The Blood Witch

4

Scarlet followed her grandmother to the only room in the house that she had never been in. It was huge and surprisingly spotless, with good lighting. It resembled a library, with rows of shelves stocked with different things. The shelves were labeled with names like; Herbs, Crystals, Oils, potions, Light, Dark, and No Coming Back, Coma, Thirty Days. There was a desk piled high with books and scrolls. Scrolls, she thought. That must be some ancient stuff. There was also a fireplace, with a chase lounge in front of it. It, too, was piled high with books.

Stepping into the room, Charlotte grabbed a basket and handed it to Scarlet. "Lets go shopping."

Her grandma picked out things like Peppermint oil, Cinnamon sticks, Marjoram leaves, Angelica stems, Garlic and Fresh mint. Scarlet watched as the herbs and plants were mixed, becoming a dust-like powder.

"Now all we have to do is hit all the points and we will be good to get some rest. Before we get the points, I want you to burn this." Charlotte said, holding out a single green leaf.

"What is it," Scarlet asked?

"Spearmint." Charlotte shrugged.

"Okay," Scarlett said, eyeing the leaf as if it were dangerous.

"Just trust me," Charlotte said, smiling. "You'll want to burn this."

"Okay fine, Ill burn it even if you won't explain to me why." Scarlet said as she lit the spearmint and watched it slowly burn. The fragrance hit her face and for just a moment, she felt a warmth pass through her. Soon the warmth became hot, and she had an urge to jump into the fire. It caused a thin layer of sweat to form quickly over her skin, and a feeling of intense pleasure surged through her.

"Trust me, grand baby, that will be the best boon I have ever given." Charlotte said as she ascended the steps to the main floor.

Scarlet went to sleep in a haze that night. The scent of spearmint there constantly. A feeling of warmth still there, pulsing with a gentle nudge in her mind.

*****

The next morning, Scarlet woke up to the smell of bacon and eggs. Rising from the small cot beside the couch, she stretched and made her way to the restroom. There she got dressed in some clothes she had left there ages ago. Then she went in search of her grandmother. After doing a once a round of the interior, Scarlet went outside.

Her grandmother was in front of the house, arms raised as she mumbled words. The air before her cracked with colorful sparks, and the air whirled around her. Scarlet's breath caught at the sight. From inside, all seemed peaceful, but one step out the door and it was like another world.

Even after everything she saw the day before, the sight was surreal. To think her grandmother, just her, was causing this. It was amazing and scary at the same time. It was also hard to believe that she could do the same thing one day. Charlotte's arms dropped and the wind gradually calmed down, as did the fireworks in the air.

Charlotte turned around and smiled. "Did you enjoy the show," she asked proudly.

"Yes," Scarlet replied. "What were you doing?"

"I placed a stronger barrier around the house. We have to figure out what kind of witch you are, and the Crow won't be here until the next full moon."

"Grandma, the next full moon is in like four days." Scarlet said, glancing at her phone for confirmation.

"That means we have four days to get you prepared." Charlotte said, as she motioned towards a table beside the house.

Scarlet walked over to the table and found some things that were familiar and some she had never seen before. There were candles and crystals, herbs, plants, a bottle of water, and a few weapons. Then there were the things she knew nothing about. Large bones, teeth, an orange substance that had a life of its own and... Was that a dead rat?