The Witch: Book Two of The Sorceress Saga by Taliesin Govannon (important books to read .txt) 📕

“I know I’m always happy when she wears the crotch-less lingerie with the holes cut out for the nipples, but for a security meeting?”

                It felt good to laugh.

                                                                                                *                *                *

                The entire gang was gathered in the parlor. It really was the entire gang, as well, with Drucilla, Darla, and Cordelia joining us for a rare indoor appearance. Their varying shades of blue skin were especially vibrant, having spent so many months outdoors.

                Gaia left them and walked over to sit by me. “So, Angelique’s back?” she asked.

                “Yes, it appears so.” I replied. “I’m hoping that it’s something good, what with all of the pageantry here.” I said, looking around the room.

                “Here.” she said, handing me a joint.

                “What’s this?”

                “A little Fae weed. You might need some extra help settling down.”

                “Thanks.”

                The weed did it’s job. By the time Angelique entered the room, I was more relaxed than I had been in what felt like forever.

                “My friends.” Angelique said as we all quieted down. “I bring tidings from Australia. A very old friend there has provided us with a vital piece of information that I will now share with you.”

                Everyone hung on her every word, some leaning in as they waited for her to continue.

                “The Oracle is a person. A particular person.” she said. “She has lived as long as the Botan Doro, and has melded into human history at every point. She has always lived among regular mortals, even though she has the power of extreme insight.”

                “Extreme insight?” Tiffany asked, the only person to break their silence.

                Angelique smiled. “Yes, extreme insight. Some would call her a seer of the future, a true psychic, if you will. But her true power is to see things as they are, with no illusions.”

                “Which is more powerful than it sounds.” Gaia added.

                Angelique nodded. “I have word that the Oracle is living with some traveling hippies at present time, and that her adopted tribe will be at a particular festival in a few months. We should go.”

                “Which festival?” Trevor asked, his eyebrows raised.

                “It is called ‘the Starwood Festival’.” Angelique replied.

                “Starwood? Hot damn!” Trevor said, smiling. “I haven’t been there since they were in New York state. Always a good time, that festival!”

                “Wasn’t that the place where you had that four-way with the twins from California and that shape-shifting belly-dancer?” Evelyn asked.

                “The very same!” Trevor said, his grin even wider.

                “Isn’t that one of those clothing optional events?” Raina asked next.

                “I believe so.” Angelique answered.

                “Thank fucking God!” Katsu exclaimed, and we all laughed.

                The meeting over, everyone broke up and started to leave in groups. On my way out of the room, I again felt a hand on my arm.

                “Annabelle.” Angelique said softly.

                “Angelique, hi.” I said, struggling to gain my equilibrium. “What’s up?”

                “I know that you’ve been dealing with some issues,” she said gently, “and I’ve been trying to give you the room you’ve needed. But I fear that the time has come where I have to help you with certain things, and they cannot wait.”

                “Oh, okay.” I said, trying to sound casual. “When?”

                ‘There’s no time like the present.” she said as she glided out of the room.

                Are you sure that Vincent and you aren’t actually related? I wondered inwardly. Because you guys can act REALLY similar at times!

                                                                                                *                *                *

                “I want you to reach out with your perceptions,” Angelique said, “send them out in all directions.”

                Cake I thought. It’s been a while since you’ve worked with me… I’ve gotten better!

                I sat in the meditation room, eyes closed, with all lights extinguished save for a single candle. I was still in my shorts and dragon skin top from earlier, and I felt like my body was starting to meld into the surrounding air.

                “Reach out with your bones to the earth… “ she continued, taking me down a familiar path. “And then reach out with your breath to the air… “

                I connected with each element in turn. Okay, now what?

                “Now I want you to reach out with your spirit… with your very soul… reach out to spirit.”

                Her voice carried me along, and soon I started feeling immense… everything. Immense power, immense wisdom, immense… life!

                “I feel it.” I whispered. “I feel it but I… I can’t connect.”

                I couldn’t, either. I could sense it all right beyond my fingertips, but I couldn’t finish the connection.

                “This isn’t like the other, base elements.” Angelique continued. “This is spirit, and it may only be present when all five other elements are flowing within you.”

                “Five?” I asked. “Air… fire… water… earth… and?”

                “Heart.” Angelique replied. “Love. Passion. Call it what you will. But without it, the other pieces cannot come into alignment.”

                I thought, for a moment, about connecting with my heart.

                My love.

                My passions.

                “Nope!” I said, opening my eyes and returning to my normal perceptions. “Nope! Can’t do it!”

                Angelique sighed. For a creature that doesn’t have to breathe, every sigh was intentional. “What’s wrong, Annabelle?”

                “I am not connecting with my ‘passions’ right now.” I said firmly. “Not here.”

                “Annabelle, need I remind you that ‘passion’ entails far more than base intercourse?” she asked me.

                “I know it does,” I replied, “but it includes it nonetheless. And, as my failure at your recent exercise shows us, I need to worry about a bit more than my complicated love life right now.”

                “The Sorceress is a fully integrated being.” Angelique lectured. “The idea that you can compartmentalize aspects of yourself and develop as the Sorceress in a healthy way is illogical at best… “

                “So now you’re going all Vulcan on me?” I retorted. “Make up your mind! One minute you want me to connect with my emotions, the next minute you want me to be logical. The perceptual see-saw is