Hazel's Heart

by Terri Reid

  Agnes smiled and nodded. “Then we will begin.”

  The four Willoughby women stepped back from the center, each to one compass point in the circle, and cleaned the area as they had done in their own circle at home. But this time they didn’t use smudge sticks. Instead, they used long rods of crystal to perform the ritual. The energy inside the circle felt the same, like the air after a lightning storm, and Joseph and Henry watched and waited for them to finish.

  Finally, when they stepped back into the center of the circle, the edge of the clearing glowed softly but was not as bright as it had been inside their home. However, the ancient oak trees also glowed with golden power, and their limbs were now interwoven, creating a wall of leaves around them.

  “Joseph, please kneel in the center of the circle,” Agnes directed. “Hazel, you kneel in front of him. Rowan and Henry, stand on either side of Joseph, and Cat, you and I will stand on either side of Hazel.”

  Joseph knelt and watched Hazel kneel in front of him. “Are you sure…” he asked softly.

  She smiled and nodded. “Faith, remember?” she whispered back.

  Rowan and Henry stood on either side of him and offered reassuring smiles. Then Cat and Agnes took their places. “Are we ready?” Agnes asked.

  Everyone nodded.

  “Hazel, you begin,” Agnes directed.

  Hazel closed her eyes and began her spell:

  “In this sacred, guarded site,

  I wish to shift within thy light,

  To be myself, yet distinct and free.

  As I wish, so mote it be.”

  Hazel disappeared, and Agnes nodded. “Rowan, Henry, quickly,” she said.

  Rowan reached over Joseph and clasped Henry’s hands. “See you on the inside,” she said with a smile. Then she began the spell:

  “To heal a wound that lies deep inside,

  We ask for power to be astral guides.”

  Henry closed his eyes and finished:

  “Two becomes one, resolve and remedy,

  Life is renewed, so mote it be.”

  Suddenly they were inside of Joseph, surrounded by his internal organs. “I think it worked,” Rowan said, looking over at Henry. “Let’s go to his heart.”

  “I can hear you, but I can’t see you,” Hazel said.

  “That’s okay,” Henry said. “We can feel your presence, so we’ll be able to help move things around once we get to his heart.”

  “I can hear you too,” Joseph said, his voice rumbling throughout his body. “And I have to admit it’s weird.”

  Hazel laughed softly. “I’m sure it is,” she said.

  “Hazel, I need you to try and overlay his organs,” Rowan said.

  “Just guide me, and I’ll go,” she said.

  Henry and Rowan saw the microscopic pieces of Hazel, unformed and floating, next to Joseph’s organs. “Slide slightly to the left,” Rowan said. “Now down, just a bit. Stop! Good. Can you just rest there?”

  Hazel felt a strange shift in power and warmth in her own body. “Is it working?” she asked.

  “I can feel your heartbeat,” Joseph whispered in awe. “I can feel your heart against my own.”

  “Just another moment,” Henry said. “We’re combining the DNA strands, and they seem to be connecting well.”

  “Of course they are,” Hazel said, feeling strange pulses of energy in her own body.

  “I’m going to increase the conversion process,” Rowan said, “so the changes we’ve implemented today move faster than usual in order to be sure the strands are more mature in two days.”

  “Thank you,” Joseph replied.

  Rowan wove her spell:

  “Two were merged to correct a wrong,

  The renewal of life now becomes strong.

  Escalate the process from what occurs normally,

  To protect and heal, so mote it be.”

  Hazel felt another energy surge inside of her. “It feels like something’s working in there,” she said.

  “Yes, it looks good,” Henry said. “Hazel, you can slide out now.”

  “Okay,” Hazel replied.

  “In this sacred, guarded site,

  I wish to shift within thy light,

  To return to the human form of me.

  As I wish, so mote it be.”

  Hazel appeared in front of Joseph, and he immediately pulled her into his arms. “Are you okay?” he asked.

  She nodded. “It was great,” she said. “I didn’t think that I would feel the changes, but I did. I kept feeling energy and warmth, like my body was affected by it too. How do you feel?”

  “Like there’s been a party in my body,” he teased, then bent forward and kissed her. “Thank you.”

  Rowan and Henry opened their eyes and unclasped their hands.

  “I think we did it,” Rowan said. “When we left, Hazel’s DNA strands were multiplying and eradicating the mutated gene.”

  “When will we know for sure?” Hazel asked.

  Henry sighed. “Not until the full moon,” he said. Then he turned to Joseph. “Rowan increased your body’s metabolism, so there might be strange side effects. But it won’t last too long, just until it heals itself.”

  Joseph stood up, reached down and helped Hazel to her feet. She stood up and then clasped onto his arms because she felt lightheaded. “Are you all right?” he asked.

  “Just lightheaded,” she said with a shrug. “I guess hanging around in someone’s body takes more energy than I’m used to.”

  “Can you walk?” Joseph asked.

  “Yes, I’m fine,” she assured him, but was grateful when he put his arm around her and let her rest against him.

  “Let’s close the circle,” Agnes said. “And then we can go home.”

  Hazel bit back a yawn and nodded. “Home sounds really good.”

  Chapter Fifty-six

  Once they got back to the Willoughby house, they sat around the kitchen table, celebrating with herb tea and cookies.

  “Thank you for all you’ve done for me,” Joseph said.

  “Don’t thank us yet,” Henry said. “Not until the morning after the full moon.”

  He looked down and smiled softly at Hazel, snuggled against his side and sleeping peacefully. “This has really taken a lot out of her.”

  Cat studied her youngest sister. “I’m really surprised she’s this tired,” she said.

  “Maybe it’s just the relief after so much stress,” Agnes suggested. “Poor dear.”

  “If it works, I know she’d say it was more than worth it,” Rowan said.

  Joseph looked from Hazel to Rowan. “If this works, do you think you could replicate it?” he asked. “Without endangering Hazel?”

  Rowan nodded. “Yes, we can use samples of Hazel’s DNA and create a vaccine for the boys in your village,” she said. “And, if we could do more research with samples, we might be able to alter the DNA in the girls too, so the problem isn’t passed on. But mostly, you really need to expand the gene pool.”

  “Stop hiding from the outside world, you mean?” Joseph asked.

  “Yes, exactly,” Rowan said. “I don’t think the danger you faced in the past is realistic any longer.”

  “You believe people are more understanding?” Joseph asked.

  Henry shrugged. “Actually, I think people are just as prejudiced about things they don’t understand as they were in the past, speaking anthropologically,” he said. “But I also think that there are tools at your disposal that your village could learn to use to contain your secret and still allow you all to interact with society.”

  “Whether or not it’s safe,” Rowan said, “now it’s a matter of survival. Do you think your grandfather will be open to the idea?”

  “I’m going to go see him tonight,” Joseph said. “And tell him about what you did for me.” He looked down at Hazel and lowered his voice. “Even if what we did tonight doesn’t work, I’d like you to keep working on a solution for the others in my village.”


  Henry nodded. “We promise we will,” he said. “But we’re really counting on you to be our first success story.”

  Joseph smiled. “Thank you. I’d like that too,” he said. He turned to Agnes. “May I carry Hazel up to her room before I leave?”

  She nodded. “Yes, it’s the bedroom at the top on the right,” she said.

  He turned slightly, so she slid against his chest, and then he slipped both arms underneath her and stood up. She didn’t wake up, just snuggled closer and snored slightly.

  A little concerned, he turned back to Agnes. “Will you check on her later and call me if she needs anything?” he asked.

  Agnes nodded, smiling indulgently. “Of course I will,” she said. “Thank you, Joseph.”

  They watched the giant of a man carry the petite Hazel out of the room and carefully up the stairs.

  “He obviously doesn’t understand motherhood,” Rowan whispered with a smile, “if he thought for an instant that you would go to bed without checking on her.”

  Agnes shook her head. “No, he doesn’t understand motherhood,” she agreed. “But he is totally smitten, isn’t he?”

  Henry nodded. “I completely understand the feeling,” he said, leaning over to give Rowan a kiss.

  “What are the odds this is going to work?” Cat asked, concerned for Hazel’s heart.

  “From what we could see, his body was accepting the strands,” Rowan replied. “Unless we missed something, he should be fine.”

  Chapter Fifty-seven

  Joseph drove from the Willoughby farm to the hidden road near his village. He hid his car and walked down the path to the secreted entrance and slipped inside. The village was dark, with no candlelight gleaming from the windows of the homes, but the light from the nearly full moon was enough for Joseph to make his way down the familiar streets to the church. He climbed up the steps and began to push the door open when it was opened for him.

  Henrich, tears of joy in his eyes, embraced Joseph. “I am so glad to see you,” he whispered hoarsely. “Thank you for coming to see me.”

  “Of course I would come,” Joseph replied, moved by the love of his grandfather. “Nothing would have stopped me. But I come with good news.”

  “You have found Helga?” Henrich asked.

  Joseph shook his head. “No, I haven’t. I searched for miles, and there is no sign nor scent of her. I’m afraid she was able to get a ride somewhere.”

  “Well, that doesn’t matter,” Henrich said. “Tell me your good news.”

  “The Willoughbys think they have found a cure for our Rumspringa curse,” he said. “It is in our DNA, a mutation that causes death or permanent change.”

  “So, what does that mean, if it is in our DNA?” he asked.

  “It means there may be a cure for it,” Joseph said. “Tonight, we tried the initial cure on me.”

  Henrich’s face filled with joy. “And it worked?” he asked with excitement.

  Joseph shrugged. “We won’t know until the full moon,” he said. “But, grandfather, even if it does not work, I want you to help the Willoughbys find a cure for the other men and boys in our village. Promise me you will work with them and help them.”

  Henrich studied Joseph and then hugged him again. “And what else is bothering you that you cannot say to me?” he asked.

  “If I do not make it,” he said, “I need a promise from you.”

  “I do not make a promise until I know what it entails,” Henrich replied. “Even from you.”

  “You will not like what I ask,” Joseph replied. “But, I still ask it. On the night of the full moon there will be a ceremony honoring a demon. The Willoughbys have been sworn to fight the demon.”

  “I know of this,” Henrich said. “This legend of the Willoughby Witches.”

  “The time is soon that the demon will be released,” Joseph explained. “But this, this full moon is not the release. It is the time when those who honor and support the demon come together to give him more power and perhaps get more power themselves.”

  “This sounds like a dangerous time for the Willoughbys,” Henrich said.

  “If I am not there to protect them, I ask you to come to their aid,” Joseph said. “Not only because…”

  “Because you love the little one, Miss Willoughby,” Henrich said gently.

  Joseph nodded. “Not only because I will not be there to defend Hazel,” he said, his voice raw, “but also because they can save our village. And they will.”

  “They have already saved us,” Henrich said. “We already owe a debt. We will help. Where is this ceremony to be?”

  “I don’t know,” Joseph said. “In the woods, secreted away.”

  “Don’t worry,” Henrich promised. “We will do all we can to protect them.” He put his hand on Joseph’s shoulder. “Come inside. I have something for you.”

  Joseph paused. “I really should be getting back to town,” he said.

  Henrich patted his shoulder and shook his head. “No, you come inside first, and then you can go back to your job.”

  Joseph followed Henrich into the church and through the chapel. Henrich looked over at the angels over the altar and chuckled deeply. “I still laugh at your little angel, Hazel,” he said. “Was there ever such a one?”

  Joseph smiled. “No, I think she is totally unique,” he agreed. “Which is probably a good thing.”

  Henrich laughed. “Yes,” he agreed. “Yes, it is a good thing.”

  Leading him down the hallway, Henrich entered his study. He walked across the room to a picture on the wall and pulled the picture forward to expose a wall safe hidden behind it. He turned the combination lock and in a matter of moments, the safe opened. Then he reached inside and pulled out a small box.

  “This box,” he said, placing it in Joseph’s hand and then placing his hand on top of it, “holds the ring I gave your grandmother. I would like you to give it to your Hazel.”

  “But if I don’t—” Joseph began.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Henrich interrupted. “She has your heart. She should have this ring.”

  “Thank you, grandfather,” Joseph said. “I will give it to her and I know she will treasure it.”

  “Tell her, no matter what,” Henrich said, “she is now my granddaughter.”

  His voice silenced with emotion, Joseph just stepped forward and hugged his grandfather. Finally, he was able to speak through his tears. “I love you, Grandfather,” he whispered.

  “And I love you, my Joseph,” he replied. “And I will pray that the Willoughbys’ magic will work.”

  “Thank you,” Joseph said. “Hazel said I must have faith.” He stepped back and smiled at Henrich. “So, I will see you in three days’ time, and I will bring Hazel here to visit.”

  “Good,” Henrich said, whisking away his tears. “That is very good.”

  Chapter Fifty-eight

  Hazel slowly came down the steps into the kitchen the next morning, moaning softly and holding her stomach. “I feel like I’m going to die,” she said, walking over to the cookie jar and pulling out an oatmeal raisin cookie.

  Rowan turned and shook her head. “You’re going to die, and you’re eating cookies?” she asked skeptically,

  Hazel nibbled on the cookie. “I have to keep my strength up,” she said, walking over to the cabinet and pulling down a mug. “And an oatmeal cookie is the only thing that sounds good.”

  Rowan walked over and placed her hand on her sister’s forehead. “Well, you don’t have a fever,” she said.

  “That’s good to know,” Hazel whimpered. Then she met Rowan’s eyes. “I have a question for you, and I want you to be honest with me.”

  “Of course,” Rowan replied. “What?”

  “Is there any chance that yesterday when I was giving my DNA to Joseph, he could have been giving his DNA to me?” she asked.

  Rowan stared at her sister in wide-eyed horror. “I never even thought of that possibility,” she said, dismayed. “Oh, Hazel, if
anything…”

  Hazel waved her hand at her sister to silence her. “No! Wait! Stop!” she insisted. “Even if there are ramifications, I would do this all over again for the chance that we could save Joseph’s life. And, as I recall, I was the one who was pushing for a quick solution. So, you know, no harm, no foul. But I just don’t want to be totally surprised if I wake up and I’m a wolf or something like that.”

  Rowan reached over, took her own cookie out of the jar and bit down with a vengeance. “Okay,” she said as she chewed. “Let me think about this. Your DNA was stronger and seemed to overpower the mutated cell in Joseph’s DNA.”

  Hazel took another nibble of her cookie and then poured hot water into her tea cup. “So, the mutation part is out,” Hazel said. “And, besides, the girls didn’t die, just the guys.”

  Rowan nodded and pointed at Hazel with her cookie. “Right! Good, yes,” she said. “Only the men, Y chromosomes, had the death thingie.”

  “I love it when you’re technical like that,” Hazel said. “Death thingie.”

  “Don’t interrupt me when I’m thinking,” Rowan said, taking another bite. “Okay, so is wolf a dominant or recessive genetic trait?”

  “Is that a rhetorical question?” Hazel asked.

  “I’m just thinking out loud,” Rowan said. “And if it’s recessive, do we have any genetic traits that would push it into a dominant trait?”

  “Like do wolf and witchcraft equal, I don’t know, Bigfoot?” Hazel asked.

  “Right!” Rowan replied.

  “I so don’t want to become a Bigfoot,” Hazel said, slumping into a chair. “I already hate shaving my legs. Can you imagine?”

  “It would have to be a wax job,” Rowan said. “A whole-body wax job.”

  “You are really a mean person,” Hazel said, sipping on her tea. “Everyone thinks you’re so nice and intellectual, but no, you have a mean streak a mile wide.”

  Rowan went over and hugged her sister. “Don’t worry,” she said. “I still have complete samples of your DNA, so there’s a chance we can repair what we did.”

  “And maybe I just have a cold,” Hazel said hopefully. “Or the flu. Or something equally as potent, but harmless.”

  Rowan nodded. “And maybe, while you were in Joseph’s body, you picked up a latent virus he had swimming around his body. And since you didn’t also pick up his antibodies, you got sick.”