Sacrifice in Blood

Chapter 5: Initiation

In the weeks that followed our coven worked hard on defensive charms and spells. I wasn't a full witch yet so I couldn't perform much of anything until I got my full powers, but the idea was that I would know the spells and processes so when I did become fully initiated I would know what to do.

The big night was here, it had been a full lunar cycle since the vampire drama had occurred. I had finally stopped jumping every time I heard the floorboards creak and I was staying back at my house now.

I figured if that vampire really wanted to kill me he would have done it by now, so there was no point in locking myself inside all night worrying and fretting about it. I was determined I would not let that one night govern the rest of my life.

Bridget had spoken to the Witches' Council; they too doubted the vampires would be starting a war in Woodcreek but warned we should all be on our guard just in case we ran into more vampires.

Tonight was a full moon and the Sabbat of Litha, the Summer Solstice. It was crazy to think it had been a whole year since I first pursued the old religion - or rather it had pursued me. The minute I started my traditional one year and a day study of the Old religion I knew this was my path, it was like my spirit leapt when I finally found it. I'd always felt there was a part of me missing and this was it.

Ava brought me back to the present as she pulled me into a hug excitedly; "Leina tonight's the night! You'll finally be one of us."

I grinned back at her, laughing at her over-excitement.

Ava and I were at my house getting ready for the night's events. As it was a formal occasion: a Sabbat, a full moon, and an initiation ceremony, the night's proceedings were taking place in the forest near Bridget's house and everyone was getting dressed up.

I slipped into my new dress I'd bought specifically for the occasion: a floor length forest-green dress, it had a velvet bodice with a corset back and then layers of the same green tulle that flowed out to the ground. There was an intricate design of gold patterns throughout the tulle that looked like branches. My seven-year-old self was crying in happiness at finally dressing like a princess. I had decided to go with a half-up half-down hairstyle with the sides braided to the back. As I curled the rest of my hair I went over the ceremony in my head.

I'd already passed the training for a year and a day. Tonight it would be a lot of formal promises, to abide by the rede and the coven and then I would be presented to the God and Goddess as one of their own; a full witch if they accepted me, my powers then awakening fully too. There was also the business of getting my tattoo- once fully initiated we all got a tattoo of a pentagram, to symbolise being a full witch of a coven. No-one had given me exact details of that yet though. I'd never gotten a tattoo so I was a little apprehensive but Ava had assured me I would be fine and that it wasn't like a normal tattoo.

You have to be accepted first Leina, worry about the tattoo if you get accepted. I thought.

"Here I made you this- Oh you look amazing Leina!" Ava exclaimed, coming to stand next to me. "I love the dress! And it matches so well with your red hair, it's perfect!" She tied one of her good luck charms around my wrist; "Not that you need it, but for good luck, just in case." I smiled and hugged her in return;

"Thank you Ava, for everything," I said, overwhelmed with gratitude, love, excitement and nervousness all at once.

"Now come on, we better hurry up, we can't be late! We have an amazing night ahead." Ava said as she finished the final touches on her outfit: a beautiful mauve halter-neck dress that flowed as she walked, making her look like the human personification of Aphrodite.