WE ARE THRILLED TO FEATURE OUR TEAM MEMBER, AUTHOR LORRAINE CAREY, WHO IS SHARING CHAPTER TWO OF THE SECOND BOOK IN HER 'WOMEN OF THE WILLOW WOOD' TRILOGY - 'ON BORROWED TIME'

Chapter Two

My Do-Over

Daniella heads to the sacred cave for her transformation -

We headed up Interstate I-25 toward the Peco Wilderness. I had flashbacks of my treacherous journey to Santa Fe with my guardian, Carmen. Warding off skin walkers and demons was nothing I'd expected. I glanced over at Nina, who looked like she was prepared for a photography shoot to model outdoor wear rather than a trek in the woods. Her long, black hair flowed loosely over her purple velvet hoodie.

My nerves were on edge. I was on the lookout for dark clouds. The last time they'd signaled the arrival of evil. Even though I’d already been involved in a few rituals with these women, I knew this final one would be epic. Nina sensed my nervousness and tried to calm my fears by playing soft, Native American flute music and talking about the new moon that was out. It was soothing, but it didn’t help.

Nina drove along Cave Creek, and we pulled off into a lot for hikers. There was a single car parked there, and I had to ask, "What if someone sees us?"

"Not to worry, Daniella. I’ve spent the morning putting up powerful wards. Besides, it’s getting dark now, and you won’t find any hikers around. If there were any, they’d most likely never go back into the small cave where we're headed."

Once again, my nerves were rattled. The thought of small caves had me on edge. I’ve never liked small places. I hoped Nina had some wine in that backpack of hers. After all this was all over, I was going to need some—maybe a whole bottle.

We grabbed our backpacks and headed toward the Cave Creek Trail.

I couldn’t help noticing the beautiful Douglas Firs dotting the trail. It felt good to be in the woods. I felt a real connection there.

As we walked along the trail, the stream trickled along the rocks, and the wind whistled through the pines, carrying with it the fresh smell of the woods. I was glad I'd worn my heavy tracksuit. The early evening, November air had a chill to it. I stopped mid-trail when I heard a rush of wings overhead. It turned out to be a large hawk. I watched as he glided, seeming to descend as if he flew toward me. Was it possible this was another message from my father?

My ears rang, giving way to a message that seemed to reverberate in my head: "These opportunities come but once in a lifetime; set yourself free." clearly being sent telepathically from the bird. The realization sent a chill down my spine.

Nina turned around to find me standing there, gazing up at the sky. "Yes, it’s a sign," she said. "He’s letting you know your father's still with you and you're right where you're supposed to be. You need to remember you've gained the ability to receive telepathic messages from animals."

Damn! Why did everyone keep telling me this? I still had my doubts about everything, but I knew there was no turning back as I was in too deep - I'd practically sold my soul to these women.

We made it to the entrance, which led to a larger cave. Nina informed me that we'd sit there for a bit and chat. She reached into her bag and pulled out what appeared to be two bottles of herbal tea.

"Drink this, Dani. It'll help you to relax before we head into the cave." Nina reached over to hand me the bottle.

"What is it?"

"It’s tea made from the sap of the willow tree, brewed from an ancient recipe. Don’t worry—it’s all-natural and it works better than chamomile," Nina said, trying her best to reassure me.

It seemed like every time I was part of one of these rituals, I always had to drink something. These women sure liked their beverages. I took a sip and had to admit it wasn’t that bad. Nina gave me a look and I asked, "Are you drinking the same?"

"No. This is plain herbal tea. I have to be in top shape if I'm going to summon the priestesses from the Oracle of Delphi, the Goddess Vesta, and our other sisters. The vapors in the cave will be enough of an intoxication to enable me to connect to the higher plane. When we combine the most powerful magic of the goddesses and the priestesses in a consensual agreement with the universe, we're gifted with a most sacred enlightenment."

"Talk about a power trip!" I set my bottle down, reached into my bag, pulled out a hair tie, and used it to put my hair up. The air had gotten colder, and I zipped my jacket and put my hood up.

Nina finished her tea and came to sit next to me on the rock. "Now, Dani, before we head inside, I wanted to make sure you know exactly what will transpire inside the cave. I'd rather you be informed than surprised."

I took a long swig of my tea. Maybe it'd be better if I were more relaxed. Hell, I’d welcome a full-blown anesthesia before going in there.

Nina stood and walked over to the stream. "Daniella, I know you've read over most of the information about the ritual we're about to perform in the literature, and I want to make myself perfectly clear here."

I raised an eyebrow. "Uh, what exactly do you mean?"

"You know what a powerful commitment you'll be making here - you do realize you're not being forced to do this."

Was she giving me the option here to back out, or was I being tested? Either way, I’d listen.

Nina returned and sat next to me. She gazed into my eyes and said, "Look, Daniella, I’m not going to sugarcoat this for you. I’m going to lay it all out on the table. Once you've agreed to take a Vow of Service for the Women of Willow Wood, you'll always be a sister and belong to one of the most secretive, most powerful societies in our world today. We’ve managed to do our bidding without being noticed for five hundred years, though it is not without a price, I need to add."

"I’m not asking you to sugarcoat it, Nina. I was told I could return to my home and family after I'd rescued three souls. Is that correct?" I waited with bated breath for her response.

"Yes, that's correct, however, you'll be expected to remain on call should a specific need from the council arise where your area of expertise is required - I don’t need to remind you here of your gifts."

"So much for having a normal life, I suppose."

"Nothing was ever normal in your life from the jump, Daniella, I think you know that. If you truly want to serve others on this mission, you must first learn to serve yourself. Be centered and let love and light flow through your whole being, for every piece of yourself you give away will be a fragment of your most healing and loving energy."

I sighed, finished my drink, and waited for further information in my never-ending journey.

**********

We turned our flashlights on and walked through the first two, larger caves. I scanned the ceiling for bats and tightened my hood. "Dear God, please let me get through this," I murmured under my breath.

Nina was about five feet ahead of me. She stopped in her tracks when we approached what seemed to be a smaller cave up ahead. "Leave your backpack here, Daniella. You’ll need to crawl through this tunnel. It’s about an eight-foot crawl that'll lead to a bigger cave. My backpack has all the tools we'll need for the ritual."

My heart began to race, and I felt a panic attack creep in. I felt sweaty, removed my jacket, and set it on top of my backpack, off to the side. Nina seemed calm and collected. It was apparent this wasn't her first rodeo.

I got down on my belly and held my flashlight in my hand. I could see that Nina was right in front of me. The smell of dampness and mildew hung in the air, and as we got closer to the opening, I could see a slight mist up ahead.

I scanned the open cave with my flashlight, amazed to see vapors seeping through the cracks in the rocks above me. Nina set her bag down, instructing me to remove my shoes and clothing. We were on sacred grounds. Modesty goes out the door when you’re about to take part in a powerful ritual.

"The vapors from the chasm are the conductors for the magic of the ritual, Daniella. Our sisters have used this cave for hundreds of years. We must offer a blessing before we begin." Nina removed her shoes and knelt on the ground. "St. Muerta, please oversee our safety as we enter into a realm where protection is needed. We ask for your guidance and protection at this time from any lower lying entities."

"We call on the High Priestess Tryrenea from the Oracles of Delphi, the Goddesses Phoebe and Themis." Nina removed a sachet from her bag, filled with dried herbs, which she sprinkled over the cave floor. We honor your presence, goddesses, on this most important evening. Let our newly-appointed guardian, Daniella Reyes, journey to your realm safely and return safely. We honor and respect this sacred site to Gaia. So mote it be."

Nina handed me a white sheath to put on and a white sheet over the ground where I would lie. I anticipated that a Greek goddess might pop out of thin air at any moment. Nina had changed into a toga. I was amazed at how she'd managed to fit everything into her backpack. I wondered what else might be in there.

Nina had removed a long, wand-like branch from her bag and a jar of what appeared to be some sort of powder. She asked me to hold the flashlight as she drew a circle in the dirt with the branch with one hand while she held her long, black hair in the other. The ground sparked a fire where the branch had etched the circle. "You know, Daniella, this branch was made from the bark of an ancient willow tree, which has been used for hundreds of years in rituals such as this. It’s been blessed and used by many of those who came before us."

I never stopped being in awe of the new things I learned. Nina had just upped the ante with her stick-like wand. Here I'd imagined she’d have some kind of glitzy wand like the Glinda the Good Witch from The Wizard of Oz.

Nina had instructed me to lie on the sheet, which she'd placed in the middle of the circle. She set our flashlights down so the light would shine directly onto the circle. The sparks had died down, leaving behind a circle of faint smoke. She'd also bound my hair up in a white, linen turban. Nina took my right hand and slipped what appeared to be a bracelet of twisted twigs with knots onto my wrist, like some sort of friendship bracelet from the sisters. I looked into her eyes to see a golden glow in her irises.

"This is also made from the willow tree," Nina told me. "I'm going to tell you exactly what I'm doing as I am performing this ritual, Daniella. There's no need to panic or worry. You have a council of some of the most powerful women in this realm and the next protecting you."

"I'll need you to take three deep breaths to inhale the vapors, holding for a count of seven. You'll do three sets of these. After that, you'll be in a very relaxed state. You'll be conscious but unable to talk. You'll feel your body changing. We're calling on the Divine Feminine, here. Your heart rate will increase, your pupils will dilate, your skin will feel warm, and your breasts will swell. This is all normal. It's part of the changes in the structure of your DNA as your body heals on a cellular level. We're aiming to raise your frequency so you'll be able to tap into a higher consciousness and vibrate at a higher frequency. This is the process of raising the kundalini. It's why we've performed so many chakra balancing sessions with you. You'll need this to assist others in the rescue of their souls and their protection. Once you're in an altered state, I'll also partake of the vapors and assume the role of conduit for your transformation."

"So...shall we begin, my dear?"

"I'm as ready as I’m ever going to be," I said, squeezing her hand tighter. It felt as if I were preparing for major surgery.

I took in a breath and held it for a count of seven, then released it. The smell was volatile, but I tried to get through it with the hope I'd soon feel relaxed rather than bothered by it. With my last round of breaths, I began to notice the physical effects Nina had mentioned. My skin grew warm and tingly. It felt as though lightning was running through my veins. I felt a slight pressure behind my eyes, and my breasts became full and swollen beneath my sheath. I had to feel them, just to see what was happening - they must have doubled in size. As I removed my hand from my breasts, I began to feel drowsy.

Nina was telling me she'd begin inhaling the vapors and rubbing me with an elixir made from the bark of the willow tree. Everything, including her voice, sounded like a faded echo. I heard her whisper my name in my right ear.

"Daniella, nod your head if you can hear me."

I was in a deep, relaxed state, but was able to nod my head. "Well done, my dear. I shall begin the transfer now."

"I call on our sister, Lily, in the High Council from the Willow Wood, to reach our High Priestess Tyrenea from the Oracle. May the Goddesses Phoebe and Themis open the portal to the Akashic records. May Goddess Vesta aid us with the inception of this new title. I seek knowledge and guidance for our new sister and guardian. Let us travel with your blessings and protection."

"Cleanse Daniella Reyes and free her spirit. She has been a victim of her past. Reclaim her virginity. Bless her with the powers that be to travel into the astral realms, where she will be granted a key to assist those souls who are in need of rescue. So it is written, so it shall be done."

"Under the Lady’s moon shining so bright, let this guardian be guided by the light. Willow tree, hear my request on this night of the New Moon. Within this tree, I now leave a marker for this soul. Grant Daniella Reyes love, happiness, strength, and power. By all the power of three times three, and as I will, so mote it be."

"And with this blessing, our new sister, may you be a blessing to those souls whom you will touch."

"Endings are just beginnings for us, my lady."

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COMING SOON: On Sunday, 6th July, we are delighted to welcome author, Glenda Horsfall, who is sharing the opening chapter of her novel 'Angelo'.