Wayward Spirits (Witches of Palmetto Point #2)

by Wendy Wang

“Broom fell earlier. Better do as she says,”

minute.” “Well, according to the broom, you’re staying for dinner, so you may as well just get comfortable,” Charlie quipped

“I know Lisa likes to say it's Death’s fault. The reaper I mean. That it's his fault when people die. But honestly, I don't think that's the case. I think he's just doing a job. Like you and me. Your job is to provide customer service and help connect the dead with the living, and my job is to feed people.

“So what? It wasn’t the right time.

“No. If I wasn’t friends with you in high school or college, I sure don’t have time to be friends with you now on Facebook.” “You know you look all soft and angelic, but you’re really just a crabby old woman under that façade, aren’t ya?”

“I think Haley may have had some mental problems.” “Why do you say that?” Jason asked. “Because she was convinced that she was being stalked by a ghost.” “So, she was being haunted?” Charlie leaned forward and put her elbows on the table. “Do you know by who?”

The woman smiled, her face a relief map of wrinkles and sorrow.

Kenneth J. Purdue reminded Charlie of an English bulldog wearing expensive clothes.

“So, now you're dating Mr. Death?” “Oh, my god, he is not Mr. Death,”

she’d also learned a long time ago that sometimes the most magical thing a person could do was to have faith in the people she loved.

Emma’s fake smile faded.

You'll just act as a catalyst and as long as you believe the words, they will work. A tiny seed of faith in yourself and in the spell is all the magic you'll ever need.”

“Blessings be upon us now as we cleanse this place of all those above and below who would do harm,” Jen said. “So, mote it be.” “So, mote it be,”

The word witch danced on the tip of his tongue, but weren’t witches just something in fairy tales? The other word that came to mind was powerful but it did not quite seem to fit either, although they were powerful. They knew things more easily than others without a whole lot of information.

kid, my father used to tell me that people turned into angels when they died, but in my experience, people’s souls don’t transform into angels. At least not the ones still stuck here on earth.” “What do you think they turn into?” Jason asked. Charlie shrugged. “Sometimes, they become so consumed by their last emotions that they turn into monsters.”

“You take care of him, okay? He's the father of my son, and boys always need their father.” “We will do our best,” the nurse said.

The scent of old age and solitude permeated the air—a mix of decay and mustiness, menthol, and rotting newsprint. The cold stagnant air tasted as if none of the windows had been opened in years.

Now, she knew that evil didn't always look the way it was portrayed on television or in movies with some maniacal villain. Sometimes it just looked like a sad old man, rotting away in his loneliness.

I'm going to make sure he pays for it.” “So, you’re God now?” Jen said. “No, I'm not God. But I'm not afraid to make someone pay for their crimes.

“Salt and herbs, nine times nine,” Evangeline began, “Guard well these women I love from harm.”

“Light flows through you. Light reinforces the talismans hanging around your necks. The pentacle of protection. The black tourmaline. The protection herbs.”

“Keep them safe as they face the darkness ahead and protect them from those who would inflict harm, both mental and physical,” Evangeline said. “So mote it be.” “So, mote it be,” Jen, Lisa and Daphne echoed her words in unison.

“Yea though I walk through the valley of death I will fear no evil. Do you hear that, Brianna? I will fear no evil!”

“It’s a pentacle.” “Doesn't that—?” She paused and looked around then finished in a whisper. “Isn’t that some sort of satanic symbol?” “No. Although the Satanists have taken it and flipped it. The symbol itself is for protection against evil.” “Evil,” Emma echoed. “Is that what she is? Evil?” “I don't think she's inherently evil. But I think she’s angry, and a lot of times when spirits are angry, it’s because they die angry. The emotion just consumes them after death.

actually it's good that you have a cat. Some believe they're guardians of the underworld and can ward off the dead.” “Did you hear that, Blizzard?” Emma sat down on the bed next to the cat and scratched it behind the ears. “You’re mama’s little guardian.”

“After all, death is always with us, and someone must attend to its needs.”

“Guardians of the East and West be with us now. Powers of the North and South fill our souls with light and protect us,” Lisa said. “So mote it be,” Jen said.

“Goddess of the moon and sun, I call upon your aid. Put the spirit where she belongs, with others like her, let her fade. Earth, wind, fire and air, return this spirit to whence she came and soothe her anger and her fear. So, mote it be.”

“Believe it or not, it was his time, and he was facing a pretty unfortunate afterlife, so I knew he wouldn’t go easily.” “And how do you know that?” “I can't tell you that.” He held up his hands. “Sorry. There are some things that are not meant for humans to understand or know.”

We don’t cause death, no matter what the myths say.”

“And whatever you do, don't show them your scythe. Because you holding it is just downright terrifying.” “No scythe. Got it.” The corners of his mouth twitched.

Where you're going, there is so much love and light. You'll never be scared and lonely again.”