“You’re the one who’s been nice to me from day one,” I reminded her. Thought it was because you were sympathetic to the witch’s plight.” “I don’t know what it means, but if you have any books about it lying around, I’d love to borrow them.” I toyed with the necklace as I spoke. I’ve also seen it on some websites-dark magic sites, actually.”Īngelique stopped, then took a breath. But I also recognize it from one of my mother’s textbooks-she teaches Medieval Studies at Fordham. So I couldn’t say what exactly it symbolizes.

I’ve seen it in a few spell books-but I never bothered to read the spells, since I don’t believe in love spells. “No, it’s not,” Angelique said emphatically. “My necklace? It’s something my brother gave me,” I said, remembering how I saw the same thing in Brendan’s locker. “Well, your necklace, for starters,” Angelique explained. “And,” she continued, her voice sounding confused, “I’m surprised you don’t believe in ghosts-or anything spiritual at all. I know it seems like it was malevolent, but spirits are dramatic, so there’s no certainty that there was any ill intent. “The way I interpret this, I’d say a spirit, or some force, is reaching out to you.

“Oh, don’t be silly,” she said, as if the phrase “marked by the spirit world” was any more believable than “trapped in a third dimension.” “I don’t want to end up possessed, or trapped in some third dimension.” And let me know if anything else happens. But if it’s not-if someone is warning you-well, I think you’ll want those warnings. If this spirit is malevolent, the spell should protect you.

I’ll do a spell of protection for you this Friday-Halloween is this weekend, after all. “I don’t like the sound of that.” I twisted my purple comforter into knots. And whoever is reaching out to you had to make a big show to get your attention since you clearly were ignoring the warning signs.” “The sulfur smell generally indicates something negative, so it sounds to me like you’re being warned about something. “Just a few times-but it’s been kind of the same thing-the lights burn out, then I smell the bitter, sulfury smell.” “It’s happened before,” I said dismissively. “What did you say?” she asked, her voice chillingly low. I mean, I’ve seen lights go out over my head before.”Īngelique was suddenly silent. “That the street lamps were in dire need of repair. “I like my explanation better.” I sighed. “It could be any number of things,” Angelique explained. “Still, I don’t understand why you would be marked by the spirit world like this.” “Or last season’s nail polish,” she agreed, laughing. The most sinister thing I could do is wear white after Labor Day.” “Like what, Bergdorf ’s? I’m on the Upper East Side, Angelique.

Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz