All the drinks and the dancing came back to haunt Ivy the next morning. She woke up wrapped in sheets with a massive headache. It was as if someone had taken a hammer to her skull and nailed it shut. The worst part about it was that she had to be in form that evening. Somewhere along the lines last night Ella came up with the brilliant plan to try and summon Cassie. If she could reach us, they had to be able to reach her. At the time, the impulsive decision sounded great even though they had been through a series of shots and cocktails.

Not the brightest plan.

In addition to that, the burning sensation gnawed at Ivy. So far it hadn't made a reappearance except very briefly late in the night. Even then, it equaled that of a cup of hot chocolate warming her hands. Thankfully, Marina didn't sense it off Ivy so she didn't have to bring it up. She could keep it hidden a bit longer.

The following morning, the ever-sweet Hunter brought her breakfast in bed and slid under the covers next to her. He laid back and watched as she devoured the eggs and toast mercilessly. It was quite a sight to behold, one that made him chuckle. Ivy looked at him with wide eyes and a full mouth, earning a bigger laugh.

"Hey," she managed to get out. It sounded more in the range gurgling, which only made him laugh harder. She slapped his shoulder playfully as she swallowed down the food.

"Babe, you're adorable. That's all." He sat up to plant a light kiss on her lips. "Girls' night go all right?"

"It went fine." Ivy's voice practically cracked as she avoided his gaze. She had no desire to recount what happened in the bathroom nor how much the group had really drank. He only ever wanted her to be safe, and Ivy had definitely drunken enough alcohol to teeter that line.

"You're lying." He glowered at her down his nose. "Your voice always go high when you're not telling the truth."

"This guy tried to come at me in the bathroom," she replied quickly sticking more food in her mouth so she wouldn't have to answer his oncoming onslaught of questions.

Hunter bolted up in bed. "Why didn't you call? Were the girls there?"

Not quite, but technically yes.

Ivy nodded, pointing at her cheeks full of food. Tapping his finger on his knee, Hunter waited for her to swallow. She took extra time by chewing slower and taking a swig of water. When she finally got her food down, Hunter had crossed his arms over his chest.

"Yes, all is well." She pushed back the food to twirl over him out of bed and give him a quick peck. The less he knew the better. "He got what he deserved. I have to get going. I do have to sell to the tourists, but I need a quick shower first."

"Feel like having company?" Hunter wiggled his eyebrows and squeezed her hand.

When Ivy looked back at him, her stomach wasn't doing backflips to have him join her. If anything, the notion almost revolted her – a rather new feeling if she were honest with herself. She chalked it being due to the hangover, but she hesitated long enough for Hunter to drop her hand. Narrowing his eyes, he studied her face.

"If you're not feeling well, no pressure." He lay back down and put his hands behind his head. "Hangovers are the worst, and sometimes company doesn't make it any better."

Nodding, Ivy plastered her classic smile on her face. "Maybe another time."

Rushing through her shower, Ivy got dressed and slipped out of the house stealthily to avoid a run-in with Hunter. She couldn't explain the morning nor did she truly want to. All she desired was to be surrounded by her plants as she made literal and figurative magic. They would help ease this guilt that grew in the pit of her stomach. She never lied to Hunter, at least nothing more than telling little white ones.

Working with her plants made Ivy feel much better, especially physically. They seemed to absorb some of the crappiness she held and in return replaced it with a renewed strength. She even had enough energy to smile and make authentic small talk with the tourists. Tough especially when you get a lot of them in the afternoon. The lush trees and picturesque town center made for Instagram-worthy photos. It brought business to the Malachi Peak so nobody could complain right now.

In the end, Ivy felt like a completely different person when the rest of the Pentacle rolled up to the front of the shop. She felt as if she hadn't taken a half-dozen shots and danced until the sun came up the night prior. Her fellow witches, not so lucky. Marina seemed okay, likely siphoning the positive vibes from the tourists that came into the Tulip. Aura hadn't drunken too much, having entertained herself by Snapchatting Ella.

"You doin' all right, Ella?" Ivy teased as the other witches rolled into the shop. Marina bit back a laugh, but Aura didn't hold back.

"She'll be reliving the night through me." The air user held up her phone, a triumphant grin on her lips. "These pictures and videos aren't going anywhere."

Ell growled, holding her head immediately after. The hangover radiated from her. Giant black sunglasses covered her eyes, and the smell of coffee wafted from her lips. She managed to get somewhat dressed, even if it was toned down for her usual self.

"Do you have the lavender?" Marina asked Ivy as they headed toward Ella's Jeep that she had borrowed from a coworker. Ivy nodded, holding it up in the air. "Aura, do you have the candles?"

Aura opened her bag to show the group. "Got them right here. We're all ready to go, pending on Ella's ability to conjure fire."

Rolling her eyes, Ella reached for the nearest item, which happened to be a pen, and hurled it at Aura, who caught it with ease. Ella stuck out her tongue at the air user, but Aura smirked.

"Let's get this show on the road." Ella unlocked the SUV, and everyone piled in.

"Where are we headed?" Ivy asked. Ella shook her head, keeping her eyes trained ahead.

Not long after, Ivy found out why. The Pentacle would call to Cassie from the very spot where she had disappeared. Ivy glared at Ella but refrained from snapping at her. No one needed to fight, especially with their short fuses ready to explode at a wrong moment.

Marina went to work preparing the circle. She set up the small table, arranging the necessary ingredients. Aura poured the salt in a circle around the scene for the incantation but also protection. None of them needed reminding that you could never be too careful, especially in the place where all hell had broken loose before.

The empath nodded at Ella to light the candles. They dimmed their flashlights to allow the flames and the moon to be the only light. October's full moon marked the beginning of the hunting season, hence the moniker Hunter's Moon. The secondary name happened to be Blood Moon, not to be confused with the lunar eclipse. Due to the nature of this moon, Ella thought it would make for a powerful night to call upon Cassie. Prey do need their revenge against the predators occasionally.

Each took their seat at the candle that represented their element. Ella's was bright red, Aura's almost translucent white, Marina's ocean blue, Ivy's forest green and Cassie's candle in the center, a deep purple. Ella lit the flames with a snap of her fingers. They joined hands and closed their eyes.

"Take an image of Cassie from your strongest memory and hold on to that image." Marina's voice lulled her fellow witches into a trance. "Deep breaths. Don't say anything but just reach out to her mind. Once we make the connection, we'll know."

Ivy imagined Cassie on the day they met. She had been so confident in Ivy and that confidence never faltered throughout the time they knew each other. As these memories played like a film in Ivy's head, a smile landed on her lips and also grew across those of the others as they too recalled better times. That was when this subtle connection made itself known. They knew they weren't the only ones there, but it wasn't time to speak.

"Cassie, we call upon you as you have called upon us in the past." Marina's quiet voice exuded power through each word. "Just as you needed us, we need you. Your candle is lit in your place. Please, if you can hear us, say something."

"Open your eyes," Marina whispered, just barely audible. "The candle will tell us what we need to know."

The other witches did as the empath said and trained their gazes on the candle. It flickered ever so slightly. The bright flame danced until it resembled a shape. Ivy's eyes went wide when she realized it was the rough outline of Cassie's face.

"My girls." Cassie's voice rang loud and clear from the fire. "I am so glad...wait, I sense something." The floating face darted around. "You're not safe."

Suddenly, a whoosh sounded behind them, just outside the circle. It ran behind Aura and Ella first, causing their heads to spin around. Cassie's face wavered.

"No, ignore that," Marina insisted, her voice cracking. "Cassie needs our complete concentration."

The two turned back to the candle, and Cassie regained some strength.

"We don't have much time." Cassie's tone was sharp and clipped. "Be careful who you trust—"

That's when another whoosh came by. All the candles went out, throwing the Pentacle into the blackness of the night.

A/N

It's been quite the week in my household, hence accidentally skipping a week. I promise to make it up to y'all.

I'd love to know what y'all think. Leave a comment with your thoughts if you so so choose :)

Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.

Thanks again for all the comments and votes! It means a lot!