Page 17 of Cursed Sight
To his relief, his dreams were normal that night. Nothing of alarm or prophetic came to wake him. Ethan could not remember the last time he’d felt so rested. Taking advantage of the recharge, he grabbed the selenite wand and sat in the middle of the meditational corner in his room. He lit the candle next to him and relaxed.
Each morning, he did his best to center himself before going to work. The pull to do it when he felt balanced filled him, and he knew his ancestors were calling on him.
Ethan took calming breaths and allowed his mind to empty. A bright light surrounded him in protection as a woman came forth. His nose flared as he steadied the connection. He noticed the ribbon wrapped around her dark hair first. Following its path, he smiled at Cassandra Broderick’s peaceful manifestation.
“Hello, child,” his great-grandmother, however many times removed, said with a kind smile.
“Hi,” he replied, and a thought came to mind. “I assume I have you to thank for my restful sleep?”
Her eyes twinkled with delight. “I needed to make sure you were focused enough to receive me today.”
Ethan nodded. “How may I help you?”
“You’re stronger than before, but it’s not enough. Things are coming, and your loved ones need you to guide them.”
Fear, frustration, and sadness swirled around him, and the emotions caused the connection to flicker. Ethan sucked in a breath and his belly expanded as he calmed himself. “I’m trying,” he stated a moment later.
“I’m not at liberty to tell you about the danger you must see. Cherish youranam cara. I must go. Blessed be,” she said, her image fading.
“Blessed be!”
A surge of energy filled him, and he suddenly felt determined and with a focused calm like never before. He had no idea what she’d spoken of at the end, but the encounter reaffirmed his urgency of fully unlocking his oracle abilities.
Chapter 12
Serena smiled at Cable, one of her coven members whose powers of fire rivaled even Brandy’s, when he entered the shop. “Everyone’s downstairs. We’ll start shortly. I’m glad you could make it.”
He nodded after a quick hello and moved toward the back, where a trap door to the basement below stood open. The space in the back of the shop was too tight of a fit for her entire coven, so they usually convened in the basement. They had helped her clean it up and make it comfortable for their monthly rituals.
Serena grabbed a white-sage-and-cedar smudging stick from a table for their ceremony as voices drifted toward her. She smiled on her way to the counter to make a note of the item so she wouldn’t forget to pay for it later. Serena truly enjoyed these nights in which all her coven came together as one. A flurry of excitement and nerves bubbled in her stomach at the upcoming ceremony tonight. She’d never performed this particular one before.
“What’cha got there?”
Serena gasped at Ethan’s voice and clutched the amulet hanging between her breasts. He cupped her shoulder and dipped his head. His warmth seeped into her skin and set her insides on fire.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you!” he said, his voice apologetic. The bell chimed once more, interrupting them.
Turning their heads toward the newcomer, they found Brandy and Ryan. Ethan lowered his hand and stepped back, taking the heat of his touch with him.
“Everything okay?” Ryan asked, his eyes darting from Serena to Ethan and back.
Serena ignored Brandy’s amused expression and cocked her head toward Ethan. “He just scared the crap out of me.”
Ethan raised his hands and dropped them in defeat. “I’m not sure how. I wasn’t exactly quiet, walking along these creaky floorboards.”
Serena rolled her eyes at him and faced the adorable couple. “I’m glad you two could come. You can take Brandy downstairs. I’ll be there in a second to start.”
“How are you feeling?” Ethan asked Brandy as he followed them out.
Brandy sighed as they reached the curtains. “Much better.”
Serena leaned against the counter and shut her eyes. “Get your shit together,” she scolded herself and took a cleansing breath.
The bell chimed once more, causing her brows to narrow since she thought everyone had already arrived. “Sorry, we’re closed—Bonnie?” she asked, spotting the middle-aged woman. “I thought you were visiting with your grandkids tonight?”
“Plans changed,” she said with a shrug of her shoulders.
Serena nodded. “I’m sorry. I know you were looking forward to it. Everyone’s already here. Go on down,” she said, approaching the woman. As Serena neared the door, Bonnie moved to the back of the shop.
