Chapter 3

• Cora stepped into the room and grinned at Steven. “Are we ready then?”
• Steven waved his arms. “And waiting.”
• She smiled at him and shook her head. Reaching into the bag she pulled out a carving. Bones were formed into a cross with a skull at the base of them. Across the top was a large snake. She walked over and placed it on the little table. “For the ancestors’ protection and the wisdom to help us.”
• She stood beside the table. Dade walked over and stood with her, taking her hand in his and then silently watched the others.
• Rachel unwound herself from Steven and walked over with two white candles. There were symbols carved in the length of them. She set them on the table.
• Steven came up behind her and reached around to hold his hand over them. The wicks flamed quickly. “For protection.” They said together and then took their place by the table.
• Kasey and Chris walked over with their hands cupped as if in prayer. They held them over the table then slowly pulled them apart. A large golden stone hovered between their palms and then gently rested on the table.
• Kasey smiled. “For strength and power.”
• Owen walked over to stand beside them as Leena came over with a small wooden bowl. She held it in front of the table and pieces of herbs began to swirl up and circle the table. When she set the bowl down they floated into it and began to smolder. She lifted a hand and sent the sweet scent swirling around everyone before it swept through the room and returned to the dish. “To keep us safe,” she whispered joining her hands with Owen and Rachel to make the circle complete.
• Each closed their eyes and took a deep breath allowing the warmth to spread up their arms and through their bodies.
• When the circle broke. Owen grinned. “Not as good as a healing circle, but not bad.” Leena smiled and wrapped her arms around him.
• Steven looked around at everyone. “We’re good now?” With no objections, he picked Rachel up and started to walk to their room.
• “Is it safe to enter without a knock?” Patrick stuck his head in the door.
• Steven groaned and lowered Rachel to the floor. “Maybe.”
• Chris motioned him in. “Perfect timing. I was just wondering when we’d see you.”
• Dade tried not to laugh at the expression on Steven’s face. He turned away and looked at Patrick. “How did you get here without Rhonda?”
• “He didn’t,” Rhonda said as she walked in behind him.
• The women immediately surrounded her and began pulling her back into the kitchen.
• Dade looked at Patrick and smirked.
• Patrick shook his head and sat down on the closest chair. “Didn’t matter what I had to say, or the fact that he’ll see this as the best opportunity to finish what he started, she was coming.”
• Chris chuckled, “I understand, believe me I do.”
• Steven dropped down in the chair and looked like he was about to speak when Kasey came sliding into the room in the way only Kasey could do.
• She stopped in front of Patrick. “Do you think you’ll fit on that couch?” She pointed.
• Patrick looked at it. “It appears to be about eight feet long, of course I could fit on that.”
• “Oh, good it’s settled then.” She started to run back into the kitchen when Chris reached out and grabbed her by the waist.
• “Sweetheart, what is settled?”
• Kasey grinned up at him. “Rhonda is going to take the extra bed and Patrick can have the couch, then she’ll never be alone and he won’t have to worry that she will be.” She reached up and gave him a kiss and wiggled out of his arm and went back to the kitchen.
• “Nice catch.” Dade chuckled.
• Chris grinned. “I’m getting better. I just have to remember to reach about three feet ahead of where I think she’ll be.” He looked at Patrick. “Welcome to our weekend home.”
• Patrick rubbed his face. “Well, she has a point. I was wondering what I was going to do—can’t be watching her and looking for him at the same time.” He leaned back and closed his eyes. “Been the longest four months of my life.”
• Dade snorted and dropped onto the couch. “It gets longer.” He grinned at him. “But at least there’s another single man in the building. I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you here.”
• Patrick opened his eyes. “Too many couples for you?”
• Dade nodded. “Something like that.”
• Patrick laughed. “I hear ya.” He turned to Chris. “So, what’s the plan for tonight?”
• Chris steepled his fingers together as he sat back. “I think we’ll have to play it by ear, see what Cora picks up.” He dropped his hands and looked around. “Has anyone else wondered what we’re going to do if we’re knee deep in people, not of the real magic variety, when Cora tells us it’s a go?”
• Dade nodded. “Crossed my mind. I’m hoping we’ll be able to wander somewhere out of sight somehow, if I have him in my sights then I should be able to lead him to you.”
• Steven pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment then looked at him. “And if we can’t wander out of sight?”
• Patrick held up his hands in exasperation. “Exactly.” He sat up straighter. “I discussed this with Justin, and he’s hoping between the lot of you, Kevin and himself we’ll be able to wing up some sort of shield if needed. To protect those not involved.”
• “That’s my job. We’ve already got that covered.” Chris said with a sigh. Then looked at Steven. “Could you and Lee use some sort of air wall to block out sight? I’ve seen you do it before.”
• Dade accepted he couldn’t contribute here, so he just stayed silent and let the magic makers work it out.
• Steven puffed out his cheeks. “That could be a broad area we’re dealing with, not like closing in a circle. This would have to be a line between us and those we hope to keep safe.”
• Owen lifted his head and called towards the kitchen. “Baby, can you come here for a sec?”
• Leena peaked out of the kitchen and looked around at the serious faces. “Oh, plan time” she said softly as she stepped in and sat beside Owen.
• “They want to know if you and I could make a wall of wind to block the others from seeing and hearing.” Steven said looking doubtful.
• “Oh…” She pursed her lips together. “We’d have to be at opposite ends of each other.” She looked up at the ceiling. “With no circle to close over and around how would we control it?”
• Steven shrugged. “I’m not sure if we could.”
• “Practice.” Dade offered.
• Leena smiled hesitantly. “We could try. It would have to be outside though.” She looked out the window to see the day was almost at an end. “And we’d have to do it now before dark.”
• Steven nodded and then paused. “You all are just trying to keep me from dragging Rachel off.”
• Dade chuckled. “Hadn’t thought of that, but—bonus.”
• Patrick stood up. “Let’s go give this a shot. If it doesn’t work we’re back to step one again.”