In the murky darkness of an abandoned warehouse, a man’s footsteps echo across the concrete floor. He is the first to arrive but, as leader, he expected to be. He snaps his fingers. The sound bounces around the corrugated metal walls – and a flickering light appears, dancing at his fingertips. The purple stone of the ring the man always wears reflects the light of the flame. He lowers the small fire to a waiting candlewick, and then goes to light the others. Soon, a circle of light surrounds him. A voice behind him causes him to pause, but as he turns, he smiles.
‘Aradia,’ he says, greeting the tall, beautiful woman who has joined him within the circle. Her curtain of red hair glows in the low light.
She stops for a moment, surprised.
‘Varick.’ She nods respectfully, her voice low, velvety. ‘So, is it only our Craft names we must use from now on?’
‘I think it prudent,’ the man replies. ‘Where are the others?’
‘They follow presently,’ Aradia replies. As she speaks, three others file in and their coven is complete. Two men – one thin and lanky with close-cropped, white hair; the other shorter and more youthful, his broad shoulders strong. With them is one other woman. The wrinkles in her dark, worn skin are more exaggerated in the shadowy light, but her violet eyes glint with alertness. Varick eyes the group carefully.
‘Brothers and sisters,’ he begins, ‘the Shadowing falls on our mortal world once more.’
The other coven members nod silently, their faces expectant. They know there is more to come.
‘Our master awaits us,’ Varick continues. ‘For a century, he has waited. The Fetch all but completed his mission to eliminate the chime children, as we had summoned him to do. And now, the moment has finally arrived. This time, the Demon Lord will not await the thirteen moons to make his attempt to break through. This time, he has our coven on his side. Mortal and Netherworld are united. If our task is successful . . .’ He pauses. ‘When we are successful, it will lead to power untold. I trust you are all aware of what we must do?’
‘We are,’ they chorus.
Varick smiles slowly. ‘Very well. Then let us prepare . . .’