Page 80 of Jingle Spells

“What offense?” Jasper asked. “Hang on, were they actually witches after all?” That would be quite a discovery.

“Nay.” Agnes shook her head firmly. “Merely curious girls. They sought knowledge of magic, of spells, of the limits of our reality. That was their sin. Simple curiosity. Yet for that, they paid with their lives.”

Jasper longed to press for more details; this firsthand account could rewrite the established narrative of the Salem trials. But Delilah took a step forward; it was obvious she had more pressing matters on her mind.

“Goodwife Bartlett, Oak Haven desperately needs your help,” Delilah said, shifting the conversation. “The portal magic you used to bring the barn here? The witches have forgotten it over the centuries.”

Agnes’s expression brightened slightly. “That is well to hear. I had resolved to destroy all knowledge of the spell, that it might die with my generation.”

“But that’s just it,” Delilah pressed. “We need it again now. Your descendants need that spell to save our town.” She quickly explained about the malevolent strangers and their attempt to expose Oak Haven to the outside world. “You were happy to hear Oak Haven still exists in our time, but without this spell to help us, it may not for much longer.”

Agnes listened gravely but shook her head when Delilah finished. “The portal magic is too dangerous to be known widely. I will not enable such another exodus.”

“But we’re not trying to run away,” Delilah argued. “We just need to move this . . . building . . .”

Jasper leaned in her ear. “Give her more details, maybe that’ll help.”

Delilah made a face. “You wanna explain a casino to this woman, be my guest.” She turned back to Agnes. “I swear to you, we just want to defend our home, not abandon it.”

Agnes was obviously unmoved. “I cannot risk such power falling into the wrong hands. The consequences could be catastrophic.”

Jasper watched the exchange, desperately wanting to help but uncertain how. What could he possibly say to change her mind? He wasn’t a witch or a magician. He was just a guy who liked old stuff and a new girl.

“They’ve taken my mother,” Delilah said finally, her voice breaking slightly. “The magicians have her trapped in the space between portals. Without your spell, we can’t save her.”

That got Agnes’s attention. Her head snapped up, eyes widening. “Trapped between? Such a fate is worse than death.”

“I’ve heard,” Delilah said softly. “That’s why we need your help.”

Agnes was silent for a long moment. She turned away, staring out at the creek.

Jasper opened his mouth to speak but Delilah laid a hand on his arm to quiet him. “Give her a second.”

At last, Agnes turned back. “I cannot abide one of my descendants suffering such a fate.” She fixed Delilah with a penetrating gaze. “I will help thee, but on one condition.”

“Name it,” Delilah said eagerly.

“I will not leave the spell to be found by just anyone,” Agnes declared. “No witch, even one as seemingly virtuous as thyself, can be entirely trusted with such power.”

Delilah began to argue, but Agnes silenced her with a raised hand.

“Instead, I shall conceal the spell beneath the archives of which thou spoke—the building where my likeness hangs. And thy hand alone shall be able to retrieve it.”

“Me?” Jasper squeaked. “But I’m not even magical!”

“Precisely,” Agnes nodded. “The magic shall respond only to the touch of one who cannot wield it for himself.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Delilah argued. “Surely the spell should remain within Oak Haven, where we can protect it.”

Agnes’s expression hardened. “That is my condition. Accept it, or depart.”

Before the argument could escalate further, a voice like thunder shook the trees around them.

“MEATSACKS!” Louise’s disembodied voice boomed through the trees, startling them all. “I RETURN TO RECLAIM WHAT BELONGS TO THE PRESENT!”

“But wait!” Delilah shouted to the sky. “We need more time!”

“I HAVE ALL TIME—YOU HAVE NONE!”