as Ronan stood, illuminating their faces with an orange glow as Brenna stared into the flames, wondering what night would bring.
The weather went from bad to worse. After falling asleep in front of the fire, she vaguely remembered being carried somewhere. Now she lay in the middle of a huge four-poster bed, comfortable and deliciously warm, listening to what sounded like rocks hammering down on the roof. She yawned and rolled to get out of bed. It took two rolls of her body to reach the edge. Her feet landed on a thick rug and she padded across it until she reached the cold floorboards. A pair of fluffy pink slippers sat by the rug. She slipped her feet into them as Kiba came bounding into the room. He jumped up and nudged her face.
“Hello to you, too!”
Kiba yipped at the door then loped through it, wagging his tail. She shrugged and followed him out into a long hallway adorned with old scenic oil paintings and a burgundy floor runner. “Hey uh, Kiba, you wouldn’t happen to know where a bathroom is around here?” Brenna said, feeling an urge. Kiba’s ears pricked up. He walked a few more paces then stopped in front of a closed door. Brenna tapped on the door lightly, not really believing the wolf could have understood what she had said. She twisted the handle and gasped when she saw a black and white tiled floor, a clawfoot bathtub, wood-topped vanity, and a toilet.
“You’re amazing, Kiba.” She stroked his head and went in, closing the door behind her.
Kiba was waiting when she came back out. He led her down the hall, their footsteps barely audible against the wind and rain battering the house.
They came to the staircase and descended it. A window by the front door gave her a good view of the front yard and the continuing dramatic weather. Trees swayed in the roaring wind; sleet so thick Brenna could barely see through it fell fast. The sight made her shiver even though it was much warmer inside now. An old pendulum clock on a mantel behind her chimed, startling her. It chimed nine more times. On the tenth, Brenna heard car engines followed by doors opening and closing. Through the window, she saw Celestine and the members of the coven approach the front door.
She headed to the door, fiddled with the stiff lock, trying to open it. She got it open just as somebody rapped on the door. Celestine beamed a wide smile at her. “Brenna! Lovely to see you again.” She leaned in for a hug. Brenna gladly gave her one.
“You, too. Glad you made it out in this weather,” Brenna said, moving aside to let everybody in.
“The weather shows the power of the Goddess. We needn’t be afraid of it,” Celestine said, closing the door once the last member entered. They all had on their ritual cloaks.
“Unless there’s a hurricane or something,” Hazel Eyes added, laughing.
Brenna smiled and led them into the living room with the fireplace.
“Wait here where it’s nice and warm. I’ll go find Ronan.”
She stepped out into the hallway. “Ronan?” She weaved her way through narrow hallways. The place was huge. Without looking she turned a corner and bumped right into him.
“Sorry,” she said, flushing.
“I didn’t mind.” Ronan’s deep voice sent pleasant shivers running across her skin. Their faces were so close they were almost touching. They were interrupted by a noise behind them and Brenna turned to see the whole coven standing there.
“Welcome, ladies,” he said. “Nice to see you all. If you’re ready, follow me upstairs.”
They followed him toward the stairs. Some of them winked suggestively at Brenna, making her cheeks flush even worse. Celestine mouthed the word ‘wow’ at her and raised her eyebrows. Brenna shook her head and joined them. They climbed the carpeted stairs, reaching the second level. Ronan opened a door at the end of the hallway. They entered a massive room that could have been a ballroom at one point. Slick wooden floors creaked underfoot. Large black velvet curtains covered the huge windows, blocking out the chill. Brenna imagined long ago parties where revelers dressed to the nines danced all night long. The sweet scent of frankincense and sandalwood incense lingered. An alter similar to Celestine’s took up space at the end of the room.
Ronan took a couple of fine white cloaks off hooks and handed one to Brenna. He slipped the other over his head. He invited the rest of the