“Not threatening, so much.” Her voice drops close to a whimper.
I stop in my tracks. Turn toward the phone hanging on the wall, as if I could see Luna through the connecting line. “Stinking bat dung! You know what the bokor wants from you, don’t you?”
“I do. He approached me last night, at my home.”
Falling witches! My eyes are wide and my voice, gone. Strangled in my chest. My body is rooting into place, waiting… waiting for Luna to drop the exploding toad.
She sighs, and in the simple sound I hear, sense her frustrations and fears. This thing with her father and the bokor has her scared. Probably more frightened than she has ever been. This world of magick and its dark side is new to her.
“He told me there is power in beauty. Even in his business. And with my beauty in his ranks, great things could be accomplished,” she says.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I blurt.
“He wants me to work for him.”
“Work for him how?” My voice spikes.
“I don’t know exactly, but my father showed up and refused the offer. Told C, that’s what my dad called him, that he couldn’t have my soul too.” Her breath hitches. “So, does that mean the bokor owns my dad’s soul? Like a pact with the devil?”
“I don’t know. My experience in the Quarter and with that type of magick is limited, but I promise you, we’ll figure it out. I won’t abandon you.” I recall her mention of a love spell and pray that isn’t what is motivating my actions. After all, I’m not in love with her… am I? I just like her. She’s my newest friend. Someone in clear need of help. And I never leave a friend in their time of need.
“Okay.” Her delivery lacks conviction.
I glance over at the calendar. “Thursday is the full moon,” I say. “The energies will be at their strongest then, making it the best time for more serious spell work. Do you think you could come over? We could meet up with James and Jeanna, perform a protection spell on you.”
“Yeah. I should be able to do that. What should I do in the meantime?” She lowers her voice for the delivery of her question, leading me to believe someone is in the room with her.
“Keep your head down and avoid the bokor and his men at all cost,” I say. “Also, keep me updated on any changes in the situation.”
“I will,” she promises.
I still need to call Jeanna and James so our continued conversation is short. Five minutes at the most and then we are saying our goodbyes.
With a push and a release of the switch hook, the phone is free for my next call. I dial Jeanna, knowing I’m more likely to be on the phone longer with James. I quickly update her on Luna’s situation and tell her I missed our meeting because I’d been poisoned by the bokor’s men.
She listens with unwavering intent. Gasping at all the appropriate mentions.
“Thankfully my grandma cured me with a strong dose of magick,” I say. “Otherwise, who knows what would have happened. I might have died.”
“That’s horrible,” she exclaims.
“We need to do something to stop him.”
“But what? What do we do?” she asks.
“Did your mom reach out to Mrs. Flores, Luna’s mom?” I bite my lip in anticipation of Jeanna’s response.
“My mom is being difficult. She says we don’t have a solid reason to contact and pry into the business of someone we don’t know.” Jeanna huffs.
Under normal circumstances, I would agree with her, but this is a serious matter. How do we make Jeanna’s mom see that? “What do you suggest?”
“I don’t know,” she replies. “I’ve tried to explain the situation, but I’m kind of at a loss.”
“Okay.” I scratch my head. Rack my brain. “We’ll figure it out.” I feel like I’ve been saying that phrase a lot lately. I pray we really do figure it out, or… I don’t know. I don’t think I want to know what that “or” entails.
I twist my finger through the long curling phone cord. Pull the line straight. Direct my focus toward things currently within my control.
“Luna will be joining us for this Thursday’s full moon. Let’s pull together the strongest protection spell we can locate,” I say.
“What about your mom?” Jeanna asks.
“Oh, we’re still casting something to help her.” My free hand curls into a tight fist. “I just need another day with the books to figure out what that will be.”
“James and I will get on the protection spell so that you can dedicate your search for your mom’s needs,” she says.
“Are you sure?” I ask, and lean against the wall, twisting the phone cord around my finger, once more. “Isn’t there a spell you’d like to focus on for yourself this month?”
“I’m in pretty good shape,” she says. “I’ll be in better shape when my friends are good.”
“Thanks, Jeanna.” My chest warms. “Hey, can I ask you something?”
“Of course.” Her response suggests that my question is absurd.
“Do you think a love spell could bounce back with a creep follower factor?”
“Not likely,” she quips. “If the spell is performed with true intent, then it should only draw the energies that are meant to be.”
I press my palm to my heart, and warmth spreads through my chest. “Thanks,” I say, my voice cracking.
“You okay?” she asks.
I assure her I am and then, telling her I’ll see her at school, end the call.
I still need to call James, but I feel like I’ve been on the phone forever. Deciding for a short break, I step into the bathroom and wash my face. When I’m done, Mom is waiting for me.
“You sure aren’t acting like a girl who’s been too sick to even travel home before now,” she says.
“I’m sorry, Mom.” I throw my arms around her and hug her tight. It’s a deflect from her current course of thinking, but the act is also genuine. I’ve been over
