The Curse of Dark Root: Part Two (Daughters of Dark Root Book 4) by Aasheim April

Author:Aasheim, April [Aasheim, April]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Dark Root Press
Published: 2016-05-07T18:30:00+00:00

EIGHTEEN

Hit the Road Jack

WHERE YA OFF ta, Sugarplum?” Aunt Dora plunged the small spade into a patch of dry earth near the back door.

Jillian hovered nearby, a shawl draped around her thin shoulders. Though it was 80 degrees outside, she cradled a mug of hot tea between her palms. She looked older somehow this morning, her emerald eyes dulled to an apple green. She smiled faintly. “Maggie, would you tell Dora she can pee in all the bottles she can find, but it’s not going to stop a determined witch from getting inside.”

“You’re peeing in bottles now?” I asked, my jaw dropping. I transferred Montana from one hip to the other, watching as she lowered a clay vase into a fresh hole. “Why?”

“Ya tell Jillian, it’s not just urine in these bottles! There’s hair an’ nails, too! We need ta bury more under the front door.” She pointed to a small pile of clay jugs near the edge of the garden.

Jillian rolled her eyes. “Tell Dora that Old World stuff is just superstition. It won’t remove a curse any more than hanging these balls and shoes up all over the house will.”

“Tell Jillian, they couldn’t hurt!” Aunt Dora grumbled and repositioned herself as she dug a deeper hole. “An’ if a dark witch does try an’ enter, she’ll trap herself inside.”

“Tell Dora––”

“I’m going for a walk,” I said, cutting them both off. “You’ll have to work this out between you.”

“I’ll walk you to the front of the house,” Jillian offered.

I nodded, curious, as she escorted me to the porch.

“I’m sure I don’t need to tell you this, but I’m going to anyway. Stay on your guard, Maggie. Dora’s methods might be silly but her worry is real.” The muted look in her eyes vanished, replaced by one of determination. “I’m doing research. We’ll figure this out soon. Until then, stay strong for you and your son, okay?” She tickled Montana’s chin and he drooled on her finger. “And Maggie, I just want you to know, I approve of where you’re going. Peace brings true strength. Don’t feel guilty, okay?”

“Uh-okay,” I stammered, surprised. How often I forgot that secrets weren’t secrets in a house full of psychics. She touched my arm before rejoining Aunt Dora in the back yard.

Montana and I quickly made our way down the path to the ruins. While the area around Harvest Home had been drained of magick, the glade remained pure and untouched. The scent of honeysuckle and dew hung in the air, and this time there were birds chirping excitedly, as if they’d been expecting us. A butterfly flew from a bed of wildflowers, circled us twice, then disappeared into the woods.

Montana was all smiles as we crossed the grassy clearing. “What do you think?” I asked as we entered the squat stone building. Half the room was draped in sunlight, and the other half shadowed. I set a blanket in the center of the floor and sat down with my son in my lap. He lifted his face to the sunshine while he kicked his feet in the shadows.

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