Gwyneth dug a folded paper out of her pocket. They read it over again and set it on top of the jar. Morgaine closed her eyes first and Gwyneth followed suit. The witches took some deep breaths. They had explained that they’d need to go into trance to recite the spell, and all he needed to do was keep the circle connected and visualize a positive outcome.
The two women opened their eyes and gazed at the Mason jar. They stood perfectly still and read, “Lord and Lady, hear us now. We re-pledge our faithful vow. With this spell we help our friend. Your healing power, his way send. The treatment for his vampirism, with this liquid will be hisn.”
His eyebrows rose.Hisn?Was that a word? Oh well, he figured the witches knew what they were doing.
“Let our will be granted as read, and help our friend, live un-undead. If for the good of most, so mote it be.”
They closed their eyes and stood silently for several seconds. He was just beginning to wonder if their minds had gone somewhere never to return when their eyelids fluttered open.
They smiled and nodded to each other. Then Morgaine said, “Blessings and thanks to the spirits attending our circle. We release you until we meet again.”
Sly glanced around nervously, half expecting to see shadowy figures floating away.
Morgaine continued. “The circle is open but not broken as we send it skyward. Blessed be.” They raised their arms and released their grasps.
“There. That ought to do it,” Morgaine said, sounding confident.
Gwyneth picked up the jar and grinned. “I’ll drink to that.” She took a big swig and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “Ahhh…that’s the stuff, all right.”
Handing it to Morgaine, she said. “Y’all enjoy.”
She lifted the jar like a glass of ale in a silent toast. “Down the hatch.” She took as big a gulp as Gwyneth had and almost choked. “Holy Shit!”
“Ain’t it, though?” Gwyneth giggled.
Morgaine gagged.
“Now don’t ya’ll go spittin’ it out. That’s good moonshine and not ta be wasted.”
“Dear Lord and Lady, that stuff should come with a warning label!”
Gwyneth frowned and crossed her arms. “Like what?”
“Like,Caution, may eat through your stomach lining.That’s probably why they call it rot-gut.”
“This ain’t no rot-gut whiskey. It’s just a little stronger than y’all are used to. Try sipping it next time.”
“What next time?” Morgaine held the jar out to Sly.
“Don’t listen to her, sugar. She’s a wimp about all kinds of things. Why should liquor be any different?”
Morgaine suddenly yanked back the Mason jar without releasing it.”
“I beg your pardon? I’m not a wimp just because I like my internal organs.” She took another sip, squeezed her eyes shut and swallowed. “Yeah, it’s better in small doses.”
At last, she handed it to Sly. He winked at her. “At least I don’t have to worry about this stuff killing me.”
The girls giggled.
“To your health.” He raised the jar in a toast and drank.Hmm…that’s not too bad. Maybe the cure will outweigh the curse after all.
The witches watched him expectantly.
Morgaine spoke first. “Anything?”
Sly tried to think of blood without getting thirsty. Damn. He needed to feed worse than ever. Disappointment descended like a heavy cloud.
Suddenly, Gwyneth pointed to him, and the witches gasped.
