Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
In moments, we’d approached a turn off the main road.
Had there not been a small sparkly marker of sorts, I wouldn’t have noticed the turn.
Luna eased the car onto the gravel road and we all fell silent as we followed the road between overgrown bush that concealed our view ahead.
Luna eased off the gas a bit as we crunched along through a turn and our view opened up.
Illuminated in the headlights were two folding tables pulled at odd angles across the road, effectively blocking our path as we neared.
Beyond the tables, what looked like a tent city was spread out, a cacophony of colors and movement.
The scene made me think of a circus performers’ village.
Lines of smoke from various fires streamed into the sky, while a woman – naked but for long ribbons tied around her wrists – pirouetted by.
“Toto, we aren’t in Kansas anymore,” I murmured and Miss Elva snorted.
“Now child, everyone’s religion looks a little different. The Pagans like to celebrate. No need to judge,” Miss Elva said.
“No judgment,” I said as a man riding a bicycle with a Bill the Cat doll firmly lodged on the handlebars weaved between the two tables, raising his hand to wave at the men sitting there. Luna eased the car to a stop and rolled down her window.
“Evening, gentlemen,” Luna said, her charm at a ten.
“Ma’am.” A bristly bearded man wearing a lavender tank top and plaid shorts nodded at Luna from his seat.
“We’ve been invited by Horace, though we haven’t paid any pre-registration fees,” Luna said.
“You have to pay registration fees?” I asked.
Miss Elva turned around and nodded solemnly at me, her dark eyes knowing.
“The Pagans are very organized, you know. There’s a registration table, classes, healing booths, vendor booths, a nightly ritual, and an opening and closing ceremony. It’s all very well run.”
“This is far more organized than I was expecting,” I admitted.
“Would do you some good to poke your head outside that bubble you live in,” Miss Elva remarked. I stuck my tongue out at the back of her head.
“I saw that,” Miss Elva said.
I shut my mouth as the bearded man approached our car and peered in, his eyes taking in Miss Elva’s outfit before settling on me.
“What’s her story?” he asked, motioning towards me with his clipboard. Oh sure. Miss Elva and Luna don’t get questioned, but I do. Figures.
“She’s an esteemed psychic and tarot card reader,” Luna said smoothly.
“Oh, right. She was going to come give us readings,” the man brightened.
“Ah, but I forgot my cards,” I said, holding my hands up in a too-bad motion.
“Sorry not sorry,” Rafe whispered beside me and I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.
“That’s okay, plenty of decks around here. If Horace invited you, you’re fine with us,” the man said, stepping back from the car. “You’re alright to go. Just park your car in the lot to the right here.”
“Thank you,” Luna called and drove the car to the lot, squeezing the Bug into a tiny spot near the front. “Easy getaway.”
“You worried about something, Luna?” Miss Elva asked as she hauled herself out of the car.
“Althea is.”
“What’s on your mind, girl?” Miss Elva asked.
I shrugged one shoulder, scanning the near-empty parking lot before turning to look at Miss Elva.
“There’s going to be another death. And I got a flash of you and Rafe on the beach, doing some sort of crazy magick.”
Miss Elva patted me on the shoulder.
“Don’t you worry your own mind about this stuff, honey. These things often take care of themselves.”
“That’s what I’m worried about.”
“It isn’t time for worry. For now, we celebrate the Autumnal Equinox.” Miss Elva said with a small smile.
“Did Luna tell you about Horace?” I asked, falling into step beside Luna and Miss Elva as we made our way through the parking lot and towards the tent city.
“Yes. Said he’s a radical. That she doesn’t trust him.”
More or less. I nodded, deciding it was probably best not to talk about Horace as we entered his domain.
And what a domain it was. Once we’d begun our trek into the tent city, I was able to see that there were some clearly defined areas set up.
It was easy to see the vendor area, as long tables were stretched in front of various sized tents, each table boasting goods ranging from crystals to oils to knives, staffs, and wands.
Pretty much what you would expect at a festival like this.
I eyed a group of topless women sitting on the ground, chanting and playing hand-drums. I noticed that Rafe didn’t give them a second glance; he only had eyes for Miss Elva. Maybe it really was love. Because by my estimation these women were well-endowed. Even I was impressed.
I could see now why Luna hadn’t wanted me to wear something basic. The fashions here ranged from scantily-clad women and men covered in body paints to full-on regalia. I’m talking cloaks, head pieces, and layers of crystals and jewelry.
We passed a group of teenagers sitting on the ground, listening intently to a woman clad in a crushed velvet cloak of cerulean blue. She was gesturing to a whiteboard with the words “Ritual Construction” labeled at the top.
“Althea should join that class,” Luna muttered and Miss Elva snorted.
“They have classes?”
It hadn’t occurred to me that I could take a class in ritual construction, and I had to admit I was a little intrigued.
“Festivals typically have all sorts of classes. Psychic self-defense, aspects of the goddess, ritual constructions, raising Pagan children, all kinds of things. It’s a way to keep the religion going as well as offer more formalized instruction,” Luna explained.
“So, all in all, does this seem like a fairly normal festival to you?” I asked as I watched a man with glittery ram horns glued to his forehead wander by.
“Actually, it does. It’s a nice mix of people having fun, people taking things seriously, and a slew of vendors and workshops.
Perhaps a little more nudity than usual, but even that isn’t that far out of the realm of normal.
Pagans are a fairly earthy and accepting sort.
All in all, I’m impressed so far,” Luna said.
“Well, I’m certainly glad to hear that,” a low voice sounded over our shoulders, and we all turned at once.
Horace stood before us, naked to the waist, a loincloth tied loosely around his privates.
A ritual cloak, looking to be made out of some sort of green woven material which alternately gleamed and sparkled, hung loosely from a crystal-embedded cord around his neck.
He wore the same soft leather boots I had seen on him the other day, and his white hair flowed from beneath an intricate crown made of small bones ending in huge horns, rising easily a foot above his head.
His horns were higher than Miss Elva’s feathers, and I could tell immediately that she was miffed.
“The devil!” Rafe hissed in my ear. I did my best to pretend I hadn’t heard him.
“Horace,” Luna said, by way of acknowledgement.
“Luna, Althea. Lovely to see you could make it. I was beginning to think you wouldn’t show. And yet, here you are. Along with this radiant creature,” Horace purred, his odd-colored eyes landing on Miss Elva’s robes.
“I’m all female, thank you very much,” Miss Elva said, and Horace laughed softly.
“Of course, my apologies. What is it you do then?” Horace watched Miss Elva closely.
“Clerical work,” she replied smoothly.
Miss Elva was as much somebody’s secretary as I was a Supreme Court Justice, but we all allowed that one to slide as we watched Horace for his response.
“Interesting. I’m sure there’s a need for it here,” Horace replied, running one hand lightly up and down a large wooden staff he carried.
“It pays the bills,” Miss Elva quipped, and I almost smiled.
“Indeed. Well, you’ve shown up a little late, Althea. I’m not sure if you’ll have time to give any readings before our ceremony.”
Oh darn.
I shrugged. “I’m sorry. I told you I would have to check my schedule, and I was booked solid today. Maybe next time you could call ahead.”
Horace didn’t seem to like that, and he raised his staff a little in my direction.
Without thinking, I put a mental shield up, something my mother had taught me how to do a long time ago, for protection in case anyone tried to mentally harm me.
At the time, I hadn’t really understood why anyone would do that, but she had insisted that I study it anyway.
And, I’m sad to say, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to raise my shield.
I felt Horace’s energy bounce off my mental shield and he winced slightly as I sent it back to him twofold, all while smiling brightly at him.
His eyes narrowed.
“Horace, have you heard about the murder last night?”
Luna and Miss Elva both sucked in a breath; I imagined they would’ve pummeled me if they could have.
“I have. Terrible tragedy,” Horace said immediately. Screw this, I thought and reached out to scan his thoughts.
I was surprised when all I found was a black hole of nothingness. No thoughts, No emotions. No memories.
I’d never encountered such a thing before.
“It is. We’re all praying for the poor man’s family,” Miss Elva said, effectively ending the conversation.
“Of course. We’ll be sure to send a prayer to the gods and goddesses to protect his spirit and ask that it be given to the light,” Horace said smoothly. He glanced up to see the setting sun sinking below the horizon, leaving only darkness.
“I must be starting the ceremony soon. Follow me.”
I was fairly certain that was an order, and looked quickly at Luna for confirmation on what to do. She shrugged and nodded.
“I don’t like that man,” Rafe muttered in my ear as we followed Horace through the throngs of people emptying out of tents and funneling towards what looked like a huge pile of sticks.
“You and me both, Rafe.”