Chapter 30

30

LECTURE NOTES FROM THEOLOGY, OUR GODS AND GODDESSES I:

Each face of Hekate points in a different direction; one for the Maiden, one for the Mother, and one for the Crone. She’s the symbol for life’s crossroads, helping those who seek guidance.The triple-nature is what leads so many to her for worship.

W alking through the crystalline gates and beneath a canopy of magnolia trees, Thessa wondered if this was what the heavens looked like. White petals littered the lush grounds leading up to the House of Hekate. Many were floating in the pond, filled with giant lilies and fish as golden as the domed building it sat before.

“He’s known her for how long?” Wayland queried Soren—had been since they’d tied the horses in the woods. Thessa found Soren’s lack of detail amusing. It wasn’t so much the short replies, but how irritated they made Wayland. Their micro-feud had been her only source of entertainment during the mile-long trek to the place Leora frequented every Tuesday.

A clutter of starlings perched along the bronze banisters dispersed at their approach.She opened the white-painted door to find an empty entryway. A single wooden table in the center held roses bundled with leafy stems and curly, twig offshoots. There were prayer jars, candles, and a basket full of meditation crystals with a little sign: take one. Behind the arrangement were double doors, ajar, and through them a carpeted aisle flanked by wooden pews.

There were about a dozen witches within eyesight, some lighting candles and others praying in front of the gigantic statue of Hekate. Hanging firelight blinked around the three-faced goddess, reflecting light off the trickling pool of water she stood in.

Thessa said, “Wait here, let me handle this,” and slipped through the double doors.

The domed ceiling within was full of stars intersected by bright lines. Refocusing, Thessa scanned the room.

Leora’s long, lean frame was something Thessa could spot from afar. Living with her had only been a daily reminder of how short she was.

“Psst … Leora,” Thessa whispered across the room.

Like a crane, Leora’s head turned. The smile that beamed across her face sent a jolt to Thessa’s heart. Leora ran over, but her features turned hard. She scowled, “How dare you!”

“I’m sorry,” Thessa replied. “I had to—it’s a lot to explain.”

“Where’ve you been?”

“Uh, Wilcrest. Listen, we need to talk.”

“What!”

“Thessa!” Beatrix’s familiar voice yelled across the pews, sending every head flying in her direction. Thessa ducked in an attempt to look less noticeable.

Ivy tailed Beatrix and soon, all three witches surrounded her with their arms crossed.

Thessa started, “Listen, there’s a lot going on right now, and I’m sorry for leaving, but I need to speak with Leora, alone.”

“They know Tess. They know everything. Who else am I supposed to talk to if my best friend disappears in the middle of the night? We’ve been praying all day for your return. Thanks to you, I’ve mastered the Celestial Messenger Spell, and thank the goddess for listening, saving us another trek through town.”

Thessa exhaled. “Everything?”

“Everything,” Leora admitted.

She scanned Beatrix and Ivy for any sign of fear, trepidation, or concern. There wasn’t any. “Let’s go somewhere we can all talk then.”

They sat in a small alcove arranged with floor pillows and prayer candles. Thessa swallowed and began, “The capital retaliated. Soldiers burned Soren’s property down, his horses, and maybe his family with it. I don’t know if they fled, or worse, but we know Emiel’s mother was just killed and his family is in danger.”

Leora’s eyes were moving like she was scanning the pages of a book. Her mouth opened before she spoke. “What have we done?”

Thessa shook her head. “It’s too late for that. Where’s Emiel? We thought he’d be with you.”

She stuttered, “W-waiting at The Pickled Radish, we’re meeting for an early dinner. H-how am I supposed to tell him this?”

“You’re not going to. ”

“Then who is?”

“Wayland plans to.”

A fleck of curiosity skated across her chestnut eyes. “Where’s Soren? Who’s Wayland?”

Thessa jerked her head toward the entryway, “Emiel’s brother. He’s out there too”

Leora’s curiosity shifted to confusion. “You need to start talking. Why were you in Wilcrest?”

She exhaled. “I left, okay. My magic is not like yours. Last night I accepted that it’s not fair for any of you to be around me, so I grabbed my bag and left. I didn’t expect to meet Soren on my way. It’s a long story, the whole thing is, but we brought Wayland back to help.”

Leora stared at her. “Tess, why would you ever consider yourself a burden? To any of us? You’re our friend, regardless of magical status, and that’s the way we plan to keep it.”

Water lined Thessa’s eyes. “Things are different now. I’m too different.”

“And like I said, that’s okay with us.”

“More than okay,” Beatrix added.

Three gracious sets of eyes met hers . The idea of witches helping demons was a concept she wasn’t familiar with.

“But please, what else can you tell us?” Leora questioned.

“I don’t think the soldiers know who helped Soren and Emiel escape, they didn’t recognize me and didn’t mention anyone else.”

“They saw you?”

“Yes.”

“And what happened?”

“What happened is precisely why I need you all to pretend I don’t exist, and stay as far away from this as possible.”

Leora exhaled. “I’m absolutely not pretending you never existed, and the same goes for staying out of it. We’ve been praying all day, helping is what I’m meant to do. Let me. Let us.”

Ivy added, “I can speak for both of us.” She eyed Beatrix before continuing, “We’ve spent one too many days folding linens. We’ve needed a push to get out of the townhouse, and this is it. We want to help, however we can.”

Leora stood and proclaimed, “Sounds settled then, let’s go.”