The woman asked for two bottles of Slippery Elm and one of Marshmallow Root. Hurrying to the back, I grabbed the bottles and took them out to the front.
“I’ve got a dry cough that won’t go away,” the woman explained as I wrapped up the bottles. “Normally, I just go to the doctor, but I’ve had coughs slip into pneumonia before, and potions are better at getting rid of it quick.”
My face creased with concern. “I’m so sorry! I hope these help you feel better.”
When she left, I wondered vaguely if the woman knew the Farrows. Just how many witch families lived in Woods Crossing? The lady was an older witch, so maybe she knew something about the feud and all the things that had happened. I felt stupid for not asking. All I could hope for was that she would come in again sometime.
Throughout the day, I wondered about the Farrows while I practiced my magic. I knew that Chandra had turned against Grandma over some murder that Jade had committed. She’d been turned into a cat as punishment, but it hadn’t been deemed a good enough punishment by Chandra or the council.
It sounded like the council had been corrupted as well. Chandra had turned everyone against my family, but why? It seemed a stretch that she was mad about the way a murder had been handled. There had to be more to it.
Theresa had warned me that I was in danger, and I now knew that she’d been warning me about the Farrows, but why? She herself was a Farrow, and somehow related to Chandra. Jo had hinted about the dark history between the Blacks and the Farrows, but he made it clear that he thought the Blacks were to blame for the whole thing. So what was the truth?
Faith’s words flashed through my mind; I imagine not all of the Farrow coven members enjoy being under Chandra’s thumb, especially those who were born into it and never chose that life for themselves.
Faith had also called Theresa one of the “nicer” Farrows. Could it be that Theresa had been kidnapped by her own family? The more I thought about it, the more it seemed like the answer that made the most sense. The Farrows had killed numerous members of the Black family over the years, so Jo had to be mistaken that the Blacks were worse.
The ringing of the bell made me jump. A few younger women came in, chattering amongst themselves.
“Welcome to Woods Crossing and Herbs,” I greeted them, my tone not as enthusiastic as it normally was. After browsing for a while, the women each bought some shampoo and conditioner sets and an oil diffuser each.
Five o’clock rolled around at last. I closed up shop, pleased with the day’s profits, but still troubled by my thoughts about the Farrows. Jade sat on a wicker chair by the front door, basking in a ray of sunshine.
“Hey, Jade.”
Hey. Make a lot of sales today?
I sat down on the wicker chair opposite.
“A fair amount. What did you get up to today?”
Nothing much. Reading your journal, scratching up your furniture, that kind of thing.
I laughed, knowing she’d done no such thing.
“I don’t even keep a journal. But nice try.”
Her laugh echoed through my head as we went inside. I’d begun cooking larger meals so that I could share with Jade. The lasagna I’d put in before work smelled delicious, and both of us dug in as soon as I served it up.
“Jade…do you think it’s possible that the Chandra or some of her minions could have kidnapped Theresa?”
Intent on her food, Jade didn’t answer for a few moments. She smacked her lips, then looked up at me.
I guess it’s possible. Chandra is a real piece of work. The question, though, is why?
I nodded slowly. “Faith said Theresa was one of the nicer Farrows. Do you think she’s tried to stand up to Chandra before? Could that be why she left Woods Crossing?”
If she acted as nervous as you say, it wouldn’t surprise me if she had gone up against Chandra. Though if she did, I’m surprised she lived to tell the tale.
My hopes deflated instantly. “Good point.”
A somber silence filled the room. I felt a twinge of guilt for bringing up family deaths. Jade hadn’t wanted to talk about Willa’s death. She’d lived with my grandmother and aunts a long time ago, and despite the punishment she’d been given, she must have been at least a little close to them.
“Then again,” I mused, “Maybe since Theresa was family, Chandra let her go with a warning and just told her to stay away.”
Anything is possible. We won’t know for sure unless we talk to Chandra or Theresa, though.
Just the thought of encountering Chadra made me shudder.
“No thanks.”
After I cleaned up the kitchen, I settled in the living room with the basic spells book while Jade stretched out on the couch, but it was hard to concentrate. I noticed after a while that I’d read the same paragraph three times.
Setting the book aside, I drew my knees up to my chest and looked out the window at the growing twilight. Where was Theresa?
I couldn’t stop the burning guilt that worked its way through my insides. Had she been targeted for helping me? Or even for just associating with me? Was this Chandra sending me a message? Was she trying to tell me that anyone who helped me could be kidnapped or…
I didn’t let myself finish the thought. When push came to shove, Theresa was a witch with years of training. Chandra might be older, but Theresa was a witch, too. She was good with spells, which struck me as a more useful skill in witch battle than potions or mind reading or fortune telling.
What’s gnawing at you?
I looked over at Jade, who still reclined across the large couch. Though her body remained flat on the cushion, she lifted her head to look at me.
“I just can’t get Theresa off my mind. I feel like it’s my fault she got kidnapped.”
Why?
“Chandra might have kidnapped her because she was friendly to me.”
