MIDNIGHT MAGIC - ch 10

MIDNIGHT MAGIC – ch 10

Julie

(*)(*)(*)

Finola, with the help of Morena, Liz, and Mickey, prepared all the jars needed to protect each house. It wasn’t long before the rest of her family found their way into her spacious workroom.

“Come in, come in. I’ve plenty of seats. With the help of Morena, Liz, Mickey, and Midnight, yes, Midnight was a tremendous help, we have the necessary jars ready for each of your houses. Mia, mo chroi (my heart), if you’d like, you can grow each of these in your greenhouse. That would be your choice. These herbs, individually, are a means of protection. Used together, they form a tighter bond. Add my spell to each jar, the bond is unbreakable.”

“Aintin,” Mia called out, “what are the herbs you’ve used? If I get and plant the seeds, would they harm Midnight?”

“I’ve used lavender, basil, sea salt, and white rice. All of which can be using in cooking but the only thing that will, without a doubt, harm Midnight is the lavender. But Midnight isn’t stupid. She knows enough to stay away from that plant.” She turned to the sleek black cat and asked, “Don’t you, mo ghra (my love)?”

Midnight rubbed her head on Finola’s ankle and mewed, “You taught me well, mo muinteoir iontach (my great teacher).”

Speaking again to her family, “The exact amount of each herb is written in my journal. Mia, I’ll make a copy for you when we’re finished, here”

Brian wanted to know when they could expect the next visit from their new enemy and whom he might target first.

Mickey replied, “Uncle Brian, I think I can answer that. Jules and I watched in Aintin’s scrying mirror and paid close attention to his every move. He was more concerned about trying to intimidate the old lady at the door than paying more attention to her family. When Mia came out of the back room, after once glance at her large belly, he hardly looked at her, again. He was convinced that she wasn’t who he was looking for.”

Julie gave out a slight chuckle. “He had no idea that was a broom closet. He thought it was a bathroom. He never noticed the lack of many modern conveniences. I think we’ll have that in our favor.”

“True, Jules,” Morena responded, “but once he gets to our houses, he’ll see the difference. Of course, he won’t relate Finola with us, but it might give him reason to look deeper. The protection jars will be a huge help, but to face more reality, we need to keep you out of sight as much as possible.”

“Mom’s right, Jules. I know we had things planned for tomorrow, but they can wait. Your safety is much more important.”

“Jules, I asked you to trust me. I’m going to ask you once again for that trust.”

She looked into Mickey’s eyes and saw compassion, honesty, and the earnest determination to protect her. “Micky, when I said ‘yes’ earlier, I meant that I’d trust you with my life and everything in it. Whatever you have in mind, I know, in my heart, that’s it’s in my best interest. Tell me. What’s your plan.”

Before he spoke, Midnight walked to the scrying mirror and meowed, “Aintin Finola (Aunt Finola), look.”

Everyone turned towards the mirror and watched as the stranger began using his cell phone. “Hey Tony, Monty here. Got in a bit later than I expected so I was only able to make one stop. .. Nah, some old crone about a hundred years old lived there. Showed her Julie’s picture but she didn’t recognize her. Did you find her old address book? Huh! Okay, do you at least know her friend’s name? Okay, good. It’s not a typical Irish name so, don’t worry. I’ll find her.”

They watched as he wrote down the information. “Any idea when she last heard from this, uh, Mia Diehl? Hmm. Eight years? That’s a long time! What if she moved? Well, that doesn’t’ matter. If she’s still here, I’ll find her. Yeah, tomorrow. First thing. Shouldn’t be too hard to find her. I can google the address and directions. OK, call you tomorrow.” He disconnected the call, then left the inn. They watched him until he settled himself at the pub for dinner.

Brian walked over and squatted in front of Julie. “Jules, Does the name Monty ring a bell?”

“No, Uncle Brian, I swear. I never heard his name or saw his face before. I have no clue. And now I can’t help but wonder, is there anyone with him? Does Tony have more friends that I don’t know about that he sent here to find me?” She put her head on his shoulder, wrapped her arms around his neck and began to sob.

Brian looked at Mickey and nodded. In turn, Mickey placed one arm around his bride’s shoulder, pulled her to him, then reached under her knees and lifted her onto his lap. She hugged him as if he were her last breath and mumbled in the neck of his shirt, “Oh, Mickey. I’m terrified all over again. Is there any way to stop this?”

He smiled and said, “Sweetheart. There is and we will. First, let’s finish Aintin’s protection jars, then I’ll tell everyone what I have in mind.”

Mickey lowered Julie back onto her chair. They steadied their focus on Finola as she picked a wand up from her table. She noticed their curious gazes and chuckled. “I don’t often use my wand. Rarely need it but for this, I chose to add a special touch.”

As she touched the center of the first lidded jar, she began:

“I call upon the highest power,

To instill protection from this hour.”

Mickey stood abruptly, “Aintin, wait!”

Finola stopped speaking and looked lovingly at her great nephew. “What is it, mo stor (my dear)?”

Before he answered his aunt, he knelt before Julie and grabbed her hands. “Jules, I’m going to ask you one last time. Do you trust me?”