Read Online Witch Ball - BK 3 by Linda Joy Singleton - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Linda Joy Singleton
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Nona stopped me.
"Don't bother, he's not there. He said he'd call
when he returned from a fishing trip."
A fishing trip? I didn't even know he liked to
fish. But then he didn't know everything about me
either-not yet. But I had to tell him soon or Evan
would ruin everything.
I didn't say much while Amy and Nona made
plans to do something fun before Mom picked
Amy up this evening. I didn't care if we went shopping, out to lunch, or saw a movie. My brain was
stuck on worry. I didn't believe the prediction, but
how could I ignore it? I really needed to talk with
someone-and thought of Manny.
Excusing myself, I left the table and went to
the phone.
"Hey, Beany," Manny greeted when he got on
the line.
I didn't waste any time, and without revealing
personal details about Jill, I told Manny his prediction had come true.
"Wow!" he said in awe. "My powers amaze
even me.
"It wasn't you," I chided. "It was the witch ball."
"Can't a guy enjoy his moment of glory?"
"Not when my life is at stake. Remember what
you predicted for me?"
"Oh ... the death thing." His tone grew serious. "That's not going to happen."
"Jill didn't believe her prediction either."
"But you're safe. You've got the other side on
your side."
"If you mean Opal, she doesn't know anything
about the witch ball. And I don't want to wait till
Thursday to find out what happens. I've got to take
action now."
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"I was hoping you'd say that."
Then I told him what I wanted.
The rest of the day passed quickly-too quickly
considering it might be one of my last.
Amy, Nona, and I had a picnic at a River
Oaks Park. We goofed around on the playground,
swooshing down a curved slide, then kicking high
on swings. Nona challenged us to a game of hopscotch-and won. I felt embarrassed for acting like a kid, but none of my classmates were around, so I
figured, why not?
We finished the afternoon by going to Trick and
Treats for dessert. The owner, Velvet, was delighted
to see us and offered us free samples of fudge. We
had yummy flavors like cheesecake, caramel pecan,
butterscotch, and pumpkin swirl.
Amy teased that she must be in heaven, and I
told her she was right.
While my sister examined glass cases full of
delicious treats, I found myself studying Velvet. I
didn't know her well, but she and my grandmother
were close friends and shared an interest in otherworld topics. She had no wrinkles, so could be anywhere from thirty to fifty. She spoke in a lilting
British accent and resembled a proper nanny in
high heels, a tailored skirt, and jacket. But in my
mind I saw her in flowing robes while she chanted
healing spells. There was something almost magical
about Velvet.
While Amy and Nona sat on a small wicker
table, sipping soda and sampling sweets, I whispered to Velvet that I wanted to speak to her privately. She made the pretense of needing my help
lifting a box, then we slipped into the back room filled with New Age items like candles, potions,
crystals, incense, books, charms, and more. Only
select customers knew about this special room.
"Tell me what's on your mind," Velvet said, her
brow pinched with concern. "How is your grandmother? Has her condition grown worse?"
"She's doing okay-but I'm not." I hung my
head. "Do you know anything about witch balls?"
"Of course." She turned to point at a cluster of
delicate glass balls hanging in a display window. "I
have several for sale."
"Those are very pretty-but they're new. What
do you know about really old ones?"
"Just the superstitions about warding off evil
spirits. Why do you ask?"
"Because I sort of inherited an old witch balland its ghost."
I explained that the witch ball was a gift from a
distant relative who kept it in her attic for decades,
how Nona called the ball "evil" and freaked when it
moved from my room to the kitchen all by itself.
"And that's not all it did," I added solemnly.
Then I told her about the
"Don't bother, he's not there. He said he'd call
when he returned from a fishing trip."
A fishing trip? I didn't even know he liked to
fish. But then he didn't know everything about me
either-not yet. But I had to tell him soon or Evan
would ruin everything.
I didn't say much while Amy and Nona made
plans to do something fun before Mom picked
Amy up this evening. I didn't care if we went shopping, out to lunch, or saw a movie. My brain was
stuck on worry. I didn't believe the prediction, but
how could I ignore it? I really needed to talk with
someone-and thought of Manny.
Excusing myself, I left the table and went to
the phone.
"Hey, Beany," Manny greeted when he got on
the line.
I didn't waste any time, and without revealing
personal details about Jill, I told Manny his prediction had come true.
"Wow!" he said in awe. "My powers amaze
even me.
"It wasn't you," I chided. "It was the witch ball."
"Can't a guy enjoy his moment of glory?"
"Not when my life is at stake. Remember what
you predicted for me?"
"Oh ... the death thing." His tone grew serious. "That's not going to happen."
"Jill didn't believe her prediction either."
"But you're safe. You've got the other side on
your side."
"If you mean Opal, she doesn't know anything
about the witch ball. And I don't want to wait till
Thursday to find out what happens. I've got to take
action now."
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"I was hoping you'd say that."
Then I told him what I wanted.
The rest of the day passed quickly-too quickly
considering it might be one of my last.
Amy, Nona, and I had a picnic at a River
Oaks Park. We goofed around on the playground,
swooshing down a curved slide, then kicking high
on swings. Nona challenged us to a game of hopscotch-and won. I felt embarrassed for acting like a kid, but none of my classmates were around, so I
figured, why not?
We finished the afternoon by going to Trick and
Treats for dessert. The owner, Velvet, was delighted
to see us and offered us free samples of fudge. We
had yummy flavors like cheesecake, caramel pecan,
butterscotch, and pumpkin swirl.
Amy teased that she must be in heaven, and I
told her she was right.
While my sister examined glass cases full of
delicious treats, I found myself studying Velvet. I
didn't know her well, but she and my grandmother
were close friends and shared an interest in otherworld topics. She had no wrinkles, so could be anywhere from thirty to fifty. She spoke in a lilting
British accent and resembled a proper nanny in
high heels, a tailored skirt, and jacket. But in my
mind I saw her in flowing robes while she chanted
healing spells. There was something almost magical
about Velvet.
While Amy and Nona sat on a small wicker
table, sipping soda and sampling sweets, I whispered to Velvet that I wanted to speak to her privately. She made the pretense of needing my help
lifting a box, then we slipped into the back room filled with New Age items like candles, potions,
crystals, incense, books, charms, and more. Only
select customers knew about this special room.
"Tell me what's on your mind," Velvet said, her
brow pinched with concern. "How is your grandmother? Has her condition grown worse?"
"She's doing okay-but I'm not." I hung my
head. "Do you know anything about witch balls?"
"Of course." She turned to point at a cluster of
delicate glass balls hanging in a display window. "I
have several for sale."
"Those are very pretty-but they're new. What
do you know about really old ones?"
"Just the superstitions about warding off evil
spirits. Why do you ask?"
"Because I sort of inherited an old witch balland its ghost."
I explained that the witch ball was a gift from a
distant relative who kept it in her attic for decades,
how Nona called the ball "evil" and freaked when it
moved from my room to the kitchen all by itself.
"And that's not all it did," I added solemnly.
Then I told her about the
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