Free The Bloodstone Oracle (The Dark Gifts Companions) by Willow Cross

The Bloodstone Oracle
    Chapter One
    The shrill moan of a Penny Whistle wailed in perfect harmony with the ethereal melody of a violin. The woodland clearing teamed with flickering lights as flames from the stone-encased fire ring licked higher into the sky, casting dancing shadows against the trees.   In unison, five women surrounding the ring stepped forward.  Their hips swayed back and forth in rhythm to the slowly beating drum.  Beat by beat, they made their way around the bonfire with cadenced precision as a large cloaked figure chanted.  His hands held a small stone that glimmered as he raised it toward the full moon. 
    As one, the music and chanting grew louder.  Inside the stone ring, the blaze intensified and spewed crackling sparks of blue high into the air.  Without warning, the musicians ceased their doleful refrain.  Gusts of wind whipped through the clearing with tornadic frenzy, sending bits of dust and dry leaves airborne.  And as quickly as it had begun it was over.  Silence permeated the area.
    The cloaked figure sighed and lowered his hands.  “It is done.  The power resides within.”
    Another moment of silence passed before one of the women raised her fist and let out a warbling war cry. 
    Smiles greeted the faces of the coven and nervous laughter filtered throughout the group.
    The eldest of the women placed a hand on the cloaked figure’s arm.  “Will it be enough, Damien?”
    His broad shoulders sagged ever so slightly as he sighed and made eye contact with the red-haired beauty on the far side of the fire ring.  “ It must.”  Then smiling, he straightened his stance.  “Yes.  Of course it will, Edana.  No matter what befalls the rest of us, Marie will be safe.”
    Edana returned his smile and motioned to the small group.  “Come, come!  All is ready.  Regardless of Kiana’s power, the Sardonyx will be useless against the Bloodstone.  Our line will not end.”
    ***
    Damien grunted as he gave the copper wire binding the Bloodstone one last turn.  “And it’s done.”  A satisfied smile spread across his face.  “Just one more thing and then you can wear it.”  Pulling a long leather cord from his pocket, he laced it through the small loop he’d created at the top of the pendant and tied the two ends together.
    Gently placing it over Marie’s head, he lifted her mass of auburn locks , pulling them out and away from the thin strap. 
    She smiled up at him for just a moment before her expression became serious.  “Are you ready?”
    He winked and gave a short nod.
    Sighing, Marie clasped the pendant hanging from her neck and whispered, “Tabhair Chun.”  The words had barely crossed her lips when the Bloodstone flared to life.  Bright red, pulsating streams of light surged through the cracks of her fingers.  A low hum echoed throughout the woodland clearing, sending small animals scurrying into the brush and quieting insects and birds.  Luminescent, crimson tentacles moved about her touching on trees and brush before shooting straight up.  As if reaching a glass ceiling, the light stopped 6 feet above her head and refracted down around her, bathing her with a blood-red glow. 
    The humming grew louder , causing everything in the small clearing to vibrate in perfect synchronicity.  Marie’s eyes became dazed and unfocused as she lifted from the ground.  Her mouth opened in a silent scream, and before Damien could take a step towards her, the light swept into the gaping entrance with such force her body shuddered violently.  When the last bit of illumination disappeared, Marie’s limp body dropped to the ground with a thud.
    Damien nearly flew the few steps to where she lay.  Reaching down to gather her in his arms, he paused midway.  Scarlet tendrils zigzagged over her flesh like miniature flashes of lightening for several seconds before dissolving into the visible parts of her skin. 
    “Darling, wake up,” he enticed.
    Her eyelids fluttered a