Page 97 of Witchbane

‘Poor Iris.’

‘We will do all we can to help her. Now, though, we need to hurry and cast this spell. There is no time to lose, Rue. You must find that assistant fellow and persuade him to do as I ask.’

‘I’ll do it,’ Jem said, surprising us both.

‘It’s too dangerous, Jem,’ I said, grateful for his offer but fearful of his involvement, especially as he resented my affection for Theo.

‘I don’t see that there’s any other option,’ he insisted.

Not wanting to waste further time, I relented.

‘Fine,’ Appoline said, looking satisfied. ‘Before you go, I’ll give you a few tools to take.’

She hurried out of the room and soon returned carrying a bag. She set it down on a table and slowly took items out of it, describing how they were to be used.

She withdrew a small silver dagger from a leather sheath. ‘This is very sharp. You must take care not to cut too deep.’ I winced at the thought of cutting myself or Theo. She opened her hand and drew it over her palm just above her skin. ‘You only need a small amount of blood.’

She replaced the dagger and then took a small phial from the cloth bag. Uncorking it, she placed it on the table and then took out a small silver bowl-shaped spoon.

‘Hold this against the side of each hand when the blood runs and then pour what you’ve collected from the two cuts into the phial. Secure the top and bring everything back to me. Understood?’

I nodded, not looking forward to doing this but happy to be able to help my aunt. ‘Leave it to me.’

She replaced everything in the small bag, tied a string around the top to secure it and handed it to me. She took me by the shoulders and stared into my eyes.

‘You must make this happen, Rue. If Theo Le Cerf refuses to speak to Jem, then you must do it. We have no other option. Use whatever powers you have over the man to make him listen. We are running out of time and your aunt’s life depends on you.’

Terrified by such responsibility, I swallowed.

‘While you’re doing this, I’ll gather everyone who either wasn’t arrested last night or has been released. We are somewhat depleted in numbers but there’s nothing I can do about that. We’ve cast powerful spells before without the thirteen of us being together. We’ll go to the manor and prepare for the spell with your grandmother.’

‘I’ll meet you back there then,’ I said, hoping that when we did cast the spell our number would somehow be increased by my mother’s spirit.

‘Take my horse and cart,’ she said. ‘It’ll be much quicker.’

I left, sick with nerves, frightened that I might make a mistake. Jem and I mounted the cart and set off.

‘Thanks for offering your help, Jem,’ I said. ‘I know how you feel about Theo.’

Now that I was alone with him again, I decided to try to clear up a few things between us. We had always been close, like brother and sister. I didn’t like the distance that had grown between us. ‘I’m sorry for how things have been lately, Jem.’

He smiled at me. ‘I’m sorry too.’

There was something in his tone that was different, but I didn’t know what. ‘Is anything troubling you, Jem?’

He stared at me thoughtfully before looking away. He stilled, then his mood seemed to lift suddenly. ‘No. In fact I’ve been waiting to share some news with you.’

I was intrigued. ‘Well? What is it?’

‘I have been mulling over the thought of proposing to Beattie,’ he said, sticking out his chin proudly.

I wasn’t sure how I felt about my childhood friend marrying the woman who had made the accusation against me. I was at a loss for words.

He turned to look at me and I averted my eyes, not wanting him to witness the resentment I felt towards her and was battling to hide.

‘I haven’t made my mind up yet.’

From the slight change in his tone I was uncertain whether this was a good thing or not, but then I decided I didn’t want to be the reason he didn’t ask her. ‘Because of what she did, do you mean?’