Spells Trouble, Kristin Cast [books to read in a lifetime .TXT] 📗

under the light of the full moon, the single speck of white in the center of the obsidian stone had flamed to life so bright that she’d had to shield her eyes. The power of the moon had released into the water the ancient healing properties of the Apache Tears stone. It was just the thing she’d need to heal her sister.

Hunter set the jar in the empty cauldron and resumed her scan of the few remaining jugs of moon water. Again, the tips of her fingers heated as she glossed them over the final Mason jar labeled: MANGANO CALCITE. Hunter couldn’t quite remember when she’d prepared this batch of moon water, but she was no stranger to its loving, compassionate, forgiving energy. It was one of her go-tos. She placed the second Mason jar into the cauldron and balanced the heavy bowl as she descended the stepladder and shuffled to the kitchen island.

The moment she placed the cauldron on the counter, her phone vibrated. It was funny how little coincidences like that happened. Like the universe was speaking directly to her, telling her she was doing the right thing, on the right path. Hunter suppressed the smile lifting the corners of her lips and tapped the notification. Emily’s latest message in the group text lit up the screen in all caps. They were here.

Hunter blew out a calming breath and brushed her ponytail off her shoulder. She could do this. She had to. She ran her hands over the bumpy outline of the moonstones in her pocket, picked up her cauldron, and hurried to the front door.

Mercy continued to tug on the pillow fringe and blankly stare at the floor while Hunter balanced her cauldron in one hand and opened the door with the other. The jars clanked as she pulled open the door, rushed out, and nearly collided with Jax.

Jax’s black brows knitted and he held out his hands. “Need some help with that?”

“Yeah, definitely.” Hunter’s cheeks heated as Emily and Kirk stepped onto the porch and the trio swarmed her. “Thanks for coming over so quickly.”

Jax took one jar of moon water and the black-and-white stone clinked against the glass. “We came the second you sounded the alarm.”

Emily crossed her arms over her chest and blew a bright pink bubble. “Yep,” she said as the gum popped without leaving a trace of sticky pink on her glossed lips. “All of us.” She rolled her eyes and tilted her head in Kirk’s direction.

The quarterback reached for the second jar and hiked his broad shoulders. “What? You guys came and got me because I was included in the group text, too.”

Hunter rubbed her fingers over the rough outlines of the moon phases etched in the side of her cauldron. “Well, I need all of you to make this spell work, so—”

Kirk held up the jar. “Wait, wait, wait. Spell? Like actual witch stuff?” He handed the jar to Jax and brushed his hands on his pants.

“Duh. They’re actual witches.” If Emily kept rolling her eyes she’d puke before the sun finished setting.

Kirk ran his hand through his hair, further spiking the gelled tips. “So, what? Are we going to do a séance or something?”

“No, moron.” Emily shoved the confused football star. “Hunter’s text said we’re here to help Mercy, not make everything worse.”

Kirk’s thin nose and round eyes scrunched as he rubbed his shoulder. “Talking to her mom’s ghost could make things better.”

Hunter’s pendant heated against her chest. “Stop!” She clenched her jaw and flattened her palms against the cool brass cauldron. “We’re doing a spell to cleanse Mercy of her grief. She—” Hunter swallowed and tucked back a strand of hair that had fallen from her ponytail. “She goes through these periods where she won’t even talk. She just sits there crying, or worse, doing nothing at all.” She motioned toward the large window that looked in on the couch and part of the living room. Sunlight continued to drain into the horizon, giving the group a better view of the bereaved twin. She’d remained on the couch, awash in the gentle golden glow of the setting sun and the antique chandelier.

Emily’s fingertips flew to her lips. “Oh, Mercy.”

Jax’s smoked topaz skin smoothed as he set his jaw. “We’ll do whatever you need.” Rocks clanked against glass as he lifted the jars. “I’m assuming we’re using these?”

Hunter nodded. “They’re moon water. If I do the spell right, they’ll wash away her pain.”

Kirk shoved his hands into the pouch of his hoodie and took a nearly imperceptible step back.

“Kirk, I don’t have time to hold your hand through this. You’re either in or out. Make a decision.” Hunter’s pendant remained hot against her skin as she narrowed her eyes at Mercy’s boyfriend.

He stiffened and lifted his chin toward the darkening sky. “We’re helping Mercy, so I’m in. No question.”

The moon was brighter now, its glow no longer paled by the harsh brilliance of its sister sun. Hunter’s fingers itched to draw down its powers. “Good. Just don’t make a big deal about it.” She swept her gaze along her three friends. “Mercy has to be an active participant, but she doesn’t know that yet,” Hunter said as she adjusted her grip on her cauldron and turned to open the door.

Emily rushed forward and propped open the screen with her foot. “Then how do you know she will be an active participant?”

Jax and Kirk had followed and mirrored Emily’s furrowed brow concern.

Hunter shrugged and gripped the doorknob. “There isn’t a spell Mag has met that she hasn’t wanted to be a part of.”

“Wait.” Kirk cleared his throat and scrubbed his hand down his cheek. “Your aunt isn’t here, is she? I don’t think she likes me very much.”

Hunter bit the inside of her cheeks. She’d laugh again someday, but not today. “She’s napping. She naps a lot. Very … catlike.” She turned the handle and leaned against the heavy wood. “If it helps, she doesn’t really like anyone.”

Like she’d read Hunter’s