Free 9781631052415ShadowedSpiritBeck by Paloma Beck Page B

one another. Sadie felt an airy floating sensation and a surreal cloud of
joy carried her upward. There was a calming peace that entered her as the chanting
stopped. Not a sound was made as all of the women reveled in the moment.
    Gradually, they moved to the table where refreshments had been set out.
Adelina broke the silence. “Ladies, I believe the Goddess has blessed us with
her protection. We’ll serve our roles well and I am glad to be a part of our
circle.”
    Glasses of water were held up in toast as the women issued their
agreement with the proclamation. Tomorrow would test them all.

 
     
     
    Chapter Six
     
     
    To say
that Sadie was overwhelmed by the day would’ve been an understatement of epic
proportions. She’d never taken the time to allow the significance of their
roles as women of the Magdalena Circle to sink in. She’d ignored much of it, largely in part due to her soul sin. Her
avoidance of spiritual development driven by her soul sin of sloth suddenly
felt like more of a burden than she’d ever understood it to be.
    Now,
she relaxed in a hot bath while Granger prepared a meal for them. She wanted
nothing more than to eat and go to bed with her mate. Exhaustion was setting in
and Sadie knew she needed time alone with Granger. Today they had spent the
most time apart since mating and she felt the drain on their connection. It was
too soon to be away from one another.
    Sadie stroked her body with the soap and watched as her
powers made the candles set about jump with their flames nearly dancing for
her. She played, raising her hand to watch the fire follow her lead. It was
enchanting, these new powers. The movements were so much like conducting a
choreographed dance.
    “You, my sexy vixen, are calling to me like a siren in that
tub,” Granger grinned from his post at the doorway.
    Blushing that she’d been caught playing like a child in the bath tub, Sadie blushed. “I’m
playing with my magic. It’s so incredible.”
    Granger’s eyes took in Sadie with obvious joy and love, and
it gave her a rush of pleasure she was certain he’d sensed. “Sadie, you are incredible.
I have waited years to find you, a mate of my own, a family just for me. And now here you are. To receive such beauty and magic in
you is more than I’d ever dared to hope for. I believed when I took the work
with TEU that I wouldn’t find the time to seek my mate, but it seems fate had
its own plan for us.”
    Warmed by his words, Sadie didn’t realize her aura shifted
and the entire room lit up with brightly burning candles. Eventually, she’d be
able to control each element, but it seemed for now at least, her control over
fire was becoming quite masterful.
    She reached out her hand towards Granger, beckoning him
forward. “Come in with me.”
    With a single thought, Granger’s clothes melted away and he
stood naked before her. His impressive stature could intimidate her if she
wasn’t so confident he’d never hurt her. His arm muscles rippled with his
movement as he leaned onto the edge of the tub, placing one foot and then the
other into the tub. She couldn’t help herself as she licked her lips and
imagined feasting on her mate. He was simply magnificent surrounded by the
flickering flames, the soft lighting that played along his muscular contours.
    Their gazes connected and desire pulsed between them. The
bubbles in the bath water rose as the air around them seemed to vibrate. Sadie moved
her gaze to the pulse point at the base of his neck and found it nearly
impossible to swallow. It had been more than eighteen hours since she’d drank from her mate.
    “Are you okay?” Granger’s voice was raspy and deep.
    Sadie shook her head. No, she most certainly wasn’t okay.
She’d implode if she didn’t have him soon. Taking in a few deep breaths to steady herself , realizing no other man had ever affected her
as he did, Sadie moved onto her knees and leaned towards him. She had to touch
him.
    She rested her hands