Vika’s weak eyelids fluttered, and she attempted to raise her head. Her face shined with sweat. She gasped for air.
“Lie back.” Jancie leaned closer to Vika and massaged her hand.
“Jancie, I’m glad you’re here,” Vika labored to speak, wheezing the words out. “Adara’s evil’s going to kill me. I don’t fear death, but this isn’t how I wanted to go. Your mother’s magic might counter what she’s done.”
“I’ll do my very best.” Jancie squeezed the old witch’s weak hand, then set to work. “My best friend Rachelle is here to help me.” Jancie eyed her friend. “Come hold her hand. Rowe, keep mending injuries.”
Rachelle moved to Jancie’s side and took Vika’s hand. “Vika, I’m Rachelle. I’ve known Jancie since middle school. Heck, we were maybe twelve then.” The raspy tone of her voice was hypnotic. She brushed Vika’s wiry, white hair from where it stuck in a film of sweat covering the old lady’s face. “We used to chase frogs in the crick behind the principal’s house.” Running fingers through the bushy hair, Rachelle continued telling a rambling story about her friendship with Jancie.
Vika’s breathing slowed and became more regular. Jancie was thankful for her friend’s good judgment.
“Where’s the kitchen?” Jancie asked Rowe. “I need to boil water.”
Busby lifted off his perch on a chair back before his master voiced a request. The owl flapped through the narrow hall, past a small galley kitchen to a huge country kitchen.
Jancie’s eyes popped out at the sight of Vika’s potion room. Walls of shelves with bottled herbs and rafters hanging with drying bunches. She turned her focus on the simple task of filling a tea kettle with water and setting it to boil.
To steady her nerves, she pulled the peppermint leaves from her pocket and closed her hand around them. Eyes closed, she inhaled and exhaled deeply, then replaced the leaves and set to work, mind clear.
Jancie found mortars and pestles on a shelf above the sink. She reached up to select one set, then withdrew, sensing traces of an energy unlike what she knew from her own garden. “Better to shred my herbs by hand.” She looked around for a drinking mug without success.
She found Busby clinging to the back of a wooden chair. “Is all the cookware, like drinking mugs, back in the little kitchen?”
“Probably.” He flapped his wings and followed her.
There, she found a mug, cup-size strainer, and teaspoon. Working there, she tore the peppermint into the strainer along with a few crushed leaves of marjoram and rosemary. When the kettle whistled in the potion room, she retrieved it and poured steaming water into the mug. She placed the strainer on top and let the herbs steep. Her hands moved to form a tent covering the mug, like her mom used to do. Jancie didn’t know then what her mother did was witchcraft, but the practices stuck in her mind. Jancie blew on her cupped hands until the mint’s vapors tingled her skin and made her ring glow. “It’s ready, Busby. You fly into the sitting room and have Rachelle help Vika sit up so she can drink.”
Without a word, he winged away.
Jancie removed her hands and lifted off the strainer, surprised to see no steam rising from the water. The concoction smelled amazing. And familiar. She remembered the smell, although not as strong, from the tea Mom served her when she had strep throat with a horrible fever. This better be strong enough to kill more than bacteria.
Balancing the cup as she walked, she reached Vika’s side and Rachelle braced the frail woman’s shoulders. “Healing tea to drive out the evil.”
Rowe glanced at Jancie. “Her lungs are filling with fluid. Give her only small swallows.”
Vika managed a weak grin. “Smells good.” She took a sip while Jancie held the mug. Vika gasped for breath. “Mmm. Like I’m dancing in the garden.” She took another sip before her strength gave out. She sputtered, rested her head back, and closed her eyes.
Rowe continued passing his healing touch around her torso but kept his gaze on Vika’s face.
Jancie held the mug ready in case more was needed.
Vika extended a shaking hand to Jancie.
Guided by what she remembered her mother doing, Jancie accepted with the hand wearing her mother’s ring. She clasped the frail skin as tight as she dared. She sensed Vika’s breathing, her heartbeat, the air filling her lungs, the blood flowing through her veins. Jancie closed her eyes and willed the herbal tea throughout Vika’s body. Jancie’s eyes flew open. “It’s working, but you need to drink more.”
Rachelle lifted Vika’s upper torso, and Jancie brought the mug to her lips.
Vika swilled the rest down and collapsed.
Again, Jancie worked to push the elixir throughout Vika’s system. Jancie leaned down and blew on their joined hands.
Vika’s eyes opened and color returned to her face. She smiled but clung to Jancie’s hand with both of hers.
“It’s working!” Rowe cried, still applying healing. “The damage I fixed is staying healthy.”
Vika took a deep, full breath with only a slight sputter on the exhale. “My lungs are clearing. You did it, girl. I knew you could. Thank you. You’re a mighty fine witch.”
Jancie handed the empty mug to Rachelle and wrapped her free hand around Vika with great tenderness. “You and Mom believed in me. That had to help.”
Rowe dropped his hands to his sides and knelt on the floor, his face wet with sweat. “I’ll check again in a few minutes to be sure you’re okay. Can you tell us what happened?”
“It wasn’t anything sneaky. Adara came to my door, didn’t say a word other than hello, and when I went to ask her in, she hurled a spell at me.” Vika gave a slight cough. “I fell to the floor, and Siddie took off after her. I managed to crawl to my phone and called Jancie. That’s the last I remember until you got here and used your touch.”
Rowe looked at Jancie. “Adara must’ve attacked Vika for helping you.”
“Lucky you,” Rachelle sunk to her knees on the floor and looked at Jancie. “Having been the one to break the evil witch’s heart twice.”
Jancie sighed and slumped beside her best friend.
Rachelle rubbed Jancie’s shoulder. “It was kind of cool watching you do magic. My best friend’s a real witch.” She grinned. “That might have some good perks, you know?”
Jancie returned the grin, glad for some cheering up.
Vika strained to get up, but Rowe stopped her. “Did my Siddie come home?”
Not answering her question, Rowe stood and stepped toward the hall. “Busby, will you go have a look around for Siddie or Adara? Be extra careful in case Adara might still be in the area. You know she can transform into a badger.”
“Yes. And I’ll watch for her foul crow Dearg, too.” Busby sailed after his master.
Jancie and Rachelle kept watch on Vika.
Moments later, Rowe knelt and rechecked her internal body. “Still fine.” He smiled at Jancie and pulled her into an embrace. “You’re incredible. Thank you.” He released her and gave Vika a comforting hug. “I can’t lose you. You’re like family to me.”
“I won’t go by the hand of evil, if I can help it.” Vika wrapped a gnarled hand around his shoulder. “But enough of this, we need to get on with putting that woman out of power as high priestess. Jancie, you need to make a trip to New Wish and really learn about your mother’s magic. That’s what can overthrow Adara.”
Jancie nodded. “And about other spells that are on the moonstone. My librarian friend, Lizbeth, got a copy of Jude Oatley’s journal. He made the stone receptive to gather positive energy from those it healed. That way the magic would be strengthened for future use. But he worried he’d made the stone too receptive to outside energies.”
“So, when are we going to New Wish?” Vika’s dark eyes gleamed.
“Are you okay to travel?” Rowe stared at her.
The old witch laughed. “You both fixed me up fit as a fiddle. Just try and stop me.”
Rowe nodded. “Nothing I want to take on. I’ll be goi
ng along, too.”
Vika’s bushy white brow lifted, and she shot him a grin, “Oh, you’ve seen the light of day and now want to be around this fine young witch.”
“I gave up trying to keep away. Too much work.” He laced his fingers through Jancie’s.
The old woman pursed her lips. “Well, we need to ask Cerise since she needs to get us into the New Wish coven. I called her last evening. She’s happy to help Jancie at New Wish, but we didn’t set a date.”
Rowe nodded. “I’ll talk to her right away and also with Keir, Logan, and some of the council members who support me. Folks here need to know what happened today. ”
“And I’d like Rachelle to come along.” Vika glanced over her shoulder at Jancie’s best friend. “She might not be a witch, but her voice and manner kept breath in my body. She’s not Jancie’s best friend for no good reason.”
Rachelle beamed. “When are we going? I’ll be ready.”
“Let’s shoot for tomorrow noon,” Rowe replied in a take-charge tone.
Jancie grinned. “I’ll call Aunt Starla. She’s been in the town of New Wish lots and knows people.”
“While making all of these arrangements, let’s try to use the buddy system as much as possible,” Rowe said. “I need to—”
Busby whipped into the room with something in his mouth. “I found this collar but didn’t see Siddie or any witch or familiar.”
Vika wrung her hands. “That belongs to my Siddie. Rowe, please find her before we leave.”
Rowe stood and pulled out his phone. “I’ll contact Cerise, first. Jancie, I’ll give you a call to let you know if it’s certain we’re going tomorrow. I think you should stay here with Vika until I get back with a group to search for Siddie. I’ll be quick.” He motioned to Busby and headed out of the room. “We’ve got work to do.”
Chapter Twenty-three: The Secret Meeting
Rowe pulled into Vika’s drive after a quick trip home to get supplies. He’d hurried knowing Jancie needed time to arrange to be gone from work, contact her aunt, and pack. He also wanted to be near Vika in case Adara made a return visit.
Jancie met him on the porch, and Busby and Maeira landed on a railing. “That was quick. Glad you’re back,” she said and looked beyond Rowe. “Looks like we have company.”
He followed her gaze to the end of the driveway where Logan’s burgundy Nash Ambassador approached. “That’s Logan and Keir. More are coming.”
“I made good use of time and called to get off work for a while. My manager wasn’t too happy, but I haven’t taken a vacation in ages. Aunt Starla’s already packing.” Jancie let out a laugh. “She’s called me at least half a dozen times asking about what to wear.”
“I beat her.” Rowe chuckled. “I’m already packed. I’ll stay the night here. It would be a good idea for you, Rachelle, and Starla to do the same for safety.”
“We’ll do that. I already asked Vika if she had room. She laughed and showed me all around the bedrooms in this old family home. What about Cerise?”
Tension Rowe had been holding in his shoulders eased a bit knowing Jancie, Rachelle, and Starla would stay at Vika’s for the night. “She and I both thought she’d be safe at her house since she really hasn’t had any noticeable connection to you or me. I’m sure my two buddies here will be happy to keep tabs on her family while she’s gone.”
Logan and Keir and his coyote Waapake made their way to the porch, and a dark green Packard pulled in the drive.
“What are your two buddies going to do?” Logan asked with a wry laugh.
“Cerise is taking Jancie and me, along with Vika, Jancie’s friend Rachelle, and her aunt Starla, to New Wish in southern Indiana. I need you two to keep an eye out for Cerise’s family.”
Logan’s brow crinkled. “Okay, but why?”
Keir pulled him aside for a private talk while Rowe greeted Art and Kyle Kerry and introduced them to Jancie.
A tall, trim man, Art stood his full height and took quick initiative to shake hands with her. His son Kyle followed his father’s lead and used a solid grip to show his acceptance. Glad to see their support, Rowe felt assured about the success of his intended plea for their assistance.
Vika poked her head out. “Come on in. I’ve made pots of tea and Jancie’s friend Rachelle whipped up some tasty cookies for you all.”
Clarence Douglas hobbled up the porch steps, the last to arrive. “My arthritic leg’s acting up today. Must be some change in the air. That’s the only time it bothers me.”
“More changes than you might think, Clarence.” Rowe offered a hand to support his fellow councilman. “I’d like you to meet Jancie Sadler.” Rowe motioned to her.
Clarence extended a hand to Jancie, and she accepted. “Glad to meet you,” he said looking her in the eye. “I’ve heard a curious mention about you in the coven’s gossip. You’ve got some witch powers about you, but you’re Dwayne’s daughter. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes to both.” She gave him a polite smile.
Rowe guided them to follow the others inside. “Clarence, it will all make more sense in our discussion.”
Rachelle greeted everyone at the doorway to the potion kitchen. “There are pots of Earl Grey and Oolong tea on the counter. Help yourself.” She waved a hand at one of the two rows of trestle tables. “Be sure to get some cookies there on that table as you find a seat.”
Rowe smiled at her as he passed, understanding why both Jancie and Vika wanted Rachelle to join them. She held up well in the company of witches, only getting a little skittish around Keir’s coyote.
Busby sailed in a circle around the ceiling, nearly colliding with Vika’s drying herb bunches, until he calmed down and took his usual perch on an odd chair back beside Maeira.
When everyone seemed settled, Rowe presented the facts detailing Adara’s attacks on Jancie and Vika.
The men’s faces fell, except for Keir’s who understood the attack incident intuitively. “What reason could she possibly have to do such vile acts?” Art asked and ran a hand through one of his graying temples.
“She’s got to be stopped.” Logan tipped onto the back legs of his chair. Rowe sensed his friend’s pent up anger.
“We can all agree on that,” Clarence added. “It’s past time the Tabard evil was cut down like a diseased tree.”
Chatter buzzed around the room, and both owls hovered above their perches.
Rowe raised his palm for silence. “For some reason known only to Adara, she set her sights on me as her intended love interest. Most likely some ploy for more power through alliance with me and the good name of my family. The moonstone enchantment complicated her plans when Jancie became bonded to me to ease both her grief and mine.” Rowe nodded at Clarence. “You rightly sensed Jancie’s witchcraft, quite obvious since she just performed a difficult spell to save Vika today.”
Logan turned to face Jancie and gave her a thumbs up. “Kudos to you, Jancie.”
“Yes, great job countering a Tabard,” Clarence added, followed by a chorus of appreciation.
When the floor quieted, Rowe continued. “What Jancie used was New Wish magic. Her mother, Faye Sadler, was a witch of the New Wish coven. Something that was kept quiet in the community, especially after she married Dwayne.”
Art nodded his head. “I remember rumors about her when I was a teen, but we didn’t interact often with townies, so I never sorted those out.”
“This is making real sense now,” Clarence added.
“Why was Vika targeted?” Kyle asked.
The old woman sat straighter. “Because I helped Jancie learn about her powers and how to begin using them.”
“Good for you.” Keir applauded her, setting off another round of positive remarks. He stood. “I’d like to relate a reading I did shortly after the moonstone brought Jancie to Rowe and sparked the first antagonism from Adara.” He brought his hands together in prayer position, then spread them apart. “The winds from north and south will fight a grueling bat
tle where life will be lost and neither will win.”
Keir’s coyote howled until his master pressed his hands together and took his seat.
“Adara is the north wind, and Jancie is the south,” Logan said in a loud voice. “We need to work to keep loss to a minimum. And to support Jancie in every way possible.”
Jancie set down her cup and massaged a temple. Rowe suspected she’d guessed at an upcoming conflict between herself and Adara, but the outcomes must’ve taken Jancie by surprise.
He stepped behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
Vika caught Jancie’s gaze and shot her a knowing smile.
“Logan and Rowe, what can we do to help?” Kyle asked.
Logan rose. “In my work with the coven’s elderly, I’ve been recording information from them about any instances of wrong use of magic by the Tabards. And I’ve accumulated a surprising list.”
“They’d be the ones brave enough to speak up,” Art added. “Their dreams now are for better lives for their grandchildren. Others would likely fear Adara’s wrath, like they did with her parents before her. We all can do what Logan’s doing, as well as searching through old records.”
“Won’t that just stir up the community and put Adara more on the aggressive?” Clarence asked.
“Keep your investigations as secret as possible,” Kyle said, sparking a wave of individual discussions.
Logan waved his arm. “There shouldn’t be any problems. Mabon is one of the two calendar times specified by our covenant where the priest or priestess can be challenged by a successor.”
“But that’s after the Mabon ceremony by popular vote, not by force, No one would dare vote against a Tabard for fear of reprisal,” Keir added. “We need to keep my prophecy secret to this group.”
Rowe raised his hand. “A show of hands to vow secrecy of Keir’s prophesy and our interpretation of those representing the winds.” All in the room raised their hands, or owl wings, and a paw in Waapake’s case.
“Good.” Rowe clasped his hands together. “In preparation for Mabon, some of us—Jancie, her aunt Starla, Vika, Rachelle, and myself—are leaving tomorrow noon for the New Wish coven in southern Indiana with Cerise as our guide. There, Jancie hopes to learn more about how to use her mother’s powers she inherited.”
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