I almost punched him. Did the name matter?
Wait. I needed to slow the heck down. Names mattered. They’d mattered greatly with both Chamuel and Hemah. It stood to reason that Uriel’s name held power as well. Uranus it was until we needed the ammunition.
“Right,” I agreed. “Uranus. My bad.” I turned back to the ghosts. “Was Uranus in the crevasse?”
“No,” Hemah answered.
The ghost looked like It wanted to say more, but hesitated. That didn’t work for me.
“Talk,” I snapped at Hemah. “Say whatever you were about to say before you thought better of it.”
“You heard Daisy,” Shitty Ritchie shouted at Hemah. “Do not defy the woman who I consider my mommy, you fuckhead. EVER.”
The tiny menace pointed at Hemah with his splayed pointer and middle finger. He reversed it and pointed at his own eyes then turned it back on Hemah. Shitty Ritchie was making it clear that he was watching every move Hemah made… and then some.
“What I was going to add may or may not be welcome,” Hemah said.
“Don’t care,” I shot back. “I’m used to everything you say being unwelcome. If you say something useful it will be like freaking Christmas. Say your piece.”
“NOW,” Shitty Ritchie added.
“I know how to reverse most of Uranus’ poisons with a spell,” It explained, then held up a ghostly hand. “But now that I’m deceased, my magic doesn’t work.”
Tim and Candy looked at each other. Tim shrugged. Candy’s brow creased in thought.
“What does the spell involve?” Candy asked. “Can it be taught? Fast?”
Hemah shook his head. “No. A spell as powerful as this belongs only to those who were meant to cast them.”
“How is that determined?” Tim pressed.
Hemah glanced around. “May I?” It inquired of Shitty Ritchie.
“May you what?” Shitty Ritchie shot back. “Don’t be vague with me, turdball. I’m a literal kind of guy. May you what?”
Hemah nodded. I thought It might have cracked a smile, but wasn’t sure. If it had happened at all, it was momentary. “May I test out who here might be capable of casting the spell.”
Shitty Ritchie considered the request. “Yep. But if you touch any boobs, butts, or dongs in the process, your ass is grass. We clear?”
“Abundantly,” Hemah assured him, looking at the little man like he was insane.
Shitty Ritchie was insane, but he was ours and we were keeping him. Hemah could get used to it or It could rot for all I cared. It would take me a long time, if ever, before I would be able to forgive the revolting being.
“Do it quick,” Candy told Hemah. “I wanna get in and out of that shithole before Uranus comes back. However, if Alana Catherine’s been poisoned, there’s a chance she won’t make it if we don’t break the spell. So, Hemah, you disgusting jackhole, do your thing.”
“As you wish,” Hemah said.
The ghost floated over to Candy first. It paused in front of her for a long beat then shook Its head. “No, you are not the one to cast the spell.”
Next was Gideon. Same result.
Tim. Same result.
Jennifer. Same result.
When Hemah got to Shitty Ritchie, I was sure it would be a yes. Shitty Ritchie was pretty sure too. He was wildly put out that he wasn’t the one to cast it. My heart sank when it was a no.
The last person with a chance was me. I crossed my fingers hard and stood tall.
