Chapter 68

It was then that I realised that there was not one but four other people standing within the circle,separate from those holding hands.They stood at the head of the four directions,their hands outstretched as though they were waiting for something.

The woman stood at the North I instantly recognised as Lecturer Merrin.

Celestria placed the unlit green candle in Merrin’s hands and placed her own upon the woman’s shoulders.They bowed their heads together so that their foreheads were lightly touching even as Celestria called out,“I call upon Earth from the North to join our circle.We ask that you bless us with good health and ground us as we cast our circle tonight.”

With that,she produced a long,slim lighter from the folds of her elegant black skirt and lit the green candle in Merrin’s hands.

The musky scent of earth and wildflowers suddenly began to clot in my nostrils,and I struggled to hold my concentration as Celestria returned to the table at the very centre of the circle.