Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Besides, she’d been studying the art of witchcraft since she was sixteen. She hadn’t had time to think about sex. Everything she’d learned, she’d learned on her own, and it had mostly been trial and error. Witches guarded their secrets very well.
Hazel headed toward the kitchen, pushing open the swinging door harder than necessary. She needed a glass of water. Hell, she needed a drink.
“Hazel? Are you okay?” Irene caught the door on its second swing back, stopping it, and approached her.
“Where’s that bottle of water?”
“In my purse. Why?”
“I’m going to try my spell.”
“Hazel, what happened? You’re shaking all over.” Irene placed a soothing hand on Hazel’s arm and petted her gently.
“Nothing.” Hazel took the bottle and rummaged through the cabinets until she found a wine glass and poured the water into it, muttering, “I just decided I don’t like handsome men.”
“Oh,” Irene said knowingly. “You and Mr. Cole didn’t hit it off?”
“Well, yes and no.”
“I’m confused.”
“Me too.”
Hazel took a small sip of the contents of the glass and made a face. “Yuck! Why do they make peach flavored water so sour?”
“I like peach water.”
“Are you drinking this, or am I?” Hazel asked, exasperated.
“Well, I kind of hoped you’d share.” Irene leaned against the counter and watched Hazel intently.
Hazel paused a minute, looking at the glass. “Is there a packet of sugar anywhere? Near the coffee pot maybe?”
Irene craned her neck to look across the room. “I think so.”
Hazel looked at her, annoyed. “Well, do you think you might hand me one?”
“What are you doing, Hazel?” Irene hadn’t moved.
“I told you. I’m going to turn this glass of water into wine. Now, I’d like it to be drinkable when I do, so would you please get me a packet of sugar?”
“Why not just go back to your apartment?”
“I don’t have any alcohol there.”
“A bar, then.”
Hazel threw up her hands. “I’ll get it myself.” She rummaged through the canisters.
“What if this backfires and you blow something up?”
“It’s not going to backfire, and there’s nothing to blow up. All I need is this glass, the water, and an incantation.” Hazel sniffed. “I have everything under control.”
Irene held her hands up in defense. “If you say so. Fire away.”
“Thank you.” Hazel rolled her eyes. “Now. I need to concentrate on what I’m doing.”
“Okay. What do you want me to do?”
“Nothing. Just be quiet.”
“I can do that.”
“You’re still talking, Irene.”
“Sorry.”
Hazel closed her eyes briefly and centered herself. The only thing that existed for her was the glass of water in front of her.
“Glass of fruit fresh from the vine --”
“I seriously doubt a peach would fit in that glass. Doesn’t your incantation need to be a bit more realistic?”
“Did I mention I needed quiet?”
“I was just pointing out a flaw in your spell.”
“It’s not a flaw. How would you know if it was a flaw?”
“Well, I’ve been helping you almost since you started learning witchcraft. I think I’ve learned a thing or two along the way.”
“Do you want to do this?”
“I’m not the witch.”
“Exactly! Now, shush!”
It was Irene’s turn to roll her eyes, but she kept silent.
Hazel sighed. “Okay, okay. I’ll change it a little.” She tapped her finger on her chin. “Let’s see.” Thinking a minute, Hazel glanced at the empty bottle sitting on the counter. “I’ve got it!”
Hazel closed her eyes once more and took a deep breath. Opening her eyes, she started the incantation again. “Sparkling fruit fresh from the vine --”
“It’s not fresh fruit in that glass. In fact, it’s probably not even got real fruit juice in it at all.”
“Oh for ever more!” Hazel threw up her hands in exasperation.
“Well, it’s the truth!”
“If you don’t shush, I’m going to dunk you in Mrs. Johnson’s punch.”
“Hey, I’m just trying to help.”
“Then hush it!”
Before Irene could say anything else, Hazel blurted out, “Sparkling fruit fresh from the vine, turn this water into wine,” all in one breath.
Hazel and Irene stared intently at the glass.
Nothing happened.
“Taste it, Hazel.”
“I’m afraid to. You taste it.”
“I’m not going to taste it. This is your spell.”
Hazel looked at Irene. “Well, you could have fooled me.” Hazel gingerly picked up the glass and took a small sip. She made a face. “The sugar didn’t help.”
“Did it work? Did you turn water into wine?”
Hazel sighed. “No.”
Irene’s shoulders sagged. “I wonder what you’ve done this time.”
“I don’t want to know. Are you ready to leave? I’d really like to get out of here without having to drink that punch. It smells almost as bad as the perfume around here.” Hazel dumped the contents of the glass down the sink and rinsed it out.
“Yeah. I’m sure there’s still something I can do to help you prepare for your midnight spell.”
“You know, it just occurred to me that you’ve helped me with just about every spell I’ve ever attempted. Maybe the problem isn’t me. Maybe it’s you, Irene.”