We get a lot of visitors since it is one of the largest magical towns in the country. It’s tucked away in northern New York and a top destination for those gifted with magic and supernatural abilities. As such, there are a large variety of apothecaries and healers here.
“Just looking around,” she answers in a low, raspy voice, but her gaze stays fixed on me.
Even though she’s looking at me, she doesn’t see me—like she’s lost in her own mind.
My familiar, a prairie rattlesnake named Hexate, slithers up the counter and onto my arm. The stranger doesn’t break eye contact. Hexate stretches forward, flickering her tongue. With a warning hiss, she pulls back and settles around my shoulders, eyes focused on the woman.
A black cat suddenly jumps onto the counter, leaning forward to sniff Hexate before letting out a low protective growl in response. The woman pats her familiar in a calming manner but doesn’t speak.
“Oh, uh,” I say, “Sure. Let me know if you have any questions.”
My eyes glance toward the clock. I feel bad rushing her, so I stay silent.
When I turn back, she’s still staring at me. She looks friendly enough but the recognition in her eyes is unsettling—like she came looking for something and found it.
Starting to stir under her attention, I glance at Mary, swearing she looks amused. “Do I know you?” I blurt out, confused by this entire exchange.
She chuckles coldly, sounding sad. “No, dear, you do not. You just… You look like someone.”
Guiltily, I ask in a softer voice, “Oh, I’m sorry. Who was she?”
“My great-grandmother,” she answers. “I never met her. I’ve seen photos though. She was a very strong Gray Witch… Just like you, I believe.”
My brows shoot up. I’m about to argue when she holds a hand up, silencing me with a meaningful smile. “It was not a question, only an observation.”
The blood drains from my face. “Um,” I draw out, my hands fidgeting behind my back. “Okay.”
She asks in a sober voice, “How old are you?”
“Twenty-two,” I reluctantly answer.
The creases between her brows deepen and she hums to herself. “I see.” Her mouth twists uncertainly to the side. “Well, I should come back another day.”
Hexate adjusts herself, stretching her body in the space between us and tightening herself around my neck protectively. A small wave of panic rushes through me at her quick departure. Being abandoned never gets easier, even when a stranger is the one abruptly leaving. I feel desperate when I lean across the counter, wishing to pull the older Gray Witch back, asking her to stay.
I have questions!
“Are you sure? Was there something you needed?” I ask quickly. “An elixir of some kind, maybe?”
Something behind me catches her attention and she lets out a startled gasp—more fearful than the surprised sound that slipped out of her when she first walked in. Slowly, I turn my head and peek over my shoulder. All that’s behind me are the shelves full of our more expensive products.
She shakes herself out of it and sighs deeply. “I think I need more time—hopefully to learn more before I come back.” Her voice is quieter now, more tired than it was only seconds ago.
My confusion and discomfort grows. Fighting the urge to ask more questions, I say, “Well, I’ll be here when you’re ready.”
With a tilt of her lips, she says, “I hope so.”
Then she turns on her heel and leaves without a glance. Mary Agnes follows her out the door, going in the opposite direction. Hexate flicks her tongue a few more times before letting out a long hiss as the doorshuts behind her. I look down at her but from the tilt of her head, she looks as baffled by the woman as I do.
I stand there for a couple of minutes, wondering if I should be worried about a potential hex or stalker. My magic—the spirit magic she picked up on—urges me to not be afraid. Familiarity and patience settle in my bones, making me think this isn’t the last time our paths will cross. There’s even a little bit of hope that they will.
Chapter 1
Renata
For the millionth time in my life, I rinse the chamomile leaves I picked from my mother’s garden this morning and prepare the bundles to be hung for drying. It’s something I could do in my sleep at this point.
It’s late winter, a couple weeks away from the spring equinox, and my northeastern hometown stays chilly for at least another month. The green magic my mother and sisters possess can keep any plant alive and thriving year round.
