Page 73 of Bewitched By the Djinn
Helen glances toward the sky beyond the window. It’s barely three, so we have a few hours, at least. “It’s worth the attempt.”
Bennet straightens. “Dusk tonight?”
She gives a short nod. “Dusk. When the night meal is served at court. If anyone of note is in residence, Uncle must attend, so we can listen in on their conversations and find out what he is telling them. We’ll need to gather some supplies.”
“What kind of things help with spying across the veil?” I ask.
“There are multiple herbs and stones that aid vision, but I’m not sure what’s easily accessible in this realm.” She counts off on her fingers. “Mugwort, star anise, and blue lotus, maybe. And for crystals, labradorite, clear quartz, amethyst, and obsidian work well.”
I perk up. “We have some of those at the house.” Relief washes over me at the thought of going home, even if just for a short while. It’ll be good to check on how Jackie is doing.
Bennet nods. “Write down a list, and we’ll help gather what we can.”
Helen smiles, the tension in her shoulders easing a fraction. “Thank you. Now, let’s mask you two before we’re attacked.”
Familiar scents wrap around me the moment I step into our house, garlic and basil and lemon and a touch of Mimi’s perfume. She’s making spaghetti and garlic bread. It’s only Thursday. So much has happened since Monday, when I brought home the lamp. Has it only been four days? The smell is comforting, a tether to normalcy, even when everything else is spiraling out of control.
Mimi walks out into the front room, sharp eyes scanning me from head to toe. “Took you long enough. You look like you’ve been through hell.”
“It wasn’t exactly a spa retreat.” I drop my bag onto the nearest chair. “Where’s Jackie?”
“Upstairs, resting.” Mimi pats my shoulder. “She’s better than she was, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
We head into the kitchen, where Bennet and I fill her in on everything—the ifrit, the swamp witches, Helen’s father, and the scrying spell we’re planning for tonight. Mimi listens, nodding along, only interrupting to ask occasional questions.
When I finish, she pinches the bridge of her nose.
Kevin thunders down the stairs. “You’re back from the swamp. Did you bring me anything? A cursed amulet? A cool dagger? Crocodile skin boots?”
Bennet laughs and rubs Kevin’s head. “None of the above. We need some herbs and stones. Will you help me search in the office?”
“I know all the best places to look for rocks.”
“Not rocks. Stones, like crystals,” Bennet says as they head out of the kitchen.
“What’s the difference?”
Their voices retreat up into the house.
Mimi turns to me, lowering her voice. “Did you jump his bones yet?”
“Mimi!” Heat fills my face.
She smacks the table. “You did, didn’t you? I hope you did, otherwise you’re turning bright red over nothing.”
“It’s nothing. It meant nothing. I mean, nothing happened. It’s just this curse.”
“Uh-huh, that’s what I said about your uncle too, God rest his soul. Man was an animal in the bedroom though.”
I slap my hands over my ears. “I do not want to hear this.”
She tsks. “Bennet not much of an animal then?”
My mouth pops open. I force it shut and grind out the words, “I do not know if he’s an animal or not because we didn’t sleep together.”
Her eyebrows lift. “You didn’t sleep while you were in the swamp?”
“We slept together but nottogether,together.”
