“Uh… Juniper… we might have a situation.”

The Earth Witch had just about rallied the troops, most of whom had taken their place within the circle, and she was about ready to join them when Wren suddenly approached her looking burdened by something. June’s softened gaze, brow instantly furrowed with concern, was fixed on the Witch’s glazed eyes with concern. She placed a hand gently but assertively on Wren’s bicep and steered her from the conservatory entrance. Out of view, June’s eyes glided over one of her newest Coven member, searching for obvious signs of harm or danger. Neither of which were present. This relaxed her shoulders that had tensed with anticipation.

”Wren,” June said soothingly, her tone cautious yet placating. ”Our Binding Spell has been set to commence imminently…”

Her eyes flicked to the conservatory where Witches gathered within the circle of black sand.

”I don’t mean to be dismissive…” she said, biting her bottom lip hesitantly ”…But unless you’re in imminent danger, I’d like us to pick this right back up once the Binding Spell is complete?”

The sound of Aislinn’s flapping wings could be heard as the familiar exited the Kitchen, leaving her perch, and landing gracefully on June’s shoulder. The bird’s claws fastened, hooking her Master’s clavicle, and those beady eyes blinked at Wren. Aislinn’s voice spoke crisp and clear in Juniper’s mind.

”I think the Hedge Witch may have become acquainted with some of the spirits that reside at Corinthia,” the wise raven remarked ominously. ”Some of the souls anchored to this place can be quite… Invasive with their introductions. We should organise an Expelling Ritual with the Hedge Witches. Make things quieter for them…”

Juniper fixed her familiar with a thankful smile.

“Aislinn just made the astute suggestion that perhaps a spirit or 2 anchored to Corinthia may have been a little forceful with their introductions?” she gently rested a hand on Wren’s arm again. A brief acknowledgement of the burden these Witches bare with their thread to the other side. “For those that aren’t welcome, we’ll arrange an Expelling. The same goes for Noah. But for now? Would you care to join us? There’s a tea for you in the Kitchen.”

Introductions ignited the circumference of the black sand circle. As the group of Witches stood shoulder to shoulder, each looking at one another as they shared their name and magic type, Juniper couldn’t help but notice the gentle buzz that began to crackle beneath her epidermis. It wasn’t as intense as it felt when channelling her power. No, it was more subtle than that. This feeling was one she’d come to only associate with being in the company of her Mother and the Sisterhood. It was known as “The Pull.” It was an electrifying feeling, one that indicated the presence and unity of great power. A Witch, one who is well-versed in recognising that feeling, may be able to tap into it when in the presence of as little as one fellow Witch. However, most only feel that tingle when in the company of many. Juniper smiled softly at the comforting familiarity of The Pull. She’d missed that. Finally, each of the arrivals had made their introductions which meant it was her turn. She placed both hands to her chest, an earnest and sincere expression.

“Thank you all for introducing yourselves, it really is such an honour to have you all here…” June inhaled quickly, then said “I’m Juniper Sage Hawthorne - I come from a very long line of Earth Witches. Mother Earth is my guide. Herbology is my specialty. And Aislinn here is my faithful familiar.”

The raven cawed approvingly. Juniper continued, undeterred by the small silence that had fallen.

“Preparations have been made for our introductory Binding Spell. This will officialise our union, the bond of the new Corinthia,” the Earth Witch held out both hands, palms upturned. “I’ll begin the spell with a simple incantation. If you’d be so kind as to repeat my final statement, as unified as you can, that’ll tie the thread. Then, it’ll be official.”

June fixed each of them with an enthused smile, making haste with the Binding Spell. Her eyelids fluttered shut briefly as she took a long, steady inhale. She reached within and focused on taking ahold of her inner power. In order to access her Magic, June had found various methods throughout her years. This time, she pictured her Magic as if it had a physical form within her. Often, she envisaged her power as a seedling in freshly trowelled dirt. This imaginary sapling is what she would speak to with her inner voice, it helped to give her power a physical form, somehow tapping into its energy. Her voice was clear and confident as she began the Binding Spell, her body instantly responding to the Magic. Hairs rose on her arms. A tingle skittered down her spine.

“Mother O’Mine, tis I, your kin -
I ask that you grant me your power within.

I do not wish to take, I merely wish to borrow,
You lead in glory and I forever follow.

We intend to unite, the souls that stand,
Side by side, heart to heart, mind to mind, hand in hand.

From now until then, may this Magic unite,
Bind us always in Nature’s light.

As the words flowed from June’s lips, her eyes ablaze with the green hue that illuminated her irises, the various potted foliage that framed the walls of the conservatory began to pulsate. Branches elongated, buds bloomed, leaves expanded and roots protruded from their pots. The plants, seemingly with minds of their own, sprung to new life. They grew, taller and more vibrant than before, stretching to form a leafy canopy overhead. The Pull thrummed with the power of the Corinthia Binding Spell, positively humming with the newly formed union. A spontaneous wind kicked up in the conservatory, the window panes trembling beneath the pressure of the gales that whipped through the air. The black sand circle broke, those dark grains of sand picked up by the breeze that wound through the glass room. Juniper’s hair danced to the winds, whipping across her face that remained focused and strained with the weight of the spell. But the change was immediate. Something had shifted between the Witches gathered in that circle. June felt something akin to an invisible thread, tying each of them together. She smiled. Mother Earth had answered her calls. Now? It was done. The Witches were bound. Corinthia was official.

And this was just the beginning…

---

Trish muttered the words, focused more on matching the cadence and speed at which Juniper chanted than getting it right on the first try. The second run was smoother, still clumsy on the final bits because she found the words humorous. The third run was good. Solid. Firm. She kept it.

“From now until then, may this magic unite. Bind us always in Nature’s light.”

Trish could feel an unknown force surge through her body. Almost hot to the touch in a sense, like a fire being reignited as another log touches the simmering flames. Familiar, almost, as her muscles tensed in response. Because, fuck, it felt suspiciously like that first time her bedding caught on fire and she got grounded for smoking indoors. Not that she did smoke, but at that point she’d latched onto the lie and had long since stopped correcting how her parents misinterpreted any consequences when they caught her.

“Beatrice Olivia McKinley!”

Trish could already imagine the shrill shriek of her perfectionist mother, wide-eyed and fuming when she caught her daughter in the middle of changing her pillow cover. The argument that followed had the punk girl’s signature scowl staring into some polished, practiced mug that her mother used when counting to ten and composing herself. Trish simply threw expletives and obscene gestures at a living brick wall of a human being. Because in the end what mattered to her parents was composure, meticulousness and not looking like next week’s gossip.

Trish’s face scrunched, instinct telling her to fight the feeling while another softer voice told her to relax. Breathe in, breathe out. What normally followed the sudden heat and burning sensation wasn’t the anxious licking of flames at every flammable furniture or object, but the crackle of a campfire after a long trek in the mud. Trish’s body decided it could relax at that. Set shoulders lowering, flexed fingers not curling into fists but a natural state as though wanting to hold that feeling.

Trish’s body glowed, then that spark of a fire at her fingertips. Not aggressive, but measured where the small flame grew and crawled along tattooed arms up to her shoulders. Clothing not catching fire this time around. Good. Standing here naked would’ve been awkward. Her magic flickered, the charm activating through a newfound bond, flame-like wings sprawling outward from her shoulders. It held for a moment, then settled back. Retreating the way the flame came.

… And what lingered wasn’t the smoke of a raging forest fire, but the soothing warmth of something settling like found family.

“That was… New.” Definitely unexpected. For once Trish didn’t offer her usual quip or any sideways comment. Just drank in the experience for a moment.

When the spell finished, Soren instinctively pressed a hand against his chest. He couldn’t explain it, but something had changed. For the first time since arriving, he didn’t feel like a stranger standing in someone else’s home. He felt like… well… a witch.

His eyes drifted around the circle. People who had been strangers before. Now they were a coven. The feeling was still there. “…Oh.” He murmured. A faint white glow flickered around his fingers where they rested against his chest.

For months, Soren had felt like an outsider looking in. Outside the Elders. Outside the community. Outside the future his mother had wanted for him. Now, for the first time since arriving at Corinthia, he felt like he belonged.

His gaze found Juniper. A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I think…” he began, then laughed softly at himself. “I think it worked.”