Page 157 of The Blairville Legacies

We looked up at the glassed-in salon ceiling with the image of a beautiful brown-haired woman holding a bowl of fruit in her hands, her robe the colors of the earth.

Darana, the goddess of harvest offerings, daughter of Moenia.

I always tried to recognize similarities between our gods and the Greek ones, be it attributes, objects, symbols. And as always, my fingers were tingling to text with Erik about the Quatura gods.

But he would probably laugh at me, and I would not be able to explain to him where these gods had their origin.

“Habete gloriam in donis tuis.” We all repeated together as our hands touched, mine Grace’s and Margot’s.

I had gotten used to blocking out this unpleasant feeling over the last two years, even though it was getting stronger every day. Margot stroked mine with her slender fingers adorned with gold rings, and this time, I couldn’t help but wince.

As soon as we said the words, a warm yellow glowing ribbon began to circle our arms, almost like a tendril growing around us.

It seemed thicker on Grace and Amara, but not as intense a glow as it did on me and Grace. Amara had her eyes closed and her head up, as did the rest...except me and Margot.

I looked at the thin, dimly glowing band between us, then at her. Her gaze irritated me.

I looked up again, where Darana was looking down at us with her soft gaze, as if everything was all right.

Nothingwas all right.

At the same time, we released our hands again, and the bond between us disappeared as if it had never been there.

“Enjoy your meal, sisters,” Amara said, putting some of the baked potatoes on her plate. Ivy grabbed the bowl of fried onions with bright eyes, and I had to stifle a slight smile.

Blub.

My body tensed.

I hadn’t expected that.

I pulled the cell phone out of my back pants pocket and clutched it with both hands.

Blub.

“Could you please turn the sound off while we eat, Julie?” Amara asked, and I flinched, perhaps a little too startled.

No one seemed to notice except Ivy, who raised an eyebrow. I glanced at my phone.

Blub.

I felt Grace’s questioning gaze on my phone.

I felt my cheeks flush red...and my hands shaking.

I wanted to look at my display, but the fear of Amara’s punishing gaze was bigger than my curiosity.

Erik must have been waiting forever for my answer, and I sat here, putting it off until I had my peace from the others.

“Margot, I want you to set up a meeting for tomorrow, 11 pm. The moon will be at its fullest, excellent for the rite of passage.”

Margot nodded.

I felt my energy rising within me, and an overwhelming feeling spread through my chest.

I bit my tongue.

Where was this coming from all of a sudden?