A Witch in Time by Nora Lee Page A

on how to use my powers to move objects, but I’m not very good. Could you help?”
    “Tell me what you need.”
    So the two of them gathered up the supplies she’d need to cast the spell. She’d never before attempted to perform such a ritual and feared she might be mistaken in her choices so she took a long time to selecting the proper ingredients. Enid asked Rafe tear a piece of cloth from his shirt, take up soil from the base of the tree, and to cut a few roots from nearby bushes. She managed to unearth a couple mushrooms and then told the man to tie everything up into a pouch. A quick rub of the bag between his hands captured some of the essential oils from his body.
    Enid told him to tuck the bag into a notch at the base of the tree.
    When he’d finished, the elemental stood before the tree with his arms out, his face to the heavens. He spoke a spell in a voice she couldn’t quite make out though she could easily see his lips moving.
    Blue light rippled between her and her companion as the separator between the two worlds fluttered. She saw strands of Rafe’s power pierce a single point in a focused way that reminded her of Hephaestus’ tutelage.
    A bright circle of blue appeared in the center of the veil.
    Enid watched the rippling edges of the circle expand outward. The light around the hole glowed brighter as the opening continued to enlarge and she saw the clarity of the Living World on the other side. Entranced by the appearance of her portal out of the Spirit Realm, she ignored the sound of scuffling behind her.
    “Don’t just stand there. I can’t hold this open forever.”
    The sound of Rafe’s voice broke her out of her reverie and Enid stepped forward.
    Brilliant blue magic continued to ripple around the edges of the opening.
    Enid put one hand through. Then another.
    Her body vibrated with magic as she passed between worlds.
    Then her feet came through.
    Followed by a large popping sound.
    Enid was back in the Living World.
    She looked over to see Rafe had relaxed. He stood watching her, wiping his hands on his pant legs, with a strange expression on his face. The scuffling noises she’d heard before grew louder. Turning, she found the portal between worlds remained open.
    “What happened? You said you couldn’t hold that for long,” she said.
    Rafe shrugged and dug his hands into his pockets. “I’m not holding it open.” He didn’t seem the least bit worried.
    Skeletal fingers grasped the edges of the portal and wide glowing eyes stared out.
    “They’re coming through!” Enid cried, leaping away from the portal.
    Once the first ghoul passed through, the rest followed with frightening speed.
    “I warned you about the consequences. This kind of thing can happen when you mess around with elements,” Rafe said.
    Looking at the strange warlock she’d convinced to help her return to her own world, she came to the horrifying realization she’d made a mistake yet again. A huge one. And this time she wouldn’t be the only one to suffer the consequences.
    Bony fingers grabbed her ankles and pulled her off-balance. She fell to the ground with a thump that jarred her entire body.
    Rocks and twigs tore at her skin as the ghouls pulled her into the thickest part of the Grove.
    Rafe waved a hand to fend off the little creatures who’d dared to approach him. They respected the power of an elemental too much to attack harder.
    “Help me!” Enid shouted.
    He didn’t seem to be in a hurry to rescue her. In fact, he looked almost amused. “I wouldn’t let them drag you into the ocean. Don’t forget that saltwater binds spells so you could make that gateway permanent.”
    A permanent door between the Spirit and Living Worlds?
    Yes, Enid had made a very big mistake.
    Spirits of the dead wafted through the portal and headed toward Secret Hallow.
    Enid began struggling harder when she realized the little creatures did seem to be dragging her straight for the beach. Her time on the other side of