Or maybe the hex bag wasn’t meant for me. If I hadn’t stopped by when I did and it was just Betty and Danielle in the store, Betty would have choked to death on her own saliva. And if Danielle touched the bag, she would have, too.
I wasn’t supposed to be here today, and I haven’t been working at the store for weeks. If Ruth wanted to send me a hex bag, she’d send it to my house. I’m sure she’s been watching me for weeks, plotting her revenge. I set my jaw, anger surging through me, making the lights above flicker.
Ruth knew I wasn’t going to be here. The hex bag wasn’t for me. First Lucas and now my employees…this is war.Chapter 28“Ready?” Kirsty looks up at me as I join her, Nicole, and Naomi in her kitchen. After double-checking that Betty is fine, putting new wardings on the store, and casting protection spells over Danielle and Betty, we all went to Kristy’s house since it’s only a few blocks from the store.
I rub a towel over my wet hair. “So fucking ready.” I hang the towel on the back of a kitchen chair and pick up a black candle. I spent a good fifteen minutes washing and rewashing my hair, and I still feel like I smell like roadkill. I’ll probably shower again when I get home for good measure.
But now we have more important things to do. Like a return-to-sender spell for the hex bag. Everything is already laid out and ready. Kristy used cooking tongs to get the hex bag out of the paper bag I stashed it in. She sets it in the middle of a pentagram that’s been etched into a metal plate.
Using magic, we all light our candles and move them in front of us. Then we grab hands and cast a circle. Once it’s cast, Kristy sprinkles herbs on the hex bag, and we pick up our candles again.
“Four times four,” we chant. “We return to thee, the hex which you bestowed on me.” The flames of our candles turn blood red, and we put them together, lighting the hex bag on fire. It puffs up in red smoke, swirling above the table.
“Four times four, we return to thee, the hex which you bestowed on me.”
The smoke wafts up and dissipates through the air vent, going back to whoever sent the hex bag. Which is Ruth, I’m sure of it.
“That was fun.” Naomi puts her candle back in the holder and puts her hands on the table. “Should we try a curse now, too? If we’re still dabbling in the dark arts, there are many spells I’d love to try.”
Nicole give her twin a look. “We shouldn’t.”
“Why not? The risk of performing dark magic is getting swept up in the Dark Lord’s influence.” She motions to me. “And he’s family. I feel like we should get a pass.”
I can’t disagree, though I know I should. But why? Because I’ve been taught certain types of magic are bad? I could do some serious damage without crossing those lines, though.
“I’m joking,” Naomi says with a grin. “Though I’ll admit it is tempting.”
“It kind of is,” I agree, leaning back in the chair. “And when I do find Ruth, I’m not holding back. Almost killing Lucas is enough to make me want to rip her apart, but going after Betty and Danielle…she wants to make my life as awful as possible and is using everyone I care about against me. I’m sorry you’re basically walking targets.”
“Don’t be so dramatic.” Naomi waves her hand in the air. “We will be fine. What I do worry about is your sister.”
“Me, too. I’ve already warded her house, but I need to go there, maybe tonight, and put some stronger protection spells in place.” I let out a sigh and look at the charred remains of the hex bag. “Why can’t we find her?”
“She was known for her invisibility spell,” Nicole suggests. “I know her powers were bound, but if she’s seeking another form of power, don’t you think it’s possible she figured out a way to conceal where she is?”
“That’s actually a really good point,” I say, wheels spinning in my head. “And I think…I think Naomi is right. Ruth is using dark magic to go after me. It makes sense to use dark magic to find her, doesn’t it?”
Kristy exchanges looks with Nicole before turning back to me. “It does. I don’t like it, but I think you’re right, here. And she’s obviously not stopping until she gets what she wants, which is to torture you and then probably kill you.”
“It would be one thing if she was just coming after me, but to come after people I care about?” I clench my jaw and let out a slow breath. “She has no idea what she started.”