"Wait," I called to Darius. "Stop the bus."

I opened my window and heard my friends all do the same. Then, as one, we breathed deeply, inhaling the magickal scent of reblessed lavender.

"Look!" Stevie Rae cried, pointing above the circle.

I looked up and there, hovering, was our Goddess. She was dressed in robes the color of night and wore a headdress decorated with stars. Her smile took in us all, and with the fragrance of the flowers, her words drifted through the bus: Hold to the memory of the healing that happened here this night.

You will need that strength and peace for the upcoming fight.

I closed my eyes, bowed my head and thought, ah, hell ...

THE END