Conjure by Lea Nolan Page B

have to do much of that.”
    She cackles, and her good eye twinkles. “You never know when it comes to hoodoo. Best to be prepared.”
    The last section is the widest, a group of light blue and pink beads. “What are these for? And why are there so many of them?”
    “Ah, those are the most important. They’ll help you listen to your spirit guide.” She places her hand on top of mine to emphasize her point. “Never ignore the voice of spirit. She’ll always help you make the right decision.”
    I roll the smooth glass beads between my fingers and consider what she said. I’m not sure if these tiny, round pieces of glass will do everything she says they will, but she obviously believes in them. And since she’s my only hope to save Jack, I’ve got to believe in her.
    The front door slams, alerting us that Cooper’s back with Jack’s hat. Miss Delia starts and pushes the head pot toward me. “Put this in the back of the cabinet over there. And remember, it’s our secret.” She lifts her crooked finger to her lips to seal the deal.
    “You got it.” I stow it just as Cooper steps in the kitchen.
    “We’re in luck. This thing’s covered with dried sweat.” He tips the Washington Nationals hat toward us, revealing the previously navy-blue brim that’s faded to a dull gray from all Jack’s stinky perspiration. He smiles at me. “Nice necklace, Emma. It looks good on you.”
    My stomach dances at the compliment.
    Miss Delia takes the hat from him, puts on her glasses, and peers at the cap. “This’ll work.” Something catches her eye, and she squints at the inside again. “But that hair is even better.” I peek inside to see a stray jet-black strand tucked alongside the brim. She sets the hat down, reaches into a drawer in the island, and grabs a long piece of twine. Without looking up, she extends her hand. “Cooper, could you grab that bottle from the porch and hang it from my bottle tree? The other bottles need to soak up its bad spirits. And when you’re done, busy yourself in the living room with a television program. Emma and I need to work.”
    Cooper glances at me, but I shrug, because after what she said before about the Beaumonts, there’s no way I’m going to ask her to let him stay, even though she’s totally wrong about him. He seems to catch my drift because he grins when he takes it from her. “Sure, no problem. Holler if you need me.” He winks and heads out of the room. As much as I resist it, a warm, tingling wave floods over me, heating my cheeks until I’m sure they’re bright red. Focus, Emma. You’ve got a brother to save. The kitchen door swings closed, and a few seconds later the screen door slaps against the jamb.
    “Watch your heart, Emma. Don’t wade too deep into the fire. You don’t want to get burned.”
    I bite my tongue to distract myself and gaze down at the counter. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “Sure you don’t.” She reaches for the thick-spined book, then shoots me a deadly serious look. A shiver runs down my spine. Laying her veiny hand on the faded black leather cover, she says, “Before we start, you’ve got to understand something. This is an evil curse, as dark a magic as I’ve ever seen. If I was still young and strong, it would take everything I have to break, and even then, I might not have recovered from its power. Now that I’m old, I can’t do it alone. I need you. But taking you on as my apprentice means you’re going to see and hear things most people never get to know. I’ve got to know I can trust you.”
    I nod. “Yes, definitely. I totally understand.”
    She hitches her brow. “I don’t know if you do. This book is filled with strong magic—roots and spells handed down from mother to daughter for as long as anyone can remember, from even before we were brought to this country. I started writing them down while I was teaching my own daughter. It’s one of my greatest secrets. No one outside my kin knows