hummed and chanted, holding hands, lighting candles and willing themselves to become something better than what they were.

Natasha thought about Gus and wondered what he was doing that night. It would have been nice to spend her birthday with him.

“Natasha, what wishes do you have for the coming year?” Lucy's voice broke into her thoughts. Lucy opened her eyes and looked at the ladies watching her.

“I want to understand myself better. I want to learn how to control my gifts in a way that will serve my sisters.”

Lucy nodded. “Let the spirits of the gods and goddess, the spirit mother-father and the elements of earth, wind, fire and water guide Natasha in her quest for knowledge and truth.”

“Blessed be,” the ladies chorused.

“What else do you desire on this most auspicious of days?” Lucy asked her.

Natasha closed her eyes and thought about Gus and the black roses. She was intrigued. “I want to meet my soul mate. My lover, my companion; someone to share in the darkness and light.”

“I think that sounds like something everyone in this room desires, doesn't it?” Lucy said. “Who doesn't want to meet her soul mate? So many of you ladies have been single far too long. It's time to get a companion to share your life with.”

Toni opened her mouth to say something and then stopped. Lucy turned to her. “Toni? You have something to say?”

Toni shrugged. “I don't know if I want to be tied down. I like having lots of guys.”

“Spoken like an Aries. That's okay, Toni. When it's your soul mate, your true soul mate, you're not tied down. You're complemented.”

“I don't know.” Toni sighed.

“No, you don't. But you will. And you will find it refreshing. Trust me on that,” Lucy said.

“How do you know? When were you ever married?” asked Toni.

Lucy sighed. “I've loved and lost. Yes, too many times. I'm a private person, and my affairs happened long before any of you were even born. Well, almost all of you,” she said, staring at Natasha, who looked at the floor. “I didn't give up on love, but instead, I fueled my fantasies into a higher power. I use my energy for you ladies, to help you live fruitful, productive lives and empower your gifts.”

“I see,” Toni said.

“But enough of that. Let's get back to work. Everyone, breathe deeply and focus on opening your heart and mind to bring love into your life.”

When the circle was finished, Natasha breathed a sigh of relief. The energy had been so high and Lucy had made that little public jab at her. Well, she couldn't really blame her. Lucy had been around as far back as she could remember, and likely farther back still. Lucy had always been in her life.

After the circle, the ladies had wine and a buffet with chicken breasts for the carnivores and falafels for the vegetarians. They drank wine and toasted Natasha's birthday.

Natasha noticed Lucy was staring at her. Lucy waved her hand, motioning for her to come over.

As Lucy led her down the hall, she spoke excitedly. “I have something to give you, Natasha. Follow me.”

They arrived at one of the many bedrooms in the west wing, and Lucy went to a jewelry box on the dresser. She held up a large golden locket. The stone in it was a large opal with diamonds around the edges in the gold facing. The oval-shaped locket was as big as Natasha's palm. The heavy gold chain was braided and doubled to hold the weight of the stone.

“Here, you need to have this,” Lucy said as she placed it in Natasha's hand. The locket was cool and heavy, a pleasant vibration emanating from it.

“What is it?” Natasha asked. “It's beautiful.” She held up the locket to study it better. The diamonds sparkled, and the opal glittered with secrets.

“It belonged to Sorona herself,” Lucy whispered, her eyes dancing. Natasha stared at her, incredulous.

“But why?” she asked. “Why me? I'm not family.”

Lucy held one of Natasha's hands and looked her directly in the eye. “There may come a time when I'm not going to be here. You and I both know that no one lives forever.” Natasha swallowed. Lucy continued on. “I don't know if you'll live forever, if anyone can. Surely, the body wears out no matter how many spells you do. I don't know. I just know I'm mortal and I can feel my body crumbling.”

“Oh, Lucy.” Natasha sighed. “You—”

Lucy raised her hand as she spoke. “No. It's part of old age, and I accept it. I'm not afraid to finish my job on this earth and move on. I know there are better things waiting for me. My family waits for me. Sorona and Serephena are waiting to meet me.” She smiled, her well-worn face glowing, her eyes distant to the heavens. She took a deep breath and turned back to Natasha, her eyes flashing once more. “But I do know you've got a secret; you'll be here long after I'm gone. I'm giving this to you on the promise you'll lead the circle when I go or at least until you can find someone really willing to be there for the long haul.”

Natasha rubbed the stone. It buzzed warmly and comfortingly under her fingers. Lucy's request had caught her off guard.

“But shouldn't there be a relative?” Natasha asked. “A relative to continue on the work of Sorona and Serephena?”

“I trust you more. You have been here every circle…for decades. You know how it's done, how to calm the ladies. You know what to do.”

“I do.” Natasha nodded. “Thank you, Lucy, for trusting me with this precious gift. I won't let you down.”

Natasha hugged Lucy. The tiny, frail woman was so delicate in her arms. Natasha sometimes wondered why she didn't just blow away in the wind. Lucy wrapped her arms around Natasha, her tiny arms barely meeting as she rubbed Natasha's back. The energy from Lucy was warm and plaintive but calming.

When Natasha pulled away, Lucy had tears in her eyes.

“Oh, Natasha. Be careful.” Lucy clutched Natasha's arms.

Natasha looked at her quizzically. “Be careful of what?”

“I'm not sure. There's some bad energy around you, and I don't want to see you get hurt. Wear it always.” Lucy touched the amulet that was still in Natasha's hand.

“I will,” Natasha said as she hung the locket around her neck. It was heavy, but it felt natural, as though it should have always been there.

“Don't you look regal?” Lucy smiled. “Welcome to the family. And happy birthday.”

When Natasha returned to the room, the ladies were huddled around in a circle, whispering.. The energy was sharp and tumultuous as she approached them.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Did you hear?” Maggie asked. “That's why I was late. I just saw it on television.”

“Hear what?” Natasha asked impatiently. She could tell by the long look on Ellie's face that she wasn't going to like what she was going to hear.

“That guy, Pete. He's dead.”

Natasha stared at Maggie. “That Pete guy? From the Cave?”

“Yeah. They found him all torn up. Like a wild animal got him,” Maggie said, her eyes welling up with tears.

“Maybe a wolf? Or bear even?” Toni said.

“That's crazy,” Natasha said.

“I feel so bad about it,” Maggie said. “I was trying to be all fun when I came in so I wouldn't ruin the circle. But now…well, shit.”

“I know. It's just so bizarre.” Natasha pulled Maggie aside to talk alone. “You know, he ran after me. I had told him some stuff about his grandmother and he wanted to know more, so I told him. After he left, I thought I heard a noise.”

“What kind of noise?” Maggie's eyes were wide.

“I don't know. A scream. A wild animal,” Natasha said. “I didn't really think anything of it. Sounds of the night in New England. Could have even be cats fighting. Who knows?”

“But it was Pete. Getting attacked.”

Natasha shook her head. “Now I feel bad. I wonder if I could have done anything.”