"Excellent."
The familiar buzz of energy from the source flooded her, and she began to focus in on the trance-like state that had become second nature over the years. The gate that existed inside her opened. They walked inside the ballroom with the black and white checkered floor. The men sat in chairs by the large glass doors.
"Good evening, gentlemen." They all stood and gave a respectful bow. Each had a powerful aura, ranging from red to a dark blue. It was impressive to see such strong men hail from the same lineage. Fate had been kind to them.
"Please sit, Rivka," Phelan said. He gestured to the seat across from them. She sank down into the chair.
"I know we all know the basics of The Calling, but when you're experiencing it firsthand it can be a little jarring. The people I call up will be your parents but not. They're changed; their memory might not be as accurate. You may notice their gestures and mannerisms are off. It's best to keep moving forward and not take it to heart. Where they are things are quite different."
"How do you know this?" Kade asked. His face filled with blood, and he ducked his head. "Sorry."
"No, it's okay. It's a knowledge that comes along with being a priestess. I have to ask you not to ask them what they've seen or where they are now. It agitates them, and they can't answer. It's against the rules."
"What rules?" Phelan asked.
"The rules of Cosmos, it's how we keep the balance. The Priestess of the Stars and I. Do you all have the questions you'd like to ask thought up?" she asked.
"We do. We'd like to speak to them in a group and then one on one, if possible," Phelan said.
Rivka closed her eyes. The energy in the room crackled. She nodded.
"Yes, your ancestors are very eager to be heard tonight. There may be more than your parents who answer when I call."
"Is that normal?" Mars asked.
She flashed what she hoped was a reassuring smile.
"Normal? No, but it's not unheard of, and you are royals." Her eyes wanted to drink in the sight of the General, but now was not the time. Her self-satisfying thoughts were smothered like a wet blanket over flames. She focused on the task at hand.
"Do you all remember the steps to a calling?" she asked.
"Yes, we brushed up before you got here." The General’s voice was deep and full-bodied like a potent wine, and sparks of electricity shot straight to her cunt. Instinct made her want to rub her thighs together, but business overruled.
"Good. I'll set up the candles and incense and begin to sing. When you feel the energy build inside you, join in."
"What will we actually see once you call them?" Kade asked.
"It differs from person to person. Some people see energy, or an aura, others, a silhouette, or an outline." She stood, the duffle bag hanging on her arm. "Let's move to the center of the room." Rivka measured the room with her eyes, walking over to the center point of the room. She set the bag on the ground, unzipped it and took out her supplies, arranging the candles into the shape of a giant star. She placed the bowls of incense inside the perimeter and sent out a spark of power, lighting the cones with her mind. The saccharine smell relaxed her tense muscles and helped her focus. She began to chant in the old language, raising her hands to the sky as she danced.
Ancestors, hear my call
Bless this star priestess seeking your guidance
May my offering be pleasing to you
Rivka moved to the center of the star. Purple smoke filled the air, shadows lengthened, and the hair on her body stood on end. She swayed, humming the Calling song. The smoke swirled around them. Their gazes were locked on to her, yet it was the General's that pierced her like a knife. She was hyperaware of his every move. It was torture not being able to examine why. Vibrations started at her feet, and she held her hands up toward the ceiling as she shook. Energy surged up from the floor, through her body and out the top of her fingertips. She was a conduit. The silky material of her dress flowed in the building breeze.
The rich baritones and altos of the men blended in. Her lids lowered as she fell deeper into a trance. Power swelled inside her, filling every pore. The air seemed to catch fire as a swirling, electric blue portal opened above her head.
"I call Zilla and Arkadi D'Shar forth from their place among the stars and the in-between time. Back to the people you loved on this plane and the people you ruled who desperately need your help."
****
Bastien watched on in awe of the powerful woman wielding powers he didn't fully understand. Her eyes had gone white along with the hair that seemed to have a glow of energy surrounding each strand. The circular portal above her pulsed in response to her summons. He sung the ancient words with her. The close proximity to the woman assured him one-hundred percent she was his mate. Fight or flight kicked in. He balled his fists to remain rooted to the spot when all he wanted to do was grab her and run. A breeze flowed through the room, blew back his hair as it became a roar. The portal flickered before it emitted a blinding burst of light. His eyes slammed shut. When his vision returned he balked at the sight before him. Spectral forms of his parents floated in the center of the room beside Rivka.
"Thank you, Zilla and Arkadi, for joining us."
"Of course, child of the stars, you honor us with your beautiful performance," Zilla, his mother, said. He could make out their features, but it was obvious they were made of energy and light. Unsure what to do or say he looked at Phelan who appeared equally shell-shocked. Phelan cleared his throat.