Page 37 of Spell Ya Later

Laura’s eyes drop to her lap, fingers twisting in a lock of her golden hair. “Are you never coming home again?”

It’s the same reaction she had at Grandma’s. The way she shrinks into herself, becomes almost timid...It’s unlike her. Laura is loud, in your face, beautifully brash. And it scares me.

Is my being gone changing her?

“It’s complicated. I have a lot of anger, and honestly, it’s pretty obvious that Mom does, too. I think the space is good for us right now.”

“She misses you. She refuses to talk about it because she’s just as stubborn as you are, but she does miss you. She worries about you.”

My throat constricts as my eyes prickle and burn. My emotions are a jumbled bundle of cords that I can’t untangle. Anger, sadness, love—I can’t make sense of it.

“I didn’t say that to...” Laura pauses. “I don’t want to guilt you into trying to talk to her. I just wanted you to know that she’s not the stone wall she pretends to be.”

I sigh. It’s not her fault that she’s caught in the middle of me and Mom. She’s never been in the middle of us, if anything I’ve always been in the middle. The protector. I can’t be that person anymore, though. I can’t protect Laura for the rest of her life. I have to start protecting myself.

“Laura, I love you. While I’d do anything for you—honestly—leave this alone.”

“But Hazel?—”

I cut her off with a hand on hers. “Leave it alone.”

She nods, squeezing my hand.

The headlights illuminate the town square, and the gazebo covered in leaves in front of the shop. I park in the open spot right in front, giving her hand another gentle squeeze.

“I love you, too,” she whispers.

Once we’re on the sidewalk I pull her into a hug, the cold fall air chilling my bare arms.

“Do you want to stay the night? Slumber party?”

Despite knowing I can’t protect her, I don’t like the quietness. Part of me needs to know she’s okay. Even though there’s a risk that letting her into my space will eventually make itherspace.

She shakes her head. “No. I need to go home. I’ll text you tomorrow though, and I’ll insist on a slumber party another night this week. Okay?”

“Okay, Laura.”

I stand outside the shop, watching her until she turns down a side street.

I didn’t get to ask Grandma about daemons, or anything, really. But for now, I’m much more concerned about Laura herself, and how every interaction with her is just a bit more awkward. A bit more uncomfortable.

I hate it.

Chapter 13

Water, Earth, Air, Fire

Ipush thoughts of Laura out of my mind and run upstairs to change into workout clothes. Which I only have because Laura went through a six-month yoga phase and insisted I do it with her. She bought me the clothes to guilt me into it.

I’m not sure what ‘training’ consists of, but considering witches all seem to wear flowy muumuus, I’m guessing jeans would not be the correct choice of clothing.

I descend the metal stairs at the back of the building and enter the back door of the shop. Grandma’s office is empty, so I pull back the curtain.

The entire shop is cleared. The bookshelves are pushed against the walls and the counter is moved to the side.

In the middle of the clearing is Grandma, putting the finishing touches on her space. She’s still in her flowing dress from dinner. I look down at myself.

Maybe the workout clothes were unnecessary.