The Book of Spells (Private 0.50)

Eliza nodded and rolled her shoulders back, trying to appear collected, but that look in Helen’s eyes had unnerved her. She had a feeling that Helen Jennings was not a good person to have as an enemy. And she hoped the young maid hadn’t just become one.

A Blessing

Eliza’s hands fidgeted with the folds of the skirt on her favorite navy blue dress, the one with the buttons all up the side of the sleeves and the wide boatneck collar that showed off her gold locket perfectly. Harrison was going to love it. If he ever got a chance to see her in it.

“Here’s a good one!” Theresa announced from behind the podium at the center of the temple. “The Genius Spell.”

It was Theresa who had called this last-minute meeting of the coven, then announced to the others that they were going to go through the book of spells, page by page, and make a list of the next ten spells they would try. The other members of the coven were all gathered around in a circle, seated in rickety wooden chairs they had lugged down from the storage closet. Marilyn yawned, which caused Genevieve to yawn as well. Jane, Bia, and Viola were focused on Theresa, but Clarissa looked bored as she gazed up at the ceiling, and Lavender and Catherine were both working on literature homework at Eliza’s side.

“It will make you all-knowing for twelve hours,” Theresa continued. “I’d say that’s long enough to take a history exam, no?”

“Oh, I like that one!” Jane announced, raising her hand.

“B

ut that’s cheating!” Clarissa protested, dropping her booted feet to the floor and leaning forward. “We can’t use that.”

“Maybe you can’t, but I will,” Viola said with a sniff, tugging on the lace cuffs of her sleeves. “Just because you’re a genius every day doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have the chance to experience it for ourselves.” She raised her head, sitting up perfectly straight on her chair.

“All in favor of the Genius Spell?” Theresa asked.

Everyone but Catherine, Eliza, and Clarissa raised their hands. Theresa surveyed the room and made a quick note. Eliza glanced quickly at her delicate gold watch, and her heart lurched. It was already eleven forty-five. In fifteen minutes, Harrison would be standing out in the woods, waiting for her. She reached into her pocket for his note, intending to check it again to make sure she was right about the time, but her fingers felt nothing but fabric. Her heart skipped a beat and she dug deeper, but there was nothing there. Her pocket was empty. The note was gone.

Instantly, Eliza looked up at Theresa. Theresa was gazing right at her, a smirk on her face. The entire room seemed to darken as Eliza felt a bull’s-eye form on her chest. Had Theresa found the note? Did she know? Was that why she’d called this impromptu meeting?

Guilt pressed in on Eliza from all sides. She was, after all, planning a clandestine meeting with another girl’s fiancé. Whatever her bond with Harrison, his engagement to Theresa was a fact. Maybe she shouldn’t be doing this. Maybe she had let herself get caught up in the romance of it too quickly.

“All right, then, the Genius Spell is on our list with a vote of eight yeses and three nos,” Theresa announced.

She made a final tick on her notes, then looked back at Eliza. “I notice you haven’t voted yes once, Eliza,” she said perkily. “What are you waiting for? Are you in the mood for something more creative? Because the next one will apparently make a painting come to life.”

The other girls giggled, and Eliza shifted in her seat. She felt warm all over—conspicuous. “I suppose I just haven’t found any of the spells worthwhile.”

“Oh, really? And here I thought you were being sullen just because this was my idea,” Theresa said, turning fully to face her. “No one likes a spoilsport, Eliza.”

Jane gasped, and Viola whispered something to her behind her hand. All eyes darted between Eliza and Theresa. Eliza sat up straight, her guilt slowly beginning to ebb. “I’m not being a spoilsport. I just think there are better things we could be doing with our time.”

Like meeting Harrison, she thought. Catherine closed her book and glanced at her two friends warily.

“What is it with you Williams girls?” Theresa said, throwing a hand up and letting it slap down on the podium. “Why do you think the entire world must revolve around what you think?”

Eliza’s face burned as the girls all gaped at her. This was the last straw. She had to get out of this basement and away from this awful girl, and she had to do it now. Across the room, Bia whispered to Viola, and suddenly a plan came to Eliza.

“I’m sorry, Theresa,” she said, making her voice all breathy, the way Bia’s always sounded just before she went faint. “I don’t believe the world must revolve around me. I’m just . . . I’m having a hard time concentrating tonight.”

“Are you?” Theresa asked, with what seemed to be false surprise.

“Yes. In fact, I’m not feeling very well,” Eliza stated. “I’m feeling a bit . . . dizzy.”

“Oh, no!” Bia jumped up, suddenly wide awake, and crouched down in front of Eliza’s chair, taking her hand. “Don’t faint, Eliza!”

“Take some deep breaths,” Marilyn added helpfully, getting up to stand next to her chair.

“She’s not going to faint,” Theresa said, stepping away from the podium. Her red skirt swished around her ankles, making a gratingly raspy noise.

“Yes, she is! Dizziness always precedes fainting,” Bia said over her shoulder. “I should know.”

“She’s right. Bia faints more than anyone else I know,” Lavender stated.