The Heart Witch of Speckled Hound Hollow by Justus Joseph

Author:Justus Joseph
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Witch fantasy, Dark fantasy, Young adult witch story, Adult witch novel, Halloween, Halloweentown, Candy corn, Pumpkin, Pumpkin patch
Publisher: Eyeless Bard Books
Published: 2024-08-13T00:00:00+00:00

Hum, soft with fatigue from her exertions, tiptoes from the room. Emathi’s gaze is fixed on the entryway. She doesn’t see Hum slink back to the loft.

“No, Emathi,” I say.

“I heard the door. Is someone there?”

I sigh and wish Hum could help me with this, too.

“Come on.” I take Emathi’s hand to lead her from the foyer. “I’ll put on tea for us, Emathi.”

Chapter 21

The next morning, Hum is keen to go with me when I embark for the swamp homestead. I’m thankful I won’t face the kelpie alone. That said, the mood Hum’s been in since she gave herself a body makes me wonder if she’ll aggravate the other creature. She’s that kind of cheerful. Still, I encourage her to come and let her carry the basket with the blue cloths.

In daylight I have a proper chance to examine her. She towers over me. The way she wiggles her head on its stalk has a serpentine quality. Her body, while modeled after a human’s, has a few irregularities that seem more enthusiastic disregard to details than intention. While she has two opposable thumbs, one hand has only three fingers while the other has seven. The other two arms end in thin points with no discernible hands. Both her legs have extra knees, and her torso is short and plump. Without a doubt, she’s extraordinary to behold, but also very silly.

We visit the chickens first. Hum is enamored with them and follows them around the yard as I rake the coop. The hens scatter, of course. Hum’s nearly twice my height and swings her limbs about in wide arcs like she can’t keep her balance.

When she realizes her attempts at friendship are failing, she begins to mimic the birds. Whether its mockery or a sincere attempt to connect, I can’t tell. She walks about with their quick steps, headshakes, and wing flutters until I scatter the feed. I half expect her to peck at the meal alongside them but, too thrilled with her new movements, she continues to imitate the chickens around the small yard. It’s not unlike a dance, though it’s the most ridiculous one I’ve seen. I bite my lips to keep my smile in check.

Finished with the first task, I pick up the basket and call for Hum to follow me to the swamp. My stomach twists in knots. Without Emathi, I’m unprotected. Hum is as likely to assist as she is to cause a real problem. I’m tempted to leave the kelpie until last, but I want as much time as I can get alone, which means the tough chores come first.

The still swamp comes into sight and Hum bounds past me. She’s in the water before I get a word out.

“Hum, get out of there.”

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