The manner in which Sandy had agreed to come along with them still baffled Walden so much. He could remember how reluctant she was yesterday when they’d spoken. He’d pretty much given up because he thought that Sandy didn’t believe any of his words. But Maggie… What sort of trick did Maggie use on his sister to get her to agree just like that?
This was far from what surprised Walden the most, as not only that, but the two women had developed a close relationship in such a short time, you’d have thought that they’d known each other for years with the way they’d conversed throughout the entire trip back home, leaving Walden to watch and stare at them in amazement. Who are you, Maggie? He asked himself many times then.
Maggie enjoyed the talks she had with Sandy, as she was in such a good mood, even though tired. Today had been a happy day for the entire siltus packhouse, as they celebrated the arrival of a new born male cub, the Beta’s son in the early hours of the morning. Maggie hardly had any time to rest during the night, as she’d been close to the labor room, helping madame Jane to run errands as there weren’t many servants on ground. At the end of it all, Katrina’s cries were replaced by that of her new born baby who was named omega Renard Jnr, after his father.
There was not much time for the three of them stay around for the celebrations, as there was serious business to take care of, after congratulating the new parents and thanking alpha Damian for hosting them, Walden left the siltus terrain with Maggie and his sister to deal with the matter that troubled him the most. It seemed as if Conor’s ghost had followed him even out of his own home, Maggie could see slight bits of terror written on his face, but Walden wouldn’t let anyone know about that, trying to hide it all.
After the long journey back, they finally returned and saw that Walden had already made preparations for the ritual for which they would be starting immediately. He’d restricted all wolves from going near the night shadow courtyard where the square had been prepared.
“So soon?” Sandy complained. “I just got back home after so many months of being away, and we’ve been on the road for the entire day. Can’t I at least have the night to rest?”
“I’m sorry, sister. You can rest as much as you like after the ritual. I swear I won’t disturb you then, but I can’t bear to spend one more night with that thing. We’ll be starting it immediately.”
He turned to Maggie, she looked tired too, and he was very much aware of all the work she’d been doing all night, and the fact that talkative Sandy didn’t allow her sleep much during the trip. He didn’t know why but at that moment, he began to have some feelings of consideration. Maggie strangely seemed to have that effect of making people change their mind, just like she did with Sandy.
“Maggie looks tired…” He sighed. “I guess… I can bear to manage for just one night. We can do it tomorrow.”
“No,” Maggie objected, which caught Walden by surprise. She explained her reason for doing so. “As much as I would like to have some resting time, I can’t leave you both alone with that spirit any longer than I should. The more visits it gets with you, the closer it gets to having what it wants. You might try to hide it, Walden, but I can see all that’s happened right on your face. Do not worry about me, we will be doing the ritual right away.”
Something about the way she spoke then made Walden suddenly remember what it was like to fall in love. He’d never felt this way in such a long time, and why now? Why was he feeling like this with Maggie?
Even with all the reasons she gave, Sandy still seemed to care about her sleep more, but being outnumbered like this, she didn’t have much of a choice, rolling her eyes as she said, “sure. No one should ask me whether I think we should do it yet or not. Just keep on making those decisions without me.”
“If it’s because of your sleep, then you had plenty time to do that in the car. You’re the one who chose to spend it all on girl talk.”
“Which was totally worth it!” Sandy beamed, winking at Maggie. “Don’t worry, after this, we’ll have lots of sleepovers in my room. I really like having you around, Maggie. You rock!”
Walden smiled, realizing then that indeed, he hadn’t seen his sister so happy in such a long time. What’s so different now that she’s back. Is it Maggie?
Sandy felt it too, as she noticed it had been a long time since she smiled in this home of hers. It may or may not have been Maggie, but she’d always known that things would surely be different now that the bitch Samara was no longer here, things would surely be better, and it turned out, they were!
**********
The ritual had begun as arranged. The three of them stood on different sides of the square, all wearing black cloaks and holding burning sage. They left the unoccupied part of the four sides for the spirit which Sandy would be summoning.
In the background, you could hear a small drum being played by a spirit seeker Walden had also called to partake in the ritual. Everything was put in place, and now it only remained for the spirit to be called.
“Now, Sandy!” Maggie said, as she spread the fumes from the sage in her hand all over the place. “Remember the words I taught you and call the spirit now.”
Sandy nodded as she stepped forward, following the actions of Maggie as she spread the fumes, she closed her eyes, and began the summoning incantations.
Spirit of the man I love,
I need you, come here now, behove.
Spirit of my love who died,
I need you, come here now, inside.
“Louder!” Maggie yelled from where she stood, still spreading the flames. “Keep saying it and don’t stop.”
Spirit of the man I love,
I need you, come here now…
Sandy continued with the incantations just as Maggie had said, and right there, Conor’s spirit began to appear.