Page 42 of Spelled By Truth and Tresses

Sweat beaded on my forehead as I focused all of my intention on protection, channeling it into the rings sunk deep in the chalice. Herbs, oils, and the chunk of obsidian swirled within as we chanted in unison. I glanced at Lalita, then closed my eyes. Power erupted behind my ribs, then spread like a flame on a trail of accelerant to my fingertips.

The rings vibrated within the chalice, then everythingstopped. I opened my eyes just as Lalita did, then our gazes darted to the two rings floating between us. They gently circled each other, glittering sparks of lavender and emerald magic threading through the center of the rings.

“Unholy shit. That’s phenomenal,” I said breathlessly.

“So beautiful it’s unreal,” Lalita uttered.

Lalita and I raised our linked hands beneath the rings, then turned our palms to face up. Our magic swirled faster for a moment as the colorful sparks of our magic blurred into one, then sunk into the intricate carvings on the rings. The ringslowered to our open palms, then settled. Deep green and lavender pulsed in a soft ombre glow throughout the carvings before fading to their natural silver.

We pulled our hands back, then slipped the rings onto our thumbs. Happiness bubbled in my chest as I felt Lalita’s essence along with my own in the ring. It felt right and completely natural. I honestly wondered how we survived this long withoutfurthering a link to our friendship.

CHAPTER 18

Igrit my teeth as I pulled open my drawer, then grabbed my knee-high stripy socks and pulled them on. I dressed in my black, knee-length skirt, then slipped into soft black fleece lined leggings. It was already November, and I did not relish the thought of the wind blowing up my bare legs. I sighed, then pulled on a heather gray, loose fitting t-shirt. The snarky little bookish ghost printed on the fabric always made me smile. My head poked through the neck of a black hoodie, Jax’s pine and cinnamon scent clinging to the oversized garment, then I shoved my feet into my thick soled black boots and shoved my hair into a messy braid. I pulled the neck of the hoodie up to my nose and closed my eyes as everything Jax spiraled through my mind. My clit pulsed once sharply as I remembered how his fat cock had filled me completely.

After Mother caught me at home the day after Lalita and I made our rings, she forced me to complete her blood ritual. And yet, the protection ring sitting comfortably on my thumb seemed to make Mother’s ritual weaker than normal. I watched in amazement as the ring not only partially protected me, but when the final drag of Mother’s blade parted my skin, the cut healed within seconds. In fact, the act of violence triggered all the scars on my arms to heal simultaneously. Mother was so fucking furious she locked me in my room for three days and had taken my phone.

I swore that will be the last time my mother touches me against my will. The guilt that eats at my soul must also end. Just because the woman birthed me does not mean I owe her a godsdamn thing. Sharing the same blood with someone does not equal love and family. I might’ve had that with Dad…Fuck her. I’ve found my family with Lalita, Eleanore, Jax, and now Josh, too.

My skin itched with the need to flee the toxicity of negative energy stuffed inside my mother’s house. It’s Mother’s day off from work, but I heard the lock turn early this morning before she likely went back to sleep on the couch. No doubt she thought she could lure me into a state of false security, then demand she bleed me again. I crept out of my bedroom, careful not to wake my mother, then searched for my phone. After twenty minutes, I heard a buzz from her nightstand and carefully slid it out from the drawer.

Finally.

I clutched my lifeline and then hurried down the stairs, and through the back door in the kitchen.

An owl hooted as I walked along the empty sidewalk. It was getting colder. Frost covered the roofs of the houses like an icy blanket. After several minutes, I finally reached Lalita’s dorm. The only light on in the building was hers. I couldn’t get into the building without Lalita, as I didn’t officially live there.

I quickly texted her. I’m outside, Lalita.

My body shivered as I shifted my weight from foot to foot as I waited for her by the entrance. After several minutes, the entrance door swung open.

Lalita smiled at me when my gaze met hers, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Dark circles marred the delicate skin under her eyes, and her cheeks were blotchy. Had she been crying?

“L, what’s wrong?” I asked and grabbed her hands. She burst into tears; her body was trembling. “What’s happened?”

She leaned into me and rested her head on my shoulder. “I wanted to tell you, but he threatened me.”

My magic bolted awake, and power thrummed in my core. “Who?” I asked, angrily.

She shook her head. “Thomas.”

The edges of my vision turned black, and my hands balled into fists. “What the fuck did he do to you?”

“He was so angry when he came by today and was muttering something about you and Jax at the party. He mumbled a spell under his breath and then my leg shook with pain. I think he was trying to break my leg, but the carvings on the protection ring lit up with our combined magic. I…I think he’s obsessed with you, Z.” She looked down and then I noticed it. Her leg was bruised.

“Did he succeed in breaking it?” I asked attentively.

“No.” She clarified, then a small smile spread across her lips. “Thankfully, the ring prevented most of the damage, but it’s sprained and hurts like hell.”

“I’m going to fucking kill him!” I promised. “He’s already crossed the line with me and now he dared to harm my best friend.” I squeezed my eyes shut and growled.

My eyes flashed open, the inky void behind my ribs rising and holding the black still ringing my vision in place. “I’ll be back,” I told Lalita. “Just stay indoors. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

It was 8AM when I reached Jax’s flat. I banged on the door and tapped my foot on the doormat. The door swung open revealing a sleepy-eyed Josh.

“Where’s Jax?” I demanded.

“Morning,” he drawled, then covered a yawn with the back of his hand.

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