‘Let’s hope so,’ I replied. ‘We don’t have time for a dress rehearsal.’
My own Becoming ceremony was not one of my fondest memories. I was determined to ensure that wouldn’t be thecase for Lydia. Ashley and Virginia waited on either side of the copper arch at the end of the garden, woven with sweet-scented jasmine and morning glory. Time and time again, Catherine told me this ritual was supposed to be a beautiful thing. Time to see if that was true.
Lydia waited, shifting from one bare foot to the other as I passed under the arch. The blessing already alive in both of us. Magic wasn’t a limited thing to be sliced up and shared. It was infinite, expanding and deepening as it grew, new possibilities blossoming in both me and Lydia as we took our places.
I searched inside myself for the door, the one that held all the knowledge of my ancestors. I didn’t try to force it this time, only bowed my head and waited for it to open. Stop trying and know it is done. See it. Feel it. Our ancestors didn’t hesitate. They passed through the open door, filling the garden with their presence and my heart with the knowledge. Lydia couldn’t see them yet but I hoped she felt their presence, wishing even more love, even more hope, onto the latest in a long line of beloved sisters.
‘Lydia Virginia Sarah Powell,’ I said, the words flowing through me. ‘Do you accept the blessing as the blessing accepts you?’
The earth was warm beneath my feet, soothing and grounding.
‘I do,’ Lydia replied, solemn but smiling.
‘As the full moon represents wholeness and completion, we ask those who came before us to complete the Becoming and make our daughter whole,’ I said, dagger in hand. ‘We ask those who came before us to bring her into the blessing. We ask those who came before us to offer her their strength and wisdom and show her the path she must follow.’
I took a step backwards, Lydia’s cue to make her choice. Without doubt or hesitation she walked through the archwayand, above us, I saw a shower of meteorites shoot across the sky in celebration.
‘One last thing.’ I held out my hand with an ‘I’m sorry’ smile.
‘Why is there always something gross at the end?’ Lydia said, giving me the stink-eye. ‘We can’t pinky-swear instead?’
‘The sooner we get it over with, the better,’ I assured her. ‘How do you feel?’
She rolled her shoulders like her skin was the wrong size for her body.
‘Like I’m about to combust.’ Lydia immediately held out her palm. ‘Oh wow, I do not care for this part. Hurry up, slice and dice me, baby.’
‘This part does burn a little,’ I agreed. ‘Let’s not make it last longer than we need to.’
Without giving her time to think about what came next, I slashed her palm open with the dagger and did the same thing to myself, reopening the same wound I’d given myself the night before.
‘We ask those who came before us to bring her into the blessing,’ I called, raising my voice as the wind whipped up around us. ‘As whole as the moon, she will Become.’
Clasping Lydia’s hand in mine, I pulled her into me, embracing her not only as my best friend but as my sister. My blood was her blood, her life was my life. We both belonged to something bigger than ourselves now and I understood, in a very singular way, I would never be alone again.
‘I saw them,’ Lydia gasped as her knees buckled, leaning against me as Virginia rushed to our side, her eyes full of happy tears. ‘My ancestors, the other Powell witches, they were all here.’
‘Did you see my mama?’ Virginia asked, her stately dignified voice now that of a little girl. ‘Did you see Juliet?’
‘And Sarah. They’re safe and happy and they all love you so much.’
‘Then that’s all that matters.’ She wiped away Lydia’s tears while she allowed her own to fall. ‘That’s all that matters to me.’
‘And you?’ Ashley asked, pulling me away. ‘Anything?’
‘Everything,’ I breathed, so full of the blessing I thought I might float away. I ached with magic, my skin buzzed like it was on fire. The voices of a hundred sleeping witches called out to me, fading away with the wind but promising to return.
‘Then it’s time.’ Ashley drew in a deep breath and pulled me into a hug. ‘I know you always wanted a sister,’ she whispered in my ear. ‘I wish I’d known how much I needed one. Be safe.’
‘I will be,’ I promised. ‘You have everything you need?’
She nodded. ‘I won’t let you down.’
Somewhere on the other side of the city, wolves howled.
We were expected.
Shoulder to shoulder and stronger than ever, Lydia and I departed Bell House.
