Bonbons and Broomsticks (BEWITCHED BY CHOCOLATE Mysteries ~ Book 5) by H.Y. Hanna

Author:H.Y. Hanna [Hanna, H.Y.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wisheart Press
Published: 2018-06-17T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Caitlyn looked down at the item in her cousin’s palm. It looked like an irregularly shaped stone, with a hole in the centre. “What’s that?”

“It’s a hag stone!” said Pomona, her eyes gleaming. “A really old one, by the look of it.”

“What’s a hag stone?”

“They’re these rare stones you find—usually by a beach or a river—which have a natural hole in the middle. Like from the movement of water, or something. You hear about them a lot in European folk magic.”

“I’ve never heard of them.”

Pomona rolled her eyes. “That’s ’cos you never read the right books! Hag stones are said to protect against malevolent witchcraft and the black arts. People used to, like, hang them in their homes and on the farm, to protect themselves and their animals. I think there are English fishermen who still tie hag stones to their boats, to repel witches and keep evil spirits away.”

“Well, it’s not repelling me,” said Caitlyn dryly.

“That’s ’cos you’re a good witch! It’s not just witches, anyway. It can protect against any kind of negative force. People used to hang hag stones at the end of their beds, to protect them from the Night Hag.”

“The what?”

“The Night Hag—she’s a succubus witch who comes while you’re sleeping. That’s why you get nightmares, see? The Night Hag sits on your chest and sucks the life force out of you—What?” Pomona demanded, frowning.

“Sorry…” Caitlyn chuckled. “It’s just such a funny image. Seriously, is there anything this stone doesn’t do? Let me guess, it cures diseases too, right?”

“Yeah, it does! It’s supposed to have healing properties if you rub the stone against a wound or a broken bone. And it’s also supposed to let you see into the Otherworld. Legend says that if you hold it up and look through the hole, you’ll be able to see fairies and spirits and things concealed by spells…” Pomona broke off and scowled. “Okay, you don’t have to look so snarky. Jeez, Caitlyn, I would have thought that you of all people would show some respect for these old folk legends about witchcraft and magic.”

“Sorry,” said Caitlyn, abashed. “You’re right, Pomie. I guess old habits die hard—you know I was always really sceptical of these occult objects and superstitions.”

“Yeah, but you’re a witch now! You know magic exists!”

Caitlyn put her hands up in a defensive gesture. “You’re right, you’re right! I… I’ve never had your easy faith, Pomona. I don’t know how you can just believe things when you don’t have any proof—”

“Because I feel it with my heart, even if I don’t see it with my eyes.”

Caitlyn hung her head, feeling shamed by Pomona’s simple words. She also realised guiltily that she was doing the very thing that she’d accused James of. And she had far less excuse than him to be sceptical.

“You’re right. I’m sorry,” she said quietly, giving her cousin a contrite look. “So… what else do hag stones do?”

Pomona grinned, regaining her good humour. “Okay, okay… so this is the bit I was coming to: hag stones are also meant to have been used in fertility and love spells.

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