Shifted Fate (Amy) novel Chapter 474

I walked back to the table and opened it to the one I needed. I was reading the page when Carly came to. “Wait!” She wiggled down from Alannah’s arms. “Amy, wait!” She wiggled harder and Alannah finally let her down. She ran over to the table and climbed up to a chair. She grabbed Abby’s hand and held on. “It’s okay Abby. I’m here.” She looked up at me. “This is okay, right?”

I nodded. “It should be okay. But I’ll tell you the same thing I told them. It’s going to look like I am going to hurt her, but I’m not.”

Carly nodded. “I saw.” She looked up at me with haunted eyes. “I saw it all. That’s why I’m here. Abby is my best friend, and I want her to know I’m here.” I nodded once, then looked back at Toya.

She smiled. “She is like us. Bonded in a flash and completely devoted to her friends.” Toya walked over to Carly and kissed her temple. “Our girl has been talking about her best friend since she came last time. She even told her dad about her.”

Abby’s hand tightened around Carly’s. “You are my best friend, too.” Carly’s smile was big as she leaned in.

“Don’t be afraid, okay?”

Abby nodded. “I trust you guys.”

I had to clear my throat. I don’t know why, but I started to feel choked up. “Okay.” I stepped back top the bowl and lit the cotton. I added the herbs I needed. Dried acorn for protection and personal power. Adder’s tongue for healing. Ague weed for hex breaking. Bamboo for hex breaking and protection. The pit in my stomach grew bigger. So many of the herbs were for protection, healing, and hex breaking. Usually, only one herb for each would have been enough, but there were so many layers.

“Focus girl.” My grandmother’s voice jolted me from my worries. “Add the Barberry.” I grabbed the handful, but she snapped a hand out. “Cleansing her soul from Vince’s manipulation is needed. But only one.” Her eyes met mine. “You have a few souls to disentangle from his strings.” I nodded as I dropped one into the bowl. “Basil, to exercise Vince from her soul ties. One is enough. Hold off on the benzoin until the fire dies down. The smoke from it will help purify her. Add in the hydrangea to help with the end of the hex. Last add in the lady’s slipper to stop anyone from attaching to her again.” She nodded as I finished. The fire burned down and then she nodded. “Add the benzoin in now. There. Now use the feather to fan it over her.”

I grabbed the burning bowl, feeling the heat of the flame, and hissed.

“Amy?” My mom stepped closer, but I waved her off.