Laurel met at the corner of Brunswick and Bloor. Both wore dark clothing to blend with the night. Each had a bulging knapsack. Gwen had brought branches of ash and whitethorn as well as bunches of primroses gathered on May Eve. Laurel had sea salt, twigs of rowan and broom tied with red thread, dried daisy chains, and old knives and scissors. Gwen had been taught her charms by Granny, the Wise Woman of Inch. Laurel had learned hers from the sea fairies of Achill Island.
“Any news?” Gwen asked.
Laurel shook her head. “Still no word or sign from either of them.”
Gwen’s shoulders slumped. “Same for me. I tried to reach the other members of the Company of Seven: Katie on her farm and Matt at home. All I got was voice mail or busy signals. I’ve sent e-mails too, but no replies. My cousin Findabhair is still on the road with her husband. I left an urgent message with their manager.”
Laurel could hear the huge effort Gwen was making to stay optimistic. They were both clinging to the hope that, despite all appearances, their loved ones were safe.
“Come on,” Laurel said, “we’ve got work to do.”
They hurried up Brunswick Avenue to Dana’s address. When they reached the big brownstone, they stared in dismay. It was a huge area to cover. Despite the late hour, lights shone in many of the rooms. The charms had to be placed in spots that were both secret and safe; where they wouldn’t be seen or removed or blown away by the wind. And would it be possible to strew the doors and windowsills without being noticed? At least the house was surrounded by trees and bushes. Plenty of places to hide if anyone came out.
“I’ll take the backyard,” Laurel said in a low voice. “You do the front.”
Gwen was grateful that she didn’t have to climb over the fence.
The two hurried away but it wasn’t long before they joined up again.
“Finished?” they asked each other, exchanging looks of surprise.
It was only when they were a safe distance away that they broke their silence.
“I put some stuff on the sills,” Gwen said, mystified, “but then I stopped. I got the strangest feeling—”
“Me too! That it wasn’t necessary?”
“Yes! Because—”
“The house is already protected,” Laurel concluded.
They had stopped under a street lamp. Bathed in a soft yellow light, both were breathless and excited.
Gwen looked back up the street. “A beautiful presence,” she said softly. She could hug herself she felt so good.
“And jolly as well.” Laurel wanted to laugh, but she also felt shy. “Full of fun and laughter, but also sacred and powerful. The way I imagined Santa Claus when I was little.”
“We’re not alone,” Gwen whispered.
“Other forces are gathering around the girl,” Laurel agreed. “This is good. This is very good.”
For the first time since the blow was struck, the two were hopeful.
“Right, then. Let’s get a taxi to her school,” said Gwen. “We’ve got plenty of charms left for the job.”
“School and home,” said Laurel, nodding. “That should do it. Where else would you find a thirteen-year-old?”
Reaching Bloor Street, they kept watch for a cab. Despite the late hour, the avenue was busy. Restaurants, pubs, and coffee shops were bustling with late-summer trade. There was a mild chill in the air, but the night was still amenable to strollers.
“How about lattes and Nanaimo bars In the little café?” Gwen suggested.
“Work first, then treats.”
“You are so like my cousin,” sighed Gwen.
• • •
When they arrived at Dana’s high school, their hearts sank. Not only was the building locked and shuttered, it was ablaze with security lights and video cameras. Gingerly they approached the first window. Laurel flung a handful of salt through the metal grate, while Gwen pressed a primrose petal onto the sill.
Neither was prepared for what happened next.
Flower and salt burst into flames, even as a blast of hot air flung the two of
“Any news?” Gwen asked.
Laurel shook her head. “Still no word or sign from either of them.”
Gwen’s shoulders slumped. “Same for me. I tried to reach the other members of the Company of Seven: Katie on her farm and Matt at home. All I got was voice mail or busy signals. I’ve sent e-mails too, but no replies. My cousin Findabhair is still on the road with her husband. I left an urgent message with their manager.”
Laurel could hear the huge effort Gwen was making to stay optimistic. They were both clinging to the hope that, despite all appearances, their loved ones were safe.
“Come on,” Laurel said, “we’ve got work to do.”
They hurried up Brunswick Avenue to Dana’s address. When they reached the big brownstone, they stared in dismay. It was a huge area to cover. Despite the late hour, lights shone in many of the rooms. The charms had to be placed in spots that were both secret and safe; where they wouldn’t be seen or removed or blown away by the wind. And would it be possible to strew the doors and windowsills without being noticed? At least the house was surrounded by trees and bushes. Plenty of places to hide if anyone came out.
“I’ll take the backyard,” Laurel said in a low voice. “You do the front.”
Gwen was grateful that she didn’t have to climb over the fence.
The two hurried away but it wasn’t long before they joined up again.
“Finished?” they asked each other, exchanging looks of surprise.
It was only when they were a safe distance away that they broke their silence.
“I put some stuff on the sills,” Gwen said, mystified, “but then I stopped. I got the strangest feeling—”
“Me too! That it wasn’t necessary?”
“Yes! Because—”
“The house is already protected,” Laurel concluded.
They had stopped under a street lamp. Bathed in a soft yellow light, both were breathless and excited.
Gwen looked back up the street. “A beautiful presence,” she said softly. She could hug herself she felt so good.
“And jolly as well.” Laurel wanted to laugh, but she also felt shy. “Full of fun and laughter, but also sacred and powerful. The way I imagined Santa Claus when I was little.”
“We’re not alone,” Gwen whispered.
“Other forces are gathering around the girl,” Laurel agreed. “This is good. This is very good.”
For the first time since the blow was struck, the two were hopeful.
“Right, then. Let’s get a taxi to her school,” said Gwen. “We’ve got plenty of charms left for the job.”
“School and home,” said Laurel, nodding. “That should do it. Where else would you find a thirteen-year-old?”
Reaching Bloor Street, they kept watch for a cab. Despite the late hour, the avenue was busy. Restaurants, pubs, and coffee shops were bustling with late-summer trade. There was a mild chill in the air, but the night was still amenable to strollers.
“How about lattes and Nanaimo bars In the little café?” Gwen suggested.
“Work first, then treats.”
“You are so like my cousin,” sighed Gwen.
• • •
When they arrived at Dana’s high school, their hearts sank. Not only was the building locked and shuttered, it was ablaze with security lights and video cameras. Gingerly they approached the first window. Laurel flung a handful of salt through the metal grate, while Gwen pressed a primrose petal onto the sill.
Neither was prepared for what happened next.
Flower and salt burst into flames, even as a blast of hot air flung the two of
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