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then let the bark grow in.

Should ill luck cling onto your things,

bury them in the dirt.

The earth will cleanse away their curse

And they’ll no longer hurt.

If a hex clings to your feet,

trailing where you go,

cross a running stream at dusk.

The hex can’t break the flow.

When your magic will not stir,

no matter what you do,

sit beside the fire awhile.

It will come back to you.

Should the flu have found your bones

and settled in to stay,

put some sulfur in your shoes

and go about your day.

FROM THE LITTLE GLASS OWL’S BOOK OF LUCKY CHARMS AND AUSPICIOUS OMENS, COMPILED BY ELECTRA GLASS

THIRTY

A VISIT WITH THE DOCTOR

The brick-lined alley that led to Primrose Court was narrower than Priya had made it sound. Tempest took the corner at a crawl, watched the clearance on the driver’s side, and held her breath until the bus was through. She cut the engine and pulled down the shades before exiting the bus. She needed to travel the rest of the way by foot.

“Come on, Fortune.” She beckoned the bird to her shoulder. “We’re going to visit with Priya and her uncle in Primrose Court.” When the bird balked at the sound of thunder, Tempest reassured her. “It’s just spellwork. Nothing to worry about.”

Priya had warned her about the alley’s wards that were designed to keep out Ordinaries. Most got spooked and turned back well before they reached the dead end where the passageway was hidden. Tempest ignored the thunder and screeching bat sounds. It wasn’t long till she found the old billboard leaning against the back wall and ducked behind it. Primrose Court was just on the other side of a short brick-lined tunnel.

It was a sunny autumn morning on the other side.

She emerged into a spacious urban park, the trees overhead blazing orange and gold, leaves spiraling down around her in the still air. Fortune, who had slept most of the drive from Salem, lifted her head and looked around with an alertness she hadn’t shown in days.

Priya was waiting on one of the carved benches just outside the exit, two Mudpuddle cups steaming in her hands.

Fortune wolf-whistled at the sight of her.

“You look nice!” Tempest agreed.

“Thanks, I’m trying to work up my courage to apply for some jobs while we’re here.” Priya handed her a cup. “Salem’s fun and all, but living in Primrose Court is the real dream.”

They walked out of the park and into the street. A woman with a basket of herbs was coming out of the shop with the Apothecary sign. Next door, a worker was hanging a freshly-painted sign while a squirrel in a waistcoat directed operations from the beam above.