Page 45 of The Book of Unwritten Stories

‘You had a falling out with your friend, what over? By the way, I’m only picking up bits and pieces. I’m not poking around inside your thoughts, dear.’

Addison laughed. ‘You don’t want to either; there isn’t much good going on inside of my brain today.’

Sephy reached out to pat her unburned hand. ‘Pray, tell me what this friend has done to upset you so much you hurt yourself this badly.’

‘She turned up at my work and was mean to me, like really mean and she’s never like that. It was as if she was a different person. It shocked me to be honest. It was like there was a black cloak over her entire body. She even looked different. She scared me a little. I was only trying to help her, and she got all bitchy and super moody. I’ve never fallen out with her ever and it made me feel sick.’

Sephy was nodding. ‘Do you know why she was acting this way?’

‘No.’

‘It’s okay, she might have been having a bad day too, although not as bad as you are. How is your hand feeling now?’

Addison realised that the intense burning had calmed down so much she could speak properly again and form sentences. ‘Amazing, thank you so much.’

‘How did you know where to come?’

‘The guy I work with, Tommy, said his mom swears by you and he told me to come here because I couldn’t afford to go to urgent care. I can pay you, I have money, just not urgent care kind of money.’

Sephy waved her hand in the air. ‘Pft, I don’t care about that. I care that we have fixed your hand and stopped the pain. Have we managed to do that?’

‘Yes, you have.’ Addison was incredulous. ‘But how?’

‘I told you, dear, I’m a witch, it’s what I do. I have been doing it for a very long time; I’ve had time to perfect my practice. I’m so glad it’s helping, what about the tea?’

Addison picked the cup up and sipped it, relieved it didn’t taste as horrid as she’d expected. ‘It’s nice.’

Sephy’s smile reached from ear to ear. ‘That is good to know. I’m glad to have helped.’

‘How much do I owe you, Sephy? I ran out without my purse, but I can go straight back or Apple Pay, Venmo you.’

‘I told you, dear, I expect no payment but tell me a little more about this friend. Why is she acting so different towards you now?’

‘I don’t know, but it was like she had a dark shadow looming over her. She looked like she was standing in the shadows.’

Sephy’s spine straightened as she sat bolt upright. ‘How dark?’

‘Hard to describe it. She sort of looked like she had a thick, black spider web covering her entire body.’

‘Addison, are you a little baby witch. Do you practise at all?’

She shook her head.

‘Oh, well I have news for you. I think you may be descended from a bloodline witch with that ability to see shadows and auras. We could work on that if you ever wanted to. I hold beginner’s classes every November, once tourist season is over. These are strictly for the locals; in fact, my niece will be joining the next one. You would like Dora, she’s very much like you.’

‘A klutz?’

Sephy laughed. ‘Yes, Dora is clumsy too and quite unaware of the power she holds. I’m a little bit concerned about your friend. Is she a practising witch by any chance?’

‘I don’t think so, I mean we both have books on witchcraft, and she sometimes sees things out of the corners of her eye, that kind of stuff.’

‘She should come along too.’

‘Well, before this morning she probably would have, but I’m not asking as she was so mean.’

‘I understand, I fear you may have to keep an eye on her. It sounds as if there is some kind of spiritual battle going on inside of her, if there was a dark shadow over her. She may need your help whether you want to or not. It would be the right thing to do.’

Addison smiled at the kind woman. She didn’t want to upset her by telling her as far as she was concerned Morana could step in front of a bus, she never wanted to see her again, so she nodded instead.