The Witch and the Bottle of Djinn (The Seaforth Chronicles Book 4)

by B. J. Smash

  “Tell me Cora! Tell me,” Aunt Clover said.

  By this time, Drumm’s puzzled expression made him appear like he was watching a soap opera. He wasn’t used to this type of girl drama. “Tell us,” he said.

  Aunt Cora finally realized we were sitting in the parlor with them and she said, “Oh alright! The man you just described, fits the description of a man that has visited Maximus on occasion. He arrives at dusk every time. He leaves his boat at sea but canoes inland. He always brings Maximus a few bottles of rum, some spices, and maybe some silk or something.”

  “So? Maximus has visitors now and then, doesn’t he?” Aunt Clover asked. She slanted in toward Aunt Cora.

  “Not very often.” Aunt Cora still acted as though she were bothered about something.

  “Just spit it out, Aunt Cora! What is it about this man that seems strange?” I said.

  She took a long sip of her wine—maybe three big gulps—then set the glass on the coffee table. “Well, the thing about this man, Clover…he…” and she paused, picked up her glass and drank some more wine.

  “Ssay it, Cora!” Aunt Clover demanded.

  “Well…he does not know that we are in the 21st Century.”

  “What?” Drumm and I said simultaneously.

  “He…thinks we are in the 18th Century. And he doesn’t know any better. Maximus says he’s an anomaly. He can’t be told what Century we’re in because…well…he’s a time traveler.”

  “A time traveler!” Aunt Clover jolted back in her chair. This time the force of her weight tipped the side table and knocked the lamp to the floor. The bottle threatened to fall, but she reached out and caught it with one swing of the hand.

  “Yes. He’s a pirate.” Aunt Cora lifted her glass of wine and downed it.

  Aunt Clover put the bottle of whisky to her lips, and took a gulp. “You don’t say? A pirate? You’re trying to tell me that the man from my memory…is a real 18th Century pirate?”

  Aunt Cora nodded her head. “I believe so, Cora. I believe so.”

  After a brief moment of silence, Gran walked in with a trash bag and a broom. “I heard the lamp break all the way from the kitchen! That lamp belonged to my great aunt! You’ve had too much to drink. And Clover…you’re supposed to travel tomorrow! You’re going to have a hangover! Rumpus time is over!”

  Gran swatted Aunt Clover with the dry, brittle bristles of the broom. Aunt Clover was still in shock and she didn’t move. Gran turned the broom around and swatted her leg with the handle, and Aunt Clover snapped out of her thoughts.

  “What? That lamp was ugly anyway,” she said.

  Gran held up the broom and prepared to swat her with it again. Aunt Clover hopped out of the chair and ran toward the stairs nearly falling over the dog. Gran chased her to the edge of the parlor, shaking the broom at her. “Ugly! That lamp was not ugly!”

  “It is the ugliest lamp I’ve ever had to lay eyes on,” Aunt Clover hiccupped and then laughed. She was just egging Gran on for fun…but Gran didn’t find it funny.

  “Why you little…” Gran continued to advance toward her. I really believe she was going to spank my aunt with the broom, and if my aunt hadn’t turned and ran up the stairs, Gran just might have done it.

  “Go to bed!” Gran yelled. It didn’t matter if my aunt was in her early thirties. Gran was still the boss.

  Drumm and I couldn’t help by snicker. We kept it as low as possible, lest Gran come after us with the broom. Upstairs, Aunt Clover bellowed out a laugh and slammed a door. I assumed she had gone to Zinnia’s old room and she would be asleep in no time.

  “Just another day in the Seaforth household,” Aunt Cora said as she poured another helping of wine in her glass.

  Gran walked over, took the glass and stomped to the kitchen.

  Aunt Cora didn’t say a single word. Gran had always been stern but she was hard to make angry. Right now… she was ticked off, and the party was officially over.

  I had to imagine that it was hard for Gran to see both of her daughters leave the country. In the past, she had been used to having them both here at the café. After Cora left, she at least had Clover. Now, she wouldn’t have either. I had to imagine that she found it hard to see me leave as well. I was only seventeen, and in her eyes I was just a kid. To top it all off, Zinnia had left the nest early. She was already married! And to make matters worse, we were leaving Gran behind with Uncle Royal and Ella for company!

  I hadn’t realized how everything would be affecting my Gran. My mood sobered quickly when I thought about how she may be feeling. I kissed Drumm on the cheek and told him I’d be right back. I quietly got up from the chair and went to the kitchen. The men had retired to the front porch for cigars and Gran stood in the kitchen dabbing her eyes with a rose themed hand towel. When she saw me she straightened her spine and cleared her throat.

  Always a strong woman. She didn’t like weakness of any kind.

  I walked over and gave her a big hug. “It’ll be fine Gran. I’ll be back soon. And Clover is sure to return at some point. She’s only going to do research.” I didn’t know if I was telling the truth or not. She was supposed to go to Hy Brasil for research but now things seemed to be taking a turn. Who really knew what was about to happen? Even I felt worried – but at the same time adventure called to me.

  “I’ll be fine but thank you,” her voice trembled and she patted me nervously on the back. “It’s you that I worry about.”

  “I’ll be fine, too. I promise. You know, Lucian needs help or he will surely die.”

  “I know. You’re a good friend. You can do it. I have all the faith in the world in you.”

  To hear this coming from Gran meant a lot. “Thanks Gran.”

  I stood back and opened my mouth to say goodnight, but she interrupted me with urgency, “That girl outside. That’s not the Ella I once knew. Something is very wrong with her. You must be careful. For if she escapes us, she’s coming for you.”

  “Escape? She won’t be able to escape Izadora. Trust me on that one, Gran!” I said. But even I knew something wasn’t right. Something had sent Ella way over the edge.

  “She might. In all my life, I haven’t ever seen anything like her before.” Gran put her chin down and stared me in the eyes.

  I picked up a piece of celery from a plate that lay on the kitchen island and snapped off a bite with my teeth. After I chewed it down, I said, “Don’t worry. I’ll talk to Izadora tomorrow,” and I walked off.

  ***

  Drumm stood up to leave. My father, Granddad and GG Edmund were still on the porch. Uncle Royal had retired to his caravan. He hadn’t been able to convince Ella to go inside her caravan and she hadn’t moved.

  There had been hushed whispers between them all about the condition of Ella’s mind. I heard bits and pieces of their conversations as I said goodnight to Drumm. We stepped off the front porch steps and I hugged him closely. I felt pretty brave now-a-days but feeling Drumm’s embrace intensified those feelings. I felt like I could take on the world.

  He kissed me on the forehead and said in his thick accent, “She just wants attention. Don’t give it to her.” Without saying another word he turned and walked toward Ian’s. Ella still stood guard at the edge of her barrier. He didn’t even glance at her on the way down the driveway. She never glanced his way either, because she never took her eyes from me.

  I said goodnight to my father and grandfather, and gave GG Edmund a big hug. He told me how proud he was of me and told me that I’d be fine on my next journey. Father and Granddad followed me in the house. GG Edmund remained on the front porch.

  “Why is he staying on the porch?” I asked my father.

  He cleared his throat and said, “He’s taking first shift. He’s going to ensure that Ella doesn’t try anything funny.”

  So they were taking shifts now?

  “I’ll take a shift,” I offered.

  “No. Just get some rest. You have a long day ahead of you tomorrow,” he said.

/>   I had to agree with him. I was dead tired and sleep sounded good. Besides, my GG Edmund could ignite fire in his hands. Big balls of fire. I don’t think he had to worry about anything. He was, after all, the element of fire.

  I lay in bed thinking about the thirteen skulls. What was Maximus going to do with them? What had he already learned about them? This had to be the most amazing expedition a person could venture on. Was he going to let me work with these skulls? I still didn’t know my purpose in all of this but I could hardly wait.

  I guess the biggest question in my mind was: How were the thirteen skulls going to help me save Lucian?

  In all honesty, I couldn’t even guess.

  Chapter Twenty Six

  It is never easy to leave those that you love behind; and I bet it is even worse to be the one that is left behind. At least the one leaving is experiencing change. The one left behind only suffers memories.

  I sat at a wooden stump on Izadora’s balcony. It was early morning and the sun rose in pale pinks. A cool crisp breeze drifted by and the scent of lavender wafted in the air. Dozens of herb plants sat along the railing. On both sides of the front door hung more herbs and plants, and you could barely get through it. Each time the breeze passed, the herbs would rustle softly.

  Drumm and the hellhounds were out for their morning run. Ladriant was still in bed, according to Izadora. Snake Man had stayed up playing Izadora’s grand piano last night and she was elated to learn that he could play like a pro. He would be leaving today as well, but he planned to stay on in Merribay at one of the cottages by the sea. It was hard to get into the city of merfolk and other beings, but if you had something to offer they’d let you stay for a time.

  Izadora stood before me now and made me take bites of a seven herb porridge that she’d prepared. With each bite came a lump of greens and crushed seeds. I could taste mint and sage, and I knew these herbs were used to repel any bad will toward me, and it was used for mental clarity. I couldn’t say what the other herbs were. I think she used the rare ones that she had growing in her fancy, secret garden farther down on the planked bridges.

  On top of the porridge, she forced me to drink nettle tea. This would ensure that I would be kept extra, extra safe from harm.

  I could taste something like licorice in there, too. That had to be anise seed and I knew that was used to ward off, “The Evil Eye.” The only person giving me the evil eye lately had been Ella.

  “Why all the herbs? I can’t eat anymore,” I said staring into my half empty bowl.

  “Oh that’s good enough. Just a bit of precaution that’s all.” Izadora sat down at the wooden table. “I made you a charm, too. You keep it on you at all times.”

  “Don’t tell me that you’re worried about Ella!” I said as I noticed the gold horseshoe above her door. It sparkled and it looked like she’d recently polished it.

  “Me? No! Not me. I’ll be fine. ‘Tis you I am thinking of. Traveling all the way to Hy Brasil again.”

  I didn’t doubt she knew how to handle Ella but I told Gran that I’d ask her to do something about her. “Gran’s worried. She doesn’t think Ella is in her right mind.”

  “She’s not,” Izadora said dryly. “She doesn’t remember any spells. My tea fixed that. However, there is something inside her that is not right.”

  “Aren’t you going to do something about it?” I asked.

  “No. Not me…” she paused to point down into the woods, “him.”

  I jumped up, spilling the rest of my porridge on the wooden planks. “Ooops. Sorry about that.” I walked to the railing and peered down. There stood Izaill puffing on a cigarette and leaning on a tree. He wore a black bowler cap, a black button down shirt, black pants, and a black leather jacket. On his feet he wore something similar to bowling shoes. They were bright orange and white. “Always a sharp dresser,” I said sarcastically, but I was sure to say it low enough so that he couldn’t hear me.

  He cracked a smile and waved. “Did you get the bean?”

  “I have it in my pocket. I’ll bring it down.” When he mentioned the bean, I could have sworn it grew hot in my pants pocket. I whipped it out and held it in my hand. When I turned around to tell Izadora that I’d be right back, she was leaning on her staff and bending down to see the spilled contents of my porridge on the floor.

  “Don’t tell me that you’re reading my porridge!” Of all the ridiculous things. She actually thought she could see some future signs in there?

  “See here…” she pointed to the blob on the floor. “It looks like you’re going to an island. Oh! Land sakes.”

  “What?” I asked incredulously. But I peeked down anyway and the little blob was shaped like…a blob.

  “Oh my! You lucky, lucky girl. You lucky girl you…” She tapped her staff on the floor a few times and looked to me with great mischief in her eyes.

  “What? What is it now? Where am I going? Hy Brasil? Hy Brasil is an island.” I already knew I was headed to an island!

  “Nope. That’s not what I see. You’ll just have to wait and find out for yourself. But it will be worth the wait.” Her lips twitched as she held back a smile.

  “You’re going to continue to play that game, huh?” I snorted and walked away. I didn’t care anymore. You can’t change a stubborn old mule. If she thought it was fun to make me wonder and guess all the time…then so be it. I would wait and see where I was going. To an “island” apparently.

  As I approached Izaill, he flicked his cigarette butt into the woods. He took off his hat and held it out. “Just drop it in there.”

  I did as he told me and dropped the orange bean into his hat. He then placed the hat on his head and asked, “Did you have any trouble finding it?”

  “No,” I lied. He already knew that I had trouble finding it. I could tell by the twinkle in his eyes.

  “You should have gone for the bean first. Things would have been easier for you,” he said.

  He was just like his sister. “You could have told me why to go for the bean first. It would have helped me out.”

  “What’s the fun in that? You should have listened to me; trusted me.”

  That’s what these two were all about. Trust. The thing is…they always wanted me to trust them with my life! It wasn’t small stakes we were talking about here.

  “Just one question…how did you know about the second djinn? If Izadora couldn’t tell you about the second djinn…then how?” I asked.

  “I’m always listening, Ivy. I’m always just around the corner, somewhere. I heard Darvon and Izadora on the very day they sent the djinn away,” he winked. “The old bat can’t keep much from me.”

  “I heard that!” Izadora yelled down over the balcony from her wooden chair.

  A raspy laugh escaped his mouth, along with a few wisps of smoke. The smoke wasn’t from the cigarettes. Izaill just happened to breathe smoke sometimes.

  “Just remember that if you ever need any help…my services do come with a price, but they are always somewhat affordable,” Izaill said, and he lit another cigarette.

  “I’ll remember that,” I said.

  “Alright, I guess I’ll be on my way. Izadora and I have already discussed the girl, Ella. I will personally take her to Magella’s old crannog, and I will personally keep an eye on her. She won’t misbehave. Let’s just say, I know how to handle that kind of person.”

  I had no doubts. I had personally witnessed Izaill shape shift or rather, glamour, himself into the one of the scariest things I’d ever seen. He’d formed himself to look like a ferocious demon with horns protruding out of his head and wrinkly red skin. It was a horrifying experience. I knew he’d be the one to keep Ella under control.

  He pushed himself away from the tree he’d been leaning on and the tree groaned. He tipped his hat and turned to leave.

  “That’s all he needs is that damn bean. Hold on a second Izaill.” Izadora now stood at the balcony, staff in hand.

  “Yes?” he looked over his shoulder.


  “What are you going to do with the bean?” Izadora asked.

  He snickered and spittle dripped out of his mouth. “Stupid question. I’m going to create a monster with it.”

  “Yes, I know that. I am asking what kind of monster?” Izadora said, “Just give me a heads up so that I can prepare myself.”

  We all knew that the two siblings were now “friends,” but they still enjoyed playing their “games.” They were crazy if you asked me. Izaill liked to torment Izadora and she would have to defend herself. It had always been like that and Izadora said it would never change.

  “Well, I thought I might conjure up a dragon,” Izaill said.

  Izadora appeared thoughtful. “Okay. I can deal with that.”

  “A three headed dragon with six tails,” he smirked.

  Izadora scowled and pointed her finger at him. “Be gone with you, then. I’ll see you when I see you.”

  After tipping his hat, he turned and drifted into the wood line. The whole time his legs never moved. Out of curiosity, I watched after him. Suddenly, he stopped and stomped the ground with his right foot. The earth cracked and creaked as it opened up. A rush of dirt flew up and he jumped in. The earth closed above him and swallowed him whole. Immediately, green grass grew over the area. No one would ever know that Izaill had just been standing in that spot.

  “Freaky,” I said.

  “Oh, that’s just child’s play,” Izadora grunted and walked inside.

  I packed a few snacks in my back pack. Celery, mini-cucumbers, bell peppers and carrots. Just a few things to tide us over while we traveled. I knew that I’d better bring the healthy stuff. I already had an idea of what was in my aunts bags. Chocolate bars, chocolate covered raisins, chocolate covered peanuts…oh and dark chocolate covered chocolate with chocolate sprinkles on top. Being cooks and pastry chefs they had a thing for that tempting brown stuff.

  Drumm sat on the back porch carving arrows. He wouldn’t need them on this journey but you couldn’t tell him that. Always prepared.

  Izadora stood on her front porch balcony and watched the sky. I asked her three times what she was doing. She ignored me each time. I stepped out on the porch to ask her a fourth time. I could be just as stubborn as she could.