Page 14 of Xavier

This time, she had been very meticulous. She was sure of it. And what other choice did she have? She couldn’t go to her old network for help, and she sure as hell wouldn’t go to local law enforcement. Oh, hell no. Trapped in the parish, judged by its inhabitants and damned by her poor decisions, she couldn’t stand by and do nothing.

With this spell, she could find the lost items without going to the network of criminals. And since she was the only one involved, the repercussions of the casting would be all on her. No one else.

So be it.

Anger and determination built inside, and with it, the candles flickered brightly, their flames growing longer.

Lissette held the bottle close to her chest, leaned her head back and stared up at the blackest sky, lit by the bright white full moon, and began. Starting slow and soft, her anger and frustration increasing the volume and passion.

“By the light of the moon

These words I cast

To find what's lost

From now and past.

The one who casts

The mark shall bear

the one who’ll see

and cannot share.

The lights at night

Let the mark appear

As seen by one

Whose spell is clear.

With magic let the

seer be drawn

and bring the lost home

Where they belong.”

With the last word, she shook the bottle, spilling the contents into the inky blackness of the bayou.

For a long moment, Lissette held her breath.

Nothing happened.

“Have patience,” she murmured. “Give it time.” The same words her grandmother had used when instructing her in “the ways.”

A sudden breeze lifted Lissette’s hair and skirt and then whipped them around, lashing at her face and legs.

The candle flame sparked and grew higher, flailing in the wind.

As suddenly as the wind kicked up, it died.

Dead.

Calm.