Page 26 of Captivating Magic

The process consisted of wreathing salt around the altar and placing white pillar candles in a pentagram shape inside the mineral barrier. The wicks flared to life with a mere wave of Alastair’s hand, causing Ebba to doubt her sanity. Surely this was all a bizarre dream, or someone had slipped her ’shrooms and she was tripping dinosaur balls.

Their first spell was to reveal Ebba’s spirit to the group so they could see and hear her, allowing her to participate in the discussion and decision-making. Next came the call for the Goddess.

“Goddess,hear our plea.

Assist us in this time of need.

Come, Exalted One, we need thee.”

A lineof eye-popping white light materialized above the stone slab, growing in size until roughly seven feet tall. The line flared brighter, causing Ebba to shield her face or sear her retinas, and when she felt the pulsing heat die down, she dared to peek.

A petite woman with olive-toned skin and waist-length black hair stepped through what could only be construed as a veil opening between worlds or planes. Ebba didn’t know which. The female was dressed in a flowing teal dress loosely gathered below her breasts and held up at the shoulders with jeweled clips. Golden asps were wrapped around each bicep, emphasizing her toned arms. Her features were perfectly symmetrical, and her nose was what every woman who sought a plastic surgeon hoped to achieve. All-knowing eyes were lined with black kohl, adding to her exotic good looks.

She was a living goddess and the most beautiful woman Ebba had ever seen.

Their gazes locked as Isis floated down from the altar and sashayed her way to Alastair.

The men dropped to one knee and bowed, not daring to address the Goddess until she spoke.

“Beloved.”

“Exalted One,” Alastair replied, smiling at her with devastating charm. “Thank you for gracing us with your presence.”

She cast another glance Ebba’s way. “Why is this mortal child here, and why is she not showing me the proper respect?”

Panicked, Ebba dropped to her knees and bowed her head.

“Apologies, Exalted One,” she gushed.

“Clever girl,” Isis murmured, moving to stand above her. “You may rise and tell me why two of my favorite rascals have summoned me.”

“That’s my fault—” Castor began, only to stop when she held up a hand.

“I didn’t ask you, Alexander. I asked this child.”

Lo met Ebba’s worried gaze and nodded his encouragement.

After climbing to her feet, she lifted her chin and inhaled deeply. Upon the exhalation, she relayed the story to the Goddess, leaving nothing out.

“Death is now demanding Lo—that’s Laszlo—deliver both Spencer and me to her within two days,” Ebba said in conclusion. Girding her loins for the ask, she gulped down her trepidation. “Can you help us?”

“No.”

Laszlo sucked in air so quickly he coughed, capturing Isis’s notice.

“Laszlo Thorne. I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure of meeting in person.”

Red-faced from his fit, he shook his head. “No, ma’am.”

Kohl-lined eyes narrowed as Isis looked between them.

“Not lovers…yet,” she murmured. “I’d say mere friends, but your exchanges are filled with heat, and your auras continually shift. There is more to your relationship than it would first appear.”

Uncomfortable under the Goddess’s regard and unable to meet Lo’s gaze, Ebba cast a quick glance at the other men. Castor appeared amused, and Alastair, well, he was positively gloating as if proven correct.

“Exalted One, may I be so bold as to ask why?” Lo redirected everyone’s focus to her denial, and Ebba could’ve kissed him for his timely intervention.

Black brows rose, and Isis’s luscious mouth curled ever so slightly. “Being bold is a Thorne trait.” She gestured for them all to rise and led the procession to the altar, snuffing candles with nothing more than a wave of her hand as she passed. “Why bother with all the pomp and ceremony of a protective circle, Alastair? You know it’s not needed to summon me.”

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