Taming the Lion by Elizabeth Coldwell

Author:Elizabeth Coldwell
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Erotic Romance Fiction
Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing
Published: 2015-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

* * * *

Kaspar sat in silence for most of the journey back into Bath. Jon wondered whether he was feeling guilty about bringing such an abrupt end to their date by agreeing to go into work. He took his gaze away from the road ahead long enough to say, “Is something troubling you?”

“Not really. But I can’t help thinking about the standing stones. I get that they were a place of worship but why anyone would choose to believe in a lion god?”

“Well, the lion actually has a place in quite a number of religions. To the ancient Egyptians, it acted as a symbol of war, while to the Hindus it offered protection in time of need. But what all these different deities have in common is that they were admired for their strength and power. And it’s not too surprising that the lion was venerated in this part of the country. The animal’s been associated with Bath pretty much since the city was founded.”

Kaspar said nothing. The people here must have known of his kind when they’d raised the circle of stones. Far from seeking to hunt the shifters down, as the citizens of Amsterdam had done, they’d actively worshiped them.

“So what happened to the pagans?”

“When the Romans invaded, they brought their own ideas and beliefs with them, and gradually Britain became a Christian country. Oh, the Vikings had a go at establishing their particular brand of religion here, of course, but over time, most of the pagan gods were forgotten about. In the last hundred years or so, though, there’s been a serious revival of paganism.”

“Really?”

“Yes, although a lot of pagans practicing today like to call themselves Wiccans, which isn’t quite the same thing. Wicca has more of an emphasis on elements of classical magic and witchcraft. A lot of teenage girls get into it because they like the idea of being able to cast love spells, or they’ve read too many books about moody, sexy vampires or some such nonsense.”

“You don’t sound like you approve.”

“Kaspar, if people want to have any kind of religion or none at all, that’s fine by me. I know that spiritual beliefs can offer comfort and certainty or help people make sense of a world they don’t understand. I just don’t like it when it becomes a fad, or when it’s used as a means of persecuting others.” He let out a heavy breath. “Sorry, I’m getting on my soapbox, aren’t I?”

“That’s okay. But do you think there’s any possibility the Foolish Brothers are being used as a place of worship after so many years?”

Whatever Kaspar had felt when he’d been close to the standing stones, it had obviously spooked him. Seeking to offer reassurance, Jon replied, “I honestly couldn’t say, but I doubt it. It’s never been a site of major significance in the wider pagan world, not like Stonehenge. And I firmly believe most of the accounts of what’s supposed to have happened at Stanton Combe were made up. I have a book in my office at the university that I could lend you.

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