Spell Catcher Chapter Ten (working title)

When we returned to my house mom was just seeing the Elders out. Elder Graves was the last one to leave and we hid on the side of the house keeping Tamora out of sight. We didn’t want Leeanna knowing she was there.

As Elder Graves walked away she grabbed something hanging from her neck. From where I was standing it looked like a small silver bag. What it contained I had no idea.

As I peeked around the corner I could see that mom didn’t look happy. She kept watching as Elder Graves walked down the wooded path and out of sight. Sighing as she shut the door. I didn’t think the meeting went well.

As soon as she shut the door I motioned the rest of follow and we made our way around back to the kitchen door. The steps leading to the door seemed slick to me so I pointed to them out to the others.

We entered the kitchen quietly. I’m not really sure why we felt we needed to be quiet but we were. Every nerve sizzled and every creak of the floorboards made me jump. It was a game of hide and seek, only at a much higher level.

There was no one in the kitchen but signs of recent use were everywhere. Someone had stacked dishes in the sink and a teapot sat next to stove. Mom must have served tea and sandwiches at the meeting.

I was curious to know what had happened in my mom’s workroom but was smart enough to not ask outright. Questions swirled around in a clodascipe of thoughts.

As I lead my small party out of the kitchen and down the hall I heard voices coming from the workroom. I stopped before I got to the door and motioned to Sienna to be quiet. She let the others know and soon we were all against the wall straining to hear what was being said.

“But Tomas, one of them has it or knows where it is.” I heard my mother say. I was startled to hear the weariness in her voice.

“Did you get feel for who it was?” Tomas’ baritone voice was near the door and I tensed.

I held myself very still and the other three did the same as we waited for my mother to answer.

Finally, “no. I have no idea who it was. I know everyone of their energy patterns. I know when one of them is lying. That’s part of being High Elder. One of the secrets. But no one in the meeting was lying.

Silence followed but I felt Tomas move away from the door. “Maybe they learned to change their energy pattern. Or a spell, a medallion or amulet.” He suggested.

Hurried footsteps crossed the room then a door banged open and pages were being turned.

“What’s happening?’ Whispered Sienna in my ear.

I jumped and told her to hush.

“Here it is,” I heard my mother say “’Smoky Quartz for directing and absorbing energy plus altered states of being. Kunzite for peace, balance and grounding. And diamond for mental energy and abilities. If kept in a silver clothe and tied off with an iron ring help change or disguise the energy of the wearer.’ Did you see anyone wearing silver?”

I stepped in the doorway waiting for them to notice me. I could see the others waving me back. But I shook my head and stood my ground.

Tomas shook his head and replied, “I saw nothing.”

“Elder Graves, “ I interrupted.

Both mom and Tomas looked up from the dusty book. “Baylee, what did you say?”

I cleared my throat, “ Elder Graves was clutching a silver bay hanging from her neck.”

“I suppose the other two are out there?” My mother crossed her arms.

Jenna and Sienna stuck their heads around the door. “All the way girls.”

They walked in with a sheepish look on their faces. Tamora followed close behind with an amazed look on her face.

“Tamora what are you doing here?” Tomas asked intrigued.

“I asked her to come.” I walked over to the four chairs and threw myself down in one. “She’s got something you need to hear mom.”

She nodded and ushered the other three over to the chairs. “First, tell me again what you saw.”

I told her how I saw Leeanna gripping a silver bag while she was leaving. The she had Tamora tell her what she knew.

After Tamora was through mom paced from one side of the room to the other for some time. Tomas stood by the window with one hand tucked under his arm and the other propping up his chin. He was staring out the window. As for the four of us we squirmed and fidgeted in our seats. I was never one to sit still.

Finally mom stopped and looked at me. “I’m proud of you, all of you. But I’m disappointed also. I gave you and order as High Elder and you disobeyed it.”

“But mom, I cut in. “We just went to hang out with a friend.”

“And since when have you three been friends with Tamora? As far as I knew you’ve been enemies since grade school. No you manipulated my orders to fit what you wanted.”

“Mom, it was all me.” I said quietly. “They really didn’t have a choice.”

“Oh? I think they did.” She bent down in front of me and placed her hands on my knees. “You have a great future as a leader, but you must learn to do what’s best for the people who are following you.”

“But mom if I hadn’t we would never know for sure it was Leeanna.”

“That’s true, but what kind of danger did you put Jenna and Sienna in?
Not to mention yourself and Tamora?”

“Tamora put herself in danger when she decided to listen to Leeanna.” I responded feeling slightly guilty.

“But she was safe as long as Elder Graves didn’t know she has told someone.”

I stood and mom sat back on her heels. “She still doesn’t know. And the three of us have always been somewhat in danger just from being born!”

“Now that’s a slight exaggeration!” Mother exclaimed.

“You’ve never seen the way she looks at me! She hates me mom!”

“You’re probably right. She wasn’t happy that I had Calvin’s baby. But she’s never shown me any animosity.”

“No She’s always been so sweet when you’re around. All the while she’s been plotting behind your back. Digging up dirt on the other Elders. Mom what are we going to do?” It was my turn to pace.

While we were having our mother daughter discussion Jenna had wandered over to the book. She had motioned Tomas over and they were arguing in low voices.

Sienna and Tamora became uncomfortable listening to us so they moved over to the book also.

“Excuse me High Elder Younge.” Tomas interrupted before mom could answer.

“Yes Tomas?”

“It seems that Star Two witch Jenna has found away to break the barrier around Elder Graves.” He didn’t really squeak with excitement but he came close.

Mom strode over with me on her heels. “Show me.”

“Well,” Jenna started. “It say to break or to neutralize a spell you must place a large black candle in a cauldron.” Jenna read from the yellowed pages. “Then with the candle as inch above the rim, fill with freshwater. Do not get the wick wet for any reason.”

My mom was studying Jenna more than the book. I could understand why. When reading or studying a spell Jenna’s shyness faded revealing a strong and confident person.

“Clear you mind while taking deep breathes and light the candle with a wooden match.” She continued.

Mom laid a hand on her shoulder urging her to begin again. The rest of us strained with tension.


“See the spell’s power as a solid image residing in the flame of the candle. Watch it grow.” She looked at my mother and smiled faintly. “AS it burns the flame will extinguish when it hits the water. The spell will be dispersed. See it explode into dust.”

“Is that it?” Tamora broke the silence that followed.

Jenna shook her head; “pour the water into a hole. Bury the candle and it’s done.”

“Ok, not a difficult spell. Tomas let’s cast the circle. I want this done now.”

We sat and watched as the corners were cast and the guardians called. Then mother performed the spell.

It took longer then it would have seemed from just reading it, but we sat transfixed by the motions performed. As the candle burned low the air became warm and my skin tingled. I glanced down to see the hairs on my arm standing up and swaying as if a gentle breeze bad blown over them. Sienna’s hair was curling up beside me but she wasn’t paying any more attention to it then the other two were to their arms.

“So mote it.” Tomas and my mother ended. My arm hairs lay down, once more in their place.

* * *

“Now Tamora I want you to go home and act normal. It will be hard I know but I have faith that you can do it. If you can keep up this fight with my daughter for seven years then this should be a piece of cake.”

Tamora nodded her head, too nervous to speak.

“Baylee walk her to the path. Tamora?”

Tamora and I turned.

“If she asks you to do anything else, no matter how small I would like to know about it.”

“Yes Elder Younge.” She said softly.

“Be careful.”

We walked in silence through my house. Again the floor creaked and the walls groaned as it shifted. When we entered the kitchen the hum of the refrigerator stopped so suddenly we both jumped and laughed nervously.

Outside we both breathed deeply taking in the crisp air. Out here I felt I could talk.

“Tamora thanks for coming and telling my mom.”

She shrugged, “no problem.”

We quit talking again and it was my turn to feel uncomfortable.

At the trees I tried again. “Hey I’m, I’m,” I sighed. “I’m sorry. Sorry for this and for everything else I’ve done.” There I said it.

She looked at me with wide eyes. Then it changed into a huge smile. “Me too. I just wanted you to like me.”

“You sure had a funny way of showing it. So being mean and getting me in trouble was just so I’d like you?”

“Yeah, pretty stupid, huh?”

We laughed. I gave her a hug and then said, “Go on and be careful. We’ll see you tomorrow at school.”