Page 35 of Seven Secret Spellcasters
“Mia Malone, I am Lilith Goldsman. I’m the most experienced—I don’t use the wordold—kitchen witch on this earth. There are so few of us now. I live in France, but I cover most of Europe. We have several others scattered over the continents. I’m so happy to invite a new voice to our group.”
“Lilith, nice to meet you,” Mia said. She didn’t know if she should curtsy or shake her hand. “I’m sure I have so much more to learn.”
Lilith broke into a wide smile. “Mary Alice, you were right about this girl. She is extraordinary. Yes, there will be a welcome packet arriving tomorrow with your guidebook and a few initial assignments, but there is still a lot to learn. Tonight, though, is all about commitment and celebration.”
The ceremony was mostly a promise to do no harm and to help build a positive energy shield around the planet. At least that’s what Mia heard. She had to breathe to keep herself from falling over during Lilith’s listing off of all the former kitchen witches from the archives list. One name hung in the air. Gloria Ann Lightfoot.
Mia heard the giggle from her kitchen witch doll and met Grans’s shocked look. Grans hadn’t been the only teacher for Mia’s development. Mia’s kitchen witch doll had been an actual person, once upon a time.
“You’re going to do great things,”Gloria said in Mia’s head.“I’m lucky to be on the journey with you.”
Mia decided that finding out more about Gloria would be her first entry into the research part of the archives. But that would have to wait until at least this weekend.
“Mia, are you ready to accept your new role as a kitchen witch?” Lilith smiled at her, and Mia wondered if she’d missed something while she was thinking about Gloria.
She took a deep breath and nodded. “I’m ready to accept my new role, and I am grateful to accept my new position with your group.”
A cheer went up, and Mia turned to greet her new circle. Grans, Abigail, Christina, Levi, Sarah, Thomas, and Trent. Seven people whom she could count on for advice as well as assistance. They were bound.
“Your circle of nine is very strong.” Lilith hugged her. “I’ve got a late flight out of Boise, so I need to go. Come by the chateau sometime, and we can talk about your history. You’ve got a very interesting lineage. Thomas, are you driving me?”
“Steve is waiting in the car and will take you back to Boise. He’s got to return to Denver now that Trent’s situation is cleared up.” Thomas kissed Lilith on the cheek. “It was nice to see you again.”
Lilith said her goodbyes to everyone, and Mia found a chair. A glass of champagne appeared in front of her.
“That was beautiful. Do you feel any different?” Trent asked as he sat next to her.
Mia took the glass and downed it. “Different? I guess a little. I feel you all around me. It’s kind of weird. Did this happen to you?”
“My initiation came with the coven. No circle of nine for me.” He switched glasses with her. “It was overwhelming, but I don’t think the attachment was quite as strong. Are you joining the coven tomorrow?”
“Still undecided. I don’t want to inadvertently blow your cover by joining.” Mia sipped from the new glass. Her dizziness was going away. “Wait, what did you say about the circle?”
“That the attachment was probably stronger.” Trent stood and grabbed a chocolate chip cookie off a tray. “You probably need some sugar after that.”
“No, the number. I have seven in my circle, including Sarah and your dad.” Mia looked around at the group mingling around her. They were giving her and Trent a minute. “You said nine.”
“Lilith said nine. She must have felt two more witches attached to you. Any idea who they are?” Now Trent looked concerned.
“One was Gloria.” Mia reached out to the connection and heard the giggle. “Gloria’s not a familiar. She is an actual kitchen witch. She was listed on the rolls that Lilith read off.”
Trent rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t listening. It was a long ceremony. So, who’s the other one?”
Mia closed her eyes and searched for another connection. She couldn’t find it. There was a glimmer, then she felt a hand on her shoulder.
“Thank you for inviting us.” Sarah smiled down at her. “I know you’re exhausted. I’ve got to get this baby to bed. Too much energy floating around here. She’s in heaven. I think one of your ghosts has been playing with her for the last hour. She keeps looking over and giggling.”
Mia hugged Sarah. “Thank you for saying yes.”
“My pleasure.”
“This was interesting.” Mark stood by his wife’s side, holding the baby’s car seat. “Weird, but interesting. I take it you’re free to come talk to someone tomorrow about Howard? I think I found a lead on the rafting trip.”
“If it’s early. We’re hosting the coven Halloween party, and there’s still a lot to do,” Mia explained.
“I’ll pick you up at eight,” Mark said, then he took his wife’s arm and they made their way out of the gym.
“So now Mark’s taking you on investigations?” Trent asked as they moved toward the treat table, where everyone had gathered.
