Chapter Thirty Nine

She nodded biting her lip she picked up the tiny penknife she had acquired and kept very sharp. Taking a deep breath she ran it quickly across her palm and squeezed her fist watching the blood trickle into the bowl,

Put the T-shirt in the bowl’

Toby instructed and when it was immersed in the liquid he said to her,

‘Repeat these words, Ella,

From natures liquid

And blood divine

Protect this child

Until it is her time.’

Then he told her to put the hand she had cut into the bowl and call forth her magic. Closing her eyes she let herself glow there was a flash of light and the bowl's contents went up in a puff of smoke leaving her feeling drained.

‘Sleep Ella’

The words barely registered as her eyes closed and she slept not waking until morning, she was woken at 5 am by her Stepmother dragging her out of bed.

‘Here is a list of chores. I want this place spotless before your sister's wedding.’

‘She’s not my sister’

Ella whispered under her breath without realizing she had said it out loud