Emmy and the Coven of Witches

by Janine Summers

  “The Professor will look after her. He will come to her aid if the need arises, but I think Grammie is in control of the situation. However, if she saw that you were still in the vicinity, her control could waver.”

  Emmy thought about Ayden’s words. She didn’t want to do anything that would endanger her. “I guess you’re right.”

  “Come on.” Ayden led her away from the tree and the developing scene, trying to keep Emmy from looking back. The hags’ attention was centered on Grammie and not on those around them, so no one saw the young couple leave the park.

  Emmy and Ayden walked back to the house, and went inside, where he locked the door.

  “I hope she’s all right.” Emmy went to the fridge and removed a pitcher of lemonade. She poured two glasses and sat down.

  “I’m certain she’s fine.”

  “Ayden, she was outnumbered.”

  “I know, but she’s strong and cunning. You don’t have to worry about her.”

  Emmy wasn’t convinced. “How can I not worry? We left her to face three hags. She had to fight them off by herself.”

  “She wasn’t alone. I know the Professor watches out for her. If she needed help, he’d be there.”

  “I didn’t see him.”

  “And unless it is his wish, you will not see him. Much in the same way, as I’m not seen by your friends.”

  Emmy’s eyes moved toward the front door willing Grammie to walk in, but so far there was no sign of her.

  “Trust me when I say, she’s never alone. As you are not alone, neither is she.”

  “I wish I could, but never having met the elusive Professor, I can’t.”

  Ayden laughed. “As I told you before, you’ll only meet him when he wants you to. Until then, he’ll remain invisible to you and to most people.”

  “This really sucks.”

  “I know, but when the time’s right, you’ll have the opportunity to meet him.”

  “Why do I have to wait?”

  “He holds the answers to your questions.”

  “I hate mysteries… especially those I’m involved in.”

  “I understand.” Ayden sipped his lemonade while a sly smile crept over his features.

  “What do we do?” Emmy wasn’t so sure of Grammie’s safety. Sometimes, she wondered if the Professor really existed or was this, another trick Grammie and Ayden came up with to try and keep her out of harm’s way.

  “All we can do at this point is sit and wait for her return.” He leaned back in his chair, as his green eyes studied Emmy’s blue ones.

  She sipped her lemonade while her thoughts ran to Grammie and Grisandole and the hags she’d seen closing in. How could anyone think she wouldn’t worry?

  Grammie briskly walked back downtown, hoping to lose her tail. The hags kept their distance, but continued to follow her every move. She couldn’t go back home fearing they’d follow her, and discover their location.

  She walked into a store, hoping there might be a back door she could use and disappear. If she was seen disappearing by mortals, not only would there be widespread panic, but the hags could follow her magical essence.

  The bell over the door rang. Marsilia tensed. Did the hags dare to enter the shop? She turned to face the culprits but heaved a sigh of relief when she saw the mistress of her coven walk in.

  Malka went to Marsilia. “I was told there’s trouble brewing.”

  “I’m happy to see you.”

  “They’re determined to prove you are their path to the Valittu. We must steer them in another direction.” Malka looked around the small but busy store.

  “They won’t leave as long as I’m in here. I can’t lead them to my house.”

  “I know.”

  “Who told you of my predicament?” Grammie searched the faces of those milling about in the shop.

  “I received a missive.” She removed a folded piece of parchment paper from her pocket and gave it to Marsilia.

  Grammie read the note. Malka, Marsilia in trouble. Identity of child compromised. Need help. The Quilt Shoppe. Hurry! “P”. “I have no doubt who authored this note,” Grammie returned the message. “How do we get out of here unseen?” Her first and only priority was to safeguard Emmy.

  “Follow me.” Malka went to the counter and spoke with the woman folding a quilt for a customer. She finished wrapping it and turned her attention to Malka.

  A moment later, Malka returned to Grammie’s side. “I have a way out.”

  “Excellent!” Relief flooded her being.

  They walked around the counter, through the back and up a flight of stairs that led to the living quarters of the owner. They stopped and knocked on the door.

  An older woman, who’d seen more summers than Grammie, answered the door and stood in the entrance. The expression on her face revealed a genuine surprise. She bowed. “Mistress.”

  Grammie thought the woman looked familiar. She’d seen her at many meetings, but wasn’t sure which coven she belonged to.

  “We’re being followed by Grisandole’s hags and we can’t be seen leaving this store.”

  “Of course. My back door leads to an alley. Follow it past the downtown core and you should be safe.” The woman led them through the large living quarters where many quilts lay upon a wooden table. They walked through the kitchen, down the stairs and across the cellar. Once they reached the bottom level, the woman stopped, and opened a door. She stepped into the long alley and motioned for Malka and Marsilia to exit.

  “Follow the lane, and turn right. When you come to the end, make a left and that will put you on the other side of town.”

  “Thank you,” Malka said.

  “You are welcome, Mistress.”

  Grammie stepped through the open doorway. “I would like to thank you as well. This is very kind of you.”

  She bowed her head to the pair of witches and then entered her home. She closed and locked the door.

  “You picked the right shop to enter, Marsilia.”

  “I guess I did.”

  “How did you know?” The suspicious tone that laced Malka’s voice shocked Grammie. It would seem everyone harbored suspicions.

  “I didn’t. I walked until I found a busy shop. I thought I’d be safe among all those mortals. The hags wouldn’t enter unless they had to. Remember, Grisandole cannot be found out. No one even knows what she looks like.”

  “You’re right.”

  “I only know the identity of a few hags. They’ve been trying to follow me, but until now, unsuccessfully.”

  “I heard about last night. Are they the same ones who attacked you yesterday?” They came to the end of the alleyway.

  “No. I’ve never seen these three. I wonder how many hags, Grisandole brought into our realm.”

  “I don’t know, but I’ve heard that some sisters from other covens have also turned against us and have gone over to Grisandole and pledged their allegiance to her. The promise of power and gold can turn many heads.”

  “I guess we have more to fear than we suspected.”

  “Yes, we do. It’s not something I wanted to happen, but it has and we will need to find a way to figure out who has gone over to Grisandole’s side, and refuse them entry into our meetings.”

  “I know.”

  When they reached the end, and made the proper turns, Malka said, “I’ll go back toward the core and try to lead them away.”

  “No need.” Grammie took out her wand and held it. “Thank you for your assistance, mistress.” A shower of gold flew from the tip of her wand and danced the length of her form. In a heartbeat, Grammie was gone.

  She reappeared in front of her house. With a smile, she fumbled for her key and opened the door. “Emmy!” She hoped her granddaughter was safe.

  “It’s Grammie!” Emmy jumped out of her seat and
ran to the front room.

  “Thank the stars, you’re all right.” She hugged her granddaughter. “I was so worried.”

  “You’re not the only one. I thought they’d hurt you.” She stepped back and gave Grammie another look to make sure she wasn’t lying about being injured.

  “I’m fine.” Grammie saw Ayden walk into the room. “Thank you,” Grammie said, as she reached for his hand and gave him a reassuring squeeze. “I seem to be saying that a lot lately.”

  “I’m here to help.”

  CHAPTER 30

  BERTHA

  “I cannot believe this! Once again you had her in your grasp, and you lost her? I refuse to accept such incompetence from my coven! I entrusted you with a special task, a very important task and you failed me!” Grisandole’s voice carried throughout the house. “You know I cannot walk the streets during the day, so I must rely on my sisters to be my eyes and ears, and if necessary, my executioner!”

  The hags shuffled their feet. The fear they felt at their Mistress’ anger was more than a little evident. Every woman standing before her volatile temper shook at the possibility that this could be their last day in this world.

  “Does anyone have anything to say about this latest failure?” Grisandole stared each woman down.

  “We believe the girl we saw in the park was in fact the one we’re searching for.”

  “And this should excuse your uselessness in fulfilling a simple command?”

  They shuffled again.

  “She wasn’t alone. As soon as we spotted her, the old witch sitting with her went one way and the girl disappeared.” The hags shuffled their feet in embarrassment before their leader.

  “She didn’t use magic. I would have felt its strength and I didn’t. Your attention was drawn away from the girl.” Grisandole paced before the women. “Luck is on your side. I need everyone out there searching for this girl. You know her guardian’s identity. It’s a start, but I warn you, fail me again and you’re lives won’t be worth a gold coin. Have I made myself clear?”

  “Yes Mistress,” they said in unison.

  “Find that woman and bring me the girl!” Grisandole stomped away, her anger hitting the hags like a slap in the face.

  Bertha turned to the hags. “Ladies, we are running out of time. If we want Grisandole to take over the coven of witches across every plain of existence, then we must find the girl and the wand.”

  The women looked at each other in wonder. Every woman including Bertha had to wonder if this was a good thing, or would this change their lives for eternity. This may not have worked out the way they’d originally hoped. Grisandole was becoming more and more erratic. Now that she was rapidly climbing the ranks, she craved the power a convergence of covens would bring.

  Bertha looked at her sisters and fairly read their minds. Uniting the covens with the power of the Crystal Wand would strengthen or destroy the world of witches. Still, Grisandole was their Mistress and they had to obey her rule.

  “We don’t know where to look. We’ve searched the school grounds, the shops and the streets.”

  “Tomorrow, we’ll start with the park and work our way out, in all directions. We will return to the quilt shop where she was last seen. No matter what we think or feel, we have a duty to this coven, and we will find the woman and the child.”

  “Do you believe they’ll go back there?” One hag asked without fear.

  Bertha looked at the woman. “I don’t know, but we have to start somewhere. Now, I recommend you stay away from Grisandole until you bring her news, or the child.”

  “I think that’s sound advice, Bertha,” a woman whispered and walked away.

  Bertha stood for a moment and watched her sisters leave the room. She shook her head with sadness. Grisandole’s temper wouldn’t be easily assuaged, but she had to try. This was the only way to keep her from acting out irrationally and harming anyone who had the misfortune of crossing her path.

  “Mistress, may I get you a cup of tea?” Bertha asked when she entered the room, hoping to appease some of her Mistress’ anger. She watched Grisandole pace the length of the large kitchen. Her stomach lurched, for whenever Grisandole paced, the world was in trouble.

  “Do you think a cup of tea is the same as bringing me the child?”

  “Of course not. I only thought you could use a cup of herbal tea to calm your nerves. This isn’t good for you.”

  Grisandole glared at Bertha. “Fine.” She waved her away.

  CHAPTER 31

  MAGIC TIME

  Emmy tried the spell from the pages of the ancient book. She wanted to light a beeswax candle sitting majestically in its holder, but had no luck. Such an easy task and yet so intimidating when trying to light it without using a match or a lighter.

  “Grammie, it’s not working.” Exasperated, Emmy went to the fridge and poured herself a glass of juice. “What am I doing wrong?” Grammie showed her how it’s done. With one breath, she lit the candle, while Emmy had been trying for the past few minutes without success.

  “Keep trying. If it comes too easily, you won’t respect or honor it.”

  “I guess. Okay, one more time.” She stood and glanced at the words in the book. “To pluck a light from the sky, let the sun kiss the holder of the flame.” She let out a breath toward the candle’s wick. It caught fire and glowed warmly. “I did it!”

  Grammie entered the room and saw the burning candle. “Excellent!” She went to the table and blew out the flame. “Now, do it again.”

  “Ah! Grammie!”

  “Never mind. With practice, you’ll learn to ignite the flame without speaking the words out loud.”

  “Oh. So, this will work if I think the words rather than speak them?”

  “Precisely.”

  “I’ll keep trying.”

  Emmy spoke the spell, as Grammie went to the front window. She searched the street for signs of discovery. Ever since their earlier encounter with Grisandole’s hags, she feared someone was even now searching the area for her. Emmy stood in the doorway and watched her.

  She knew the fear was real for every fiber of her being trembled with an odd form of electrical current that swam through her body. The air crackled with the undercurrent brought on by Grisandole’s anger and bitterness.

  Emmy went back to the table as Grammie turned away from the window. She knew this wasn’t the end of Grisandole’s reign of terror, it was only the beginning. There had to be a way to stop her.

  Emmy looked up and was at Grammie’s side in an instant. “Are you alright?”

  “What? Oh yes, Dear, I’m fine.”

  “I’ll make you some tea.” Emmy brought her to the table. A few minutes passed and Emmy placed a cup in front of Grammie. “Here you go.”

  Her hands shook when she lifted the cup to her lips. The hot liquid trickled down her throat and soothed her nerves. Soon, the warmth spread though her like flames from a warm fire. Her pale cheeks reddened and her now warm hands ceased to shake. “Thank you. I feel much better.”

  Emmy pulled out a chair and sat next to her grandmother. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing, Child.” She smiled faintly trying to ease the worry that crept over Emmy’s soft features.

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “Emmy…”

  “Grammie, I can sense the heaviness in the air. I’ve felt it ever since the hags found us in the park.”

  “I should have realized this would affect you too.”

  “This tension is over whelming. It’s like a weight on my chest.”

  “What you’re feeling is Grisandole’s anger. All the witches can feel it. We feel the tension and anger more than anyone. You are the Valittu, and I am your guardian. This will affect me far more than the witches who are not as close to you.”

  “Why is she so angry?”

&
nbsp; “The hags had us in their clutches and failed to bring us before their Mistress. This must have angered Grisandole to unbelievable proportions. She will retaliate.”

  “How can she make us feel her anger?”

  “Her power is insurmountable. The only thing she can’t do is discover your identity. Witches can pool their magic together to hide an essence. In this case the essence is yours. This is how we’ve kept you safe.”

  “Is there a way for her to find us?”

  “If someone in the coven drops her guard, even for a moment, Grisandole could pick-up your magical essence.”

  “Is it safe to use magic?”

  “Yes.” Grammie finished her tea. “Let’s try something else?”

  “What are we going to do?” Emmy was exited to try something different.

  “I want you to put the cup and saucer into the sink.”

  “Sure.” Emmy stood ready to clear the table.

  “Not manually. I want you to use the magic within to accomplish this task.

  “Okay. Is this the same as bringing something to me?”

  “Yes, only you’ll be sending it across the room. Remember the power inside you is the most powerful phenomenon living in your heart and soul.”

  “Okay.” She was still uncertain when it came to using her magic, and she was terrified of breaking Grammie’s old china cup.

  “Concentrate on the task at hand.”

  Emmy looked at the teacup and matching floral saucer and something happened. Unsure what is was, she stopped and looked at Grammie.

  “Go on, you’re doing fine.”

  Emmy’s blue eyes centered in on the cup and saucer, as she used her mind to levitate the set. She watched it float through the air and fly into the sink.

  “Grammie, did you see that? I did it!”

  “I saw. That was excellent. Now I want you to practice lighting the candle and some more levitation. You can levitate anything you choose.”

  Emmy glanced around the room and saw the large book on the table. It rose and floated to rest in her hands. “This is so cool.”