Sacred Circle (25 page)

Rufus' voice picked up the chant.

“Our magic's our passion; the spirit's our guide. The love for the Goddess we hold deep inside.”

Devlin carried on the chant.

“We stand on the threshold of guardian light, to empower the Priestess with heavenly might. Protection from harm is all that we seek, this is our will, so mote it be.”

His words drifted away, and Brianna felt the stirring of an energy shift. It was now or never, she knew. Success or failure. She lifted her right hand, focusing her attention on her palm.

“Gifts I bring, and respect I'll show. Fly all around me to and fro.” An energy shift occurred again and Brianna felt it immediately. She revved up the chant. “Help me with my magical quest; make it strong, and then you can rest.” A purple cone of light appeared in the middle of her palm and began to swirl slowly. “A weaving of truth is an honor not broken, to all who are asked, no lie can be spoken.” The purple hue began to whirl faster, and Brianna revved her chant up another decibel. “Through spirit, body, and mind, water the seed and watch it grow. For what you send out, will return to you times three; this is our will, so mote it be.” The colorful cone darkened to a deeper hue of purple and rose from the center of Brianna's palm. The group raised their arms to the whirling dervish, echoing Brianna's last words.

“This is our will, so mote it be.”

The cone vanished abruptly, as if sucked through a straw, and the air in the room turned suddenly cold, and then suddenly hot. And then, reclaiming its normal state of flux, the air became unnoticeable again.

Brianna dropped her hands, suddenly drained by the ritual—or the touch of Devlin's hand on her back. She was in need of fresh air—the outdoors kind. Her palm was still smarting from the pinwheel, and she longed to cool it off.

“Well done, Brianna,” her father complimented. He threw an arm around her shoulders and gave them a squeeze. “It's nice to know you still know how to honor your heritage. Your mother will be extremely proud of you when she wakes.”

“From your mouth to God's ear,” she told him, returning the hug. She felt a familiar presence by her side and turned. “Well, how did I do, Mr. Janus? Any flubs or mistakes?”

“You were sensational,” he said. His voice lowered. “Remind me to tell you how sensational you were when we're in bed tonight.” He saw her mouth open and gave an airy wave. “I know, I know. I'm an incredible ass.”

He moved away before she could agree. Her father studied her face and then said the obvious.

“It's clear you still have the man's heart after all these years.”

Brianna frowned.

“I don't want it, Papa. Why can't he see that?” His eyebrow rose, and Brianna blushed. “That didn't come out right. I don't hate Devlin anymore, but I can barely manage my own heart, let alone his.”

“Leave it all in the hands of spirit, my dear,” her father remarked. “They will sort it out.”

Brianna brushed back a stray tendril of hair.

“How long before the interviews start?” she asked.

Her father dipped his head.

“We have sent the junior elders out with messages. We should see the first of the members arrive sometime around four.”

“I'm sorry it's come to this, Papa. I know how upsetting this process will be for everyone.” She shook her head. “I only hope it works.”

“It'll work.” Eileen said, overhearing her words and joining the conversation. She studied Brianna's attire. “You look smashing in that get-up, by the way. And the hairpiece is to die for.”

Brianna laughed at her focus on style, brushing her hands down the front of her gown.

“This dress was always Mother's favorite. I'm surprised I had the audacity to wear it.” Her hand lifted. “And the hairpiece was a last minute concoction.”

“And the Pentagram you're wearing?” Sally asked, settling beside her. “Is it your personal amulet?”

Brianna wrapped her fingers around the piece.

“Umm, I bought it a New Age Fair a long time ago,” Brianna said. “It's been a trusted friend ever since.”

“Speaking of friends,” Sally said, “I like the one you brought with you. I met him in the Square this morning, and he seemed genuinely interested in discussing the Wicca creed.”

Brianna hid a smile. Tommy could care less about spiritual creeds. He was simply flexing his legal muscles—quizzing the Elders with the same boyish charm he used in the boardroom. It had obviously worked on Sally. Who else had he tried his charm on?

“Rufus has requested we vacate the center so they can prepare the room for the interviews.” Devlin said, joining the women.

“Don't you mean he has ordered us to vacate the room?” Brianna asked.

“He did say please, I think.” Devlin replied, taking her arm and then Sally's. He guided the women to the front door, continuing his thoughts. “Just remember, you've won his blessing on the Weaving, and knowing that, you should cut him some slack.” His words had Brianna's jaw clenching, but she held her tongue. She had won Rufus's blessing, but only time would tell if she kept it.

Coming into the sunlight, Brianna shaded her eyes. A sudden feeling of dread assailed her and she glanced about.
Nicodemus.
The name echoed on the wind and she caught her breath.

“Did you hear it?” she asked.

“Hear what?” Sally queried.

“N-n-nothing,” Brianna stammered. “I thought I heard someone calling my name.”

“It must be the excitement of casting your first real spell.” Sally murmured. “You were fabulous, by the way.” She stepped off the curb, heading towards the clinic. “See you at the celebration later,” she called back.

Brianna watched her stride across the roadway and towards the Main Street Fountain. She breathed a sigh of relief, wondering why she should be glad to see the last of Sally. She knew why. For a moment, during the ceremony, she had felt the pull of an odd energy outside the cone of power. She had dismissed it as nerves, but now she wasn't so sure she should have. She glanced around the area again.

“What is it?” Devlin asked, noticing her preoccupation with the tree-lined shrubs.

“I don't see Nicodemus,” she said. “I haven't since lunch.”

“He's probably taken the hint and found something else to occupy his time.”

“You're right. I'm obsessing.” She was hit by another feeling of dread and, following her instincts, she switched direction and angled towards the cottage. She had to find Tommy at once and convince him to tell her where her mother's amulet was stashed. Now that the Weaving was in place, she could use the amulet to find her mother's Book of Shadows.

Strong fingers suddenly clamped her wrist, and swung her about.

“Slow down. Where are you going in such a rush?”

Brianna dismissed the concern simmering behind the question.

“To talk to Tommy.”

“I wish you'd talk to me instead. We're in this together—for better or worse.”

“Till death do us part?”

“That, too.”

Brianna dropped her gaze to the sidewalk, a new anguish searing her heart. She'd not have Devlin's death on her conscience, not if she could help it. Of course, there was a sure way to end this tragedy, but she wasn't sure she had the courage to take it. The thought triggered a growing lump in her throat. Did she have the courage to use Nicodemus's powers for her own personal gain? It would be despicable, if she used him. He was a royal cat, and as such, he deserved to be treated with the utmost respect.

Strong fingers gripped her chin and raised it, cutting into her thoughts. Devlin's mouth twitched in amusement as her eyes widened in surprise.

“It's useless for you to try to outfox me, Brianna. Remember, I can almost read your thoughts. I forbid you to merge your essence with Nicodemus without telling me, and that is an order.”

She used her wide-eyed, innocent look as a smoke screen.

“I have personal business to discuss with Tommy. Not everything is about you and me.”

“If you think that, you're not the smart corporate business woman I know you to be. It is about us—your mother saw to that. And as your High Priest, a status you willed on me, by the way—I will not let you risk your life for this coven any more than it already has been.”

A long, brittle silence followed his words, leaving Brianna's stomach churning in alarm. There it was again. That tangible bond between their thoughts. He sensed she was thinking of merging her essence with Nicodemus and he was condemning her for it. Breaking the silence, she said lightly.

“Yes, your majesty.”

“Don't use that tone with me, Brianna. I'm not kidding.”

“Then stop being a braying ass,” Brianna muttered. “I've gotten the message. I'm not to do anything reckless that could get us both killed.”

Devlin grinned.

“Dump the doubts, Rapunzel. No one takes you out without taking me out first. That's the way it has to be, period.”

Brianna bit her lower lip. Dump her doubts? She wished she could.
Another reason why you should forge a bond with Nicodemus,
her inner voice urged.
You can't have Devlin sacrificing his life for you.
She felt a warm wave of breath on her mouth, and realized Devlin's head had lowered. It was a light kiss that lasted no more than ten seconds, but Brianna's senses trembled. When he raised his head, his eyes clung to hers, analyzing her reaction. And then he spoke, his voice thick and unsteady.

“I'll give you two hours to finish your business with Tommy. After that, we must prepare a set of questions for the congregation to answer.” He let go of her chin, and turning on his heels, he strode down the sidewalk. He took the same path as Sally to the Main Street Fountain, but angled left from there.

Brianna watched his measured gait until he disappeared through the door of the Tea Room Café. Her fingers brushed her mouth absently. Just like the pull of Nicodemus' essence, Devlin's kisses were becoming harder to resist. The kiss sang in her veins, making her wish his tongue was blazing a liquid trail of fire a little lower down.

She felt a breeze brush the hem of her gown and glanced down. Nicodemus, she smiled. When she caught sight of only the sidewalk cement, she felt another unexpected ripple tease the hem. Where was Nicodemus? It wasn't like him to give up his task of staying by her side. In fact, he couldn't give it up. He was committed to the Binding and it was time for her to think seriously of merging with him. To continue to shut him out of her essence would result in the loss of his powers.

The thought of his essence floating in some unseen limbo for eternity made Brianna come to a sudden decision. She must convince Tommy to give her the amulet, and once she had it in her possession, she had to use Nicodemus to find her mother's Books of Shadows in the quickest way possible.

Brianna studied the figure immersed in paperwork at the kitchen table.

“Any luck with the business calls?” she asked, startling Tommy. His blue eyes pierced the distance between them as she seated herself. He shuffled the notes in front of him.

“All good news,” he answered. “On our front too. I've sold your company.”

“What? To whom?”

“D.J. Corp.”

“But I thought they weren't interested.”

“They looked at the paradigm again, saw something financially feasible in it, and made a counter offer. I just got off the phone with Jake Rogers. We'll cement the deal when I get back to Washington.”

Brianna leaned forward, settling her hands atop Tommy's wrist.

“I can't thank you enough for all you've done, Tommy. You've been a true friend, through all of this.”

He studied her thoughtfully for a moment.

“You're buttering me up for something. What is it?”

Brianna didn't waste time.

“I need Mother's amulet.”

“What for?”

“To stimulate Nicodemus's powers. He can read essences.”

“And this will help us, how?”

“He can locate Mother's Book of Shadows, which will list her thoughts and impressions over the past few months. I believe the journal will also name the sinner we are looking for.”

He shifted in his chair.

“How dangerous is stimulating this cat for answers?”

Brianna's answer froze on her lips. There was no physical danger in the binding with Nicodemus; however, the ramifications would be sizeable. Her life in Washington would come to an end, and the Coven would be the only solid reality in a shifted world. But she couldn't tell Tommy that. At least not right now. She had to convince him there was no danger. Her fingers squeezed the top of his knuckles.

“You've got to trust me, Tommy. This is my chance to relive a moment, and be the solution rather than the problem.”

His pudgy face rearranged itself into a grin.

“I know I'm going to regret this . . .” He stood and walked to a cookie jar atop the kitchen counter. Lifting the top, he hauled out the amulet. Returning to the table, he dangled the crystal in front of Brianna. “Your husband is going to be mighty mad,” he remarked, dropping the amulet into her upraised palm.

“He'll be furious—but not for the reasons you think,” Brianna replied.

“Where is he, by the way?” Tommy asked, reseating himself.

“At the Tea Shop, arranging for the celebration that will follow the interviews.” She rose from her chair. “We're setting the first of several traps by quizzing the members. And if I'm lucky enough to have found Mother's Book of Shadows before then, we will bring our sinner to justice not long after.” She pocketed the amulet. “I need a short nap, though. You should do the same while we have a few loose hours. Devlin will be along shortly.”

Brianna whirled from the table, hearing a rapid movement behind her.