"Melanie Rawn - Spellbinder" - читать интересную книгу автора (Rawn Melanie)

for spiritual strength; moonstone for calm and balance; an ibis feather for wisdom
and, most appropriately considering her profession, words. All were either spelled
for or inherently possessed powers of protection. He could not risk her in any way.
No one could ever, ever put her at risk.
He gave her the chalice himself, allowing a smile as her brows arched.
"Waterford?" she asked, and he nodded. "Just for the colleen, or is this usual?"Kate
responded to the question with, "He ordered it this summer when he heard you'd be
joining us. Mine are always Orrefors in honor of my Swedish grandmother."
"lit le mien," added Simon, "c'est Baccarat." He held out an exquisite bowl that fit
into one palm.
Holly cradled cut crystal in both hands, weighing it. "This is gorgeous. But
somebody better've worked something on it to protect it тАФ I'm a terrible klutz."
Elias noted her nervousness, aware that it had nothing to do with the expensive
chalice. "Shall we get started? It's nearly daylight, and this has to be done the same
night as the Measuring." As Ian opened his mouth to comment, Elias went on, "And
no debate about when a day officially starts or ends, either. It's dawn to dawn when
you're working with me."
The solemn young woman wearing yellow smiled a little and said, "Dusk to dusk,
Elias.'
"(Celebrate the Hebrew Shabbas whenever you like, Lydia,' he replied, "tor
WitchesтАФ"
"Yes, Elias," Martin said patiently. "No, Elias. Whatever you say, Elias. Can we get
going with this? Even if you say it's still Thursday, tomorrow тАФ whenever it comes
тАФ is inevitably Friday, and 1 have to be in the office at ten."
"Past your bedtime, lambie?" Kate cooed innocently.
It was the work of a few moments to renew and replenish the Circle on the floor of
this room. Kate drew the boundaries with salt, mixed with a few herbs of her own
choosing. The faintest fragrance ot verbena warmed Elias s senses as she passed. A
subtle woman who could use the fewest herbs or scents to the greatest effect, Kate
was teasing Martin with that overwhelming gardenia, Elias felt sure. She loved to play
with her craftings тАФindeed took more joy from her talent than anyone he had ever
known.
Lydia went to Ian for fire to light the incense within her silver thurible. The fragrance
of the smoke thus released was Kate's work, as well: jasmine spiced with cinnamon,
exotic and intriguing to the nose. For just an instant he thought about how wonderful
Susannah's skin would smell with either scent rubbed gently into it. Elias himself
smelled of cypress and rue. Of death and repentance.
Neither were attributable to Kate's sense of humor.
Lydia s movements became as light and flowing as the gray mist emanating from the
thurible: inner centering manifested in outward grace. Elias watched her with
satisfaction. Magic is within; everything else is just props. The maxim was true
enough, at least in his experience, but he had to admit that the grounding and
readying rituals, with their jewels and scents and wands and candles, seemed more
potent since Holly's arrival. It wasn't exactly that he needed her special ability; she
just made his Work a lot easier.
Earth, Air, Fire, Water called and honored; Circle renewed; compass points guarded
by Kate, Simon, Martin, and Lydia with candles on the floor in front of them; time to
begin. Elias, Ian, and Holly took different points of the pentacle laid out in golden
oak on the parqueted hardwood floor, candles at their feet
"Have you the Measure of the woman Denise Claudine Josephe?" Eli asked.