rejuvenate me and I feel like I’m more a part of the earth when I’m near it. If you ever come to Texas I’ll show you my conservatory. It’s filled to the brim with plants and herbs from all over the world.”
I moved everything from the counter to the floor.
“Anyway, when I use earth magic it actually makes me stronger and the energy grows. I know it sounds a little strange and out there, but it works for me. On the other hand when I have to do blood magic, or in extreme cases dark magic, it drains me fast. Sometimes it takes a few days or weeks to renew my strength.”
“The dark and blood magic sound so scary. Aren’t you afraid?” Shera looked up at me, curious to know more. “Do you use it often?”
“No, I don’t use either very much. When I’m doing big jobs such as this, I like to keep it simple. The lavender and mulberry wrapped with a ribbon tied to a bell is all it takes. Then I invoke a protection spell from my Book of Shadows and we’re done.
“Speaking of which, you don’t have to help me. I appreciate it, but I feel terrible taking you away from your own work.”
Kazamar frowned. “I can think of no better duty than protecting those women. We are happy to be of service and are grateful for your help. This foundation means everything to me.”
Remembering the story about Azir’s aunt, I realized making these charms had become symbolic for this mother and daughter. I showed them how to make two of the charms and they toiled away. For the first half hour we worked in a comfortable silence but it wasn’t long before the conversation flowed.
They asked about my home in Sweet and the other witches that I knew. I questioned them about their family and got the inside scoop on the sheik when he was younger. It came as no surprise to learn that he’d given his mother more than one headache.
“He’s never been one to follow what others were doing,” Kazamar told me while she tied the lavender to the bells. “In preparatory school his friends all wanted to study math and science. As did he, but he also took classes in creative writing, sociology, and psychology. Every holiday he’d come home and analyze a different family member. He’s fascinated by human behavior and why we do the things we do.”
“Sounds to me like he should have been a psychologist rather than a businessman.” I rose to get more ribbon for Shera.
“He could have been,” she told me. “He has a doctorate in psychology and an MBA. He says the two go together when it comes to his job.”
Sometimes I hate that the more I learn about the man the more fascinating he becomes. Lost in my own world, Shera caught me off guard with her question. “So, do you have a boyfriend in Texas?”
Had to think about that one.
“Shera, that’s too personal. You know better.” Kazamar shook her finger as if scolding an errant child.
We worked for a few minutes in silence and Kazamar paused. “So do you?”
I laughed so hard I slid off my red cushion. “Truthfully? I’m interested in someone, but it’s too soon to know where that’s going. And I think he may be interested in a friend of mine.”
“Oh, that is most unfortunate. I’m sorry we brought it up.” Kazamar touched my arm in a way of apologizing.
“To have such simple minds, men can be so complicated.” Shera shifted on her pillow. “Before I decided to go to graduate school I thought I might marry a friend of Kahab’s.”
“Kahab?”
“Do you not know? That is my brother’s first name. The family goes back and forth but he prefers Azir,” Shera explained.
I tucked that bit of info away. “So what happened?”
“My fiancé didn’t want me to work or continue with my schooling, which is very important to me. He’s somewhat progressive like my brother, but his family is traditional and he bowed to their pressure.
“My family encouraged me to go with my heart and I decided I could not marry a man who would not let me pursue my dreams. It hurt
I moved everything from the counter to the floor.
“Anyway, when I use earth magic it actually makes me stronger and the energy grows. I know it sounds a little strange and out there, but it works for me. On the other hand when I have to do blood magic, or in extreme cases dark magic, it drains me fast. Sometimes it takes a few days or weeks to renew my strength.”
“The dark and blood magic sound so scary. Aren’t you afraid?” Shera looked up at me, curious to know more. “Do you use it often?”
“No, I don’t use either very much. When I’m doing big jobs such as this, I like to keep it simple. The lavender and mulberry wrapped with a ribbon tied to a bell is all it takes. Then I invoke a protection spell from my Book of Shadows and we’re done.
“Speaking of which, you don’t have to help me. I appreciate it, but I feel terrible taking you away from your own work.”
Kazamar frowned. “I can think of no better duty than protecting those women. We are happy to be of service and are grateful for your help. This foundation means everything to me.”
Remembering the story about Azir’s aunt, I realized making these charms had become symbolic for this mother and daughter. I showed them how to make two of the charms and they toiled away. For the first half hour we worked in a comfortable silence but it wasn’t long before the conversation flowed.
They asked about my home in Sweet and the other witches that I knew. I questioned them about their family and got the inside scoop on the sheik when he was younger. It came as no surprise to learn that he’d given his mother more than one headache.
“He’s never been one to follow what others were doing,” Kazamar told me while she tied the lavender to the bells. “In preparatory school his friends all wanted to study math and science. As did he, but he also took classes in creative writing, sociology, and psychology. Every holiday he’d come home and analyze a different family member. He’s fascinated by human behavior and why we do the things we do.”
“Sounds to me like he should have been a psychologist rather than a businessman.” I rose to get more ribbon for Shera.
“He could have been,” she told me. “He has a doctorate in psychology and an MBA. He says the two go together when it comes to his job.”
Sometimes I hate that the more I learn about the man the more fascinating he becomes. Lost in my own world, Shera caught me off guard with her question. “So, do you have a boyfriend in Texas?”
Had to think about that one.
“Shera, that’s too personal. You know better.” Kazamar shook her finger as if scolding an errant child.
We worked for a few minutes in silence and Kazamar paused. “So do you?”
I laughed so hard I slid off my red cushion. “Truthfully? I’m interested in someone, but it’s too soon to know where that’s going. And I think he may be interested in a friend of mine.”
“Oh, that is most unfortunate. I’m sorry we brought it up.” Kazamar touched my arm in a way of apologizing.
“To have such simple minds, men can be so complicated.” Shera shifted on her pillow. “Before I decided to go to graduate school I thought I might marry a friend of Kahab’s.”
“Kahab?”
“Do you not know? That is my brother’s first name. The family goes back and forth but he prefers Azir,” Shera explained.
I tucked that bit of info away. “So what happened?”
“My fiancé didn’t want me to work or continue with my schooling, which is very important to me. He’s somewhat progressive like my brother, but his family is traditional and he bowed to their pressure.
“My family encouraged me to go with my heart and I decided I could not marry a man who would not let me pursue my dreams. It hurt
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