Chapter 53
FIFTY-THREE
They reached the huge red brick house that Clara’s condo was in.
There were lots of people milling around outside the black painted Witch House opposite it – the house that never failed to send shivers down Dora’s spine.
This time Dora ignored its pull and focused on the problem she and Morana had in front of them.
‘Do you think this Clara will give me my book back?’ asked Morana.
‘Honestly, not a chance. If you think Lenny is a piece of work, you haven’t seen Clara in action.’
‘I did a little, she’s cold huh?’
‘Cold and scary, but she can’t keep what is rightfully yours, so maybe if we convince her the population of Salem is safe from your dabbling in spells that are too dark and dangerous, she might hand it back to you.’
Morana glared at Dora. ‘That’s low.’
‘I didn’t mean that to sound as awful as it did. Sorry, but you know, you have had a wild couple of days. I should shut up now.’
Dora grimaced, walked up to the door and pressed the bell for the second-floor apartment. Then they waited and waited. Morana stepped back, cupping a hand over her eyes and looked up at the windows. A shadow passed by one. ‘She’s in, I saw movement.’
Dora rang the bell again and again until they heard footsteps, and the door was thrown open by a dishevelled looking Clara, her usually immaculate grey hair was sticking up, her signature orange lipstick was missing, and her eyes were such narrow slits Dora wondered how she could see anything out of them.
‘What do you want?’
Morana didn’t speak. Dora shook her head.
‘We’ve come to get her book back. She knows what she did was very wrong, but you know, beginner’s mistakes and all that. We’re going to help her to figure it out, so you don’t need to worry or hang on to it.’
Clara crossed her arms. ‘And on whose authority are you here?’
Dora glanced at Morana who was still speechless.
‘Our own.’
Clara laughed. ‘Do you think I will simply relinquish the most powerful spell book I have ever come across to a pair of novice witches who are also terrible at it just like that? I cannot and will not be so foolish or reckless.’
‘But it’s her book, it has her name inside of it not yours. It doesn’t belong to you.’
‘I do not care if it had the queen of all witches, Hecate’s, name inside of it, you cannot be trusted. If you want it back, you are going to have to prove to the council that you are capable of having something so powerful at your disposal. I’m busy, be on your way.’
Clara slammed the door to shut it, but it didn’t close. Dora looked down to see Morana’s boot over the threshold. Morana was standing tall; she was a whole head above Dora’s shoulders.
‘You know, for the leader of the council of witches you are an incredibly rude woman. Should you not lead by example? Where is your compassion and understanding? I think you want the book for yourself. Have you told the council that you removed it from me and are unwilling to return it, when you have no power to do that?’
Clara looked unsure, and Dora wanted to whoop out loud, but she didn’t.
‘I will when we call the next meeting.’
‘When is that? I would like to attend.’
‘I don’t know yet.’
‘We’ll wait here while you organise it, so that you can tell us exactly when, so we don’t miss it.’
‘I will do no such thing. When I call the meeting, you will get an invitation, as council meetings are by invitation only.’
Morana spoke with quiet determination. ‘I will await your invitation but let me tell you this: it best arrive within the next couple of days for I will have my book back. You cannot keep a book with my name inside of it. I know that now, yesterday you caught me at a very bad time, and you took advantage of my despair when you should have given me guidance. I am watching thee closely, Clara. Do not think that you can get away with anything untoward regarding The Book of Black Magic for I will know and I will find you.’
Morana removed her foot and the door closed, not the huge slam that Clara had hoped for, it was more of a retreat into the safety of her building.
Dora was in awe. ‘Wow, you were good.’
Morana looked at her. ‘I was? I don’t know where that came from, but I couldn’t stop it.’
Dora patted her arm. ‘You have the makings of a great witch. You would be a good leader of the council. Clara was so furious and a little scared of you. Hell, I’m a little scared of you but we’re good, right? I mean we’re family, so I have nothing to be scared of.’
‘Don’t push it, Dora.’ But she winked at her and Dora began to laugh.
They walked away without looking back at the building, but if they had they would have seen Hades perched on the windowsill tapping frantically to get their attention.