Chapter 92

“Ladies,” Leland whispered.

Ann glanced in the direction he nodded. The other five stood roughly twenty feet from them. Celia looked eviler than she had at the office, which honestly didn’t surprise Ann. Bonnie looked lost. Of course, that was normal and a good thing, she supposed.

“John, you know you can’t interfere, right?” Leland stepped over to stand beside Teegan.

Ann quickly assessed Liset. She looked very focused. That probably wasn’t good for them.

“I wouldn’t dream of it, Leland.” The man sneered. “I’m just here for moral support.” His hands were moving as he spoke. Unless the man had nerve ticks, they weren’t in natural motions.

“Lee—” Wes said in a low tone.

“I feel it,” Leland said without looking away from the man beside Celia. “Teegan, the circle. Now.” He backed away from where they stood.

“And action,” Kat mumbled and moved to stand on Teegan’s other side.

“You’re going to lose this,” Celia said louder than necessary.

“Wind, I call to you for your aid.” Teegan raised her hands.

A breeze blew over Ann. She kicked off her shoes and then shrugged out of her jacket. All she wore now was a beige wrap-around dress. She needed to feel everything around her—every vibration and nuance.

“Water, heed my call, and come to me,” Teegan said in a soft voice.

Droplets of water fell on them out of nowhere.

“Mother Earth, support me in this task.”

Goosebumps covered Ann’s entire body as the power Teegan was calling moved through her.

“I have need of light from the sky.” Teegan lifted her hands, and the clouds parted, allowing the moon to be seen.

Ann inhaled slowly and took the energy into her body.

“What is she doing?” Liset sounded annoyed.

“Party tricks,” Aiysha said in an unamused tone.

Ann realized that their teachers hadn’t done their job.

“Oh, we’re going to party all right.” Kat rubbed her hands together and then opened her arms wide.

Ann watched as the ground around them moved and began to form a circle around the six descendants.

Teegan opened her arms wide. “I form this circle on this night and ask the elements near us to close it. Only allow the power from those of our ancestors—” She turned toward the other women. “Celia Barnes. Blood of Ella.”

Ann had to fight not to smile when Celia grasped what Teegan was saying.

Teegan lifted her hands again and held them in the air. “Bonnie Uxbridge. Blood of Lenora.”

Bonnie gasped.

“Liset Winslow. Blood of Jane.”

Liset growled, making Ann understand that something had happened to them from Teegan’s words.

“Ann Walters. Blood of Bridget.”

A tingling zipped along her skin. She smiled and welcomed it.

“Katalyn McFarlane. Blood of Eden.”

Teegan lowered her arms. “Myself, blood of Alana.” She took a deep breath. “Let no other magic enter.” She clapped her hands together.

“What…” Aiysha stepped forward and then struggled in place. “What have you done?”

Ann didn’t know this man, John, but he looked very unhappy right now.

“Awesome,” Mitch said. “I can’t even put my hand inside the circle.”

Ann glanced to see Wes looking pleased. Step one, she thought.

“Let’s do this.” Kat moved further away from Teegan.

Ann decided giving her a little space wouldn’t be a bad idea. She watched Liset as she stepped sideways. “This can end right now. Renounce your magic, and everyone goes home to a nice warm…” Something slapped against her hard enough that she had to take a step back to regain her balance.

“I think that’s a no from Liset,” Kat said. She didn’t even sound upset. She moved her hand in the air. From Ann’s perspective, it looked like she was making a capital L in cursive.

Liset squealed and started slapping her arms.

“Kind of sucks, doesn’t it?” Kat grinned.

Celia stepped forward, her hands raised away from her body. She sneered at Teegan. “I owe you…” She started turning in a circle. “What are you doing? Stop this.”

“No one is getting hurt tonight.” Teegan’s tone was low and serious.

Ann looked down to see the earth moving beneath her feet. She glanced over to see Bonnie was looking at her. Her lips were moving. Nausea hit her. She scoffed. “Really?” Ann blew out a breath, focusing on the words she’d used to help Kat and Teegan. “You ladies—” She raised her hand toward Bonnie. “—really need to grow beyond grade school mentality.” She twisted her hands in the air. “Sit.” She ordered much like you would to a dog. Bonnie dropped to the ground and sat. “Last chance. Renounce…” A gust of wind hit her in the face, taking her breath away.

“Never,” Celia snarled. She was still turning in a slow circle, her hands moving in every direction. Ann knew that without a solid focal point, trying to cast was going to be a useless endeavor.

Liset?” She looked at her to see she was still trying to undo whatever Kat had done to her.

“You wait. I’m going to get even.” She looked at Anna and shook her head.

Ann shrugged. “Bonnie? Last chance.” Ann had to work hard to not smile as she watched Bonnie beat her hand on the ground beside her because she couldn’t get up.

“I’m not renouncing anything.”

“Focus,” John yelled.

If that man hadn’t been beyond the boundary of the circle, she would have focused very thoroughly on him for a painful moment or two. Ann was very thankful for Wes and the other two men, who had guided them with patience.