I gasped as I felt Horace fire a bolt of energy directly at me. It was much like what he’d done earlier, but tenfold the power this time. I finally realized what he was trying to do.
“He’s trying to steal everyone’s powers,” I gasped, throwing my mental shield up as well as holding the protective donut strong. This was beyond ridiculous, Ithought as a trickle of sweat snaked down my neck and beneath my dress.
“A psychic vampire,” Miss Elva hissed.
“He’s trying to steal our powersandsummon powers from below. We’d better step back, now,” Luna insisted, as Horace’s eyes rolled back in his head and he began to speak in tongues, guttural snorts and spittle frothing from his mouth.
I found myself unable to look away as we pressed backwards into the crowd, allowing ourselves to be swallowed by the people. This time, the crowd murmured angrily amongst themselves and a low rumble of protest began as Horace continued to dance.
“What’s happening?” I asked Miss Elva.
“He was supposed to draw down the moon. It’s a ceremony used to contact one of the Goddesses. Instead he’s trying to take the power of those in the circle and of a demon. His ego has gotten the better of him.”
I gasped and whipped my head around. “Luna! We broke the circle!”
“It’s okay, I’ve got us,” Luna said, biting her bottom lip as sweat poured over her brow. I was momentarily distracted. Luna never sweats.
The earth began to tremble beneath our feet and I won’t lie, I shrieked.
“Hold your protection,” Miss Elva shouted and I focused.
“Harm none, harm none, harm none,” I chanted, out loud this time, not caring who heard me.
The earth shook, like an honest to god earthquake, andsplit. A flash of light, far brighter than any lightning, blinded us, causing the crowd to scream.
Silence fell over the entire assembly for a single second.
“Run,” Luna shouted.
And run we did.
Chapter Twenty
It’s notlikeI’m totally out of shape, but by the time we got to the car, I kind of felt like I was going to throw up. I’m blaming it on the humidity.
“What the hell was that?” I shrieked, as Luna floored her Bug past the surprised man sitting at the registration table. Yes, that was twice in one day that I’d shrieked. Let’s not dwell on it too much.
“That man is out of his damn mind,” Miss Elva puffed from the front seat, waving her hands at her face to cool herself down. Luna hit the button for the air conditioner as we barreled down the gravel road away from the festival.
“Are you all right, my lovemountain?” Rafe asked and Miss Elva chuckled.
“I like having him around,” she decided.
“He’s all yours,” I insisted and Miss Elva laughed again.
“Luna, what happened back there?” I asked, my breathing beginning to return to a slightly more normal pace, though my back was sticky with sweat.
“He tried to take our power. Pretty much like you said – a psychic vampire who feeds on power.”
“But what about the summoning the dark underlords thing?” I asked, pushing my hair back from my face.
“I think he tried to cover what he was doing with a ‘draw down the moon’ ritual. Usually the ritual is considered quite holy and beautiful, a way to connect with the Goddess Diana or one of the other goddesses. I’ve been present for a few, and found them to be really lovely,” Luna said, checking her rearview mirror.
“This was not lovely.”
“No, what he was trying to do was take power. From us. From the crowd. And from those below,” Miss Elva said ominously.
“Why would someone do that?”
