by Rose Pressey
Chapter Thirty-Seven
After retrieving the spell books from the hiding place in my room, I scanned the contents until I found the section on demons. This wasn’t a sweet little spell to make cupcakes. This would require a lot of my energy and top-notch powers. I wasn’t sure if I had what it took, but I had to give it a shot. There were no other options. I had to rid my home of this demon witch. And to think I’d been feeding cupcakes to a demon. How bizarre was that?
When I reached the library again, Liam and Nicolas were pacing on opposite sides of the room. I ignored their stares and headed straight to the kitchen to gather the items I needed. I grabbed the spices and herbs and moved through the library again. The men still paced back and forth. Heck, they didn’t even seem to notice what I was doing this time.
The spell required that I perform it outside. If it worked like it was supposed to, then it would lure the nasty demon outside. Isabeau wouldn’t be able to set foot on the manor’s grounds when I was done.
After setting up my items in the middle of the front lawn, I looked up at the manor and as if on cue, Isabeau glared down at me from her bedroom window. She knew what I was about to try. Somehow she knew. For a moment, her face skewed into that of a dark monster, twisted and gnarled. In the blink of an eye, she morphed back to the beautiful Isabeau, offering me a sweet smile. I wasn’t falling for that act any longer though. She could run back to Mara and tell her that this witch wasn’t playing their games any longer.
Energy and current flowed through my body like a live wire. Pulling every bit of power from within, I recited the spell over the ingredients that I’d mixed together.
The wind whipped and whirled and the clouds zoomed past as if I’d pressed the fast-forward button. Rain fell from the heavens in a light mist against my face. Gathering the mixture into my hands, I walked the perimeter of the grounds. I’d call the elemental four corners. After all, Misty said I possessed that power now. What better time than now to see if she was correct?
Looking down, I was careful of each step. As I walked, I sprinkled the mixture onto the ground and chanted. Facing north, I began to recite the words: “Element of Earth, I call to you. Empower me with your energy to banish the wicked.” As I turned the corner, facing west, I recited the words: “Element of Air, I call to you to push the unnatural force from this place.” Walking more, I turned to the south and recited the words: “Element of Fire, I call to you for warmth and protection. Help me have the knowledge.” To complete the spell, I turned one last time to the east and recited the words: “Element of Water, I call to you for force and tranquility. Give me the force to change the power and banish the evil.”
Each time the mixture of herbs and spices hit the earth, tiny flames flicked and quickly burnt out. I glanced back at the window where Isabeau stood. She looked down at me with venom in her eyes. No matter her look of hate, I wouldn’t let her get through to me. I concentrated harder and continued my walk around the grounds.
When I’d completed the full circle, I returned to the front of the yard, praying that what I’d done had been correct. I looked up at Isabeau. Her smile was gone and she hissed at me through the glass. I pushed the wet hair out of my eyes and continued. I repeated the words over and over.
The front door of the manor swung open with a fury and Isabeau marched toward me. Nicolas and Liam gazed on in shock from the library windows. There was nothing they could do to help me. I had to do this on my own. I sucked in a deep breath as Isabeau continued her advance toward me. If the spell wasn’t working, then I might have a fight on my hands. I’d really pissed Isabeau off this time. No amount of cupcakes would make her happy with me again.
As she continued walking toward me, I steadied myself for a fight. I repeated the words, not allowing her nasty glare to stop me. She hissed and snarled, twisting her lips into a contorted expression that only a demon could make. Her eyes glowed a deep red as she approached. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified. What if she ripped me limb from limb? How would I fight a demon? I was sure she was stronger than me.
As Isabeau neared me, she stretched her arms out toward me, but just as she grew close enough to wrap her hands around my neck, she kept walking. I whipped around to watch her. She twisted and jerked, but it was as if she couldn’t control her movement forward. The spell was working.
Adrenaline rushed through my body and my heart pounded. The spell was actually working. Isabeau walked across the drive and out the gate onto the road. Once outside the manor’s gate, she stopped abruptly and glared again. The red glow in her eyes diminished. She moved forward, attempting to come through the gate again. But she was zapped back and landed on her butt.
She pointed at me, then yelled, “This isn’t over. I’ll be back. You can’t banish me.”
“I just did,” I yelled back.
I’d gotten a little cocky after that spell had worked. I guess I’d shown her. Don’t mess with Halloween LaVeau! I came back down to reality though when I remembered Mara. She wouldn’t be happy when she found out what I’d done. She’d be here for me soon. How many demons would she bring with her? I was able to banish one Isabeau, but how would I handle multiple ones?
I gathered up my things and headed back to the house. When I reached the door, I turned around. Isabeau had disappeared. I looked around in a panic thinking that the spell had faded, but she was nowhere in sight. The ghosts weren’t around either. Were they demons too? I released a deep breath, then headed inside.
Liam and Nicolas were waiting for me in the parlor.
“That was impressive,” Liam said.
I stood a little straighter. “Thank you.”
Nicolas smiled. “You were amazing.”
“If you’ll excuse me, I need to go collapse now.” I pointed toward the stairs and didn’t turn around as I made my way to my bedroom.
Now that was one heck of a magic spell.