Page 34 of Wild Scottish Fortune

“Aye, Rafe, run along.” Rafe zipped away and I tried to bury the annoyance at being called a drowned rat. I knew I was on the thin side, but I didn’t need to be reminded about how unwomanly I looked next to a curvy goddess like Miss Elva. I was all muscle and sinew brought on by years of hard work and conserving my meals. Not exactly screaming sexy or womanly here, but that wasn’t really the objective when I was busy hammering nails and building things all day, was it?

Stomping back up the shoreline, I stopped by Miss Elva, bag in hand.

“I think there’s enough here.”

“Too bad it’s damp. We need to burn it. I’ll just use a little extra magick. The tough part’s going to be getting inside so we can properly do the spell. Let’s go.”

“Um, just go? Inside? With the nuckelavee?”

“Yup. It’s going to try to scare us, but we’re stronger than that, aren’t we?”

Were we?Because it had come pretty damn close to killing me moments ago.

“I’m sorry, but how do you know how to do any of this?” I squinted at the stranger who had appeared from seemingly nowhere sparkling in a tartan caftan.

“Child. I’m Florida’s strongest voodoo priestess. Voodoo isn’t my only magick, it’s just one of my favorites. If you run in the right circles, you’ll likely have heard of Miss Elva, honey, I promise you that.”

“And you’re in Scotland why?”

“It’s called a vacation. Ever taken one?”

“I haven’t, no.” The words were out before I could stop them, and I realized with startling clarity that I really had never taken a vacation before. It was a luxury I’d never been able to afford. An afternoon in the park or down by the water on a sunny day was the closest thing to a holiday that I’d ever taken.

“Is that right?” Miss Elva made a disapproving noise while she rooted around in her massive bag. “I highly suggest treating yourself. Though Scotland is a bit colder than I prefer.”

“Warmest spring we’ve had in a while.”

“So I’ve been told. And yet, I’m from Florida. Let metell you…this weather would have our iguanas falling from the trees.”

“Um.” Did iguanas climb trees? Why would they fall in the cold? Before I could ask, Miss Elva brandished a bottle in her hand.

“Got it. Let’s get started.”

“What are we doing exactly?”

“First a protection spell for us. Then we’ll enter the property, summon Mither, and have her deal with the nasty beastie. After that, we’ll ward the place and I’ll be on my way to get some food.”

She made it sound so easy.

“Mither?”

“Mither o’ the Sea. Mother of the ocean, basically, and the only one who can control this one in there.” Miss Elva nodded toward the building.

“I don’t know what I’m doing.” Nerves hummed, causing my stomach to twist. “How am I meant to help? What if I screw it up?”

“Don’t you worry. I’m used to working with people who mess up spells regularly. Just focus on the intent, draw on whatever power you can feel inside you, and align yourself with me. I’ll lead the spell and we’ll get rid of him quickly.”

“You make it sound so easy.”

“It can be, if you don’t screw it up. No sudden movements. Don’t step out of the circle. Stay focused. This one in there? Honey, he’s going to put up quite a stink. He’s having himself a good ol’ time up here. He’s not going to want to go back. Stay with me, stay focused, and we’ll send him packing.”

“Right. Och, I’m nervous.”

“Just channel that right into what we want to accomplish.”

Miss Elva marched forward, and a soft wailing took up from inside the building, like nails scratching on a chalkboard, and the hairs at the back of my neck rose. Hurrying after her, I clutched the bag of kelp and hoped I hadn’t gotten myself in over my head. Miss Elva muttered to herself, rustling around in her handbag, before turning and handing me a small burlap bag about the size of my palm.

“Into your pocket it goes.”

---