Page 17 of House of Malice
Galia nodded. “Smart. Before I swear, I want you to ensure that the protection from Val’s malice extends to meandmy House.”
“Of course,” Jolene said, nodding. “As the High Priestesses, you both represent your Houses.”
Galia nodded once more. “Let’s get this over with.”
“I hope you bring a little bit more romance to your handfasting ceremony,” Val said, teasing. “Or is that also going to be a business deal for you?”
Galia sneered at Val but didn’t bother answering her.
“Help me,” Jolene said to the rest of them.
Andro stood next to Jolene, and Blaze with Alecto joined them. They formed a tight circle around Val and Galia, linking their hands.
“Etheresco phanes felinius,” Jolene started the chant, and they all joined her.
Val extended her wrist to Galia, and she tied the green thread with three knots. Then it was Galia’s turn, and Val did the same. After, they held each other’s hands, letting the magic settle and bind them.
“Done!” Jolene said, cheerful. “Now we can get to the harder spell.”
“And we can talk a bit more openly in front of each other,” Val said to Galia. She lifted her wrist that had a thread. “This will prevent you from blabbing about anything we discuss.”
Galia bristled. “Unlike you and your House, I do not engage in petty backstabbing games, Valeria. We made a deal and I’ll honor it, oath or no oath.”
Val awarded her with a dark smirk, then jerked her chin to Rogue. “Rogue will serve as the conduit for the blood oath you’ll swear.”
“What do you mean?” Galia asked, looking at the demon on the sofa.
“The magic that binds you to Dean through the blood oath will be channeled through Rogue, which will prevent it from reaching you and forcing you to succumb to Dean’s will. Usually, a witch would volunteer, but because we have a demon who’s much more powerful, it’s much more convenient.”
“And that’s why your kind is so welllovedin Hel.” Rogue smirked. “For your practicality.”
Val ignored him. “Start setting up the ritual circle.”
Blaze and Andro shuffled the furniture around to make more space for the ritual circle. Alecto drew the circle and the five-point star, and then, with Jolene’s guidance, she scribbled down the runes needed for this spell.
It didn’t take them long to set everything up with candles and the bronze bowl where Andro placed all the ingredients. Now Jolene and Andro were double-checking that everything was in order.
“You two”—Val pointed at Galia and Rogue—“go kneel in the middle, facing each other.”
Galia didn’t even spare a glance at Rogue, settling on one side of the bronze bowl while Rogue kneeled on the other side.
“Get in your places,” Val said.
They all did.
“Listen carefully,” Val said to Galia. “While we cast the spell, use your athame to slice the middle of your palm and then do the same to Rogue. Then hold your hands together over the bowl, letting the mixed blood drip inside it. Got it?”
Galia nodded. Rogue didn’t need to.
Val extended a hand to Jolene and Andro at her sides, and they all linked hands. Blaze rubbed his thumb in a circle over Alecto’s palm, savoring the soft touch of her skin.
“Levelo satanactus,” Val started the spell, and they all joined her a moment later.
Inside the circle, Galia did as Val had told her. She sliced her palm without a wince, and then did the same with Rogue. They linked their bleeding hands, holding on to each other tight.
Veins in Rogue’s forearms bulged as he crushed Galia’s palm inside his while holding it over the bowl. The red and black blood dripped over the ingredients inside the bowl and turned them into ash.
Blaze’s magic soared through his body. For the very first time, Galia looked nervous.
