Page 64 of The Vanishing Bookstore
Dora began to laugh, and Lenny grinned at her. ‘See what I did there? Witches are far more powerful than bitches.’
Sephy leaned forwards and took hold of Lenny and Dora’s hands in each of hers.
‘Just look at us, back together, the power of three. It’s time to work our magic.’
Lenny laughed. ‘Oh Lord, she’s off. Would you look at her, she’s the opposite of Winifred Sanderson, aren’t you, dear. Before you know it there will be pink smoke rising from the chimney and all the children of Salem will be drawn here to eat cake and candy.’
Dora asked Sephy, ‘You knowHocus Pocus?’
Sephy laughed. ‘Of course I do, dear, the whole town thrives off that movie. To be honest, I think Bette Midler modelledherself on Lenny, whereas I’m more aPractical Magicfan. I would quite happily drink midnight margaritas every time the clock strikes twelve, but my own black magic is a happy substitute.’
Dora smiled. ‘It’s my favourite film.’
‘Well then, how lucky are you that you’ve just been blessed with a life far more magical than either of those movies. Although George Corwin is an ugly thorn in our side and would fit in quite well with the Sanderson Sisters and their soul-sucking.’
‘Is that what he does?’
Lenny nodded. ‘Yes, I believe so. Somehow, when the victims of the witch trials were being executed, he came to understand that ingesting a soul at the time of death would give him power and immortality. It took us a long time to figure this out.’
‘But he’s never done that to us?’
‘No. He kills us, of course. But he’s never got to taste our souls because Hades is always there to guide them before he can get his grubby hands on them, aren’t you, Hades?’ The crow looked at Lenny and nodded his head just the once, a quick, sharp nod of agreement. ‘God help us if that happened. We wouldn’t be reborn, but we’d also live in pain eternally, along with all those poor victims he’s done that to.’
‘But how, how did Hades come to find you?’
‘Does it completely blow your mind?’
Dora nodded.
Sephy looked at her. ‘We find it easier not to think of the schematics behind it all, too much to get our pretty little heads around. It happened and that’s the way it is, or at least it is for us. We accept that we are blessed with the most magical, wonderful lives but for every good thing there is also a bad and Corwin is ours. Which is why we are going to put a stop to him forever this time. Now, enough of the questions, we have work todo. I think we should start with a simple spell to warm up your magic and take it from there.’
Sephy flicked the pages of Lucine’s book until it rested open on one with a heading that said:
To Harness Your Power
Ingredients
White or purple candle
Crushed dried nettles
Dried lavender
Dried juniper
Anoint the candle with the herbs and a little oil then light it and chant three times
I call my power to return to me
Find its way and let me be
Power my life through day and night
To help me fight another’s plight
She turned to Dora. ‘This is relatively simple; we need to work on making all your power work for you.’ She went to the dresser and ran her finger along the rows of small glass jars filled with everything. Then she took hold of one and opened a drawer, pulling out a small, purple, beeswax candle and placing it in an old brass candle holder before giving it to Dora along with the jars.
‘You need to anoint the candle. There is little point in me doing it, I am quite aware of my power. There is some rosemary oil which will help to clear your mind and strengthen it.’
