Total pages in book: 177
Estimated words: 171450 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 857(@200wpm)___ 686(@250wpm)___ 572(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 171450 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 857(@200wpm)___ 686(@250wpm)___ 572(@300wpm)
“As I explained to Graves, this is a classic clarity spell. It will work with the energy of the universe and the bond between you and Lorcan. No harm will come to you, but it’s possible that you could access the essence that separates you and Lorcan. Then at least you could undo the lock he’s placed on your magic. It wouldn’t solve the greater problem, but one step at a time, right?”
“One step at a time.”
“Let’s get started. I have enough shit to deal with, with Lorcan’s Druids testing our defenses,” Niamh grumbled. “We’re going to do the spell and then reinforce our warding. Hope it all sticks together.”
“Testing your defenses?” Kierse asked.
Niamh waved her off. “Don’t worry about it. I have it under control. Now, you should go,” Niamh told Ethan, pointing him toward the exit. “No Druids allowed.”
Ethan scoffed. “Fine. Fine. But I’ll be nearby in case you need me.”
“We don’t,” all three girls said at once and then laughed.
Ethan saluted them and then jogged out of the room.
“Are Druids always this insufferable?” Kierse asked Niamh.
“They used to be worse, if I’m honest. When I thought that I was going to have to grow up a Druid before I transitioned, I was raised to think they were the best of the best. But it was clear that the High Priestesses were the ones doing most of the work behind the scenes. I liked the idea of being part of something more exclusive. I always felt like a girl, but I think I knew I wanted to be a High Priestess first.”
Kierse touched Niamh’s shoulder. “And look where you are now. Running the whole thing.”
Niamh swallowed and nodded. Her eyes went distant as if she could feel the pull of the Oak Throne so near to where they stood.
“Well, we can’t all be as perfect as me,” she teased.
“We can all try,” Gen said.
“Hear, hear.” Niamh clapped her hands, and the remaining High Priestesses formed up before them. “We’re going to get started. Everyone to positions. Kierse at the center.”
Kierse took her spot at the center of the circle of women.
“As you know, Druidic spells work best with necessity of the three: self, spirit, and sacrifice. The self is the inherent magic that the group of High Priestesses bring to the spell. The spirit is the time, place, and celestial arrangement that we chose. Almost as important as the amount of magic. Timing is everything. And finally our sacrifice—what we bring to power the spell. Today that is a fusion of energy, burning herbs to our goddesses, and what Kierse has stored in her mind. Are you ready?”
Kierse nodded. She’d heard all of this from Lorcan before, but it was good to remember before a spell of this magnitude that they did this in alignment with the rituals of old.
Niamh began, “As with the tradition of the Tuatha de Danann, we are a set of nine women. Three sets of three. Three sets of the three-faced goddess—the Morrigu—and the three queens of the Tuatha de Danann—Eriu, Banba, and Fodla. The sacred three of Ireland.
“We come before you today at the stroke of midnight to place enchantments and spells of clarity around a troubled individual. We wish to reach the subconscious mind, deep perception through intuition, and the access of the inner voice.”
Niamh reached first, and Kierse distinguished the scent of chalk and sea salt before the remaining High Priestesses lifted their hands and the scents all blended together. Their arms stayed at shoulder height, and then they tipped their heads back toward the moon. The power that flowed through them was at once a trickle and then a current.
Kierse could see the magic flow like water through each of the individuals. Her eyes caught on Gen, who held the magic as if it were made for her. It was hard to imagine that her friend who’d had little magic and a tiny bit of sight could access that much. And Kierse couldn’t even connect to the triskel with her to enhance it the way that she was made to.
“Keep your thoughts focused,” Niamh said as if she could see into Kierse’s mind. “Clarity, presence, psyche, power, and the veil of what is hidden.”
Kierse focused. It was easier to think of Lorcan than it had been to keep him out of her mind. The bond was ever present. A wide canal that she had to dip her toe into to feel at full blast. Lorcan was there behind it all. An awakening that caught his attention. She’d kept him behind her defenses so long that having him turn fully toward her on the bond while she looked at it was almost disorienting.
“This is our calling for higher wisdom,” Niamh said thickly. “Bless us, Morrigu. Bless us, Medb. Bless us, Danu. Bless us, the three queens. And always the blessing of Brigid.”