The ASCENSION

Standing alone outside the local grocery store on Luther Road, Raidho leaned against the side of the family’s new truck, once again lost in the deep, dark recesses of his thoughts. He blew smoke from his cigarette and stared absently at the automatic doors as people entered and exited the building. Every time they opened, he caught whiffs of the delicious fried chicken the store sold at the deli counter.

It was just after two in the afternoon, a time chosen purposely for the smaller crowds and lack of office workers on their lunch breaks. Since the warning his sister had previously received from the ethereal realm, the Wolf Coven had been teaming up and using the buddy system when it came to their Queen. It had been a few months since they’d helped save their fellow coven member’s nephew from a gunshot wound, but the boy’s clear warning of expected danger still hovered over their heads. The words She is coming were always in the back of everyone’s minds.

Pulled from his deep, contemplative state by a familiar voice, Raidho looked over as Stacy, his fellow coven member, greeted him. “Well, hello, stranger.”

Raidho blew out the puff of smoke he’d just taken from his cigarette before reaching an arm around her waist and giving her a kiss. “What are you doing here?” he asked, leaning in for another.

“Mmm, now that’s how you say hello, is it?” she chuckled. “I’m here to buy the alcohol for my famous witches’ brew for tonight’s coven party. What are you doing standing out here all alone? You know the groceries are in the store, not out in the parking lot, right?”

“I know where the groceries are,” he confirmed. “Star and Akash are inside getting what they need for a dish they’re making for tonight. I’m just the chauffeur.”

Stacy took a step back, an expression of surprise clearly written across her face. “Does that mean Star and Akash are staying home, or are they finally going to a party?”

There was a twinkle in his eye as he flashed her a provocative smile and pulled her back to him. “That means they’re finally going to a coven gathering. Now, what time am I picking you up, Beautiful?” He leaned down for another kiss.

The spring equinox—Ostara—party was set to happen at their fellow coven member David Chillner’s house this year. The entire familial coven was expected to be there, including every member of the Wolf Coven. However, since Starshine and her brother Moondust had their Awakening nearly a year ago, the Queen had not attended any get-togethers. Not wanting to call attention to herself or be treated any differently than before was the excuse she continually gave. Akash’s return to a solid physical form from the ethereal realm was another reason for her lack of participation. It sounded like tonight would be the official unveiling of their new Queen and their once-departed fellow coven member.

Stacy reached over and plucked the cigarette from Raidho’s hand so she could take a drag before handing it back. “How about five?”

“Five it is,” he assured her, leaning in for another kiss. When he looked up, he saw Star and Akash standing behind Stacy, watching them with grins stretched ear to ear.

“Are we interrupting?” Star asked sarcastically.

“I think we are,” Akash affirmed. “Maybe we should drive home and leave these two to their own devices?”

“Yeah, good luck with that,” Raidho shot back. “I have the keys.” He held them up for show.

Without Star making a single move, the truck started. “I don’t need keys,” she giggled.

Raidho tilted his head to the side and raised an eyebrow, clearly unamused. “Not funny, Shiny.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Stacy said, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I think it was.”

“Do not encourage her,” Raidho demanded as he began tickling Stacy’s side.

Stacy let out a squeal while walking backward toward the store. “I’m out!” she exclaimed. “I’ll see y’all tonight at the party.” She waved goodbye, then turned and walked inside.

Once the three of them were alone, Raidho turned his attention to his sister. “You know, these ticklers can work on you too,” he said with a sinister grin.

Star let out a screech and tried to hide behind Akash, but her brother was too fast for her attempted escape. He grabbed her around the waist with one arm and lifted her into the air, hoisting her over his shoulder. “Don’t ever think you can get away from me, Little Sister!” he growled in her ear as he carried her to the truck door. Once they were inside, they headed to the ranch to prepare for the night’s festivities.

There was a lot of construction going on at the old farmhouse when they pulled into the turnout. Ever since Algiz proposed to Kai, there had been nothing but renovations and building at the ranch. Star had been happy to offer the master bedroom to the new couple, but she was adamantly turned down by all the brothers, as well as Kai herself. Instead, Algiz and Raidho hired an architect to redesign the farmhouse and add an entire suite just off the living room for the two of them.

William had found a nice plot of land about a mile up the road on the Erdriech property to build his house. He had chosen a classic cottage-style home that was in its final stages of completion. Algiz and Wynono made sure to clear a private driveway to his abode, while Star marked out a path in the rear so she could ride her horse up to the back door. He had moved out of the guest room over a week ago in preparation for the newest trainer coming to instruct Star. It had been a bittersweet moment that left them both teary-eyed.

After Wynono and his siblings decided to stay on the ranch, their father sent his own architect to design and build a beautiful house reminiscent of the one back home. The brothers had discovered their own magickal plot of land on the farm, just on the other side of the coven’s private ceremony site. Construction had been going on for quite some time now, and it was only halfway finished. The boys liked to joke that their father had made sure to incorporate a couple of extra rooms into the design plan for himself and future grandkids. For now, they were continuing to stay in the fifth-wheel horse trailer with living quarters, though they did have more room since their sister had moved out.

As soon as the trio arrived back home, Akash and Star began working on the pasta salad they were planning to bring to the party. Star was in the middle of checking on the boiling noodles when she heard a voice calling out a greeting from the front entryway. For a moment, she froze in place, thinking it might be one of the workers who had gotten lost, but she quickly realized she was wrong when Chaz peeked around the corner of the kitchen. He was one of the witches from Texas whose powers had been stolen by Steven Alveni and later returned by the Wolf Coven.

At the sight of their old friend, Star immediately dropped the pasta ladle she’d been holding onto the floor. With a burst of excitement, she began jumping up and down before running over to wrap him in a welcoming hug.

“Oh my God!” she yelled, her exuberance echoing throughout the house. “What are you doing here?”

Chaz carried an energy that screamed confidence, much different from the day they’d first met. Star ran her hand across the dark scruff of his face. “I like this,” she said, taking a step back to inspect him.

He was dressed in a black T-shirt with the front tucked into his blue jeans behind a gleaming silver belt buckle. A black ball cap turned backward on his head complemented his rugged appearance. He seemed so happy and healthy that Star couldn’t resist giving him another hug.

He clearly found her excitement joyful and laughed at her thorough inspection. “I came to visit William for a few days, now that he has his own place,” he explained. Then he reached over to Akash to shake his hand and pull him into a quick hug. “I hope you don’t mind. I thought I’d stop by and say hello.”

“How could I mind?” Star asked earnestly. “I knew you two were getting close! Are you going to the party tonight?”

“Yeah, I thought I’d go. Might be fun to see how y’all knees-up here in Cali.” His Texas accent seemed more prominent to her now that she wasn’t surrounded by Texans.

“Well, I hope you plan on staying up late, because this coven doesn’t sleep on nights like tonight,” Akash warned.

“We weren’t planning on doing a whole lot of sleeping,” William said as he walked in through the back door. He flashed a wink and a smile at Chaz.

Raidho made his way into the kitchen, looking for taste-sampling opportunities, and was gravely disappointed when there were none to be had. He’d overheard William’s comment and decided he needed to introduce himself to their new guest. “Now, now, no talk like that in this house unless I know who you are,” he said, extending his hand to Chaz.

“Hello, Sir. You must be Raidho. I’m Chaz,” he said, accepting Raidho’s greeting.

“Sir, huh?” Raidho laughed. “I do like a Texan’s manners. Call me Ray.” He leaned against the countertop and crossed his arms while giving their new friend a thorough once-over. “So, tell me a bit about yourself, Chaz.”

“Ray!” Star scolded him. “Stop that! You can’t interrogate him.”

“If he’s going to be getting into a relationship with our William, then that’s exactly what I can do,” he corrected her, continuing to wait for an answer.

William blushed at the big-brother protection he was receiving from Raidho. He had always thought it would be wonderful to have an older sibling to vet his dates for him, but it was never meant to be—until now, apparently. Focusing on Chaz, he shared a timid smile and shrugged.

Chaz cleared his throat and hooked his thumbs into the loops of his jeans before speaking. “Well, Sir, I’m not sure what you want to know that you don’t already. You know what coven I come from and what my gifts are. I suppose I could tell you both my parents are still alive. I have an older sister and a younger brother. I do rodeo quite a bit, mostly saddle bronc, but I do some bull riding from time to time.”

Raidho narrowed his eyes at him in an attempt to intimidate. “And relationships? How many others have you had?”

Chaz squared his shoulders and cleared his throat again before answering. “Now, that’s a bit more personal, but I’ll answer it. You already know about Steven, which was my first relationship where I thought I was in love. Otherwise, there have only been two others, and they weren’t about love.”

“You know, we have the Red Bluff Round-Up going on next weekend,” Star said cheerily, trying to change the subject. “Are you participating?”

All eyes shifted to Chaz for his response. “No. I have a few friends who are, though. I’ll be there helping them out. I heard y’all have some dedicated seats?”

“We’ll be there!” she said excitedly. “Are these friends from your coven, or…”

Chaz dimpled at what she was trying to allude to. “No, Ma’am. They’re naturals. They don’t know that side of me.”

Star’s voice grew bubbly once again after hearing the news. “That’s great! Do I get to meet them?” she asked, looking forward to being around people who didn’t know who she was.

Chaz dipped his head toward her as he answered. He had a feeling he knew why this bit of information excited her. He recalled the conversation they’d had when they first met, coupled with what William had told him over the last few months. He knew her desire to be what she considered normal, and he was willing to assist her in bringing even a small moment of that life to fruition. “For you, my Queen, I’ll make sure to introduce you as my very good friend, Star. But don’t think for a minute I won’t be saying otherwise in my head,” he promised, flashing her a crooked smile.

“I’ll take it!” A sudden sizzling sound came from the stove, followed by the smell of something burning as the water began boiling over in the pot. Akash quickly turned off the burner and started cleaning up the mess while Star gave him an apologetic look. “I’m sorry,” she told him. “I guess I’ll never be that great at cooking.”

Akash and Raidho began teasing her, letting her know they thought the same.

There were over three hundred witches at the Ostara party, far more than usually showed up, and a lot of it had to do with Star and her entourage making an appearance that night. Such a showing after nearly a year had brought out members of other covens to the celebration. Multiple bonfires burned across the expansive land, along with tables and chairs many of the coven members had brought themselves. A makeshift stage had been set up for announcements and ceremonial leadership moments, something Star hoped not to be part of.

Arriving purposefully late, the Wolf Coven was forced to park a quarter of a mile away on the main road due to the number of vehicles scattered throughout the driveway and across the lawn. As they walked toward the celebration, Star suddenly felt a sick sensation twist in her stomach. She stopped for a moment and bent over, trying to catch her breath. “You starting to get nervous, Shiny?” Akash asked, rubbing her back. She silently nodded, letting her long white hair fall around her face.

Wynono knelt down and asked for her hand. “You’re starting to feel them, aren’t you?” Again, she nodded, letting him know he had guessed correctly.

A look of worry crossed Chaz’s face as he turned to William for answers. “What’s going on? What is she feeling?”

William reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze, his attempt to reassure Chaz that everything would be all right. “Our Queen feels everyone’s energies. It’s difficult for her to be around large crowds of people. It’s one of the reasons she hasn’t been to any of the gatherings so far, and why she leaves them early—like the party your coven threw for us.”

Chaz watched on, wide-eyed. “I had no idea.”

“Why would you?” William asked. “It’s not something we tell people.”

“I understand,” Chaz said, bobbing his head. The message William sent was very clear—he wasn’t to share any information he saw or heard on this visit.

Wynono tried guiding Star through some breathing exercises he had taught her before, but it only seemed to make things worse. Her breaths came faster and thinner. When she looked up and saw the worry and concern on Chaz’s face, guilt sharpened the panic already tightening her chest.

“I,” she panted, “am,” she panted again, “scaring,” another pant broke through, “him.”

Algiz knelt beside Wynono and held Star’s hair back so she could breathe in fresh, unhindered air. Vreni sat down right beside him, worried about her owner. “Listen to me. Don’t worry about Chaz. Focus on your breathing.”

Star nodded again, continuing to follow Wynono’s directions, but after a couple of minutes, she admitted it wasn’t working. “I can’t,” she panted, “stop,” she panted again, “energies,” another pant broke through, “coming,” another pant followed, “at me.”

Wynono shared his concern and uneasiness with everyone present. “Okay, different game plan. I need all of us for this. Chaz, that includes you,” he announced. “We’re going to do a protection spell on her that blocks all incoming energies. Basically, we’ll create an invisible bubble around her.”

The group quickly gathered in a circle around Star, holding their hands out with their palms facing up toward her. As Wynono began chanting, they closed their eyes and followed along.

“I invoke the protection of the four watchtowers. I am encircled by the Great Mother. Hear our plea. Protect this witch from all energies.”

Over and over, they repeated the chant until they could not only feel the effects of their spell take hold, but see them. Star began to notice her own personal energy returning to her, and the bombardment of the other witches’ energies at the party began to subside. She pulled her hair back from her face and smiled at her coven, grateful to once again be able to breathe deeply. “Thank you,” she said, relief in her voice. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt them that strongly before.”

“I don’t think we’ve ever been to a party with this many witches before,” Moon told her. “Maybe we need to treat this like all the other ones we’ve been to.” He directed his words to his fellow coven members. “Let’s take shifts and keep as many people at bay as possible. It’s how we got through it on our travels, so I don’t see why it wouldn’t work again. That means no drinking tonight,” he told his brothers.

“You got it, Dusty,” Algiz agreed. “No drinking, and we stay on alert.”

Star looked like the wind had been knocked out of her sails as she listened to her coven discuss safety protocols for her. “I was hoping we wouldn’t have to do that again, at least not here,” she pouted. “I just want to be like everyone else. What’s the point of finally coming to one of these if we can’t have a good time and have it be like it was before?”

“You’re not wrong,” Raidho told her. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders in a comforting embrace. “But we can’t let something like this happen in front of everyone either. How about we feel it out? If people start flocking to you, we’ll do what Dusty suggested. If not, we’ll take turns hanging out with you so it doesn’t look obvious what we’re doing. Either way, you can count on us tonight, okay?”

With a discouraged sigh and a faint smile, Star let everyone know she wasn’t happy with the situation but understood the need behind it. “Can I at least drink tonight?”

“One drink, Shiny. You can always drink with the rest of us when we get home,” Algiz told her as they began walking down the long driveway again.

“Y’all are pretty protective over her, aren’t ya?” Chaz quietly asked William while they followed the procession ahead of them.

“Yes. We have to be,” William tried to explain. “She’s still a child, no matter what she was gifted. Can you imagine trying to balance your life with all these expectations put on you?”

Chaz shook his head in disbelief. “I don’t know how she does it.”

William lifted Chaz’s hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it. “She does it with the help of her personal coven. There’s nothing we wouldn’t do for her, including die for her. I promise you, the more you get to know your Queen, the more you’ll understand.”

Chaz stopped for a moment, allowing the others to walk ahead. He gently placed his hands on William’s cheeks, then slowly leaned in to steal a kiss. “She is incredibly lucky to have y’all. I hope you know that,” he told him, leaning in for another kiss. “I only hope I can help out and live up to the rest of y’all’s expectations while I’m here.”

William pulled him closer, wrapping his arms around his back. “You already helped tonight. I promise, the only expectations placed on you are the ones you create for yourself.”

“Are y’all coming or what?” Star yelled once they reached the house.

William gave Chaz one last loving glance before turning toward the others. “Yeah, yeah, we’re coming,” he yelled back.

Once inside, the group was surprised to find the house nearly empty. David, along with Aunt Janie and Uncle Tunie, were sitting on the sofa waiting for them. After exchanging their coven handshake, Algiz asked why they were being greeted by only the three of them.

“We wanted to speak with you for a minute before heading out to the party,” Uncle Tunie clarified.

David addressed a worried Algiz as he began to explain. “When everyone started showing up—and I promise you, I had no idea this many would come—I let them all know they were to treat Star no differently than before.”

Algiz nodded in gratitude. “I appreciate that.”

With a worried expression, David crossed his arms and leaned against the back of the sofa. “Well, some were fine with it, while others seemed a bit disappointed. I’m assuming y’all have something in place to deal with those who are here solely to see Star?”

“We do. About how many are we talking?” Algiz replied.

David directed his answer to Star instead of her brother. “About half. If you want to leave, I can make an excuse for you.”

Glancing around the room, Star saw that all eyes were on her, waiting for a decision. She knew whichever way she chose to handle this, her coven would support her.

“I’ve already come this far, which is more than I’ve done in the last year,” she said hesitantly. “I really wanted it to be like it used to, but I suppose that’s just a wish and not reality.” She continued searching their faces as they waited for her choice. “Do you think I can be kept out of any ceremonial things? I don’t want to be placed in front of everyone or have any announcements that I’m here.” She looked to David for confirmation.

“If that’s what you want, Star, I can make sure of that for you,” he told her, unable to hide the concern in his eyes.

She bobbed her head slightly while staring at the floor in front of her. “And two of you will be with me at all times?” she asked the coven quietly, as if thinking out loud.

“Always,” Moon reassured her.

Star’s gaze remained lowered as she privately told her twin, I don’t want to ruin everyone’s good time by me being here.

Concerned for his sister, Moon shifted his stance and let out a heavy sigh. He squinted at her, studying the way she avoided everyone’s gaze. You mean any of the Wolf Coven’s time.

Star answered with a quiet, Yes.

Moon held onto their connection, letting his words reach her with the full weight of the loyalty she had taught them all to believe in. Do I need to remind you what you said about what a wolf pack is? A wolf pack is a group that lives together. They bond and share their knowledge with each other. They fight together, and they always have each other’s back. Those are your words, Shiny. Tonight, we have your back—and each other’s.

She nodded her drooped head, recognizing the truth in her brother’s words. If I can’t handle it, y’all will be okay with leaving? she asked, seeking confirmation that no one would blame her.

Moon could not only see his sister’s inner struggle, but feel it. She was beginning to shut down, and that was the last thing he wanted to happen. She had asked him privately, but he knew she needed to hear the answer from everyone. Maintaining their connection so he could gauge her emotions, he repeated the question out loud to the group.

“Mi Reina,” Wynono said immediately, “no one gets left behind.”

“We’re here for each other, Shiny. If one of us goes, we all go,” Raidho assured her.

“Exactly,” Algiz confirmed. “We can celebrate Ostara at our house too. David won’t mind if we don’t stay.”

“Hell, I don’t mind if you leave now,” David added, backing up her brother. “There’s no reason to make tonight the night you push yourself. You don’t owe any of these witches your time or your presence.”

Kai stepped forward and grasped Star’s hand, ducking her head to catch her sister’s eyes. “Where my sister goes, I go,” she said softly, trying to comfort her.

Star lifted her gaze to address the ones who had stayed quiet. “Cal, Will, Akash—do you feel differently? It’s all right if you do.”

“Mi Familia por encima de todo, Mi Reina,” Calian told her when he saw the question in her eyes. He bowed his head slightly. “My family above all else.”

“I go where you go. You know that,” Akash affirmed.

Her eyes pleaded with William for an answer as Chaz stood beside him, waiting for his boyfriend to respond. She desperately wanted the two of them to have a carefree night and not have to worry about her. The realization that wasn’t going to happen filled her with an immense amount of guilt. Keeping with her promise never to hide things from her coven again, she let him know what she was thinking.

William furrowed his brow after hearing her concerns. “You’re worried about us? Star, we’re worried about you. This family is my life. You are my Queen. This party, this night—it means nothing compared to you. I’ll happily go where you go. Don’t ever think you could disappoint me by needing to change plans.”

He lowered his voice so she would understand how serious he was. “If you asked me to leave this place and walk straight into the gates of hell for you right this minute, I’d do it without question, and I’d be grateful for the opportunity to serve you.”

“Same,” the others began repeating one after the other, including David and Chaz.

Star looked around the room at everyone in it. “I love this group so much. I honestly don’t know what I did to deserve all of you, but I’m glad I have you.” She turned back to David. “I’m going to stay, but I don’t know for how long.”

“All right, Star. I’ll run interference with the Elders and let the rest of you worry about the others.” David started walking toward the back door before turning around. “Remember, there are a bunch of witches here who aren’t from our coven. It might be a good idea to find out which covens they belong to before speaking with them.”

Algiz nodded in agreement. “Got it. Thank you, David.”

“Well, this is it. No time like the present.” Star gave them all a weak smile before heading toward the door. She paused for just a moment to grasp Akash’s hand before following David out into the backyard.