Chosen by Kristin Cast, P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast Page A

to Shaunee’s candle. It instantly combusted, licking light and warmth against our skins.
    â€œI couldn’t be hotter if I was on fire,” Shaunee said.
    â€œWell, Nyx sure gave you the right element,” I told her. Then I walked over to Erin, who was practically vibrating with excitement. My match was still flaming, so I simply smiled at Erin and said, “Water is a perfect balance to flame, just as Erin is a perfect Twin for Shaunee. I call water to our circle!” I touched the match to the blue candle and was instantly engulfed in the scents and sounds of the sea. I swear I could feel warm, tropical water washing against my legs, cooling what fire had just overheated.
    â€œI do love me some water,” Erin said happily.
    Then I drew a deep, fortifying breath, made sure my face was set in a calm smile, and I walked over to where Erik was standing at the head of the circle and holding the green candle that represents the fourth element of the circle, earth.
    â€œAre you ready?” I asked him.
    Erik looked a little pale, but he nodded and his voice was strong and sure when he said, “Yes. I’m ready.”
    I lifted the still burning match and “Ouch! Crap!” Feeling like an utter moron and not High Priestess in training and the only fledgling ever to have been gifted with an affinity for all five elements, I dropped the match that I’d let burn too long and scorch my fingers. I looked sheepishly at Erik and then around the almost completed circle. “Sorry, guys.”
    They shrugged off my dorkishness good-naturedly. I was just turning back to Erik and digging in the cylinder for the next match when what I had seen—or rather, what I
hadn’t
seen—registered in my mind.
    There was no thread of light binding Damien, Shaunee, and Erin. Their candles were lit. Their elements had manifested. But the connection we’d felt since the five of us had cast our first circle together, which was so powerful it had been visible as a beautiful, binding thread of light, was definitely missing. Not sure what to do, I sent up a silent plea to Nyx,
Please, Goddess, show me what I need to do to reform our circle without Stevie Rae!
Then I lit the match and smiled encouragement at Erik.
    â€œEarth supports us and nurtures us. As the fourth element I call earth to our circle!”
    I took the long match and touched it to the wick of the green candle. Erik’s reaction was instant. He cried out in pain as the green candle flew from his hand away from the circle and into the thickening shadows behind the tree. Erik was rubbing his hand and muttering something about it feeling like he’d been stung, at the same time a string of cussing was coming from the darkness as someone who was, apparently, very pissed off, was heading our way.
    â€œDammit! Ouch! Shit! What the—”
    Aphrodite emerged from the shadows holding the unlit green candle and rubbing a red mark on her forehead that was already beginning to swell.
    â€œOh, wonderful. I should have fucking figured. I’m told to come out here in the”—she paused, looked around at the tree and the grass, then wrinkled up her perfect nose—“
wilderness
all surrounded by
nature
, and what do I find besides insects and dirt? The nerd herd throwing shit at me,” she said.
    â€œI only wish we’d thought of it,” Erin said sweetly.
    â€œAphrodite, you are a hateful hag from hell,” Shaunee said just as sweetly.
    â€œDorks, don’t talk to me.”
    Ignoring their bickering I said, “Who told you to come out here?”
    Aphrodite met my eyes. “Nyx,” she said.
    â€œPlease!”
    â€œWhatever!”
    â€œNot likely!”
    Damien and the Twins all shouted together. I noticed that Erik was keeping suspiciously silent. I held up my hand. “Enough!” I snapped and they shut up.
    â€œWhy did Nyx tell you to come out here?” I asked