“The Pagans are very organized, you know. There’s a registration table, classes, healing booths, vendor booths, a nightly ritual, and an opening and closing ceremony. It’s all very well run.”
“This is far more organized than I was expecting,” I admitted.
“Would do you some good to poke your head outside that bubble you live in,” Miss Elva remarked. I stuck my tongue out at the back of her head.
“I saw that,” Miss Elva said.
I shut my mouth as the bearded man approached our car and peered in, his eyes taking in Miss Elva’s outfit before settling on me.
“What’s her story?” he asked, motioning towards me with his clipboard. Oh sure. Miss Elva and Luna don’t get questioned, but I do. Figures.
“She’s an esteemed psychic and tarot card reader,” Luna said smoothly.
“Oh, right. She was going to come give us readings,” the man brightened.
“Ah, but I forgot my cards,” I said, holding my hands up in a too-bad motion.
“Sorry not sorry,” Rafe whispered beside me and I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.
“That’s okay, plenty of decks around here. If Horace invited you, you’re fine with us,” the man said, stepping back from the car. “You’re alright to go. Just park your car in the lot to the right here.”
“Thank you,” Luna called and drove the car to the lot, squeezing the Bug into a tiny spot near the front. “Easy getaway.”
“You worried about something, Luna?” Miss Elva asked as she hauled herself out of the car.
“Althea is.”
“What’s on your mind, girl?” Miss Elva asked.
I shrugged one shoulder, scanning the near-empty parking lot before turning to look at Miss Elva.
“There’s going to be another death. And I got a flash of you and Rafe on the beach, doing some sort of crazy magick.”
Miss Elva patted me on the shoulder.
“Don’t you worry your own mind about this stuff, honey. These things often take care of themselves.”
“That’s what I’m worried about.”
“It isn’t time for worry. For now, we celebrate the Autumnal Equinox.” Miss Elva said with a small smile.
“Did Luna tell you about Horace?” I asked, falling intostep beside Luna and Miss Elva as we made our way through the parking lot and towards the tent city.
“Yes. Said he’s a radical. That she doesn’t trust him.”
More or less. I nodded, deciding it was probably best not to talk about Horace as we entered his domain.
And what a domain it was. Once we’d begun our trek into the tent city, I was able to see that there were some clearly defined areas set up. It was easy to see the vendor area, as long tables were stretched in front of various sized tents, each table boasting goods ranging from crystals to oils to knives, staffs, and wands. Pretty much what you would expect at a festival like this.
I eyed a group of topless women sitting on the ground, chanting and playing hand-drums. I noticed that Rafe didn’t give them a second glance; he only had eyes for Miss Elva. Maybe it reallywaslove. Because by my estimation these women were well-endowed. Even I was impressed.
I could see now why Luna hadn’t wanted me to wear something basic. The fashions here ranged from scantily-clad women and men covered in body paints to full-on regalia. I’m talking cloaks, head pieces, and layers of crystals and jewelry.
We passed a group of teenagers sitting on the ground, listening intently to a woman clad in a crushed velvet cloak of cerulean blue. She was gesturing to a whiteboard with the words “Ritual Construction” labeled at the top.
“Althea should join that class,” Luna muttered and Miss Elva snorted.
“They have classes?”
