“Take a moment and think about that,” I continued. “Really ponder it, roll it around in your mind, meditate on it. And then think about what it might be like to be on the bad side ofseveralwitches. A whole coven, or maybe two.”
I could feel strength surging in me. I didn’t dare turnaround to look, but I wondered whether Aidan might have shown up after all, or Patience and Renna, or maybe even my grandmother’s coven. There was definitely something going on. Somebody—maybe several somebodies—had my back.
“What... what are you smiling about?” Jamie asked.
“Ever have a day when you’re just feeling good?” I said, now grinning. “Reallygood. Like the fog has lifted?”
“What are you...? What’s goin’ on?”
I heard chanting behind me. It started as a low hum, almost undetectable, but gradually grew in intensity.
“I hate that mumblin’ thing!” Jamie said. “How are you doing that?”
“Witches come from a long line of powerful women, Jamie—you should know that. We’re never truly alone. We come by the dozen, plus one. That’s what a coven is.”
“Stop it!”He brought the knife closer to Selena’s neck. “Stop mumblin’!”
“I’m not saying a word.”
I concentrated on his forehead. Kept my gaze there, my eyes piercing and focusing intently. The chanting continued, filling the room and lending me strength. Oscar’s presence was helping to open the portals, to let the spirits slip through. But this time, there was more than one spirit guiding me.
Jamie’s forehead started to smoke. He cried out. A charred symbol took shape: the sigil of Deliverance Corydon, seared into his flesh. He dropped the knife and fell to his knees, screaming in pain. Oscar moved in on him then, looming over him, snarling.
“Lily!” Selena ran to me, throwing her arms around my waist. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I let the bugs out accidentally. And the cupcake lady said she would help me and we could find a trap for them here, so I came with her—”
“Shhhhh, later,m’ija,” I said, hugging her to me with one arm. I kept my other hand on my humming medicine bag. “Jamie, the only way to save yourself is to confess everything to the police. Do you hear me? You will get Sailor off the hook, or so help me...”
Behind me, the chanting continued until it was loud enough to drown out the raucous sounds emanating from Aunt Cora’s Closet.
“I’ll do it! I’ll do anything! Just stop!” Jamie lay on the floor, crying out and writhing.
“Basta, m’ija,”I heard Graciela say from behind me. “Enough. Stick a fork in him, as you young people say. He’s done.”
Chapter 29
“Looks like we got here just in time,” said Graciela.
She looked much older, and even shorter, than when last I’d seen her. But just as beautiful. Her stubborn chin, black eyes, and broad cheekbones... she was a sight for sore eyes.
I couldn’t stop hugging her. Finally, she pulled away and chided me: “Enough, enough,m’ija. You never did know when to stop.”
But she was smiling, patting me with her soft hands. The feel of those hands on me made me feel like a cherished child again.
Graciela’s coven members seemed unfazed by the scene they’d walked in on. Oscar had shifted back into his pig guise, but three coven members circled Jamie, instructing him to stay where he was on the floor, or else. The others kissed and hugged me with cries of“Merry part and merry meet!” “It’s been so long!” “You’ve become such a witch!”And then they peppered Selena with kisses and hugs, even though they’dnever met. To my surprise, she gave them each a shy smile, and didn’t pull away.
Darlene, one of the coven sisters skilled in healing, knelt over the still prostrate Renee, and declared her alive but in need of medical care for an apparent concussion. Apparently someone had already called for help, because we could hear the noise of a siren growing nearer.
“Where’s my mother?” I asked.
“Still on the bus,” answered Agatha, another coven sister. “Give her a little time.”
“You know how she is,” said another. “She’s never been one for parties. What’s happening next door?”
“Yeah, it’s some out-of-control magic. We might need to calm that down,” I said. “Especially before the authorities get here.”
Outside, the school bus was double-parked and creating a jam on busy Haight Street. I tried to catch a glimpse of my mother, but couldn’t see her inside the bus. Conrad was helping to direct traffic around the bus.
Graciela and the rest of the coven waved hello to Conrad—apparently they were old friends by now, since he was the one who told them where I was—and then entered the mayhem of Aunt Cora’s Closet, snacking on leftovers as they used their talents to help calm things. Several of the tea patrons had left, but most were still there, apparently enjoying the dancing dresses and the ghostly food fight.
