The Witches of Merribay (The Seaforth Chronicles) by B.J. Smash Read Free Book Online

were in an invisible garbage pail. Mint, thyme, rosemary, and dozens of herbs grew throughout, along with some things that I could not identify. And there were hundreds of flowers.
    She wasted no time and poured the tea then continued with the conversation. “My sister lives on a houseboat in town. I need you to go there and retrieve my rolling pin.”
    I snickered . “A rolling pin? Couldn't I go to the store and just buy you a new one?” I couldn't believe she wanted me to get her rolling pin back. If she wanted to make piecrust or something, couldn't she get a new one?
    Drumm cut the tape on the box of muffins and doughnuts and took one out , handing it to Izadora. “Elderberry, just as you like them.” Then he took out a doughnut and started picking at it as though he didn't know what it was.
    “It belonged to our mother , who gave it to me. Not my sister. She could never be trusted with such a thing. I want it back.”
    Evidently, the value of the rolling pin came down to being an antique that belonged to her mother . I could see why she'd want it back. I never knew my mother. She died shortly after I was born. So, I guess I could see the value of such a thing, even if it was just a rolling pin. But the comment about how her sister couldn't be trusted with the rolling pin seemed ridiculous. What could she do with it?  Hit someone over the head? 
    “Her name is Magella . And she can never leave the water,” said Izadora.
    A thousand thoughts spun through my mind . Magella. The houseboat with the ugly mermaid face painted on the side, the pink note card in the window, the ancient rune stones …and the Tiffany lamp! The nasty old witch lady who had read Zinnia's fortune and mine.    
    “I believe I have already met her . She told my sister's fortune. It turned out to be quite accurate.”
    “I know,” said Izadora. “You lost your father.”
    The words stung . “What is going on? I don't mean to be disrespectful, but why can't you just go and get it yourself?”
    There was silence for a few moments . Drum spoke up this time. “Izadora can't go. She can't leave the air.”
    “What do you mean she can't leave the air?” My voice squeaked. This was getting crazier and crazier by the minute.
    “Magella can never leave the water , and so she lives in a houseboat. Izadora can never leave the air, and so she lives in the trees. They are bound to this. Forever,” Drumm explained as he picked at his doughnut. “And if they do—”
    “We shall turn to dust ,” Izadora finished. “These are our aforesaid posts.”
    “Why would you turn to dust?” I asked.
    “It's just the way things are ,” Izadora said, not offering any more information.
    All I could do was nod . I had a very good feeling that I was in over my head. I couldn't believe what they were telling me. Could this be true? I remembered a story that Great-Grandpa told me as a young girl. It was a story about the extraordinary beings that sometimes interact with humans. Could that story have held some truth in it? It had been just a story, hadn't it?
    They proceeded to explain what I had to do . Drumm couldn't go. He couldn't leave the forests; he had to be on guard. For what, who knows? I would have to do the rest on my own.
    I agreed to do it, but I couldn't believe what Izadora asked me to do next .
    “If you are going to help me, then I must insist you drink this.” She took out a needle from her pocket and pricked the tip of her finger . Placing her finger over my teacup, she squeezed one drop of blood in it.
    “Drink ,” she said.
    “Um . I don't think I should do that.”
    “By drinking this , you prove your loyalty to me, and I shall know where you are located. If any harm comes to you, help will be sent as soon as possible. And if you encounter Magella, you may need my help.”
    Wanting to get out of there, I picked up the cup of tea and drank all of its contents. What harm could it do? And if it made the old woman happy, why not?