Shadowed Summer Sun: A Monstrously Romantic Novella (The Solstice Seasons Novellas) by RE Johnson

Author:RE Johnson [Johnson, RE]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: RE Johnson Books
Published: 2023-06-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

There Is A Natural Cycle. Do Not Break It.

Cottlewick Lake’s cool water shone black against the rising full moon, which steadily crept higher into the sky until reaching its lofty peak above the center island. Midnight had somehow found the Guarded Wood, which had delivered me at the precise moment I needed to perform my Invoking.

I could see the central island clearly now, a sand bar pushing out of the water, and black trees taller even than those of the Guarded Wood jutted out of it.

Kneeling in the circle of stones I’d laid for myself, I discarded my shoes and retrieved each of the remaining tools from my pack. I was black up to the elbows now. Placing my stones around me in an arch, the wind picked up, howling through the trees like a great beast. And it was. Not wolf nor bear, but something older, darker.

The St. John’s Wort went in the center of my circle, and then I rose to call in the quarters. Walking to the east, I pulled a crow feather from my hair and held it up to the turbulent wind.

“I call upon the powers of Air. Eastern quarter of words and intellect. Guardians join my circle and bless this working.”

I walked to the south, channeling fire into my palms and igniting my bundle of sage with a flick of my fingers.

“I call upon the powers of Fire. Southern quarter of transmutation and passion. Guardians join my circle and bless this working.” The red streaks on my chest pulsed, swelling inside me like molten rock.

Moving to the west, I poured the last of my holy water into the pearlescent bowl of a shell I’d left waiting for me on the mortal side of the lake.

“I call upon the powers of Water. Western quarter of emotion and adaptability. Guardians join my circle and bless this working.”

Reaching the northern apex of my circle, I took the malachite stone that had helped to protect me from Bluestack Jack and held it together with the salt waiting for me.

“I call upon the powers of Earth. Northern quarter of grounding and strength. Guardians join my circle and bless this working.”

I returned to the center of the circle, holding my hands aloft and open to the darkening sky.

“I call upon the powers of the Cosmos. Powers of Above that contain the arching totality of the universe. Guardians join my circle and bless this working.”

Pulling my arms down and holding my hands over my heart, I closed my eyes.

“I call upon the powers of Enlightenment. Powers of Within that are at our core, connecting us to those around us and keeping our inner flames glowing bright and proud. Guardians join my circle and bless this working.”

Sinking to my knees, eyes still closed tight, I felt the air charge around me as I laid my hands on the rocky ground. Unseen Shadows coiled around my arms.

“I call upon the powers of Silence. Powers of Below,” claws found me, gripping, and everything

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