A/N: A HUGE thanks to Sherry for all her help on this chapter. X x
Chapter 11
I sat for over an hour watching Alice as she prepared for the ritual. She made a circle of salt, which she said was for protection, but I wasn't sure whose protection she meant. She then placed four pillar candles in each of the corners, just outside of the circle. She said that was to represent the four points of a compass.
She then placed a table just outside the circle and covered it with a cloth that displayed a picture of a star within a circle. She then lit incense before she placed various tools on the table, one of them including a rather unusual looking dagger. I wondered what she was going to use that for … I wasn't sure I wanted to know.
She then left to change, returning in a long black robe, which she had pulled over her head. I could barely see her face, which made her look menacing, even for someone her size.
She stepped into the circle. "We're ready to begin," she said motioning for the three of us to enter. "Be careful of your step," she warned.
I felt sick to the stomach. It wasn't as if I didn't want my memories back, but I had no idea what this ritual entailed or if it wasn't going to hurt.
Alice began to light the candles, chanting something about calling on the Watch Towers or the east or north. I wasn't really sure which. She then picked up a book from the table and began to read aloud from it, but I didn't understand a word she said.
When she was finished she placed the book back on the table and lifted up a silver goblet, as well as the dagger. "Give me your hand," she ordered.
"My hand …" I stuttered, moving them both behind my back. "What are you going to do?"
Alice motioned for Jasper to hold the goblet. She then took the dagger to her palm and sliced it across the skin. She held her hand above the goblet, letting it pour into the cup.
"Your turn," she said turning to me.
Before I even had the chance to protest Edward grabbed my arm from behind my back and held it out to Alice, offering it to her. I kept my fist clenched close so she couldn't cut it.
"We can either do your hand or your wrist," Alice threatened. "It's your choice."
I held out my hand, hissing as the blade cut the flesh. Alice moved my hand above the goblet, but after a few seconds, the blood stopped dripping. I pulled my hand back, looking down at it. The cut was gone. All, that was left, was a red smear.
What the …?
Alice took the cup from Jasper and placed it back on the table. She dipped her thumbs into the cup before she turned back around to face us.
"Hold her," she commanded.
Jasper and Edward both quickly grabbed my arms. I screamed out in fear, struggling to get free as Alice stalk towards me. She clutched hold of my head, placing her bloody thumbs on my temples as she began to chant.
I was immediately hit with a blinding pain that quickly worked its way through every inch of my body. I felt as if I was being torn apart. I screamed and screamed for them to stop, but they didn't.