Unbound (Unbound, Book 1) ~Formerly Casting Power~

Chapter 30

Just breathe.

Most of the guests stopped talking in respect as I entered from the stairs. When I nodded, they began their conversations again, the whispers of one shouting as a whole. Rising above my reservations, I went from one visitor to another almost without pause, being hugged by too many. All the while, I continued to tell myself that they would be gone in a few hours and that the people who loved my mother deserved to say goodbye too.

Before I knew it, we were moving into the backyard in order to open the circle and begin the requiem. Julian had spent the previous day rearranging the lawn to make room for everyone, leaving just enough room for us to form a misshapen circle. I almost laughed when I saw that he'd lined the area with markers where people had to be, leaving nothing to chance.

"Thank you for all of this," I told him, looking to Jules and Nancy at my side. How could I have doubted their staying power as a couple? They were so perfect, and nothing was better than having your best friends love each other. "You guys have been so helpful, and without you and Nancy and her family, I would still be in the morgue hugging my mom."

"No, you wouldn't. If nobody helped you, you would've run yourself down doing it. At least with our help, you have been given some time to grieve and avoid making yourself sick," Julian theorized. "Besides, this is what family is for."

"I don't know what's going to happen, Jules," I said quietly so that Nancy couldn't hear while she spoke to the person on the other side of her.

"Why don't we just take things as they come, hmm?" he asked and gave my hand an encouraging squeeze. "Get through tonight and then Aiden can help first thing tomorrow. I'm sure he's already thought of everything. He's a lawyer, and that's what they do. Just let yourself stay in the moment, okay? Don't let distractions let you miss this—for your mom."

I nodded. "Thanks. Save me a spot, will you?"

"You can do this," he said.

"Yeah, you can." Nancy nodded at me, knowing I wasn't comfortable with public speaking.

I took a breath, gathering my courage, and then headed to the front of the circle.

"Excuse me," I said, and looked at Nancy when nothing happened.

She raised her hands palm-up in front of her as though turning up a knob for volume. Once again, she looked different, having chosen a gothic style with a long dark dress and coifed black wig. She looked like Mary Antoinette, if you ignored her black make-up, black boots, and fishnet pantyhose.

"Excuse me," I raised my voice, and everyone quieted down.

My eyes darted around, and I cleared my throat, ducking my head to stare at the ground until the right words formed. Thinking of my mother's smile, I cleared my throat again and looked up to the crowd. This was the ceremony that mattered to me, I realized. I respected all other religions and beliefs, but this was how I was raised. I believed in it. Did I want my abilities? No, but I think I believed in them. I knew that I would have to practice them, or at least learn control, but that would be tomorrow's problem.

"I, uh, just want to thank all of you for coming tonight. I know most of you don't know me. I wasn't willing to partake in the rituals and lessons you shared with my mother, but... My mom always respected that so I could live a normal life.

"I'm also terrible at public speaking," I added and received a rumble of muffled laughter. I exhaled. "I hope you can bear with me and, well, don't judge me until I'm out of earshot." Another chorus of laughter sounded, and I shifted my weight before continuing, "I wanted to take a moment before I introduce who I have chosen to lead this circle to say a few words. I know most people who met my mother agree that she was a very special woman, or you wouldn't be here. I'm surprised you all are able to fit, but it's warming to see how many people respected her."