Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“Shall we?” Lee says, placing her hand on the book.
“The caves will open from here?”
“Yes, you all can learn of our heritage and how to tap into your own magic.”
“Let’s go,” Taylor says, rubbing her hands together.
“Go where?” Reilly asks as he steps into the kitchen.
We all groan. Taylor and Billy drop their heads to the table. I palm my forehead as Venus mutters to herself.
“You would think the man never had pussy before. For the love of the gods.”
“Ugh, right? At least we have the book. We’re making progress.”
“Meet me in the training gym in the morning. He goes out to look for the hunters with a team. I will be free then,” Lee whispers.
I look down at Avionne and her eyes flash with a glow. I smile at her and tap the tip of her nose. “I know, cutie. It will all work itself out,” I coo.
Hall of Sirens
I walk over to my sisters as they all stand by the wall in the training room. It’s early and my stomach has been acting funny this morning, but I suck it up and push forward.
“Okay, Blossom is babysitting. I have to be back before her chores start,” I say as I come to a stop before them.
“Here, you are still the eldest. You will need to open the caves this first time,” Lee says, handing over The Book of Paths.
I look down at the gold-gilded book. It has a teal center that lights up as soon as it’s placed in my palms. It’s so beautiful. I can feel the power that’s coming from it.
“Is there something I should do?”
“Say the words,” Venus says.
“What words?”
“We are the truth. We are here,” Lee says.
A light goes off and the words come right to me. “The answers appear when the truth is near,” I say.
The room shakes a little and a door appears in the wall we’re standing in front of. We all look around at each other with our mouths hanging open. Lee Ann shrugs and smiles back at us.
The stone-looking door rolls back. I move forward cautiously. Sconces on the walls come on to light the way. I take the first step down. I’m in awe as the winding stone steps lead down.
To where? I still don’t know, but I don’t get a vibe as if it’s dangerous. In fact, I feel welcome. It’s like coming home.
As if this place has been waiting. We get to the bottom and more sconces come on. The book in my hands begins to glow brighter as the podium that sits between the archways that surround us lights up.
“Place it down,” Lee says.
I move to the podium and place the book over it. It floats and hovers for a moment before it drifts down. It flips open as it settles into place. Lee comes to look over my shoulder.
“The book and the caves always reveal our heart’s desire for knowledge,” Venus says. “Our hearts just have to ask the right questions and have pure intentions.”
I look down at the page the book has opened to and read the title at the top. My eyes widen. Kendrick was on to something.
“Fire sirens. The Council of the Phoenix,” Taylor reads aloud.
“What does that mean?” Billy asks.
“It’s our ancestral bloodline. We are more than witches of study. We’re not actually witches at all.
“Not really. The Pumua tribe, which our father was from, was a coven of studying witches. It was his mother who passed the teachings down to us.
“That’s the coven we lost. Our mother was of the fire sirens. Born of ash, risen through song.
“Ray, Venus should remember that The Book of Paths didn’t come to us by way of our grandmother. Mother was the one to bring us down here the first time, right before the attack. I believe that was on purpose. She knew what was coming.”
“Yes, I remember that. It was a few days before the soldiers raided. It was how I knew where to hide and get us all to safety. It saved our lives,” Venus says.
“Yes, she remembers,” I say.
Lee nods and continues. “We were reborn. Our gift of the phoenix allowed for that. However, for something like this, a sacrifice is demanded. Venus didn’t give her sacrifice. I believe that’s why she’s stuck.”
“A life for a life,” Venus murmurs sadly. “It was a part of the incantation. How could I be so stupid?”
“How do we fix it?”
“That I do not know yet. I’ve been thinking all night. You were chosen for a reason. You are powerful and you have so much further to go, but I don’t think that’s possible with Venus clinging to you.
“What we need to do is call forth the answers we need while down here. We can look for a solution in hopes of setting her free. Close your eyes and think of the answers you need. The caves will bring them to you,” Lee instructs.