proud of her idea. She’d considered the unique strengths of her circle, and split the tasks into manageable parts neatly matched to the power of each trio. The only one she was suddenly doubting was herself.
Ginia spoke up from behind her. “The network’s all connected and ready to go.” Elorie took a deep breath before she turned around. She’d been trying to avoid looking at the sprawl of laptops and cables all over their lawn. They were a stark reminder that she was about to conduct the first full circle in Fisher’s Cove’s history that hadn’t happened down on the beach. While most witches could pull their power from anywhere, Net power required a Wi-Fi bubble—and even Ginia and Nell couldn’t make that reach to the ocean. They’d tried.
It was almost time.
A flood of witches came out the back door of the inn. Scratch that; it was time.
Fortified by food and naps, the witchlings bounced around, checking out the cool toys Ginia had set up. Marcus scowled and tried to protect as much of the equipment as he could, while most of the rest of the adults took the exuberant kiddos in stride.
Moira walked over to Elorie. “I’m so proud of you, my darling granddaughter. You’ll have this now.” She held out her hand, a simple silver ring with hand-etched Celtic symbols lying on her palm.
It was a ring Elorie knew very well. It had been on Gran’s finger for as long as she could remember, a gift that had been passed from witch to witch since time unremembered. It was one of Gran’s most treasured possessions.
Another passing of the baton.
Her heart wobbled as Gran slid the ring on her finger, but her resolve strengthened. However weird and modern her powers might be, she would try to be the witch Gran’s legacy deserved.
Gran nodded in approval at whatever she saw in Elorie’s eyes, and turned to the group with the opening words of ritual. “May the circle begin.”
Elorie watched as the circle—her circle!—took shape.
Ginia, Sophie, and Mike on earth trio had the heaviest lifting to do for her. Their spell was both complicated and demanding. Aervyn had moved to the fire trio with Nell, and he was supremely excited about what he would get to do.
The air and water trios had an easier job this time, which was a good thing. Sean and Marcus were always a little rocky together, and Gran needed a break after her hard work of the morning.
Mike helped Moira settle at a chair and table, and the rest of the group assembled on the grass, laptops and mice in their hands. Jeebers. It looked like computer class, not a working circle.
Doesn’t matter what it looks like, girl, growled Marcus. It only matters what you can do with it.
Elorie looked down at Gran’s ring. Traditional or not, this was her circle, and they had a job to do. Raising her head, she smiled reassurance at Kevin, and then nodded to Gran. Ready.
Moira raised her hands, steady and confident, and began the call to the elements. As each trio followed in turn, Elorie felt power beginning to swirl. She nodded to Kevin and felt his mindlink click into place.
And that’s when she truly realized the difference between a prank with a couple of friends and a full working circle. It felt like the eye of a hurricane—and they hadn’t done anything yet.
She felt the magic inside her rise up to meet the swirling power. There was no room for fear. This was her birthright, and she intended to claim it.
The spell forming to her left was the earth trio at work. She marveled at the intricate, patient work of three minds shaping a literal bulldozer of a spell. Their spellshape oozed confidence and power.
To her right sat a single, uncomplicated shape of white heat. She didn’t doubt Aervyn could get the job done—Nell had said the rest of the trio would just be holding on for dear life. And she was very glad for the containing spells spun by the air and water trios. Their job was to keep everyone safe. You didn’t let loose the fire witch of the century without some firefighters standing by.
Kevin nudged her mind. Earth was finally done shaping their spell. Elorie studied the shapes one last time before she began to work. With Kevin supporting and steadying the lines of power, she very carefully reached out a tendril of Net power to the earth trio’s spell.