Page 29 of Peacock Me Like a Hurricane (Rise of the Resistance #2)

DELILAH

I drive up to the clearing that Rafe and I set up for the ritual.

The space comes into view, and I marvel at the feeling of home that comes over me when I enter one of my sacred spaces. Breathing the air in deeply, I unload the totes of equipment we’ll need. The others will arrive soon, but at least they can appreciate the natural beauty of our site before we get ready.

The Company is built on death and destruction, but the beauty of the Rift is something to behold each day.

I’ve been doing rituals at the sacred space behind my home for years. It’s how I hide our community from the prying eyes of our enemies. That space has wards and traps all around it to keep people from entering without my permission. This space is in the open and that makes me uncomfortable, but I can’t protect it as I would my own space. The chosen have to be able to locate it and enter without our help, so I’m stuck with the edge of paranoia in my consciousness.

This is Beltane, the spring festival of fertility, and the odds are that this will be wild. I set a few little hexes at key points along the road to discourage anyone who doesn’t belong from following the path and to block unwanted outsiders. They’re watered down versions of the spell leading to the gateways to the Resistance community. That’s the best I can do to hide us for the evening.

The spell I use to cloak the Resistance Quarter is both simple and complex—which is why no one’s figured it out.

It allows for those who should be able to enter while keeping those shouldn’t from crossing the barrier. The intricacy lies in weaving the spell so that people can’t trick their way in with ‘good intentions’ or third-party invitations. There’s a little psychology and a little science woven into the magick. It took me a long time to perfect it, and due to the scale, it must be renewed once every six months.

I grunt as I lift my heavy tote bag out of the trunk. Doing another scan for unwanted guests with my beast senses, I sigh when I don’t find any. I arrived an hour earlier than I instructed the others so I can get a feel for the energy here this evening. Then I have to set up, cleanse all the items, and get myself prepared. With no one else around, I can do this the easy way.

My lips quirk as I float the bag, plastic totes, and garment bags to the space in a neat line. I’m sure it looks reminiscent of a mouse and some brooms, but it’s a hell of a lot simpler than lugging it by hand.

The air in the space is charged with anticipation. I’ve been jazzed all day myself.

Everything for tonight is freshly made or brand new except my personal tools. I anointed them for the ceremony, but I’ve had them since I was in middle school. The oils, incense, and candles were made in my kitchen. The specially blended Beltane incense and Sabbat Oil that was easy to get fresh ingredients for with the exception of the worm ruff and neroli oil. Those I sent Leo and Hex to find via a scavenger hunt through occult stores on the other side.

The specific blends are very important, and I didn’t have time to brew or grow them myself. I will next time.

Luckily, they also picked up refills for some of my supplies while they were out, so it wasn’t a complete wild goose chase. They also stopped at the florist to pick up the flowers and the fern, helped me make new candles, and bought the materials for the bonfire. Rafe went along to supervise, and true to form, he came back with two extra robes he’d picked out because we didn’t know if Sari and Amanda would have the same equipment as Lily and Calista do.

I enter the center of the space, eyeballing the distance, and measuring in my mind before creating the circle. Pulling the blanket out of the first tote, I walk out three feet from where I think the circle will end, spreading it out to lay the ingredients on. I open the second tote, placing bottles and boxes on the blanket so they won’t spill. The cedar case where my ceremonial knives—the athame and the bolline—are stored is followed by the sandalwood puzzle box containing my vials of essential oils.

Next, I set out the cardboard box of tapers, incense, and extra-long fireplace matches. That’s followed by the God and Goddess pillars, the besom, baggies full of soil, feathers, holy water, sea salt, and oak leaves. The last things I spread out are the robes—including my own.

It’s one of the few things from my past I kept when I moved here and it’s integral to this ceremony.

My robe is hand sewn and anointed with dried herbs and oils that particularly enhance my own powers. It was made by the healer of a coven that I spent time with in France during high school, and it hums with imbued enchantments that I couldn’t sense until I moved to the Rift. The two extra robes are not nearly as fancy, but they’ll do.

Once everything is ready, I prepare to cleanse and find balance within while I wait for others. This will be an interesting evening and I want to be completely prepared. Calling the Goddess into myself on this balmy Beltane night means I’m inviting her consort—the Horned God and King of May— as the honorary guest of all Beltane festivals.

I’ve read about the mating aspect of this celebration, and I hope for nothing less this evening. A reconnection with my true mate via the goddess will strengthen the ties that exist. I’ve always wondered what would happen if you mix the Rift science with traditional Earth magick, and tonight, I will find out. I can only hope that all of my powers will mesh with the Universe harmoniously so that I can accept my destiny.

The sun sinks slowly over the horizon and I glance at my phone lying on the blanket to catch the time.

Any time now, it will begin.