The Book of Spells (Private 0.50)

She watched from above as Harrison jogged off into the night, headed for the fateful woods and the Easton campus beyond. One lonely tear slid down her cheek, but she told herself she had done the right thing.

Eliza Williams was no one’s mistress.

Powerful

“Jane and Viola were up all night pressing the figs we got in town for oil,” Theresa whispered under her breath as she and Eliza walked to class the next morning. “Are you certain that Helen knows where to find eye of newt? Because we can’t afford to waste any more time. That spell has to be done at midnight tonight, or Catherine is lost forever.”

They both smiled stiffly at Miss Tinsley as she walked quickly past them.

“Good morning, girls!” the teacher called brightly. “I hope you’re ready for a lively translation session this morning.”

“Yes, Miss Tinsley,” the two girls replied in unison.

The teacher lifted a hand in a wave and disappeared through the front door of McKinley.

“All I know is Helen told me she could get it, and I trust her,” Eliza replied.

Theresa paused at the foot of the steps to McKinley Hall and waited for a pair of younger girls to scurry by before speaking.

“And why is that, exactly?” Theresa asked, smoothing an errant lock of hair back behind her ear. “I swear, Eliza, I wanted to stage a protest last night when you walked into the temple with that girl. The only reason I didn’t was because we don’t have the time to spend searching for someone better.”

Eliza rolled her eyes and walked a few steps away from the main path, leading Theresa out of earshot of the other students and teachers.

“You just don’t like her because she’s a servant,” Eliza said through her teeth. “But she’s been doing this for a long time. She’s probably more powerful than any of us.”

“Probably,” Theresa said, pursing her lips. “And that’s what I don’t like about her.”

Eliza blinked. Was Theresa worried about having her own power usurped, or was she concerned that Helen might somehow turn her power against the coven?

“Ladies.”

Eliza jumped and whirled around. Miss Almay stood before her, a pinched, suspicious look on her face. Theresa grabbed Eliza’s hand in surprise as Eliza’s gaze darted around. Where on Earth had the headmistress come from?

“Might I ask why the two of you are dawdling here?” Miss Almay asked, looking down her nose at them. “I trust you’re not planning anything for which you might find yourselves in my office.”

“Of course not, Miss Almay,” Eliza stammered.

“We were just discussing our literature exam,” Theresa improvised.

“Very well, then. Get to class,” Miss Almay ordered, stepping back so that they could step onto the path in front of her. The two girls did so, still clutching each other. They hadn’t taken two steps when Miss Almay spoke again, her tone so low and ominous, it sent a quiver of fear down Eliza’s spine. “And remember, girls, I’ve got my eyes on you.”

Be gone

Eliza was breathless but oddly calm as she and the other ten members of their coven approached the chapel that evening. Within the hour, the spell would be cast, and Catherine would be alive.

Provided all went according to plan.

“You remember your promise to me, don’t you, Eliza?” Helen asked. She had a dark hood pulled over her hair, and her candle’s flame was reflected in her eyes, making her blue irises glow red.

“I do,” Eliza whispered. “This will be our last spell. After tonight, we bury the books and move on with our lives.”

“With Catherine,” Theresa added firmly.

“With Catherine,” Eliza repeated.

Theresa paused and lifted the lantern. The imposing, white-walled façade of Billings Chapel rose out of the night before them. Behind the three leaders, all the other girls came to a halt.

“We’re here,” Theresa said.