by Janni Nell
“It’s better if you don’t know.” But he insisted on watching me widen the little hole in his vein until the blood flowed into the funnel and plunked into my bottle. The lunch cart rattled closer. “Come on, come on,” I muttered to the slow-flowing blood. Who knew getting blood from a lawyer would be so difficult?
As the bottle filled, SJ got paler. Losing a pint of blood wouldn’t kill him, would it? They took that much from blood donors all the time. Of course, they weren’t in SJ’s weakened condition to start with.
At last the bottle was full. After sealing the screw cap, I concealed it in the Dior bag I’d found in Mom’s car. “Thanks, SJ. You’re a real champ.”
“Allegra.” His tone was sharp. He pointed at the blood running from his arm.
Oops. “Sorry, I don’t know how to turn that off, but don’t worry.” I pressed a handful of tissues against the wound and leaned on the nurses’ call button.
The nurse was a burley fortysomething guy who looked as if he’d done his medical training in the Marines. Under fire. He tended SJ with a gentleness that was as unexpected as it was endearing, but when he started asking difficult questions like why SJ’s vein looked like it had been cut, I sneaked out, leaving SJ to come up with a plausible explanation.
Chapter Eighteen
Wanda had a little iron cauldron set up on Mac’s kitchen table. It contained the fine powder of Elowyn’s finger bone and some herbs that I couldn’t identify even by their disgusting smell.
Producing my bottle, I said, “Should I put in the blood?”
“No!” they yelled in unison.
Mac went on, “We have to decant it. Let it breathe for a while.” She unscrewed the cap and sniffed appreciatively. “Delightful aroma. Very pungent. It’ll work well with the herbs.”
Leaving her in the kitchen decanting the blood, Wanda and I took our mugs of herbal tea into the living room. Through the window I could see Wanda’s familiar standing in a field, contentedly chewing her cud.
“Buttercup looks happy,” I said.
Wanda chewed her lip. “She’s very sweet, but frankly I’d prefer a smaller familiar. So much easier to transport. Did you know cows can live for as long as twenty-five years? I’ll have to wait that long before I get another familiar. Although with my luck I’ll end up with an elephant.”
“Sucks to be you,” I said with a grin. Wanda laughed. “Tell the truth,” I went on. “You’re enjoying being mentored by Mac, are’t you? I’ll bet you secretly love Buttercup too.”
Wanda smiled. “I’m having the best time. It’s such a blast being Mac’s apprentice. She actually thinks I have some ability.”
“I never doubted it.” We both knew that was a lie, but my next words were the absolute truth. “I’m so glad for you. I’m sure you’ll be a wonderful witch.”
Wanda bounded across the room and gave me a hug. “Thanks so much. It means the world to know you believe in me. I’m sorry we won’t be roommates anymore. But we’ll still visit, won’t we?”
“Count on it.”
“And we’ll have one last trip to San Diego to pack up our stuff. Mac won’t mind if I cut class for a couple of days.”
Mac entered right on cue. Had she been eavesdropping? Didn’t really matter because she immediately promised that Wanda could have a few days off once this little problem with Demelza had been sorted out.
The three of us sat around discussing spells, potions, familiars and other paranormal stuff until Mac said the blood had breathed enough and was ready to be added to the cauldron. She showed Wanda how to drip the blood into the crushed bone and herbs, blending thoroughly before adding more. This was accompanied by a lot of chanting in Witch.
When all the blood had been mixed in and Mac was satisfied with the consistency of the potion, she allowed Wanda to hang the cauldron on a tripod over the open fire. We crowded around like Macbeth’s three witches and waited for the mixture to boil. When bubbles popped to the surface, Mac let it simmer for ten minutes before telling Wanda to remove it from the heat. Proudly Wanda, the apprentice, carried the small cauldron back to the kitchen, where Mac instructed her to pour the mixture into an old ceramic bottle that looked as though it might once have contained a genie.
As Wanda inserted a cork stopper into the bottle, Mac began, “We’ll go to Ravens Wood this evening at moonrise—”
I didn’t hear the rest because my cell rang. Fearing bad news, I picked up. Sobs poured into my ear. I allowed a minute for them to subside. When they didn’t, I said, “Get a grip, Mom.” Not to be cruel. I needed to know what was going on.
Mom blew her nose loudly. “Steven is gravely ill. The doctors want to move him to a regular hospital. They’re saying that if he stays here, he won’t last the night. I don’t know what to do. Help me, Allegra.”
“Sit down,” I told her.
“I am sitting.”
“Okay, take a deep breath. I have to consult with my—um—colleagues. I’ll get back to you in a couple of minutes.” I hung up, turned to Mac, interrupting whatever she was saying to Wanda. “Is it possible for Demelza to kill Steven while he’s strapped to a bed in Oak Lodge?”
Mac’s expression said it all. “Demelza’s power is growing. She may have reached the point where she no longer needs to cause accidents but can literally suck the life out of someone. Of course, that would take a great deal of her energy. It would be a slow process.”
“Is there anything you can do to protect Steven?”
“We can put up barriers but I can’t guarantee how long they’ll hold.”
“They only have to hold through the night. Remember, we’re bringing in the Elowyn A-team at moonrise.”
I called Mom back and told her I was bringing the cavalry. She told me not to over-dramatize the situation. As if that was possible.
This time I wasn’t so shocked by my mom’s appearance. Grey roots peeped through her lank hair, and without makeup her skin was pasty. Deep wrinkles lurked between her unplucked eyebrows.
She sat beside Steven, clutching his hand as though she expected to fight Death for him at any moment. Steven really did look horrible. His face was as white as the bandages on his wrist. Cheeks hollow, lips bloodless, eyes closed. Straps secured him to the bed. He didn’t look capable of twitching a toe, let alone getting off the bed, but Mom assured me he’d had episodes so violent it’d taken three big nurses to subdue him.
Leaving Wanda and Mac outside, I went into Steven’s room to prepare Mom for what they planned to do. I’d barely broached the subject when Dr. Montgomery poked her head in the door. This was the last thing I needed what with moonrise less than two hours away. I had to convince Mom to allow witchcraft on Steven, give the witches time to cast their spell and get back to Ravens Wood. Now I also had to get rid of Dr. Montgomery, who didn’t look like she’d be easy to shift.
With a conspiratorial glance at me, she said, “Mrs. Hampton and I have discussed moving Mr. Hampton to another hospital for tests. We need to know whether there are any underlying conditions that might contribute to his psychological state. Perhaps, Ms Fairweather, you’d like to discuss that with your mother.” Dr. Montgomery’s expression hinted that she wanted me to persuade Mom to agree to the tests.
Mom left Steven’s side, sighing. “Allegra, is there any point in doing tests?”
I shook my head.
“So we won’t do them,” said Mom wearily.
“With respect,” said Dr. Montgomery, fixing her sharp eyes on mine, “do you have any medical training, Ms. Fairweather?”
I didn’t bother telling her that medical training wouldn’t help when it came to Steven’s illness. If I told her exactly what was wrong with him, she’d probably offer me a room and therapy.
When the silence became oppressive, Dr. Montgomery said, “I most strongly advise you, Mrs. Hampton, to have Steven moved to another facility for further tests.”
“Thank you for your opinion,” said Mom, recovering some of her old spark and beginning to
sound like the woman who had bullied billionaires into donating to her favorite charities. “We won’t be submitting Steven to tests. In this matter, I have confidence in my daughter’s expert opinion.”
Gosh. Mom thought my opinion was expert.
Sadly, Dr. Montgomery didn’t agree. “I won’t have Oak Lodge held responsible for Mr. Hampton’s survival. It’s my professional opinion he shouas moved to a more appropriate facility. His condition is—”
Steven groaned. Our three pairs of eyes focused on his emaciated body.
“That’s his first response in hours,” said Mom, hurrying back to his side. She bent over the bed, smoothing a gentle hand over his forehead. “Darling, can you hear me?” He grunted and thrashed his head from side to side, hard enough to do permanent neck damage. Gently Mom tried to restrain him. “Hush, my darling. We’re doing all we can to help you.”
“Not quite,” put in Dr. Montgomery. “If you followed my advice—”
“Oh shut up,” said Mom.
“Now let’s calm down and think this through,” said the doctor. “We all want what’s best for Mr. Hampton.”
Steven arched his back and screamed. When the straps prevented him leaping off the bed, he slumped back and was still. His eyes half opened, lids fluttering like hyped up butterflies. “Help me,” he whispered. “Sondra. Please.” Then his eyes closed and he went very still.
“Dear God!” shrieked Mom. “Steven wake up. You’ve got to wake up.” She shook him while her hair whipped crazily around her gaunt face.
Dr. Montgomery pushed her out of the way and felt for Steven’s pulse. Oh no, he couldn’t die now. Not when we were so close to saving him. I wondered if Casper could intervene with the Powers-That-Be.
“Is he—?” began Mom.
Dr. Montgomery said, “I’ve called for an ambulance to transport him.”
Mom’s bowed head jerked up. Her jaw was rigid with suppressed anger.
I said, “Mom, he’s safer here.”
“Let it go, Allegra. I understand Dr. Montgomery’s position, just as I’m sure she understands that the million dollar check I wrote for Oak Lodge isn’t signed yet.”
A number of expressions crossed the doctor’s face. Anxiety, anger, frustration and finally resignation. “I’ll cancel the ambulance.”
As soon as Dr. Montgomery left, Wanda and Mac came in with bags containing fat white candles, glass atomizers filled with pale greenish liquid, and sprigs of sweet-smelling herbs. They were both wearing silver kiricans around their necks. As they placed the candles and sprigs of herbs around Steven’s bed, Mom looked on in horror.
“They can’t do that in here,” she whispered. I hadn’t had time to talk to Mom about the witches because of Dr. Montgomery’s earlier appearance. Now there was no time. Moonrise was barely an hour away and we had to get to Ravens Wood by then.
In place of a full explanation, I said, “This will help protect Steven until we can get rid of Demelza.”
Mom hesitated for only a second and then volunteered to stand guard outside the door. “If anyone tries to come in, I’ll threaten them with that unsigned check and send them away.” Amazing what a million dollars will buy. Well, not really. The truly amazing thing was witnessing Mom wilding her financial power in the name of the paranormal.
Mac asked me to wait outside too. As I left I saw Orlando creep out from beneath her long thick hair. Thankfully Buttercup had stayed at home but she was probably helping Wanda with the magic in some way I couldn’t begin to imagine. As I closed the door Mac began to chant.
“What language is that?” asked Mom.
“Witch.”
“I’m sorry I asked.”
“Thought you might be.”
Mom studied her badly chipped nail polish. “I want to thank you for being here. I don’t know how I’d get through this without you.”
It was the kind of thing she said to Lily, not me. I was tempted to remind her who she was talking to, but for once in my life I let the snarky comment slide. Mom grabbed hold of my hand and squeezed tight. The smooth gold of her wedding ring pressed against my skin.
We’d been standing silently for a few minutes when she asked, “Have you heard any news of Lily?”
“No. I’m so sorry.”
We didn’t speak again, although Mom went on holding my hand until Wanda and Mac emerged pale and exhausted. Mom rushed to Steven’s side. A silver kirican on a chain gleamed around his neck. His hands no longer twitched and he seemed to be sleeping peacefully.
“He’ll survive?” I asked Mac.
“For the night.” Her voice was low but Mom heard anyway.
“And then?” she asked.
I interrupted. “We’re going to defeat Demelza tonight. By morning she’ll be gone.”
Mac anxiously checked her watch. “We have to be at Ravens Wood in half an hour.”
We hurried outside and scrambled into the car. As I sped to our destination, Mac said, “After meeting your mother, I can see where you get your toughness from.”
“What? No way. Everyone says I’m as different from Mom as Lily is like her.”
“Only in appearance,” said Mac. “If your Mom had been raised in a different era, she might have turned out as kickass as you.”
“Yeah right.” I laughed, turning it into a joke, but I had a feeling Mac was dead serious.
When I parked in the ruined village of Ravenswing, Mac and Wanda went round to the trunk to get out more bags of witch stuff. Orlando crawled out from under the passenger seat, giving me a heck of a fright.
“You crawl up my pants leg and you’re dead,” I whispered.
He scurried beneath the seat again. I had my mouth open to call Mac to come get him when he reappeared with a folded piece of paper. As I opened it I saw the letterhead of Oak Lodge. Thinking it was from Mom, I started to read.
Lily is in labor. Thought you’d want to know. C.
So he’d ducked out of the gel Awards to check on Lily. Then he’d flown to Oak Lodge, charmed paper from the receptionist and left this note in my car. Probably he’d instructed Orlando to give it to me. How had he done that when Orlando had been in Steven’s room all the time?
It didn’t matter. I was grateful for the information.
Anyone who’s ever had a sister go into labor knows it’s an exciting, happy time. Or it should be. Obviously, that wasn’t the case with me. Lily was alone, in danger from any number of possible complications, and even if she safely gave birth, Demelza was waiting to kill her baby.
When I got out of the car, Mac gave me a silver kirican on a chain. “Put this on. For protection.” Then we went into the wood. It was ten minutes until moonrise.
Chapter Nineteen
It had been raining again and the ground was soggy. We squelched along trying not to slip on the fallen leaves until we reached the site of Elowyn and Demelza’s final battle. Well, penultimate battle, I guess, since they were due for a rematch tonight.
Mac said to Wanda, “If something goes wrong, take Allegra and get out of here fast.”
“What could go wrong?” I asked.
Mac didn’t answer. She was busy pacing out a rough triangle within the clearing. I turned to my BFF. “What could go wrong?”
“Don’t you know?” Wanda asked as she safely stowed the bottle containing the blood potion outside Mac’s triangle near the trunk of a huge tree. “I mean, you’re a paranormal investigator.”
“Yeah, but I don’t usually summon spirits. I get rid of them.”
“Right. Sorry. Well, things that could go wrong include, but are not limited to, accidentally attracting the wrong spirit, or pissing Elowyn off for summoning her—to the point that she puts a spell on us or something—or having nothing at all happen, in which case we wouldn’t be in danger, but we wouldn’t be able to defeat Demelza either.”
None of those possibilities were particularly attractive. I hoped nothing would go wrong. Success was the only option.
While we’d bee
n talking, Mac had finished pacing out the triangle and marking it with something that looked like silvery dust. After lighting three pink candles, she gave one each to Wanda and me, and kept the third. She directed Wanda and me to stand at two points of the triangle taking the other herself. The kirican she’d given me hung heavy around my neck. With each breath, it clinked softly against Casper’s moonlight pendant. Mac cautioned us to let her do the talking.
We’d barely gotten in place, when light from the rising moon seeped into the clearing.
Mac began to chant in the ancient language of Witch. I didn’t understand all the words, but that didn’t matter. I could feel the power of them vibrating through the trunks of the trees. Overhead, leaves trembled and fell, whirling around us as though caught in the mother of all storms. Despite the wind, our candle flames didn’t so much as flicker. Mac’s face was pinched with concentration. Wanda ag17;s was alert, her head turning this way and that, anxious to take everything in and learn.
The moon rose higher. Mac and Wanda looked creepy with their candles held beneath their chins. I suppose I looked the same. Mac’s chanting soared on the wind. Lightning shattered the sky, which seemed to crack open like a dark egg giving birth to the misty woman who floated to earth. Thunder roared. Then everything went very still. A lone leaf drifted to the ground.
Elowyn alighted gently on the soggy ground at the center of the triangle. She looked just like Demelza in her misty form, which wasn’t so surprising, considering they were twins. But Elowyn had spent the last few hundred years in Heaven, so her face was softer, more compassionate than Demelza’s. Even so, she didn’t look too happy to find herself in this dark wood surrounded by three unfamiliar women and one Orlando. She passed a transparent hand across her eyes as though she’d woken from a long sleep and blinked in the glow of our candles.
“I knoweth this place,” murmured Elowyn. Then, realizing exactly where she was, “Sweet Lord. Demelza?”
Mac said, “I, Mackenzie Louise Revvan, witch of the second rank, have summoned you.”
