West Salem is a horror/romance/paranormal novel, set in Northern California. This book takes place during Samhain (Halloween) with a hot Sheriff and a sexy witch. Here's a small taste.
The slow beat of a drum made him gaze around for the source. A vision of beauty in a clingy white robe came from an alcove in the corner of the room and entered the circle.
He recognized Sorcha with Thor weaving around her legs. She walked regally to the center, then took her place at a tall altar. Other people seemed to respond to her presence without fear or anxiety.
What he saw instead was…love.
"My lords and ladies, sisters and brothers. I've summoned you together to bring you sad news that Lady Morgana Rose has fallen by the hand of a witch-hunter."
A rumble sounded throughout the room, sending eerie echoes off the cathedral ceiling.
Sorcha's gaze floated to him. "We have a detective from Pine Grove, who risked his life to offer us his protection tonight. His name is Daniel."
All attention came to him with nods and smiles. Then the residents' gazes drifted back to Sorcha as she lit candles and incense. The room filled with a subtle scent of herbs and flowers as she spoke in rhyme. Words were uttered back in response by the attendees while thunder roared outside, shaking the walls of the building. Inside the circle, a young woman passed him with a broom, sweeping the air. He rolled his shoulders from the odd sight. This was no church service he'd ever attended.
Sorcha raised her arms in the air. "Hand to hand, I cast this circle."
Starting across from him, participants clasped their neighbor's right hand using their left hand. The motion moved clockwise, like a well-practiced line of soldiers. This faith had rules, organization, and expectations through ritual.
He shook his head to clear it. The tablets he'd swallowed had dulled the pain, but a residual light-headedness remained. He watched Sorcha hold up a large ornate blade that looked sharp on both sides. The colorful jewels caught the firelight and glowed in her delicate hands. This was a strange world, and he was out of his element.
Daniel swiped his right hand over his holstered gun, feeling reassured that he was in control. The peace officer, charged to protect the innocent and bring down the guilty. That was his reality, not this mumbo jumbo.
The women on either side of him walked a few feet into the circle, and two men did the same from the other side of the room. The new neighbor to his right grasped his hand and nodded for him to do the same to the left. Out of respect, he did what seemed necessary to blend with the ritual.
This was a ceremony meant to keep everyone focused. Maybe Sorcha didn't want anyone dwelling on the murderer who may still be roaming in the town. A snap of lightning struck the roof above his head, and no one appeared to look upward.
Odd.
Daniel counted five people in the center; the woman with the broom had disappeared. As if each person were the hand of a clock, Sorcha's four assistants stood at noon, three, six, and nine o'clock.
Sorcha stood in the middle and allowed her white robe to cascade to the floor. Her skin was perfect, glowing like a newborn from the soft lights and candles.
He cock stiffened, riveted at the sight.
"I am Sorcha, high priestess, and I evoke the four quarters." She turned her body to face away from him. "Guardians of the East, element of air, sylphs , join us in our rite." Again Sorcha turned. "Guardians of the South, element of fire, salamanders, join us in our rite." She faced Daniel with her eyes lifted to the sky. "Guardians of the West, element of water, undines , join us in our rite."
With her hands raised, she looked like a living goddess.
