Page 82 of A Dream of Stars and Curses

‘Thank you for everything you did when you were our brownie. I’m leaving you this shirt in offering, too. You don’t need to leave if you don’t want, though. Consider it a gift?’ I clear my throat again. ‘Erm, thank you for listening. Bye.’

It feels stupidly clumsy, but again—no script. I think I got my point across just fine.

I stand, ready to flee inside since I’m just standing here in my bra now, but Kate walks up next to me.

‘And a small offering from me.’ She places a small black stone covered in dog hair on the other side of the cream.

I give her a look. ‘Boggarts like shiny stones and dogs?’

She gives me that smile again. ‘Not as such.’ To the door, she says, ‘I trust you know what this means and that this will convince you if Esta’s sincerity hasn’t.’

The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. It sounds suspiciously like Kate just threatened the boggart. She shut down the Mara, too. I don’t remember what exactly she said, but— That’s it. The Mara called her Mother, and Kate cut her off. I meant to ask her about it but forgot. I’d ask now, but...

‘Can we go inside? Feeling a little exposed here.’

‘Of course.’

I hurry back inside ahead of Kate. I try not to picture Leverett watching me from Kate’s upper windows as I run half-naked through my garden. I’m so much more dressed than that, really, but I’m not used to being outside in just a bra... and trousers, yes, but still.

‘How will I know if it worked?’ I ask.

‘The cream will be gone, as will our other offerings. If it decides to stay as a brownie, you may notice broken things being repaired overnight again.’

‘And if it doesn’t change back? If I’m stuck with a boggart?’

‘You won’t be.’

I don’t ask how she can be so sure. Clearly she has more clout with the Veiled community than I realised.

I decide to be brave.

‘Why did you offer the brownie anything? Bonnie asked if she should come, and you said the boggart’s problem was with me alone. Why give it that stone covered in dog hair?’

Kate hesitates, and for a moment, I don’t think she’ll reply at all.

‘That stone is obsidian,’ she says. ‘It’s common amongst witches and was used for scrying in ancient times. You might say I left it to show the boggart that I’ll keep an eye on it, and that I’ll know if it troubles you again.’ She gives me a slight wink that I don’t believe for an instant. ‘No one wants to anger the friendly neighbourhood witch, and everyone knows that dog people are good people, wouldn’t you say? I’ve effectively told it that I mean well, and that I can and will watch its doings from here on.’

I want to point out that plenty of dog people are arseholes, but the moment is gone and it’s no longer what I focus on. Her words sound like an excuse. She clearly doesn’t want to tell me more, though, so I don’t pry. Kate has helped me so many times that I have zero reason not to trust her. And anyway, maybe she did tell me the truth. Maybe I’m just paranoid now.

Only a month has passed since I stepped into the void lake. So many things have happened. If there’s one thing I can be sure of, it’s that Kate is on my side, and that’s all I need to know. Besides, we’re all entitled to our secrets. I decide to drop it.

‘Thank you,’ I say. ‘For helping me with this, for teaching me, and for saving my life. I’ll be a better student from here on.’

Kate gives me her patient teacher smile. ‘No need to thank me, Esta. It’s what anyone would have done. We can pick up your education again after next week, once you’ve had time to rest.’

I nod. That sounds wonderful.

When I visit the shed the following morning, the offerings are gone.

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