Nicholas nodded and moved to stand just outside the circle. "Do what you need to do."
Victoria took a breath and placed both hands flat on the floor inside the circle.
The ritual required specific words. Ancient language that predated modern magical practice. Words that would open a channel between her and Elena Markov without creating a physical pathway that could be traced.
Victoria spoke.
The words came out in a language she had learned from her mother, who had learned it from her mother, who had learned it from the first Morvaine witch to ever attempt this ritual.
"Aeterna voce, trans spatium et tempus, quaero te. Elenas Markov, audi verba mea. Aperi portam inter nos sed cela locum tuum. Veni ad me in necessitate. Te rogo. Te imploro."
The circle flared brighter.
The moonstones began to spin slowly in place. The silver wire heated until it glowed red. And in the center of the circle, where Victoria's blood had fallen, the air began to shimmer.
