Page 138 of House of Malice
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“Ithink Gael should be an official member of the Inner Circle,” Andro said.
“And I disagree,” Val said.
They were making their way through the Blessed Forest. It was the middle of the night, and the full blood moon shone high above their heads.
“Listen, he is already involved with us as it is,” Andro argued. He pushed some branches out of his face as he tried to keep up with Val’s brisk pace. “Why can’t we just make it official?”
“Just because you are fucking him, it doesn’t mean he qualifies as the right candidate to join us,” Val said.
No matter what, some things never changed about their group. Even after everything they had been through, the arguing and bickering would never stop. Alecto had to get used to it.
“Ah, so you need him to fuck you then,” Andro said. “Would that qualify him?”
Alecto stifled a laugh, and Blaze smirked. He shook his head, and a few strands of his hair fell over his forehead.
“I’m not so sure that would help,” Val said, her voice passive. “It would only qualify him if he was good at fucking me, and knowing that he plays only with balls, I doubt he knows how to fuck a witch who doesn’t have a pair.”
Jolene snorted with laughter, then pretended to cough. Andro shot her a mean look over his shoulder.
“I’m serious, Val,” Andro said.
“So am I.”
Finally, they reached the Old Ruins.
“Let’s set up a ritual circle over there in the clearing,” Val said, gesturing to the place next to one of the walls.
They all got to work. Alecto used her athame to draw the circle and the five-point star on the damp forest floor, while the others cleaned up the area and placed the candles around.
Jolene set up the cleansing tools they would need on the side—the jar with spring water, smudge sticks, and a birch bathing brushwood.
“Looks good,” Val said, looking around. “Let’s undress.”
“My favorite part,” Alecto murmured.
Jolene and Andro giggled.
They shed their clothing to stand completely naked. It was a warm late-spring night, so at least they weren’t freezing.
“Take your spots,” Val said.
They did.
Val picked up the glass jar with spring water and said, “Let’s begin the ritual, shall we?”
When Jolene had first suggested forming a coven, an official coven, Alecto hadn’t expected it. They were so busy fighting their enemies that Alecto didn’t even consider such a thing.
But it made sense, once she’d thought more about it.
They were already bound by their circumstances, by their legacy, and this would further bind them together.
Make them a family.
Val walked up to Jolene first. They stood in front of each other, and Val lifted the jar above Jolene’s head. She tipped the jar and let a small trickle of water drip on Jolene’s head, down her face, and over the rest of her body.
Jolene shivered and then giggled. “It tickles.”
