Page 85 of Crossing Between
"Thank you, Ojiisan," I carefully closed the notebook.
He reached across the table, placing his hand over mine. His grip was still strong despite his age. "Kenji," his voice was softer now, touched with rare emotion, "this ritual, it will change you. All of you. The bonds formed cannot be broken, not even by death. Are you certain?"
I met his gaze steadily. "Yes."
He nodded once, squeezing my hand before letting go. "Then may the gods guide your path."
I bowed deeply, gathering my notes andrising to leave. At the door, I turned back one last time. My grandfather stood in the doorway, his small frame backlit by the warm light from inside. For a moment, I saw him as he was in my childhood, the strong, quiet presence that had guided me through so many difficult times.
"I love you, Ojiisan."
His eyes crinkled at the corners, the closest he usually came to a full smile. "Go. Your destiny awaits."
I pulled into the long, winding driveway of Varon's mansion around 3 AM, the weight of my grandfather's knowledge now securely transferred into my notebook. My headlights illuminated the imposing structure ahead, its windows glowing with warm light despite the ungodly hour. They were still awake.
Cutting the engine, I sat in silence for a moment, collecting my thoughts. The enormity of what we were about to attempt pressed down on me. A binding ritual that would permanently connect four supernatural beings. One of them was a previously unknown Soulbinder.
As I approached the front door, I caught a whiff of coffee and something sweet. Someone was stress baking. Probably Zoey.
The moment I stepped inside, I heard their voices coming from the kitchen, soft murmurs punctuated by the occasional clink of cups against saucers. Following the sounds and scents, I made my way through the grand foyer.
"Look what the oni dragged in," Varon drawled as I entered the kitchen, his eyes assessing me over the rim of his coffee mug. Despite his casual tone, the tension in his shoulders betrayed his concern.
Elias sat across from him, long blonde hair pulled back in a loose braid, fingers absently tracing patterns on the marble countertop. Zoey stood by the oven, pulling outchocolate chip cookies, her hair messily piled on top of her head, wearing one of Varon's shirts that hung to mid-thigh.
The domestic scene made something tighten in my chest.
"You all waited up," I stated the obvious, touched despite myself.
"Of course we did, dumbass," Elias replied without heat.
Zoey immediately bustled over, setting a plate of warm cookies in front of me along with a steaming mug of coffee, exactly how I liked it, black with two sugars. "Are you okay? Did you get what you needed?"
I nodded, taking a grateful sip. "And then some."
"Quilith went back to their place to rest," Elias informed me, stretching his long arms above his head.
I moved toward Zoey, who had returned to her spot by the counter. Without thinking, I leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head, inhaling the sweet scent of her shampoo, something fruity and light. "Thank you for waiting up."
She blushed slightly but leaned into my touch. The casual intimacy felt right, natural, as if we'd been doing this for years instead of days.
"So?" Varon prompted, his patience clearly wearing thin. "What did you find out?"
I reached into my backpack and pulled out the notebook, now filled with my grandfather's knowledge. Taking a deep breath, I opened it to the first page and began.
"The Red String Ritual is ancient, predating most recorded magical history," I explained, my voice slipping into the formal cadence my grandfather had used. "It was originally performed between two beings, but can accommodate up to six participants if their magical signatures are compatible."
I flipped to the next page, where I'd sketched the ritual circle based on my grandfather's descriptions.
"We'll need to prepare a sacred space. Somewhere private and securely warded. The ritual requires a circle drawn in a mixture of cinnamon, ground moonstone, and the blood of all participants."
Varon leaned forward, his eyes intense as he studied my drawings. "Blood magic. Powerful but dangerous."
"All the best magic is," I gave a humorless smile. "Inside the circle, we'll need to place five candles. One for each of the elements plus spirit. Each will be infused with specific herbs corresponding to our individual magical signatures."
My finger traced the complex patterns I'd drawn. "Once the circle is activated, we must each declare our intentions and what we offer to the binding. These declarations must be honest and complete, the magic will reject false promises."
I flipped another page, revealing more detailed instructions. "Then comes the exchange of blood. Each of us will make a small cut on our left palm, allowing the blood to flow into a shared chalice containing wine, honey, and ground rose quartz."
