Page 40 (1/2)

"Stop looking at them," Aphrodite whispered as Thanatos passed out copies of The Fledgling Handbook to all of us "They want attention Don’t give it to theht," I whispered back

"He will be He’s not set away from Kalona," she said

"I would like to discuss the second of the Major Rituals described in this chapter of your Handbook, Cleopatra’s Protective Ritual" Thanatos’s co voice called our attention to the front of the class She pointed to the Sers "Who can tell me what these are called when they are used only for rituals and spellwork?"

Damien’s hand shot into the air

"Damien?"

"Athame," he said

"I knew that," Aphrodite whispered

"Correct Thank you, Damien," Thanatos said "You will note that in the purest and most ancient form of Protective Ritual, fire is traditionally the element invoked" She bowed her head briefly and smiled at Shaunee, who nodded enthusiastically back at her "As we are fortunate enough to have a fledgling at this school whose affinity is fire, perhaps she can tell us what it is that is utmost in importance in a traditional Ritual of Protection"

"Oh, that’s easy! It’s the High Priestess who casts the ritual that’s h fire is an aweso as the Priestess who sets the spell," Shaunee said

I was super glad she’d answered because all I could remember about the Protective Ritual was that Cleopatra cast it and then ot all infatuated with Mark Antony and in the end he died and her ele snake and ate her Eesh

"Absolutely correct, Shaunee Thank you So, students, the lesson we need to learn from the Protective Ritual isn’t about protection at all It is about focus and integrity and purpose," Thanatos said "Events at this school have hadthe lesson of the Protective Ritual carefully As I meditated on this lesson it came to ifted than today’s vah recently the trend toward less gifts and less power in young vaetting at, but she definitely had my interest "Consider, for a mohly gifted vampyres, such as Cleopatra, were held accountable for their choices and their actions by the power they wielded As you can read in the Handbook, and as reported by our historians, Cleopatrato her people She took her affinity for granted She thought only of her own needs and desires Ultimately, her eleet Was Thanatos trying to tellup? I mean, I knew I’d been kinda short with people lately--and the whole Aurox/Heath thing was confusing and frustrating--but was she saying that I needed a five-ele my best Yeah, I’d been frustrated and annoyed, but at least I hadn’t been whining toooff my inner babble

"Yes, Aphrodite, you have a question?" Thanatos called on her

"Yeah, I was thinking about what you said--how vaer and more frequent in ancient ti, and I wondered if you have any idea why the power shift is happening"

"That’s a good question, Aphrodite I wish I had a definitive answer for you I can tell you that I believe the shift has to do with a ht"

"Maybe Nyx is giving us gifts so that we can fight back and balance things again," Shaunee said

"Perhaps," Thanatos nodded

"Could it have soawked at hied and looked uncoick?"

"They are," she said

"Zoey’s Seer Stone is Old Magick, too Isn’t it?" Aphrodite said