Witch Ball - BK 3

by Linda Joy Singleton

  I glanced cautiously at Amy, who was sitting on the curb absorbed in a thick, green book. "Sure," I said.

  Manny took my arm and led me a short distance away. "You'll never guess what I got here. I was packing up my booth and ran across this."

  "A notebook?"

  "Not just any notebook." He flipped it open. "It's the sign-up sheet I put out when I set up my booth. It has some names."

  I lowered my voice. "The people who got predictions before me?"

  "Exactly." He handed me the notebook. "Check it out."

  I looked down and read three names.

  K. C. Myers

  Jack Carney

  Jillian Grossmer

  I kept my expression calm because I suspected Amy was listening. The first two names meant nothing to me, but it took all my control to hide my surprise at Jill's name.

  "Interesting." I gave Manny a look warning him not to say much in front of my sister.

  He nodded in understanding. "Thought you'd feel that way."

  "Remember anything yet?"

  "Nope." His black dreadlocks swayed with the shake of his head. "I doubt I will."

  "If you do, let me know."

  "Definitely."

  The minute he left, Amy put her book away and faced me with a curious expression. "So what was that about? And don't tell me nothing, because I read enough mysteries to know when people are hiding secrets."

  I shrugged. "It was nothing."

  "I'm not a baby, Sabine. You can tell me anything."

  "There's nothing to tell. Just dull carnival business."

  "Then show me the notebook."

  "No." I held it securely behind my back.

  "Why not if it's dull?" She grabbed for the notebook, but I lifted it over my head and spun away from her.

  "Oh, there's Nona!" I announced, waving at the car pulling into the parking lot. "Come on Amy."

  "You are so not playing fair," she grumbled. But I ignored her and hurried over to Nonas car.

  Nona gave a joyful exclamation when she saw Amy, and invited her to sit up in the front seat. Amy hadn't visited since I moved in, so Nona was full of questions about school, modeling, and music lessons. I slid into the back, glad to be alone with my thoughts-and Manny's notebook. Flipping it open, I traced my finger over Jill's flowing cursive signature. Her double Us looped identically and the dot over her "i" was perfectly centered. Super-achiever, even when it came to her penmanship. How would she react to a less-than-perfect prediction?

  It would be simple enough to call Jill and find out what Manny told her. But would she tell me over the phone? She'd want to know why I didn't just ask Manny. That would lead to more awkward questions I didn't want to answer.

  Besides, Jill hadn't seemed upset today. In the midst of carnival chaos, she maintained a calm, confident attitude. We'd talked several times and she'd never once mentioned a prediction. If Manny had gone into a zombie trance and foretold her death, I would have heard about it-if not from Jill then from someone else. Whatever Manny had told her, it couldn't have been bad news-maybe even good.

  Jack and K.C.-whoever they were-probably received good fortunes, too, and I was stressing over nothing. Although, if I was the only one with a bad prediction, that meant the witch ball had a grudge against me.

  Was it because I was the new owner of the ball?

  Or was it more personal ... more dangerous?

  When we arrived home, I lugged a folding bed upstairs and set it up in my room for Amy. I was amused to discover her backpack had more books than anything. If it had been Ashley, she would have brought half of her closet plus an arsenal of makeup. How could twins who shared the exact genes be so different?

  Of course I shared some of those genes, and look how I turned out. I wasn't fashionable like Mom, multi-talented like my sisters, or a shrewd negotiator like Dad. In a way I was the "black sheep" of the family. I even had the black stripe in my blond hair to prove it; the hereditary mark of a seer. Nona had one, too, until her blond hair turned silver-gray.

  While Nona took Amy on a get-reacquainted tour of the farm, I offered to start dinner. I peeled carrots, sliced chicken, and then simmered them with noodles and mushroom soup for a casserole. Savory smells filled the stove-warmed kitchen. Everything was ready when Amy and Nona returned from outside; their cheeks flushed and a piece of hay poking out from Amy's long, dark hair.

  Dinner was a festive occasion. Amy and I talked about the carnival, sharing funny stories about the people who came to our booth, like the elderly man who was so excited to score a hit, his dentures fell out. Nona told about her more unusual clients from Soul Mate Matches; the little boy who hired her to find the perfect mate for his father and ended up with his teacher for a stepmother; and the man who discovered his perfect match was his ex-wife. I loved seeing Nona relaxed and acting like her usual self with zero signs of illness.

  After dinner, Nona cleared off the table, Amy rinsed dishes, and I put them in the dishwasher. We gathered in the living room and munched buttery popcorn while watching a movie.

  Then Nona had work to do in her office, so Amy and I headed upstairs. I was standing in front of my mirror, brushing out my hair, when it hit me that josh hadn't called. I was afraid to think what this could mean.

  "Why are you frowning?" Amy asked, pulling on the baggy T-shirt I'd loaned her.

  "Just tired." There were probably a dozen logical reasons why josh hadn't called; it probably had nothing to do with Evan.

  "I've had so much fun today." Amy hugged the stuffed unicorn. "I'm glad Mom let me come here."

  "Me, too." I set down my brush and summoned a smile. "Would you like to choose tonight's night-light?"

  Her eyes widened. "Really? But you never let me touch your collection."

  "That was when you were a baby-now you're ten. Go ahead and pick one."

  She crossed the room and held her breath almost reverently as she opened the glass cabinet. "The black cat is wicked looking, but the green frog is funny. Oh, I like the musical note, too. Remember who gave you that?"

  "Yeah-you." I chuckled. "It was my birthday and you made me follow rhyming clues all over the house until I found the night-light plugged into an attic outlet and tied with a big red bow."

  "Wait till you see what I have planned for your next birthday."

  I groaned. "I'm scared."

  "You should be," she teased, turning back to the cabinet.

  A few minutes later, Amy had decided on a stained glass night-light like a Victorian house. "It has a little attic window like the spooky house in one of my favorite books, The Haunted Attic Mystery."

  "Everything reminds you of a book," I teased.

  "I've already read twenty-one this month."

  "Wow. I'm impressed."

  "Too bad you're the only one." Amy sighed. "Mom says I should be more active and that reading too much will give me squinty eye wrinkles."

  "Don't let her get to you. She used to tell me not to wrinkle my forehead and I turned out just fine," I said, lifting my brows in exaggeration so my forehead squished into deep creases.

  "You're too funny." Amy giggled. "I wish you never moved out."

  "It was tough at first. But it's worked out okay, and it's great being with Nona."

  "Not so great for me. Mom's always on my case and Dad works so much it's like he moved out. And Ashley ... well our house isn't a home anymore." Kneeling down, she plugged in the Victorian house night-light. Soft amber, green, and blue lights shone across my walls. But Amy had turned away and stood before my window, staring into the dark night.

  Coming up beside her, I slipped my arm around her slim shoulders. "What's going on with you and Ashley?"

  "She's driving me crazy."

  "How?"

  "She's all, `we're gonna be a famous singing duo.' But I don't want to sing in front of lots of people."

  "You're in front of people at your music recitals."

  "That's different. I'm not the focus, it's the music. Model
ing is okay, too, cause I don't talk much and daydream a lot. It's Ashley who wants to be a diva, not me."

  I nodded with understanding. "Then don't do it."

  "Ashley already signed us up for voice and more dance classes. She says she needs me because being twins is a good gimmick and will get us noticed."

  "Tell her how you feel."

  "I've tried only it's like she doesn't hear me. When we were little, I didn't mind letting her decide stuff. But now she tells me what to wear, who to hang out with, and how to fix my hair. I can't stand her."

  "You don't mean that you love Ashley."

  "Maybe. But I hate her, too."

  The anger in her tone startled me, although I could understand her resentment. It sounded like Ashley was getting out of control-becoming more like Mom. I shuddered at this thought. Two of my mother?

  Now that was scary.

  A short while later, Amy had calmed down and was curled under a blanket with her face halfhidden in a thick, green book.

  I was too wound up to relax. So much had happened today, and I hadn't had time to sort through my emotions. I usually chilled out by working on crafts; the repetition of weaving thread was like meditating. But just as I opened my craft bag, the phone rang.

  josh! I thought excitedly. I hoped it was him. Then I'd know we were still okay, that Evan hadn't turned him against me. I might even find the courage to tell josh about my past.

  As I hurried to the phone, I tried to summon a vision of the caller. This was a psychic game I'd played since I was little, and usually I guessed right. But now when I searched my mind for a face or name, I got nothing.

  So I had no forewarning when I picked up the phone.

  It wasn't Josh.

  "Good evening, Sabine," my mother greeted in that formal tone reserved for strangers and her eldest daughter.

  "Hi, Mom." I paused. "Uh, you must want Amy. I'll go get-"

  "No," she interrupted. "I want to speak with you. "

  "Me?" I twisted the phone cord so it dug into my fingers.

  "I apologize for calling so late. But today has been rather hectic."

  "Amy said you were staying with an old friend."

  "Yes, Trinity VonSchlep, I'm sure you've heard of her work as a casting agent. We were sorority sisters in college and it's been wonderful seeing her after all these years. Trinity is quite taken with Ashley, which could lead to some fabulous opportunities for the twins. But that's not why I'm calling."

  I braced myself for criticism. Here comes the real reason.

  "We haven't had a chance to talk since the birthday party and I wanted to tell you how glad I was to have you there."

  "Glad?" This from the same woman who'd told me not to attend the party!

  "Sabine dear, you behaved so wonderfully, so poised and mature. I was very proud of you."

  Huh? Was I hearing right? My mother-proud of me?

  "You looked lovely and I was very impressed with your young man," she continued. "Has Josh ever considered modeling? I could put him in contact with some key people if he's interested."

  "I don't think so. But I'll tell him."

  "Also be sure to tell him he's welcome to visit anytime."

  "Should I come, too?"

  "Don't make jokes, Sabine. I'm being sincere."

  "Well ... thanks. I'll tell josh and we'll plan a visit."

  "Excellent. He's exactly the sort of young man I'd hoped you'd find, and clearly a very good influence to help you overcome your past problems."

  "You don't have to worry about me."

  "I'm not-but I'm concerned about Amy."

  "Why?" I asked cautiously.

  "She's at an impressionable age, and I don't want her to experience anything unnatural. I wouldn't have allowed her to stay with you if I hadn't thought you'd outgrown all the woo-woo nonsense."

  Yeah, like I'm going to take Amy to a coven meeting where we'll dance naked with spirits in the moonlight.

  Mom hadn't changed at all-my abilities still freaked her out. She'd only called to make sure I didn't corrupt my little sister. Her sugary compliments were as fake as artificial sweetener. Arguing would just bring a quick end to Amy's visit. So I said what Mom wanted to hear-lying through my clenched teeth for Amy's sake.

  Then I slammed the phone down.

  SUNDAY

  I woke up early the next morning with a heavy sense of dread, at first not remembering why, then it all rushed back. Manny's ominous prediction, Mom's barbed words, and no call from josh.

  Sitting up in bed, I look toward the window where gray sky was softened by an orange-golden dawn. I refused to let that prediction scare me and I had lifelong practice ignoring Mom's criticism. But Josh not calling ... well that worried me.

  Had Evan carried out his threat and told josh everything?

  Hugging my pillow, I felt a sharp ache inside. What would I do if Josh dumped me? No more romantic morning meetings at my locker and I'd have to go back to sitting with the cheerleaders at lunch. My friends would be sympathetic, but they'd wonder what I'd done to lose such a great guy. Or maybe they'd know already because Evan would have spread malicious rumors. Then they'd stare at me with suspicion.

  Of course, if Manny's prediction came true, I'd be dead in a week anyway.

  Stop that negative thinking immediately, a familiar bossy voice said in my head.

  "Opal! You're back!" I cried joyfully, tossing aside my pillow and seeing her in my mind. A dramatic vision of tawny skin, ebony hair swept high, and dark brows arched over sparkling, black eyes.

  As I've told you repeatedly, I never go away in a physical sense.

  "But I tried and tried to contact you, only it was like a wall blocked me."

  The obstruction was on your side. I continued to communicate. Your inability to hear me led to a significant amount of frustration.

  "It was the witch ball."

  The object you speak of is of little consequence, although there did seem to be an unusual aura ofdis- cord surrounding it. You were wise to distance yourself from such negative energy.

  "Is that why I can hear you again? Because it's not here?"

  That seems a likely summation.

  "What about Manny's prediction?" Amy stirred across the room, so I lowered my voice. "Why did the witch ball make him say such terrible things? I mean, predicting I have only five days to live. That's crazy, right?"

  The course ofyour future must remain unknown so you can follow your chosen path and learn from experiences.

  "So you don't know?"

  I am not all knowing, that job belongs to someone else.

  "Then the witch ball can't know either."

  A logical summation as earthly objects have no insight. But if there is a lost soul involved, what you would call a ghost, I cannot ascertain the scope of its abilities.

  "You mean ..." I clutched my covers to my chest. "The prediction could be true?"

  I have no sense ofyour joining me anytime soon. But there is no certainty when human will is involved and you remain the master ofyour life chart. When you are ready to come home, rest assured I will guide your journey.

  "But when? What's going to happen?" I asked, only I felt her energy draw away. "Opal, tell me!"

  Across the room, Amy lifted her head and blinked sleepily at me. "Sabine . . . did you say something?"

  If Amy found out I'd been speaking to my spirit guide, Mom would never let her visit again. So I dove under my covers, pretending to be asleep.

  When Amy's breathing was even and I was sure she was fast asleep again, I climbed out of bed and changed into jeans and a warm sweatshirt. Tiptoeing out of the room, I shut the door so gently there was no sound. Then I hurried downstairs and out into the chilly morning.

  It was so early, not even the livestock stirred as I crossed the driveway and headed for the pasture. Dominic lived in a loft apartment over the barn. He had a kitchenette and private bathroom, and usually kept to himself. His official job was farm assistant, but the real reason
Nona hired him was to locate a long-lost ancestral remedy book. Her episode with the clocks showed that her illness was worsening. I was losing her in small pieces at a time. If we didn't find the book with the only cure, she'd lapse in a coma and I would lose her forever.

  When Dominic invited me into his loft, I didn't waste time on small talk.

  "Where is it?" I asked with an anxious glance around. With no family pictures on the walls, the loft felt as personal as a hotel room. Yet the way Dominic smiled when he saw me was a warm welcome.

  "Locked in the tool shed," Dominic said. I noticed an open window and empty wood perch where Dagger sometimes rested, and suspected the falcon was still on guard duty.

  "Thanks for helping out."

  "No problem." He pulled out a key from his pocket. "Take this."

  "The key to the shed?"

  He nodded. "If you want the ball and I'm not around."

  I'rn the one who might not be around, I thought morbidly as I pocketed the key.

  A movement of white caught my attention and I noticed a snowy fur ball curled on top of Dominic's dresser. "Hey, what's my cat doing here?"

  "Sleeping."

  "So this is where she's been hiding." Lilybelle opened her green eye, then her blue eye. As I ran my fingers across her silky fur, she regarded me for a moment. Then she closed both eyes and resumed sleeping.

  "Traitor," I said fondly. "You're supposed to be my cat."

  "She still is," Dominic said. "With the witch ball out of the house, she'll return soon."

  "Lilybelle doesn't seem to be in any hurry. I think she likes being here."

  "What about you?" Dominic spoke with an intensity that made my heart jump. I didn't want to guess what he meant and purposely changed the subject.

  "At the carnival, I appreciated you showing Amy around the booths." I cleared my throat. "She loves the unicorn you won for her."

  "She's a good kid."

  "Yeah ... she is." He was leaning close to me again. I pulled back, then babbled on, hardly knowing what I was saying. "Amy is shy and wouldn't have left my booth if you hadn't offered to go with her. I would have taken her, but one of us had to stay with the booth. The only other person she knew was josh, and he was busy, too."