Page 89 of A Time of Witches

Lilith

Lilith ran her fingers over that poignant line in the grimoire.

After all, it is not uncertainty which shows a path, but confidence.

She had become lost in the grimoire after that, learning about the phases of the moon, how great power could be achieved when it was full and bright, and how a dark new moon was ideal for setting intention.

There had been in-depth detail on how colors aided charms, with white for purification and cleansing; red for courage, passion, and power; and information about every color of the rainbow in between.

There were runes, and crystals, and herbs—each with its own purpose. At the end of each entry, Lilith found the ingredients for charms that encompassed anything she might need from good health to prosperity, as well as love and protection.

On and on, she read, pausing only to feed Dragon.

She read until the knowledge cramped in her brain, yearning to unfurl and stretch into the world.

A nudge at her calf pulled her from the text.

She startled and looked down, seeing Dragon gazing up at her, his green eyes almost luminescent. He gave a quiet coo and trotted to the door where he pawed impatiently.

Lilith opened the door, and he tore off. When she did not follow, he stopped and looked back impatiently at her.

“I guess you want me to come too?” she asked.

He blinked at her.

Compelled by instinct, she quickly scooped up the remaining stones from the table and a few herbs, tucking them into her pockets.

Dragon waited for her by the doorway, then resumed his steady gait from the library.

The house was dark, the moonlight muted where it valiantly attempted to stream through the dusty windows, revealing a dizzying mix of past and present that made her headache throb back to life.

She thought back to the grimoire’s words as she followed Dragon.

Confidence was needed.

Lord, she was lacking that…

A glance at her phone indicated it was well past midnight. The ideal time for charms for banishing, healing, and self enhancement.

She shoved aside her doubt and hoped the fake-it-till-you-make-it confidence would work for now.

The force of the moon welcomed her outside, waning gibbous, with vitality radiating from its half-shielded face, leaving Lilith with a sense of quiet power.

Dragon turned in the opposite direction from the bed and breakfast, where they ought to be heading, and continued onward.

Lilith hesitated. “You’re going the wrong way, you silly thing.”

Dragon stopped and sat, eyes narrowing to slits.

Well, he certainly knew how to get what he wanted.

And color her a sucker, because she didn’t hesitate to join him as he so clearly intended.

He didn’t move when she approached but batted at her shoelaces instead.

Ah, yes, she was supposed to press her bare feet to the earth.

Lilith toed off her shoes and tugged off her socks. As soon as her naked soles connected with the ground, something loosened inside her that she hadn’t realized had been curled up and withdrawn.