BELLA TUCKED HER CANDLES into the oversized, canvas bag she used for her ritual items and checked the other contents to make sure she hadn’t missed anything. Her boline, in its wooden case carved with magical sigils, was nestled safely in the bottom, on top of a long, black chord that had been carefully wound and tied with a red ribbon. Her mint-scented incense was tucked into an outside pocket. Her altar cloth and a small cauldron were nestled on top of the boline box, and the cauldron held several pieces of fruit, including a large, red apple.
She slid the bag over her shoulder and smoothed her hands down the hooded, white silk robe she wore during her rituals. The silk, warmed from her body, felt decadent against her naked skin. She’d nearly broken from her usual custom and worn clothi
