Witch rose, p.2
Witch Rose, page 2
“Ivy would never do that,” said Bryony.
“You don’t know your sister well if that’s what you think,” said Josie. “She hates anyone messing with Kristoff.”
“I know my sister very well,” said Bryony, a rare frown crossing her face. “She’s my best friend.”
“Of course. Sorry.” Josie pasted a false smile across her heart-shaped face. “So, what do you think is wrong with my finger?”
“I’m not certain, but shall we try some more healing spells? Whatever it is, it’s spreading, and the magic you've already used most likely slowed down the progress.”
“You don’t think I’m going to change color completely?” asked Josie.
“It’s a possibility,” said Bryony. “If we don’t know the cause of the magic it will be hard to remove. But we can try some different spells and tinctures to slow down the progress. You just need to figure out how you got this magic in you in the first place. Then you can reverse it.”
“Could somebody have done this to me?”
Bryony stared intently at the finger, pushing her blonde hair out of her eyes. “Yes, it’s possible. Any reason why somebody would want to turn your finger black?”
“I can think of someone.” Josie looked over towards Ivy.
“Let’s not jump to conclusions,” said Bryony. “We’ll start with a cleansing tincture. You need to take it three times a day. In the morning, at noon, and in the evening. I’ll also perform a healing spell on you and give you some ready-made healing mixtures you can take to use at home. If that doesn’t remove the spell, at the very least, it will slow things down and give you a chance to find out what’s going on.”
“I’ll try your tinctures and spells,” said Josie. “But I need to get this fixed, and fast. Kristoff will hate me going to work with a black finger. The clients won’t like it.”
“Wait here, and I’ll get everything you need.” Bryony hurried away from the sofa and around the counter, where Ivy was grudgingly serving customers.
“Did you get her sorted?” asked Ivy.
“Not sure,” said Bryony. “There’s a strange taint to the magic used on her. I’m going to try some cleansing tinctures and spells, see if that gets rid of the problem. But it would help if I knew how she got the spell in the first place.”
“With a bit of luck, you won’t be able to remove the magic and Josie's entire body will rot away.”
“Don’t be so mean,” said Bryony. “And I don’t think the finger is going rotten.”
“I’m mean to her because she deserves it,” said Ivy.
“She mentioned you being jealous of her relationship with Kristoff.”
“Then she really is an idiot,” huffed Ivy. “Are you going to get out of my way and let me finish serving these customers?”
“I’m gone,” said Bryony, knowing how sensitive Ivy was when it came to anything to do with the gorgeous, chaotic half demon, Kristoff Dash. She gathered her armful of herbs and bottles and returned to Josie.
Bryony settled on the sofa and opened a bottle of blue colored liquid. “Let’s see about getting your finger sorted.”
Chapter 2
Ivy gave an enormous yawn and slumped into the seat by the bookshelves. “I know you love having the store so busy, but there are only so many days like this I can handle. We didn’t even stop for lunch.”
“It was manic today,” said Bryony. “But we’ve had reservations for half of the baby toad familiars you’re looking after. That will clear some space and we can try a new batch of white eared owls. They were popular the last time we had them in store.”
“You’re dealing with the owls,” said Ivy. “They’re too smart for their own good. That last pair we had worked out how to unlock their own cage and I discovered them in my bedroom, rifling through my drawers.”
“You most likely didn’t lock their cage properly the last time you fed them.” Bryony flipped the store sign to closed.
“Wait, wait!” Belinda Mayhew stood outside the store door, a distraught look on her rosy red cheeks. “Please don’t shut. I need your help.”
“We’re closed,” shouted Ivy. “Come back tomorrow.”
“Oh, please, I’m so worried,” said Belinda. “It’s this.” She held up her left hand and extended her thumb, which was completely black.
“We’d better take a look at that.” Bryony unlocked the door and ushered Belinda in. She was a tall half banshee, with startlingly ginger curls, high cheek bones, green eyes, and a wide mouth. Belinda worked on the Mayhew Farm with her dad, raising prize magical animals for shows and breeding.
“Another black digit.” Bryony took hold of Belinda’s hand and studied the thumb.
“I don’t know what happened,” said Belinda. “My thumb has been stiff and achy for a couple of days. But I assumed it was the change in the weather now it’s getting colder. But this morning I woke up and saw lines of black threading beneath the skin. And by the end of today, it turned into this.”
“It’s not the first case we’ve seen,” said Bryony.
“Other people’s fingers are turning black?” asked Belinda.
“It may be a coincidence,” said Bryony. “But it does seem strange that we’ve had two cases on the same day.”
“Why is it happening?” asked Belinda.
“Not sure. Take a seat,” said Bryony. “I was planning to do some research into the cause of this. You may as well help since you’re here.”
“Hi, Ivy,” said Belinda as she sat down. “How’s everything going?”
“Can’t complain,” said Ivy. “I don’t have any black fingers, so I’m on a roll right now.”
Belinda studied her thumb. “Yes, it’s gross. I hope you can help me get rid of it.”
“I heard your dad’s pigs changed color,” said Ivy. “Don’t suppose the two things are related?”
“Dad’s pigs have nothing to do with my thumb.” Belinda shrugged. “He’s such a stubborn man. He makes agreements with people when he’s had a few too many ales, then forgets all about it and gets himself in trouble. It won’t be the first time some of our animals have changed color. On one occasion, a disgruntled business partner made the llamas grow wings and they were flying around their paddock. It took most of the day to catch them.”
Ivy nodded. “Let’s take a look at your thumb.”
Belinda extended her hand and Ivy studied the flesh. “Whatever magic this is, it doesn’t have a good feel to it. Have you been annoying anybody lately?”
“I get along with most people,” said Belinda.
“Take a look at these.” Bryony walked in from the back room, a pile of books in one arm and a carefully balanced tray with tea and brownies on the other. “These books should have some useful information. I’ve read about spells that change the color of a person’s hair and eyes. But changing skin color is less usual.”
Ivy took the books from her sister and passed one to Belinda. “Make yourself useful and see what you can find.” She grabbed two brownies from the plate and stuffed one straight into her mouth.
Bryony raised her eyebrows at her sister and grinned. “I did say you could have the first two.”
“I know what you’re like around food,” said Ivy between mouthfuls of brownie. “When something sweet gets put in your path you lose all sense of decorum.”
Bryony handed Belinda a mug of tea and a brownie. “That book you’ve got is all about color changing magic, and also essays on the theory of shifting and why werewolves can never resist turning when there’s a full moon.”
“I hope my finger has nothing to do with a werewolf,” said Belinda. “I steer clear of them. They’re so unpredictable.”
“I don’t think your finger has anything to do with a werewolf,” said Bryony. “But it’s good to cover all bases.”
The next hour was spent reading through the magic books until the plate of brownies was cleared and the pot of tea empty.
“The more I read about this sort of magic,” said Belinda, “the more it worries me. No one who’s had a finger turn black had it happen to them for a good reason. There’s one account of a woman who was cursed because she stole from somebody. The item she stole had a spell on it that changed the color of the thief’s hand.”
“You haven’t been stealing, have you?” asked Ivy.
“No, I’d never do that,” said Belinda.
“I read of one spell that turned a person’s skin green,” said Bryony. “It was seen as a mark of respect. The magic was used on someone with a leprechaun ancestry.”
“Most of what I’ve read tallies with Belinda,” said Ivy. “Black fingers do not mean good times are ahead. Most of the accounts point to magical poison.”
The only sound in the store was the rustling of Sweetie’s feathers as she settled on her perch as they considered this possibility.
“You don’t think that’s what’s happened to me?” A distraught look crossed Belinda’s face. “Why would anybody want to poison me?”
“This magic is dark,” said Bryony. “It would take considerable power to inflict this spell on somebody. And it’s a slow acting magic as well, which means it has to have a lot of power behind it to ensure the spell doesn’t break down before it’s complete. That’s a lot of effort to go to.”
There was a knock on the store door and the girls looked over to see Gabriel Galbraith, his blond hair lit by the streetlight outside.
Ivy let out a groan. “What does lover boy want? Can’t he see the store is shut?”
Bryony was already out of her seat and by the door. “We’re never shut for a member of the Charm Police.”
“You mean, we never shut for Gabriel,” muttered Ivy.
Bryony opened the door. “Good evening, Gabriel. What can I do for you?”
“Nothing really. I was curious as to why the store lights are still on. You’re normally shut at this time.” He gave Bryony a perfect smile. “Nothing wrong is there?”
“No, we’re doing some research into an interesting new spell we’ve happened across,” said Bryony. “Why don’t you come in and assist us?”
“I don’t want to get in the way.” Gabriel peered into the store and saw Ivy and Belinda. “Looks like you’ve got company already.”
“Belinda, you don’t mind if Gabriel assists us?” asked Bryony.
“I’m sure she does,” said Ivy.
“No, it’s fine,” said Belinda. She smiled at Gabriel. “Always happy to have an angel on my side.”
“He’s a fallen angel,” grumbled Ivy. “He’s not that amazing.”
Gabriel shook his head at Ivy’s comment as he walked into the store. “What are you working on?”
“My thumb,” said Belinda. “It’s turned black and I don’t know why. Bryony and Ivy think it might be some sort of dark magic.”
“Possibly a curse,” said Ivy. “Most likely poison.” She turned to Belinda. “You haven’t eaten or drunk anything that tasted strange? That’s the most common way to get poison into a person.”
“I can’t think of anything,” said Belinda.
“A magical poison.” Gabriel strode across the store and inspected Belinda’s thumb. “Do you feel any pain?”
“No pain,” said Belinda. “But it doesn’t look healthy. I’m worried it might drop off.”
“I did say it could be leprosy,” said Ivy.
“It’s nothing like that,” said Bryony quickly, not wanting to alarm Belinda. “We had a similar case in this morning; a client with a black fingertip. I’ve given her some spells and tinctures to try. But I hope it’s not some rare disease. We don’t want anything contagious in the village.”
“There’s magic attached to this.” Ivy looked at Belinda. “How well do you know that snooty witch, Josie Spicer?”
“Josie! Is she having the same trouble as me?” asked Belinda.
“Ivy, we aren’t supposed to discuss customers concerns,” said Bryony quietly.
“Josie won’t mind,” said Ivy with a shrug. “If it stops the end of her finger falling off she’ll be happy if we share the information.”
“Be discreet,” cautioned Bryony.
“So, do you know Josie?” Ivy asked Belinda. “Have you been hanging out together and decided to drink some poisoned wine?”
“Josie is one of the few people in Old Sarum I’m not fond of,” said Belinda. “She seems nice on the surface, but then she throws out these barbed comments, and I always end up leaving her company feeling fat, miserable, and ugly. I don’t know if she does it deliberately, but that’s how she makes me feel. I’ve known her for years, and she’s always been the same.”
“You describe her perfectly,” said Ivy. “She loves to bring people down. It must make her feel better.”
“Getting back to the fingers,” said Bryony. “It could be something you’ve done together recently that has made this happen.”
“I don’t have anything to do with Josie,” said Belinda. “I can’t figure out why the two of us have the same magical affliction.”
“I’ll run the symptoms through the spell database back at Charm Police headquarters,” said Gabriel. “That might throw up some useful past cases and we can see how they were treated.”
“That would be great.” Bryony smiled warmly at Gabriel and noticed how closely he was standing to her.
“I can bring the results to you tomorrow,” said Gabriel to Bryony. “Or perhaps we can meet for a cup of tea and a chat?”
“Solstice is a busy time for us,” said Ivy. “I won’t be able to run the store on my own. Bryony doesn’t have time for tea and polite conversation.”
Gabriel frowned and scrubbed his jaw with his fingers. “Fair enough. I can drop the information off here.”
“Thank you for the invitation,” said Bryony, a regretful tone lacing through her words. “But Ivy is right, it is a busy time for us.”
“Another time,” said Gabriel.
“Perhaps,” said Bryony with a small smile.
“Perhaps it was time you left,” said Ivy to Gabriel.
“It is?” Gabriel’s pale blue eyes narrowed as he looked at Ivy.
“Don’t want to make a nuisance of yourself,” said Ivy.
Gabriel glanced at Bryony. “I don’t want to outstay my welcome.”
Ivy checked her watch. “You have been here for several minutes. That’s long enough for me.”
“Ivy!” said Bryony.
Ivy shrugged and returned to studying one of the magical texts.
“Let me show you out,” said Bryony to Gabriel. “I’m sorry for Ivy’s rudeness. You know what she’s like.”
“Yes, I know exactly what your sister is like.” Gabriel pulled open the door and paused. At his feet was a single red rose. “Is this for you?” He bent down and picked up the rose.
“Most likely from one of her other admirers,” called out Ivy. “You know how popular my sister is in Old Sarum.”
Bryony blushed and leaned forward to smell the rose. She wrinkled her nose and sneezed. “It has a strong scent. Like nothing I’ve ever smelt before.”
Gabriel turned the rose over in his hands a couple of times. “No sign of a note with it. You never know, Ivy, this could be for you.”
“If it is, you can put it in the trash.” Ivy glanced up from the spell book she was reading. “Flowers are a waste of time.”
“I like flowers.” Bryony looked over to the counter where several bouquets sat. Gifts from, as Ivy quite rightly put, some of Bryony’s admirers in the village.
“You may as well have this one too,” said Gabriel.
Before he could hand the rose to Bryony, Ivy dashed forward and smacked the flower to the ground.
“What’s the matter with you?” Bryony stared at Ivy in surprise. “He was only giving me a rose.”
“Look at Gabriel’s hand,” said Ivy.
Bryony frowned at her sister but then turned and looked down at Gabriel’s hands. “Oh no!” She grabbed hold of his hand and inspected it closely.
“What's wrong?” asked Gabriel.
“There’s a black mark on your finger,” said Bryony. “Just like Belinda and Josie.”
“You’ve been poisoned too,” said Ivy.
Chapter 3
Gabriel struggled to control the hot ball of anger that sat in his stomach. He watched as Bryony’s warm, gentle hands inspected his black finger. There was no doubt in his mind that dark magic was at work as his finger ached and throbbed. He’d been so stupid putting Bryony at risk by offering her the rose.
“The mark won’t come off.” Bryony scrubbed at Gabriel’s hand with the sleeve of her dress.
“It’s not meant to if it’s magic,” said Ivy. “And stop messing with it or it could transfer to you.”
“It won’t. I can see it’s been absorbed by Gabriel’s skin.” Bryony’s big blue eyes widened as she stared up at him. “How do you feel?”
“I feel fine. And it might not be the same thing,” said Gabriel, resisting the urge to shake out his hand to get rid of the prickling sensation on his flesh.
“It looks exactly the same thing to me,” said Ivy. “That rose you were holding was the magic carrier. And you almost gave it to my sister.” Her dark eyes narrowed as she pinned Gabriel with a cold stare.
“Gabriel didn’t know it was poisoned,” said Bryony. “Besides, we don’t know for sure it is poison.”
“Flowers!” said Belinda.
Ivy turned towards her. “What are you talking about?”
“It makes sense now. I received a bouquet of flowers a few days ago. That must be how the poison got onto my skin. I was surprised to have received them, and they came with no note from the sender. I assumed it was one of my friends giving me a lovely surprise gift.” Her mouth turned down as she stared at her thumb. “But now, I can see it was the opposite.”
“Do you still have the flowers?” asked Ivy.
“No, they died quickly and I threw them away. In fact, they turned black,” said Belinda.
