Witch Risen: A Paranormal Adventure (Bad Tom Series Book 2) by Jill Nojack

This foolish woman has no idea the force she's called on. As Anat, I was known for granting increased fertility to the unhealthy and short-lived women of her time. Imagine what my blessing might do to a healthy twenty-first century woman with plentiful eggs? Such fun.
    The bear shakes and jumps in place in the center of the circle as the chant ends.
    None of the coven has seen that happen before. No one mentions it, but one or two pairs of eyes dart around the circle seeking reassurance. This fertility ritual is new to them. When most of them were young enough for childbearing, they were bent on avoiding pregnancy, not precipitating it.
    Kevin signals the end of the ritual. "So shall it be."
    After the others echo him, I begin. "I ask your power to draw down the goddess on this, the full moon. Will you lend me your power?"
    They murmur their yeses.
    I move my feet apart to shoulder length and lift my arms toward the moon. "I am the vessel. You are the goddess. I draw you down to inhabit me. Fill me with your beauty and your strength, your wisdom and honor, your humility and courage."
    I initiate a shimmering mist around my borrowed body. It's filmy and vague, but it should be visible to the others in the circle. Also not a typical event for them. Their Goddess's ways are usually much more subtle.
    "Goddess of the desert, goddess Anat, return from the moon and enter your servant. Allow me your gracious presence, O Great Goddess!" I'm hamming it up now, playing to the cheap seats. I know the increasing blue glow around Cassie's body will keep their attention.
    I send the mist swirling and thrusting upward, reaching for the moon. I hear someone gasp as feelers of light grasp for the full, round orb as if it could be captured and kept. Then, abruptly, the light ceases. I pierce the darkness dramatically by projecting a reddish light from this vessel's eyes. I change her hair from brown to midnight black in the glow that now lights her. Simple enough magic for a goddess.
    Every single witch in the circle takes an involuntary step back.
    Time to announce my presence.
    "I am the goddess Anat, drawn down to this girl as she beseeched." I like the ring of that—beseech. A good word no one uses anymore. "I would stay with you and know your coven. Are you worthy of the presence of a goddess?"
    No one moves.
    I look from person to person within the circle, maintaining the hypnotic red glow. As my eyes pass over them, compelling them, each kneels to me and makes a gesture of submission.
    "We are not worthy, goddess. Teach us to be worthy," they chorus.
    Really, it's just too easy.
    Of course, I owe some of it to the moon's pull and the force of the witches in the circle, but no one needs to know that I need them to magnify my power. This body is strong in magic, but it doesn't contain the power of a goddess.
    At my left hand, Kevin kneels and kisses the hem of my robe. I haven't even enchanted him yet. It appears I won't need to. He's always been a servile little runt—even when he was trying to kill me. I need his willing participation anyway. The magic is stronger when the sacrifice is made by choice.
    "I'll do anything you say. I've been waiting all my life for someone with your power to lead me."
    Isn't that just like the sniveling little worm? Show him a little power, and he wants to be the first in line to share. I place my hand on the top of his slick, bald head. "I knew you'd see sense. Now, tell me what your father did to make it impossible for you to touch magic?"
    "I don't know what he did. He put his hand on my back and it tingled a little, but ever since then, I can't touch anything invested with it. It burns like hell. I have to let go right away or I end up blistered."
    "A simple enough thing to undo. Turn around."
    I place my hand at the small of his back and intone a few words, pulling the magical allergy Robert gave his son out of the seat of his magic. The red glow of the magic dissipates when it meets the