Something in the child’s voice had me pausing, changing direction, and heading to the kitten cage.
When I got there I instantly knew why. Within the cage the two calico kittens were hissing and batting at several large, black spiders.
“Oh, yuck!” the mom said. “Looks like your school might have a spider problem.”
“I know a good exterminator if you need a recommendation,” the dad said.
“We’re gonna need a shit ton more than a good exterminator,” Aphrodite whispered as we stared into the kitten cage.
“Yeah, uh, well, we don’t usually have bug issues here,” I babbled as disgust shivered up my back.
“Eesh, Daddy! There are lots more of them.”
The little blond girl was pointing at the back of the cage. It was so completely covered with spiders that it seemed to be alive with their seething movements.
“Oh, my goodness!” Sister Mary Angela looked pale as she stared at the spiders that appeared to be multiplying. “Those things weren’t there moments ago.”
“Sister, why don’t you take this nice family into the tent and get their paperwork started,” I said quickly, meeting the nun’s sharp gaze with my own steady one. “And send Damien out here to me. I can use his help to take care of this silly spider problem.”
“Yes, yes, of course.” The nun didn’t hesitate.
“Get Shaunee, Shaylin, and Stevie Rae,” I told Aphrodite, keeping my voice low.
“You’re going to cast a circle in front of all of these humans?” Aphrodite whispered at me.
“Would you rather have her do that, or have Neferet start eating all these humans?” Suddenly Stark was there, beside me. I could feel his strength and his concern. “It is Neferet, isn’t it?”
“It’s spiders. Lots of spiders.” I pointed at the cages.
“Sounds like Neferet to me,” Damien said quietly as he joined us.
“I’ll get the rest of the circle.” Aphrodite dropped her cup and started jogging back to the bakery tent.
“What’s the plan?” Stark asked, his eyes not leaving the ever-growing nest of spiders.
“We protect what is ours,” I said. Then I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and tapped the name thanatos. She answered on the first ring.
“Something has changed here. I can feel the approach of death.” The High Priestess didn’t raise her voice, but I could hear the tension thrumming through it.
“Spiders are materializing in the Street Cats booth. Lots of them. I’ve called my circle to me.”
“Neferet.” She spoke the name solemnly, confirming my gut reaction. “Invoke the protection of the elements. Whatever the Tsi Sgili is materializing, we know it isn’t natural—so use nature to expel it.”
“Will do,” I said.
“I’ll begin the raffle—call the attention of the humans to the Warrior tent. They’ll be safest there. Zoey, be as discreet as you can be. It only serves Neferet’s purposes if today ends in panic and chaos.”
“Got it.” I hung up.
“Are we circling?” Damien asked.
“Yep. We’re using our elements to get rid of this bug problem.” I didn’t hesitate, nor did I wait for the rest of my circle. While Stark looked on protectively, I took Damien’s hand. He and I faced the kittens’ cages.
“Air, please come to me,” Damien said.
I felt the response of his element instantly. “Focus it,” I told him.
He nodded. “Air, blow this Darkness away.”