Free 9781631052415ShadowedSpiritBeck by Paloma Beck Page A

plan, along with
the roles of both the men and women, unveiled, the mood in the room turned
serious. There was certainly an underlying tension, but also the knowledge that
this group of people had everything they needed to end this uprising and see
the prophecy fulfilled.
    Once they got into the details of transport and supplies,
the women excused themselves. Davina explained as they exited, “It’s time for a
circle. It’s how we’ll prepare. You men folk carry on.” That little spitfire
Granger had watched grow up was something; he just shook his head. Whoever
claimed her would be in for a handful. Goddess bless him.
    Sadie hugged Granger, her body fitting ever so perfectly
into his. “I’ll miss you. It’s our first time apart and I’m feeling a bit edgy.
You’ll come find me soon?”
    “Yes. Call out to me if you need me. That mind thing, right,
I should be able to hear you that way,” Granger reassured her before letting
her go.
     
    * * * *
     
    Sadie
followed the other women out onto the patio that surrounded the back of the
Santucci’s main house. It had massive stone pillars and beautiful flower
gardens, but neither of those elements were what captured her attention. No,
Sadie was drawn to the magnificent mosaics set into the floor stones. They were
stunning in their detail, each unique, but seeming to belong to the set. Eleven
in total, the mosaics formed a circle around a small fountain.
    “She’s
not yet finished. Davina created these. She’s an artist,” Gracie explained when
she saw Sadie marveling at the mosaics. “The final piece is a mosaic column to
be set in the center of the fountain.”
    “It’s
incredible. She’s so talented.” Sadie had no idea Davina was an artist, and
certainly not that she was this talented.
    “I
think so,” Gracie smiled and shrugged. “Walk the stones and you’ll see each is
a representation of one of us.”
    As
Sadie made the circle, she saw each woman take position at a stone until she
found the brightest nearly calling to her. Somehow, she knew it was where she
should stand.
    She
cast a look around and took in the women surrounding her, amazed by the talents
they possessed. One by one, they touched fingertips ever so
slightly and small bursts like sparkling lightning bugs filled the air around
them. As the sun sank behind the surrounding hills and dusk claimed the day,
darkness settled slowly. The air was still and no one spoke for a long time as
they each stood and allowed their individual powers to extend outward.
    Sadie could feel the sensation of her powers mingling with the others.
When she looked up, she watched the colors merge and swirl. The scent of
burning incense someone must’ve lit was reassuring as she took deep breaths so
as not to become overwhelmed. As women of the Magdalena Circle , they had strengths of their own and when combined,
these women were mighty.
    The chanting started with the eldest women. “Come to us, Mother of all
Mothers.” Chiara and Adelina’s voices rang out loud. The vibrations that came
forth shook Sadie where she stood. She was frozen to her spot. Never had she
experienced something like this moment. Sadie assumed the power was from so
many mated women in one circle. Incredible.
    The chanting grew louder as each of her sisters joined in. She lent her
voice to the chanting as well and then saw Gracie join in after her. Above all,
Sadie heard Davina’s voice penetrate through the hum of the chanting as she called
forth to Mary Magdalena.
    “Come to us, Mother of all Mothers, and bless us. Protect us and our
mates as we open ourselves to the Prophecy of the Seven. Come to us.”
    The chanting altered to “Come to us.” The sparks of power congregated
above the circle in a brilliant ball of energy. Sadie drew her eyes upward to
regard the amazing sight before them. It was truly a demonstration of their
Goddess manifested before them.
    Their chanting grew louder, their words taking on a hum as they melded
with