Chapter Eight

Michael opened the door as Lisette approached.

“Change into this, over there.” He indicated a privacy screen and gave her a very skimpy top and a thong—if she could call the strings in her hand a thong.

“No robe?” She glanced at Isaiah in the shadows.

Michael turned to see what see was looking at. He shook his head. “Get used to it. You’ll be sky clad with the coven in the future.”

“So Isaiah is in the coven?”

“No, but he and Marie are close friends.” He explained.

“And Desmond?”

“Protection.”

“Makes sense. Desmond’s the man if you’re looking for protection.” She handed Marie the Tarot card. “Giselle said to give this to you.”

“Excellent.” The voodoo queen held the card up, inspecting it carefully. “Once the tattoo is placed over your witch’s mark, it will enhance your power. Michael’s complementing one will merge the power in the pendants.”

Behind the screen, Lisette removed her clothing and put on the next to nothing top and bottom, and took a deep breath before she rejoined the others.

When she emerged, she could no longer see details in the bedroom filled with smoky incense. Suddenly groggy, she called out, “M-Michael?”

“Right here, cher.” His strong presence supported her as her knees gave way. He placed her on the bed and everything turned fuzzy. Marie gave Michael instructions as he arranged Lisette face down on the bed.

“The wards are in place?” Marie asked. Michael nodded. “Then we will prepare the special ink. Isaiah, please help with the blood.”

Michael gently made a cut and took blood from Lisette’s wrist. He allowed it to drip freely into the bowl Isaiah held until the quiet man said, “Enough.” Michael cut himself and added his blood to Lisette’s in the bowl. He handed the athame to Isaiah and puzzled over the way the man’s hand trembled when the knife touched Marie’s skin. She added her own blood to the mix before adding the ink.

Then the voodoo priestess filled in Lisette’s birthmark with the spirit animals, and the pentagram became a magical masterpiece. As Michael chanted the protection spell, the power filled the room. Then something changed. His power left him, merged with Lisette’s outside their bodies, split, and returned, a blended magic. Part of her magic slammed into him and filled him with joy.

Once they completed the ceremony, he escorted his guests to the door, thanking each of them as they left.

Giselle turned and added, “The Tarot warned of a false face. You are in immediate danger. Convince her to complete the ceremony before the night is over for her own sake.”

Marie’s eyes rolled back in her head as she warned, “There is more to the bond than merging your bodies and your power. You must give of yourself.”

Desmond whispered so only Michael could hear him, “I’ll stay nearby. I sensed demon power nearby. There’s something strange about Isaiah tonight.” Then he stepped outside and the others disappeared into the night.