“Well, I’m the first to shed my clothes during the moonlight rituals,” Bootsy announced proudly, puffing up her chest and drawing all eyes to her almost obscenely low-cut blouse.“It’s a pivotal role, and one I take great pride in.”
“She’s not joking either,” Kelly said.“The rest of us would just stare at one another if Bootsy wasn’t donning her birthday suit the minute the chanting started.”
Bootsy nodded and beamed at Ria.
“I’m glad you all have a place,” Ria replied, pulling her eyes from Bootsy’s chest to smile at her.“I guess I have some skill with potions.”
“Excellent,” Hailey exclaimed.“The High Matron was our only other potion-skilled witch, and with her on leave, we could definitely use your help from time to time.”
“Okay,” Ria agreed, nodding slowly.She hadn’t wanted to find herself liking these women so much, but the more she actually hung around them, the more she found herself drawn to their energy.Witches weren’t meant to be lone wolves, but Ria hadn’t planned on bonding with a bunch of people, since she didn’t intend on staying in Seacliff forever.Although maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to get to know them.Portland was only two hours away.She could always visit, maybe finally join one of those naked midnight rituals she heard so much about.
“So tell us how things have been going,” Bootsy prodded.“Weren’t you saying before you were going to offer handcasting spells on your social media page?”
Ria scooped up a palmful of sand and let it slip through her fingers.“Yeah, but I’ve only gotten one client so far.And I’m not even sure if the spell worked.”
“Why do you say that?”Jess asked, leaning forward on her knees to trace a symbol in the wet area of the beach.
“There was no sparkle.”
Jess stopped mid drawing and jerked her head up.“No what?”
Ria glanced at the four very confused faces staring at her.“Um, you know, when you handcast a spell and there’s a little glow around the subject?”
“Oh,” they all replied in unison.
“You’re talking about the Goddess’s essence,” Jess said, returning to her drawing.“Why would you think her essence would appear in a destiny spell?”
“I guess because every other time I did a handcasting there was a little glow?”
“Oof.”Jess shook her head and sat back on her haunches to evaluate the triquetra she’d drawn.“Girl, you need to cast more.The Goddess only shares her essence in transmutation spells.”She shifted her body to face Ria.“Those are when you change the physical form of something.”
“Yeah,” Bootsy confirmed.“A destiny spell is a form of divination magic with maybe a touch of conjuration.There would be no, uh, what did you call it?”
“Sparkle?”
“Yeah,” Bootsy replied, clearly trying to stifle a giggle.“No sparkle with guiding spells.”
“Oh, okay,” Ria said, dropping her face toward the sand to hide her blush.If she had a dollar for every time she got embarrassed lately, she wouldn’t need to sell her magic.“So then, maybe it worked.The woman told me she would let me know, but I haven’t heard anything.”
“These spells can take time,” Jess said, frowning as the surf rolled in and erased her symbol.“And if it doesn’t work out, you could always try a ritual instead.If I remember correctly, there’s one that’s similar to the handcasting.”
Ria let out a self-deprecating chuckle.“Yeah, I think I’m worse at rituals than I am at casting.Too many moving parts to remember.”
“Understandable,” Jess replied.“Still, I wouldn’t fret yet.You’ll probably hear from her soon with good news.”
As if Jess’s words caught Hecate’s ear, Ria’s phone dinged, and all eyes darted to her.She pulled her cell from the pocket of her gray shorts to check who would be messaging her so early in the morning.
LISSA:Hey, no movement on spell yet.My friend said I should go to Pride in PDX this weekend.Would you want to come?
LISSA:Just to, like, guide me in case I’m fighting the spell or something.
Ria slowly raised her head to stare at Jess.“I’d ask if you were a witch with that timing, but I already know you are.This text is from her.”
“Ooh, what did she say?”Bootsy demanded, trying to snatch Ria’s phone from her hand.
Clutching the device to her chest, Ria said, “Nothing on the spell yet, but she wants me to go with her to Pride for guidance.”She nibbled on her lower lip for a second.“I don’t know what to say…”
“Wait, is your first client a lesbian too?”Bootsy asked.“What’s her name?I know every lesbian in Seacliff.”
