Once upon a time, my mother would’ve dissolved into tears at the sight of my head bashed in. Now, though, Dad was the one tearing up while Mom was all business as she pulled out the ingredients to work one of her world-class healing and protection spells. As far as she was concerned, white magic would cure whatever ailed me.
Seriously. She believed it. The funny thing was, once in a while her crazy magic spells actually worked. But you wouldn’t catch me saying that out loud.
I cast a pleading look at Derek, silently beseeching him to rescue me from Glinda the Good Witch. But Derek’s eyes sparkled with laughter, and I knew I would get no support from him.
Robson gazed fondly at my mother as she prepared to terrorize me. So no help from him, either.
And forget Gabriel. Grinning shamelessly, he got up from the dining table, walked into the living room, and sat down to watch the show.
Mom pressed her fingers against the middle of my forehead—my third eye—and intoned, “Om shanti . . . shanti . . . shanti.”
Peace.
I couldn’t help but close my eyes and breathe. Repeated three times, the simple Sanskrit chant was meant to protect me from the three disturbances brought on by nature, the modern world, and one’s own negativity.
I hoped it worked.
“I know you’re in pain, so I’ll keep it simple,” Mom said, pressing two black tourmaline crystals into my hand. “Hold these. Visualize their power.”
Black tourmaline. I’d seen Mom work with it before. According to her, the ancients had employed the stone as potent protection from demons and negative forces.
All black stones were protective by nature, but black tourmaline’s power was further enhanced by its unique shape, a three-sided prism with vertical striations that acted as a strong deflector of negative energy.
Mom stood and closed her eyes. She reached out and touched my head with both of her hands, and began to chant:
“Goddess of Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire,
Grant me one wish I desire,
Protect my loved one from evil’s spell,
Be ever watchful and guard her well.
Focus her power, make her strong,
Banish all that do her wrong.
My thanks and praise I offer thee
And as I mote, so shall it be.”
A circle of white light surrounded me like mist in a forest. The black stones seemed to vibrate in my hands, sending waves of calming strength up my arms, across my shoulders, and down my spine. Glinda really did know her stuff. Within seconds, I fell sound asleep.
*
I woke up a while later, unsure how long I’d slept. It was evening, and the living room drapes had been pulled closed. There were no lights on, and the room was dark. Too dark. Almost depressing. I struggled to sit up, wondering where Derek was.
“Hello, gracious.”
“Oh!” I jolted, and the sudden movement caused my head to ache. But I had to admit the pain wasn’t as pronounced as it had been before my mother’s visit, so go figure. “Hi, Robson.”
He was still seated at the dining table a few yards away from me. “I apologize for frightening you.”
“That’s okay. I wasn’t sure anyone was home.”
“Derek drove to the pharmacy to obtain some instant ice packs and a heating pad for you.”
“Oh, that sounds wonderful.”
“Is there anything I can get you?” he asked.
It felt odd to be asking him for favors, but I plunged ahead. “Would you mind turning on some lights for me?”
“Of course not.” He carried his chair over and set it down closer to the couch. After switching on several table lamps around the room, he sat and observed me. I figured I must’ve looked pretty bad to have him so concerned.
Maggie the dog shuffled over and settled at Guru Bob’s feet while Charlie pounced against his shoe until he lifted her onto his lap. Ordinarily, Charlie would’ve been tucked up against me, but I had a feeling her instinctive kitty perception told her that Guru Bob was in more dire need of some affection.
“They love you,” I said.
He smiled at Charlie as he stroked the kitten’s back. “If only we humans could show one another as much pure love as animals do.”
“If only,” I murmured.
He returned his gaze to me. “I told Derek I would stay until he returned, in case there was anything you needed.”
“That wasn’t necessary, but thank you.” I rearranged the pillows so I could sit upright and face him. “How is Trudy?”
“She is still unconscious, although the doctor indicated that she is recuperating nicely. She will stay in the hospital until she wakes up and is fully recovered. It could be a day or two.” Even though his words were encouraging, he wore a worried frown.
I didn’t want to sound like an alarmist and add to his worries, but I was suddenly nervous. “I hope they have someone watching her room. She’s the only one who can identify Amelia’s killer.”