Dark Corner

Chapter 32

Charlotte’s Second Chance

Mrs. Twiggs bustled into the kitchen and prepared the special turning potion.

“You completed the circle, Charlotte.”

“But I’m not a Wiccan. I drank the potion. Nothing happened.”

“The same thing happened to Mrs. Twiggs. Black magic kept her from turning at first,” I said. “It might have done the same to you.”

Abigail walked Charlotte over to the couch and sat down next to her while Mrs. Stickman lit the fire. There was an air of anticipation.

Mrs. Twiggs returned, carrying a teacup. Steam rose from its brim. She placed it down on the coffee table in front of Charlotte. “Okay, dear, drink it up.”

Charlotte lowered her head and sniffed the concoction and then grimaced. “It smells worse than before.”

Mrs. Twiggs said, “Drink it quickly.”

Charlotte raised the cup, looked at Abigail, and then downed it. I waited for something, anything, that would transform her. There was still nothing. No puff of smoke, nothing. Her aura colors did not change. She looked human. I could hear a collective sigh.

Charlotte said, “So what happens now? Do I get a broom? Do I grow warts?”

Abigail laughed. “No, Char, it didn’t work. I’m afraid you’re human.”

“You don’t have to say it like that, Abigail. Like it’s a bad thing.”

“Oh no, it’s not bad. It’s just we had hoped you would close the coven. We need nine. I’m a witch. I can’t close the coven. It has to be nine members of equal powers. The same but different. Think of it like all the ladies are double AA batteries and I’m a D battery. When they hold hands and form the circle, those batteries combine to make a more powerful charge. If I were to try to complete that circle, it would short-circuit everything. I’ve never seen their circle that powerful. We thought you were the missing battery. We all have power, but we can’t mix and match.”

Charlotte nodded. “I’m sorry to disappoint everyone.”