When Amber said nothing more, Daniel prodded her. "Depends on what?"

“What you're trying to accomplish."

Daniel sighed again. “Explain a circle and the ritual, then.”

Amber twisted her mouth to the side before answering. "Fine. In short, a circle is an intentionally created ritual space for various purposes. It is mot always required for all kinds of ritual work, but neither is it of no value. Quite the contrary. Making sacred space is among the most primal of rituals. For witches, with at least three members—-and it's always best if the numbers increase by threes-we prepare the ground to receive our supplication for aid. We draw symbols and speak the words we are taught to speak. Our focus must remain uninterrupted. Some rituals can take hours. Some take days. Throughout, we must remain focused. Bad things can happen if interrupted. Especially during a summoning.

"We require an area cleansed of the influence of elements; other than the ones we need. Back in Acron, my mother gave us a ritual cleanser.

A normal broom by all appearances, but when used, it clears the elements from the area. Then we place four candles, one on each true cardinal point, and light them. We circle each candle with salt, or flowers, or pine needles, or even boughs. They protect the candles from the ritual and keep them lit. Then we sanctify the circle.

Sometimes we mark the circle, if for nothing more than to make sure we know the boundaries. Once a ritual starts, all witches must remain inside the circle.

"We place a bowl of whatever element we need in the centre. Water, air, fire, or earth..."

"Or spirit," muttered Bitty.

Amber frowned at Bitty. “Yes, or spirit. Stop interrupting. Where was I?" Amber looked up at the ceiling for a moment.

Daniel could see she was warming up and kept his mouth shut. He pressed a finger against Bitty's lips, and she smiled against it, then licked his finger.

“We have to consecrate the circle. There are specific words to speak.

Each witch is trained and tested hard on these words. Saying them wrong, or enunciating wrong, or whatever, is bad. One small word said wrong will not be noticed until the end of the ritual. You can waste hours and hours and only find out at the end that you messed up."

Jasmine snorted. "We lost so many hours back home. I kept getting it wrong."

Amber gave Jasmine a genuine look of affection and kissed the side of her neck. Daniel smiled at that.

"Yes, you did."

Jasmine beamed a smile at Daniel. "She would spank me afterward."

Amber laughed and Daniel's heart soared to hear the sound. It was such a rare thing.

"Yes, I swear you did it on purpose.”

"I did."

Amy snorted this time. "Knew it!"

Amber took Jasmine's chin and turned her face to her and kissed her softly on the lips. “So did I..."

Jasmine blushed and turned to Amy for support and was kissed by her, too.

Just like that, the sexual tension rose. Daniel was so attuned to it now. He could feel the energy in the room increase. Bitty stirred a little and sniffed the air.