Chapter 6

• As they stood in a circle with dawn only a few moments away, the silence prevailed. No one spoke or moved. Chris noticed Patrick looking silently at each face.
• Justin asked Cora to give each person in the gathering a small token. With her moving slowly and Owen one step behind her, carrying a basket holding the tiny wrapped bundles, they moved around the circle handing them out.
• They reasoned it would allow them to see if Cora, or even Owen, picked up on any vibe to point them in the right direction. Her hands would be close enough to the one accepting the gift to get a reading, of sorts, and with Owen being close, they hoped he would sense something also, or even amp up her abilities.
• Chris glanced at Dade, who was very unimpressed with this plan. He stood rigid and waiting. At the slightest sign Cora needed him, he’d be there, Chris knew. Of course, it surprised him when the plan was being discussed that Dade hadn’t just slung Cora up in his arms to march away with her. He smirked. Someday she would put him in his place once and for all, and that day wasn’t far off.
• He glanced down at Kasey. She was looking around the circle at each person when he felt his hair ruffle in the breezeless air. He glanced at her again, and she smirked. Looking at the ground, he concentrated and sent a brush of fingers against her neck without ever moving a hand. She smiled up at him.
• When he lifted his head again, he saw Cora turn her head and glare at them both. Then she quickly handed Charlie and Kevin their gift bundles before taking her place back between Justin and Dade.
• Patrick turned toward them as well and raised an eyebrow at Chris. So using magic when so many witches were seeking hadn’t been the best idea, he realized. Just what was it about the sexy little witch beside him that turned his usual logical, analytical mind to useless mush?
• Shaking his head, Chris moved over to take his place with the drummers as the single women moved to the center of the circle. The sun finally crested the horizon, and as the first beat played, the women lit their torches and circled the fire pit slowly.
• Dade had clipped on the waist strap of his drum and stood up without ever missing a beat. He moved slowly through the other drummers and out into the circle. Each woman walked past him as he went to stand in front of the wood that was to be lit.
• As the last one passed by him, they began to throw their torches into the pit and walk slowly around the fire.
• To someone without the knowledge of real magic, Chris mused, it would appear that Dade was drumming in the day as the lead drummer, with the others as a background. To many at this gathering who knew magic was a very real thing, they knew he was calling the sun spirits to keep this fire ablaze through the long day. They would feel the magic and know.
• Cora passed Dade and ran her hand lightly from one shoulder across his back to the other. She would feel the spirits as they arrived and would feel the pull of the magic echoing from his drum on this bright early morning.
• The women continued to circle the four-foot blaze, always moving more slowly by Dade, making sure they didn’t step between him and the flames.
• When he finally slowed the beat and finished, he was slick with sweat and out of breath. Chris watched Dade turn to Cora and give her a knowing glance. He stood for several moments by the fire letting the energy flow around him.
• No one made a sound as they watched the Solstice fire burn as brightly as the newly risen sun.
• Chris looked over to see Owen sitting with the other drummers and watching everything. One of the women walked to Cora and handed her a towel. Cora took it, smiling her thanks, and walked over to Dade to wipe the sweat from his face and chest, then slowly moving around to wipe his back. She whispered something to him, and he nodded. Then they both turned, and he walked out of the circle with the women following.
• The Solstice morning had arrived.
• Steven leaned over to Owen and spoke quietly. “The single men, that wouldn’t be you, take turns keeping this fire going all day. At noon, we’ll meet back here as a group and give offerings or thanks. We place them in the fire. Many will bring their Yule wreath to burn. Then we’re back again tonight.” He grinned at him. “The women will want to do the gift exchanges now, so you best cuddle up to your lady and see what she has for you to give out.” Chuckling, he got up and walked over to Dade.
• Chris watched Kasey go to Cassidy and speak for a few moments. With a smile, she handed Cassidy a small bundle. The other woman hugged her, and then Kasey turned to walk back to them.
• Beside him Dade was guzzling a bottle of water. He stopped and smiled. “It was nice to see Cora giving someone else the look for a change.” He grinned and walked towards the cabin, following after the others.
• He dried the sweat from his body and reached into his bag to touch the box.
• He didn’t take it out yet. It was too early for that.
• Tonight he thought they would reveal themselves to him.
• Tonight he would cleanse their souls from all their sins.
• He lay back and closed his eyes.
• He needed to rest to prevent the pain from coming again.
• He had to be well enough to do as was expected of him.
• He couldn’t fail.