Chapter 167 - The Ritual

Delia didn't have a chance to rest very long but she felt somewhat better when everyone began to arrive. They all settled around the dining table. Donnovan brought the book containing the chant that everyone was to say which would serve to provide as much protection from evil and harm as possible.

  

Donnovan began to explain how things would work and how the room would be setup, “As you know we are going to be using three different kinds of incense to help ward off negative and evil energy that could cause things to wrong.”

“What are they?” asked Niall ever skeptical.

“We are using Frankincense, Myrrh and Dragon's Blood. The Frankincense will release powerful positive energies and help drive away evil and negativity. The Myrrh will also release and banish negativity and enhance our chants. The Dragon’s Blood will increase the potency of the Frankincense and Myrrh and enhances rituals involving love. I feel strongly that this ritual is all about love. It will help protect us and bring good luck.”

Donnovan continued, “On the inside of the circle will be 6 candles which will help Delia focus on her task and provide additional protection.  We will use White, Black, Brown and Green. Each has its own special purpose. The Brown candle is the Earth candle and will help get Adele’s spirit back to this universe. The green represents life. The white is purity and the black will help banish evil. We will place Adele’s urn along with the philosopher’s stone inside the circle with the candles.”

Donnovan looked around the table. Dee was watching Niall to be sure he was taking this all in. “Delia will stand inside the circle along with the philosophers stone and Adele's urn. We will place an item that belonged to Adele directly on the stone.  The 6 of us will join hands and form a circle around the candles and Delia. It is important that we don't break the link to give Delia as much protection as possible. I will repeat the chant three times and then Delia will begin. We will continue to repeat the chant and hold hands. Niall, Jewel and Dee will stand closest to Delia. The rest of us will be opposite.”

“Why can't I be next to Delia?” demanded Cordell.

Donnovan sighed with frustration at Cordell's challenge. “We need those with the closest blood bonds and particularly those Adele knew in life to be closest to Delia. That will help her spirit have something to ground her.  But remember, you must NOT break the circle no matter what.”

“Please, guys, listen to Donnovan. He knows what he is doing,” begged Delia, “l know everyone is anxious. As am I. Arguing among ourselves is not going to make this any easier for anyone, especially me.”

“Thanks Delia,” said Donnovan gratefully. He was just as nervous that something might happen to his mother-in-law as anyone else. He knew he would bear the brunt of the blame should something go wrong.

Delia couldn't listen anymore. She needed to prepare the ambrosia. She had to wait until just before the ritual so it would be fresh. “Donnovan, sit down please and go through the chant with them. I have to prepare the ambrosia.” She turned and went into the kitchen.

Donnovan sat down and opened the book and said, "Okay, this chant is short so it won't be hard to learn. I will say it three times before Delia begins her part then we will all say it over and over as she performs the binding ritual."

Donnovan began:

“Moonlight and Starlight up above
Protect these souls so filled with love
Our hearts desire, bring her here
To be with those that hold her dear

Set her spirit free. Set her spirit free.
Set her spirit free.
This we will, so mote it be.”

They began to practice the chant so they would all know it by heart.

* * * 

In the kitchen, Delia began to chop up the fish and the fruit. The smells were making her sick or maybe it was just her nerves.

Cordell was upset that Delia was alone and decided to go help her. He didn't need to practice the short chant any longer. Donnovan was right, it was easy.

When he walked in Delia could sense him standing there. She stopped what she was doing and turned to her husband, “Thank you. I need the moral support.”

Suddenly she felt a wave of nausea hit and grabbed her stomach, "Ugh, I think it's the smell of the death fish that is making me sick this time. Would you please stay here until I finish this?"

Cordell pulled her into a hug, "I hadn't planned on going anywhere."

Delia pulled away, "I am feeling better now. I need to finish this." She continued the prep while he watched over her.

When Delia removed the completed ambrosia from the oven she suddenly got ill again. Cordell was getting even more concerned about her than he had been before. “I think it's time to stop this. If you are sick, you shouldn't be doing this.”

“No Cordell. It's just nerves. Let's get back to the rest. It's almost the witching hour. We can't stop now.”

They walked back where the others were having an animated discussion.  Delia took over from Donnovan. “The ambrosia is ready. It is time. But before we go, I want to reiterate what is to happen once we complete the ritual. Adele’s ghost will be bound to this world. She will essentially be caught between the spirit world and our world. A ghost, but visible and able to communicate with everyone. She will have the same needs and desires as any of us, but with a ghostly body. She will need to eat the ambrosia to restore her to her human body. Once she consumes the ambrosia and returns to her body, she will be elderly. I have the youth potion that will restore her youth, but she will remain human. The last thing is to determine if she wants her wings restored. I can do that or Niall can. We will let her make that decision.”

Then she looked at Donnovan, “Anything else?”

Donnovan responded, “Yes, I have one more thing for each of us. Enchanted amulets for the men and enchanted stones for the women which will provide one more layer of protection. We need to go change into our white garments. White to represent love, light and goodness to further ward off evil and darkness as we perform this ritual. Let's go now and change.”

“Everyone meet downstairs in the basement and I will guide you into the secret room where we will perform the ritual,” added Delia as they all turned to change.

* * *

The group gathered in the basement; two fairies, two witches, 2 humans and a genie. The reality of what they were going to do and the danger it represented hit home as they gathered.

All were nervous. Especially Delia. She began to feel sick again. “Oh God Cordell, I feel sick again, please hold me,” she whispered to her husband. Cordell wrapped his arms around his wife and held her until she calmed.

Newt came up to them, “Are you okay Delia?”

“Yes, just nerves. I just need a minute.”

Donnovan and Jewel were having similar comforting conversations with each other. “I love you Jewel,” said Donnovan, “You know that is why we are here. Please, just know I have done everything in my power to make this safe.”

“I know darling. I won't hold you to blame if something goes wrong or it doesn't work.  It's okay.”

Dee was still trying to calm down Niall who wanted to charge in and get going. "To hell with symbolism - candles, incense and charmed amulets," barked Niall, "let's just do this."

“Niall, you need to get yourself together,” scolded Dee, “If Cordell sees you acting out he will stop this. We need you to be present and focused. Just breathe and do EVERYTHING Donnovan told us to do.”

Niall took a deep breath. “Okay, I'm sorry Dee. I just want this over with and it's stressing me out.”

Dee rolled her eyes, "Yeah, because YOU aren't calling the shots. Get over yourself Niall."

Knowing Jewel and Donnovan hadn't experienced her secret room, once Delia began to feel better, she walked over to Jewel and hugged her, “Please, don't judge me without giving me an opportunity to explain. The last 200 years of my life is beyond the secret passage. Let's just do this first.  Then, when things calm down, there is a lot I need to share with you.”

Delia turned and said, “Okay, it's time. Follow me,” and she walked to the bookcase and opened the secret passage.

Everyone followed her inside. The room was darkened. Cordell had previously arranged everything as Donnovan had instructed then lit the incense and candles.

Delia walked over to Jewel again to see if she was okay. “Mom, I can barely take all of this in. I think I'm very fortunate that it's dark in here. But, yes - we very much need to have a very long talk. But for now let's focus on the task at hand.”

"Agreed," said Delia sadly. One more child that she had disappointed. 

The group gathered at the back of the room and just stared.  It was very surreal and eerie.

Donnovan took a deep breath and took charge, “Okay everyone, take your places and we can begin."

Everyone was suddenly very quiet. Delia walked into the center and the others surrounded her touching hands waiting for Donnovan to begin.

Finally Donnovan started:

“Moonlight and Starlight up above
Protect these souls so filled with love
Our hearts desire, bring her here
To be with those that hold her dear

Set her spirit free. Set her spirit free.
Set her spirit free.
This we will, so mote it be.”

After the third time Delia raised her arms and began her part while the rest joined in with Donnovan chanting over and over. The sound of their combined voices somehow calmed Delia. And the love they sent with the simple phrases warmed her.

 Delia's voice became louder and louder as the ritual began to take over her body. It was as if it was someone else and not her saying the words.

Suddenly the emerald crystal that was seated in the center of the stone began to rise along with Delia's outstretched arms.

 Higher and higher it went as Delia got louder and louder and began to sweat from the exertion.

Cordell was awestruck at the power wielded by his wife. He had been wrong about her. She is a very powerful sorceress.  Everything seemed to be going well as he continued chanting.

 The emerald had reached it's highest peak and then Delia let out a loud cry.


She slammed the power of the crystal into the stone upon which it sat evoking the spirit of Adele Jamison to join her family in this world.

 Newt was the first to see Adele's ghost manifest in the darkened room. "Adele! She did it!" he called out breaking the chain and stopping the chant.

Newt, Niall and Dee ran to Adele and tried to communicate with her not realizing that Delia had crumpled to the ground. Cordell was at her side in a heartbeat terrified she may be dead. Donnovan grabbed Jewel and tried to comfort her while Cordell checked on Delia. 

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