The Pagan Stone

Qui

“I’ll second that eewwww and add an Oh God,” Layla said.

“The missing,” Cybil continued. “In our documented and anecdotal evidence, there are always people missing after the demon sweeps through. We’ve assumed they’ve gone off insane, or died, killed each other-and that’s very likely true for some, maybe even most. But there were likely others who it used for…”

“Munchies,” Fox added.

“Somehow this discussion isn’t making me feel more optimistic and cheerful.”

“Sorry.” Cybil offered Cal a smile. “I’m hoping to change that. A

“I was a little out of it, but I’m pretty sure I came back empty-handed.”

“Not in your hands,” Cybil told him. “Its blood, our blood, their blood. And now, Gage, your blood.”

“What about my blood?”

“Oh! Oh well, shit!” Qui

“Hardly a wonder we’ve been friends so long.” Cybil nodded at her. “You survived,” she said to Gage. “Your body fought off the poison, the infection. Antibodies, immunoglobulins.”

Layla raised a hand. “Sorry, science isn’t my strong suit.”

“Antibodies are produced by the immune system, in response to an antigen-bacteria, toxins, viruses. Basically, we’ve got hundreds of thousands of blood cells capable of producing a single type of antibody, and its job would be to bind with the invading antigen, and that triggers a signal for the body to manufacture more of the antibody. It neutralizes the effect of the toxin.”

“Gage’s blood kicked the poison’s ass,” Fox said. “He’s got an advantage on that, like me and Cal. Our healing gifts.”

“Yes. It helped him survive, and because he survived, his blood produced the antibodies that destroyed the toxin, and his blood now contains the basis for immunity. It bit you before,” Cybil reminded Gage. “At the cemetery.”

“I didn’t have a reaction to that like I did today.”

“It barely nipped you, and on the hand. Did it burn?”

“Yeah, some. Yeah, a lot, but-”

“Did you feel any nausea or dizziness?”

He started to deny it, then considered. “Maybe a little. Maybe it took longer than I expected to heal.”

“You’ve survived two bites-one minor, and one serious-and closer to the heart. It’s speculative,” she hurried on, “it’s not a hundred percent. But antibodies can recognize and neutralize toxins. It’s a leap of faith from the science to taking what A

“I don’t think anyone’s going to volunteer to get one,” Fox added.

“You could be immune,” Cybil said to Gage. “The way some people are to certain venoms after being bitten, or diseases after recovery from them. And your blood may be a kind of antivenom.”

“You’re not suggesting you send some of my blood off to the lab and have it made into a serum.”

“No, first because serology is complicated and again, we don’t have the means or the know-how. But this isn’t just about science. It’s also about parascience. It’s about magicks.”

Cybil laid her hands on her notebook as the moon made its slow rise through the trees. “You and Cal and Fox mixed your blood twenty-one years ago and opened the door for Twisse, as we believe Dent pla

“You’re banking that another blood ritual, mixing mine with all of yours, will transfer this immunity-if I have it-to the rest of you.”

“Yes. Yes, I do.”

“Then let’s do it.”

Just like that, she thought, relieved. Just like that. “I’d like to do a little more research on the ritual itself-when, how, where it should be performed.”

“Don’t hedge your bets, sugar. It happened here, so it should be here. It happened today, so it should be today.”

Layla spoke before Cybil could. “I agree with Gage and not just because of the eewwww, oh God. Though that’s a factor. Twisse is hurt, but it won’t stay that way. We don’t know how long we have before it comes back. If you think this is a defense, then let’s put up the shield now.”

“Cyb, you researched blood rituals inside and out before our last trip to the Pagan Stone. You know we can do this.” Qui

“We need words, and-”

“I’ll handle it.” Qui

“Well.” Cybil blew out a breath. “I guess it’s here and now.”

She scouted through Cal’s gardens for specific flowers and herbs, and continued to snip when Gage crossed the lawn to her. They stood in the wash of moonlight.

“Making a bouquet?”

“Candles, herbs, flowers, words, movements.” She moved a shoulder. “Maybe they’re trappings, maybe they’re largely symbolic, but I believe in symbols. They’re a sign of respect, if nothing else. Anytime you shed blood, anytime you ask a higher power for a favor, it should be with respect.”

“You’re a smart woman, Cybil.”

“I am.”

He took her arm, held it until she’d turned to face him. “If this works, it’s because you were smart enough to put it together.”

“If it doesn’t?”

“It won’t be because of the lack of brainpower.”

“Are you seducing me by flattering my mind?”

“No.” He smiled, trailed a finger over her cheek. “I’ll seduce you by clouding your mind. I’m telling you this is going to work.”

“Optimism? From you?”

“You’re not the only one who’s looked into rites and rituals. I’ve spent a lot of the time I’m away from here looking into those areas. Some of it’s show. But some? It’s faith and respect, and it’s truth. It’s going to work because between the six of us, we cover those bases. It’s going to work because it’s not just my blood, not just antibodies and science. Your tears are in me now. I felt them. So whatever I brought back, part of it’s you. Get your symbols, and let’s do this thing.”

She stood where she was when he walked away, stood in the moonlight with flowers in her hands, and closed her eyes. Close her heart? she thought. Get over him? No, no, not if she lived a dozen lifetimes.

It was life, A

They lighted the candles, and sprinkled the flowers and herbs over the ground where Gage had fallen. Over them, in the center of the circle they formed, Qui

“Nice touch,” Cybil commented, and Qui

“I thought so. I kept the words simple. Pass it around,” she suggested.

Cybil took the page first, and read. “You do good work.” She passed it to Gage, and so the words went from hand to hand. “Everybody got it?”

Gage took Cal ’s Boy Scout knife, skimmed the blade across his palm. Cal took the knife, mirrored the gesture. As with the words, the knife passed from hand to hand.

And they spoke together as hands clasped, and blood mixed.

“Brother to brother, brother to sister, lover to lover. Life to life for the then, for the now, for the to be. Through faith, through hope, in truth. With blood and tears to shield light from black. Brother to brother, brother to sister, lover to lover.”

Though there was no wind, the candle flames swayed and rose higher. Cal crouched. “Friend to friend,” he said and taking Lump’s paw, scored a shallow cut. Lump stared, dark eyes full of trust as Cal closed his hand over the cut. “Sorry, pal.” He straightened, shrugged. “I couldn’t leave him out.”