Erin thought about the women, about Matt. Her ability to see had drained her of her energy. Shortly after Erin found out she was a seer, Hattie sent her back to the house, informing Erin the coven would prepare the ritual while Erin rested. Erin nodded stifling a yawn. Hattie knew that the ritual too would be draining as well and she could use all the rest she could take before the ritual began. The ritual was relatively short, but it was all consuming...Erin would essentially be reborn more figuratively than literally, but none the less exhausting.
Erin went up the flight of stairs and crossed the Octagon grounds. Erin then ascended the final set of stairs to her bedroom. She shut the shades, the sun was low but still bright. Soon enough it would be midnight and then the ritual.
As Erin's head hit her pillow, she couldn't help but think that the time was now. Many things had occurred in a month's time. It had only been a month?! She knew so much more now. Magic existed. She no longer despised Elizabet. Erin learned about the great war that quickly approached. She got in touch with Matthew again, she thought for sure she would never see him again. Erin learned about creatures she didn't even know existed. She still had one more story to go, but did it matter in the grand scheme of things...did it? Erin shrugged her shoulders. But, the most strange thing was the fact that she herself had an ability. In Erin's eyes the ability seemed weak and ridiculous, but an ability none the less. As she thought of everything in the past month her eyelids became heavy and sleep overtook her.
***
In the compound Hattie let out a sigh. So much to do and there was never enough time. Truly it seemed that when it rained, it poured. Everything came together at once. Why couldn't it have been spaced out a little more? Why?
Hattie shook her head and shrugged her shoulders, it was beyond her control and it did her no good to dwell on something she had no influence over.
Heather began to stir and Dinah went to the sink to get some water for the nightmare.
As Heather's eyes flickered open, Hattie spoke. "Good you're awake. It would have been bad you not been awake in time for the ritual in a few short hours. We would have had to push it off for another month. Until the next full moon. Honestly what were you guys thinking? Why did you do it?" Hattie asked more exasperated then angry.
Heather slowly blinked her mind hazy and therefore she did answer. Instead Dinah answered. "We thought, we thought-" Dinah let her words hang in the air. She knew what they did was foolhardy and wrong. Their actions could have left the entire coven open for attack. "I'm sorry she ended and bowed her head."
Hattie acknowledged her apology with a shake of her head. There was no use getting angry. What was done was done. "Well we need to prepare for the ritual."
***
When the moon was full and just before midnight Erin was awoken by Flora. Erin was led to the bathroom where she was instructed to bathe with a weird...but pine scented soap. When Erin emerged from the bathroom smelling something akin to a pine forest the room was empty. Erin put on the simple shit that had been laid on the bed.
As Erin headed through the forest to the clearing with the alter her world was lit by the by the full moon. Everything was in shades of grey, but she could see clearly enough. All of the women were in the clearing, including Heather. However, Matt wasn't there, he wasn't a part of the coven, but that didn't stop the worry about him from creeping to the fore front of her mind.
As Erin entered the clearing with the stone alter which had been erected, with the specific purpose of coven rituals. On the alter, there was a goblet, a bowl, and a knife.
Erin gulped nervous about the ritual, about the ceremony. Hattie ushered Erin over to her side where she lay a flower crown on her head. Hattie smile...Erin returned the smile, but it was unsure and nervous.
As the flower crown was placed on her head her eyes glanced around the circle. The others were wearing similar clothing to herself. Simple shifts with no other clothing. The others however did not wear a flower crown. Most of the women wore serious faces and all eyes were on Erin.
Erin began to shift uncomfortably with being the center of attention. There was a slight breeze in the air which caused the robe to move slightly. Erin shivered, not from the temperature (it was actually quite comfortably for a June evening in Michigan) but rather from the anxiety of what was to come.