Page 43 of Autumn L.A.W

They laughed softly, the sound carrying into the woods.

Rayna closed her eyes. She thought of Sahara standing in sunlit sand, glyphs etched true at last. And of Lioness, sitting at a bedside, stubborn as gravity.

“May those who walk different paths tonight be protected,” Rayna said. “And may they find their way back to us when the time is right.”

The fire flared in answer. The altar glowed warm and steady.

“Let’s start,” Rayna said. She lit the incense, then walked the circle three times, pointing her wand over all their heads. “I cast and charge this circle to protect us from all negative and incorrect forces and energies that may come to do us harm. I draw into this circle only the aspects and energies of the universe that are most correct for our ritual intentions. I cast this circle and create sacred space.”

Everyone answered, “So mote it be.”

Joell lit the first candle on the altar. Then she faced North and said, “Hail powers of the North; the power of Earth, wood nymphs, stone mountains, and trees. Hail and welcome.”

All the witches answered, “Hail and welcome!”

Magda lit the next candle and said, “Hail, powers of the East; The powers of air, fairies, birds, and song. Hail and welcome.”

“Hail and welcome!”

Rayna lit the third candle. “Hail, powers of the South; The powers of fire, hot sun, passion, and flames. Hail and welcome.”

“Hail and welcome!”

Finally, Crystal lit the candle representing the West. “Hail, powers of the West. The power of water, emotion, healing, and love. Hail and welcome.”

“Hail and Welcome!”

They took a moment to watch the flames grow steadily, even in the mountain breeze. “All right, everyone,” Rayna said. “Mabon marks the second harvest. Prosperity, balance, release, and gratitude.”

“Who wants to start a spell with their intentions?”

“I think we all want the same thing right now,” Brianna said.

Rayna nodded, but just to be sure, she asked, “You mean safety for our missing witch sisters?”

“Yes, and may the Goddess bring them back to us when they have successfully completed their missions.”

The rest of them nodded or murmured, “Yes,” or “Absolutely.”

“Not that they need luck or anything. We know they’re bad-ass witches who can take care of themselves,” Rayna said.

“Oh, of course,” the rest agreed.

“True, but look after them anyway, Goddess. Won’t you?” Brianna said.

Without needing to add another thing, Rayna said, “So mote it be.”

“So mote it be,” they all said at once. Silent reflection and visualization followed.

Above them, autumn settled in.

And the wheel of the year turned.

CHAPTER 11

The shipping container rose into the gray morning like a sacrificial offering to the god of cranes.

Sahara Nadir watched it sway above the wharf, every muscle wound tight. Chains rattled. Steel groaned. Somewhere between the thin metal walls and industrial paint was the real problem: a carved wooden crate wrapped in sigils and reinforced bolts. Inside that, the fractured heart of an ancient obelisk. Inside that, a presence that had learned her name.