I eye them uncertainly, then shake my head, looking away. “You wouldn’t believe me.” The last thing I want is to have to explain to this poor librarian everything that’s happened. They’d think I’m crazy.
“Try me.” Petra flips the book open to the exact page I’d been crying on and scans the spell. “Let me guess. You need to undo something, right a wrong that happened a long time ago.”
How’d they guess?“Yes, but I don’t think I’ll be able to contact the person I need to help me here.” I point to thewronged parties must be presentcondition.
They tap the page. “This is a good spell. It might work.”
I lean closer. “You believe in spells?”
Petra laughs, a quiet chuckle to be respectful of the space. “My dear, I’ve been a librarian for a long time. I’ve seen just about everything. So why don’t you tell me what’sreallygoing on.”
I’m not entirely sure how much information they want, but they insist, so I start talking in a low whisper, and I keep talking for who knows how long, until I feel completely spent and drained of it all. At the end I take a slow, shuddering breath, wiping away a few stray tears that have escaped, and I feel... not good, not right, but better.
Wow, Lex was right. I really should see a therapist.
“What was the original spell you used?” Petra asks as I end my story.
“It wasn’t in the book. We made something up, blended some other spells together,” I explain.
“Do you remember the words?”
I delve deep into my memory, dredging up a part of my past I’d hoped I’d never have to revisit. Closing my eyes to focus, I go back to that fateful night. I imagine I’m there again, surrounded by girls I’d so desperately wanted to be my friends,the longing ache of being included at a time when my mother wanted nothing to do with me, and relive the jealousy that had been coursing through my veins over the boy I’d liked choosing my best friend instead of me...
“‘We call on the Magick of North, South, East, and West. To make her awkward who once was blessed. Remove her charm, remove her grace. Make her fall flat on her face. Destined for a clumsy life until true love’s professed.’”
I blink my eyes back open, my chest feeling tight with finally admitting to myself, and someone else, the awful thing I’d tried to do to a person who I’d once considered my best friend—and how terribly it had backfired.
Petra’s eyes narrow. “You cursed someone with alimerick?”
My cheeks warm as my shoulders scrunch toward my ears. “Maybe?”
They shake their head. “I take it back. I guess I haven’t seen it all.”
“Well then how’d it work if it wasn’t a real spell?”
“Spells aren’t about magic words, they’re about intent. The wording of a spell can help guide one’s intent, which is why we must be careful how we think and speak about ourselves—because intent behind words can guide you in unseen ways throughout life,” Petra explains.
I sit for a long moment as their words sink in. “So, is it hopeless?”
They shake their head. “Nothing is ever hopeless. This spell might work, but you will need the other person to be present for it.”
I open my laptop and slide my unanswered message toward her. “That’s where I’m stuck.”
“May I?” Petra gestures at it.
I shrug. “Fill your boots.”
Petra pulls my laptop closer and taps away. Not even twominutes later, they push it back to me with a triumphant look upon their face. “Is this your friend?”
“That’s her!” I gasp as I gaze upon Courtney’s face on a business aesthetician page. “But what do I say? ‘Hey, we haven’t talked in ten years but do you want to do some witchcraft with me?’”
Petra thinks for a moment. “If things between you two are as estranged as you say, then it may be best to explain everything in person.”
I lift a brow. “How?”
“Why don’t you call and make an emergency eyelash appointment? It will be a lot harder to turn you away if you’re standing in front of her.”
“Thank you!” I’m so grateful I could kiss them. I close my laptop and the witchcraft book, stacking one on top of the other. “Can I take this with me?”
