Raven and the Rose (15 page)

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The next evening, Rose awoke to the sound of wings flapping and thought she’d heard

Storm shuffling around in their bedchambers. The French doors were propped open, allowing a

warm breeze to filter through. She blinked several times.

Storm wasn’t in the chambers and she chastised herself for sleeping so long. But it was

necessary, thanks to the powers she’d inherited.

Rose just laid there and didn’t want to get up.

Kezzie squawked, and flew to her side. “Kezzie, you’ve returned.” Rose murmured, nuzzling

her cheek against her familiar’s feathers. The evening would have been perfect, until her thoughts drifted to Viola. A tear plummeted down her cheek and she knew the McQueen family was safe

—for now.

Storm strode into the room, carrying a tray of food. “My sleeping beauty,” he teased as he

slipped the tray onto the bed and sat down beside her. “I see Kezzie has greeted you. She returned a few hours ago.” He picked up the bird and set her at the end of the bed. “Mama needs her

nourishment.”

Kezzie squawked in response.

“I’m starving, thank you Storm,” she admitted while looking at the tray of eggs over easy,

bacon, a grapefruit half with a dash of sugar sprinkled over it and orange juice. Salivating, she licked her lips eagerly. A witch was always ravenous after experience The Heightening.

“It’s been a while since I’ve cooked for you,” he admitted with a sheepish grin. “I thought

my girl would like a little pampering.”

“It’s greatly appreciated.”

Storm swept his fingers beneath Rose’s chin and brushed her lips with his. Gently, they

kissed for several long moments. “How are you?” He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.

His fresh, woodsy scent mixed with musk and man invigorated her senses and she found

herself looking forward to their next lovemaking session, but as always there were more pressing issues. “Viola’s body?”

“Jesse, Walter, and Corey are preparing her. Once they’ve finished, we’ll start with the

ceremony and I’ll take her spirit to the Higher Realm.” He gazed at her for a moment. “Rose, I’m so sorry.”

“Me too,” she said with a quivering voice. “The blood moon has passed, I feel stronger, yet

there’s a void that needs to be filled. One day, I’ll see her again, on the other side. Or, she’ll visit if I need her.”

“Make no mistake, Viola will always guide you. I’m sure you’ll see glimpses of her every

now and again,” Storm assured her.

“I know I shouldn’t feel this way, but I’m feeling alone, like my family is dwindling. What

about you? Do you have any regrets?”

“None. Everything we’ve been through, I’d gladly do all over again. You can’t have heaven

without a little bit of hell. Unfortunately, death comes with the McQueen territory.”

She forced a smile. “That’s a huge understatement.”

“Eat, woman. You need your strength.” Storm extended his hand and Kezzie leapt into it.

“Storm, stay with me.” Rose reached for his hand. She didn’t want to sound desperate, but

oddly enough, she didn’t want to be alone.

He smiled. “Okay. I’ve never known you to be so—”

“Longing for company?” She sighed before biting into a piece of wheat toast covered with

butter and jelly. Slowly, she chewed and swallowed. “Somehow, it seems like things are

different. For once, I feel stronger, but I don’t want to lose you. I’ll try not to put witch duty before our relationship.”

“On the contrary. There must be a balance and we can’t let our relationship come before

McQueen business, you know that. We’re in this together, and we’ll pool together to make our

energies stronger. Everything will be okay as long as we both remain focused while performing

the tasks placed in front of us. That’s the way Clara would have wanted it.”

Picking up a silver fork, Rose nodded. “That’s the way it’s always been.” She poked the egg,

until the thick golden yolk spilled against the bacon and her grits. She ate until her plate was empty.

“Can I get you anything else?”

“No, I’m full. I definitely need to go to the shop.”

“I think the shop can wait,” he insisted. “The town will understand if it’s closed for a few

days. Everyone’s been preparing for the ceremony.”

“You’re right.” She got out of bed, showered and dressed in her white silk ceremonial gown

before she and Storm went downstairs holding hands. “I’m so nervous Storm.” She glanced over

at him as he was now dressed in his gold robe while they descended the right staircase of the

manor.

“Don’t be. I’m here with you and promise to safely take Viola’s spirit to her final resting

place,” he assured her as they made their way through the foyer of the large dining area, and out the back door and onto the stone deck, then down the winding flight of stairs into the garden

behind the manor.

The smell of hyacinth and peonies greeted them and the sound of wind chimes drifted in the

air, alerting the McQueen spirits that another would soon be joining them.

Rose couldn’t see them, but she sensed Clara, Micah, a few other McQueen Elders,

including Viola were near. The hairs on the back of her neck raised and her skin pricked. She

could just make out the silhouettes of her ancestors, but she needed more.

“Do you sense them?” she asked Storm.

“I can see them,” he said with a smile. When she frowned, he assured her. “Once the

ceremony has ended, you will see them fully too.”

The reassurance strengthened her confidence. The other McQueen witches entered the

decorated area in a single file line. Rose began sniffling as she saw Aunt Viola laying in a glass coffin covered in hyacinth, peonies and irises and trimmed in gold. Before being seated, everyone viewed the body.

“She looks like she’s sleeping.” Shawn wrapped an arm around Rose and cried. “I’ve cried

so much already. I thought it was over with.”

Rose stifled her tears. Now was the time for her to fully embrace her position within the

family and make Viola proud. She smiled when she noticed how serene her aunt looked. Even in

death, her lips were drawn into a peaceful smile.

“She’s absolutely beautiful,” Storm said quietly.

“Everyone, please be seated.” Walter stepped onto the platform, waiting for everyone to sit

down. A hush fell over the room with the exception of sniffles, crying, and throat clearing.

Rose braced herself for what was to come.

“We mourn our sister Viola, but know she is about to begin her journey to the Higher Realm

and will be at peace among our ancestors. Seneca and the others will be there, awaiting her with open arms. Viola led a very rich and fulfilling life. She fought alongside Clara, Jesse, and myself.

At one hundred seventy-five years old, she fulfilled her destiny by mentoring witches, young and old. Witches within the family and outside our circle. Viola, you were born from earth and now, you shall return. Once you were bound in spirit, but soon you’ll return to The Old Ones in the

Higher Realm. Viola, oh Blessed spirit, we bid thee farewell.”

Storm shifted beside her and Rose squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for the next part of

the ceremony. She trembled when she opened her eyes.

“Viola, we’ve celebrated your birth,” Walter blew out the first candle, “And now we

celebrate your death and journey to your final resting place.” With that, he blew out the last two candles before bowing his head.

Rose shuddered when she heard an unstoppable wave of sobs from her family mingling with

her own. It was over. She felt Storm tremble beside her, but he only shed a few tears. He

squeezed her gently within his arms for reassurance as she allowed the tears to flow. Energy

surrounded the circle and the breeze picked up. Out of the corner of her eye, she thought she saw something move, and then someone touched her on the shoulder. It felt like a comforting,

familiar, yet subtle touch. When she turned, no one was there. She smiled, knowing full well it was her aunt.

Walter glanced up with tears in his reddened eyes and a saddened expression masking his

stern features. His mouth turned down at the corners, bowing into a frown. The muscle in his jaw ticked as he looked in Rose and Storm’s direction. “Everyone form a circle around the coffin.”

His strong masculine voice sound firm, yet gentle. “It is time.”

Storm rose to his feet and walked down the cobblestone isle towards the altar and the glass

casket until he stood face to face with Walter.

Holding an athame, Walter kissed and blessed it. When everyone formed a circle, he began

his chant. “On Raven’s wings, Viola’s spirit shall soar. Bless this body, bless the spirit and bless the spirit accompanying her on her journey.”

Rose watched as Storm swiftly shifted into raven form and perched atop the glass coffin. His

clothes now lie in a bunch next to the coffin. She looked around as McQueen family members of

the past slowly began to appear before her eyes. A strong sense of pride filled her when the barely there silhouettes took on a misty translucent form.

Jesse and Walter seemed to be unaffected by the appearance of the Elder Spirits, but Tobias,

Dehlia, Jasmine and Rose had the pleasure of seeing such a sight because they weren’t elders,

although they could sense them. The ability to see fallen McQueen witches and Micah

Ravencloud was a huge deal and meant the witches were no longer neophytes.

When Clara Rose looked at her and winked, Rose smiled and nodded at her distant ancestor.

Pictures did the woman no justice, she decided. Her long black and silver hair hung in coils down past her shoulders. Her caramel skin appeared to be flawless, but hinted delicate age lines around her facial features.

Clad in white beside her stood Micah. His jet-black hair hung in thick strands to his waist.

His Stern features softened when Rose smiled at him and he nodded.

A white aura surrounded Viola’s body in the coffin. It streamed out and encircled Storm.

Raven and spirit meshed, and with the flap of his wings, Storm descended into the air, quickly

disappearing into the night sky. The other spirits disappeared one by one, leaving an empty,

sordid feeling of pain and loss in the garden.

Tobias walked over to her, sat down and rubbed her back. “You okay?”

“I’m great,” Rose smiled. “But I miss them all.”

“We’re on our paths now,” he told her. “This should prove to be interesting.” He transported

himself from her side to across the garden and back. “It feels good to be able to do that without losing energy.”

“Show off,” she snickered while watching Tobias smile.

Walter walked over to them both. “We’re operating at full throttle now. There is no longer

any blood moon to stake its claim on our powers. Just don’t forget how valuable they are and

don’t use them for unethical purposes.”

“I was just testing my transportable power, that’s all Uncle Walter.”

“Um-hmm.” Walter turned to Rose. “You know if you have any questions, you can ask me

or Jesse.”

“Yes, I won’t hesitate to ask you anything.”

“Good. Tobias, Jesse, Wes. I need you all help me to carry Viola’s coffin into the McQueen

crypt.”

All the men nodded while the woman collected the chairs. Food had been prepared, but no

one had much of an appetite. Finger sandwiches, cheese and vegetables were the only items

consumed, while the main courses just sat.

Jasmine, Dehlia, Rose and Shawn put the food away later that night, they tried to speak with

her, but Rose wasn’t up for conversation.

“Rose, darling, you really should get your rest,” Shawn told her. “It’s been a long day.”

“I’ve been asleep longer than any of you. I’m fine,” Rose assured them all.

“Long day? Aunt Shawn, it’s been a traumatic long five days. The blood moon nearly

stomped the hell out of all of us,” Jasmine exclaimed

“But we prevailed,” Rose told her. This teaches us that we can overcome anything, and don’t

you forget it.”

“Rose is right,” Dehlia admitted sheepishly. “Even though we don’t see eye to eye on things,

I must agree with her.”

“Which reminds me, we need to talk,” Rose stated sharply to Dehlia.

“Oh, not the Niall business again. Let it go, Rose. I’m going to do what I want anyway and

there’s nothing you can do to stop it.”

“Perhaps your conversation is suited for another time,” Shawn intervened. “It’s getting late

and we don’t want anything spoiling The Heightening. Do you think we can let this evening pass

without arguing among ourselves? Out of respect to our ancestors?”

“You’re right, Aunt Shawn,” Dehlia agreed as she loaded the last of the dishes into the

dishwasher. “You know where to find me,” she stated to Rose before leaving the kitchen.

“Just let it go,” Jasmine said quietly. “How bad can it be for a McQueen witch to date a

vampire, anyway?”

Rose shrugged. “Depends on his intentions. I’ll leave her alone, but I’m definitely keeping

an eye on Niall.”

“You know, he’ll approach you soon about the potion.” Shawn’s voice sounded uneasy.

“I’m worried he may do something to you for betraying him.”

“I’m protecting my own and the entire town. Until he proves himself to be trustworthy and

not a threat to this town, then I’ll consider allowing him to walk the day.” Rose held her head and leaned against the marble countertop.

“To bed,” Shawn told her. “You’ve got your powers and some of Viola’s swirling around in

your body. You must let the adjustment phase run its course, or you’ll feel like crap for the next week.”

“And you’ll need your strength,” Jasmine prompted. “The kitchen’s fine. Let some of the