Chapter 67

Hobson felt an unprecedented frustration clogging up his chest.

Next to him, Springer finished his transaction and successfully acquired the coveted Silence Charm he’d been after. Recalling Hobson’s recent debacle and their wager, a realization seemed to hit him.

“Dude, so you were in the middle of your shower when the water cut off, and nobody heard you yelling, so you bolted out…”

Before he could finish, Hobson’s hand clamped over his mouth. “Shut It!”

Winnie looked on, the picture of serenity, and repeated, “I won the bet.”

Hobson was a mask of sullen defeat.

Reluctantly, he conceded the point.

Winnie didn’t waste words. She stood up, saying. “For the next week, I don’t want to hear a peep. out of you.” She paused then emphasized, “I trust you can be taken at his word, right?”

It didn’t matter if he couldn’t. She’d help him with her charms Despite his darkening expression, Hobson responded gruffly, “Relax, I keep my promises Winnie tooked pleased, nodded, and left Springer’s room without another word.

As she walked away, the two men faintly heard mutter, “I should have said a month of silence from him.”

Hobson was speechless.

Springer couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Hobson glared at him. “What’s deal, Springer? Why are you siding with the outsider ”

Springer bristled at that, “Outsider? She’s my cousin, and yours too! Keep talking smack, and I’ll take it up with Clifford!”

The absurdity of it all nearly made Hobson laugh.

“Only kids tattle.” he sneered. And who was it that had been so eager to challenge Winnie in the first place? Had Springer forgotten his actions?

“Hobson, you’ve seen what she can do. Don’t pick fights with her. If she gets pissed, taking you down would be as easy as flipping a switch,” Springer advised with uncharacteristic earnestness.

Hobson felt a shiver at the thought of those magical tricks with spirits, but he refused to show weakness.

“She wouldn’t dare! I’d tell Clifford!”

1/3 Springer was at a for words. Who was it that just said kids tattle?

Without another word, Hobson stormed out, heading back to his room.

Upstairs, Winnie returned to her room only to find her spectral charge, Ghost Baby, floating around with all the grace of a ghostly toddler.

Freed of its negative energy, Ghost Baby resembled a chubby little angel, legs kicking as it floated, irresistibly cute.

It tried several times to reach the window, only to be bounced back by the protective shield Winnie had set up in the room.

Although Ghost Baby had lost its vengeful spirit, it still instinctively sought its mother.

Pretty, finding the chase amusing, wagged its plump tail and pursued Ghost Baby, trying to nab it with its teeth, which sent the little spirit scurrying higher into the air.

Seeing Winnie return, Ghost Baby floated down to her shoulder, panting as if exhausted.

Though their time together had been brief, it knew this girl meant no harm. Plus, perching on her shoulder kept the little fox at bay.

Winnie softened her expression slightly at the sight of the palm–sized chubby tot on her shoulder.

Still, she instructed it, “Don’t wander off. If you behave, I’ll take you to see your mom before you reincarnate.”

The Ghost Baby seemed to understand and it’s tiny legs as if to embrace her Winnie paid it no mind. She sat at her deskond carefully examined the millennium–old Rowan Wood her master had left her.

The wood blackened and charred its surface etched with intricate patterns from where lightning had struck.

Winnie had once asked her master why she hadn’t turned the Rowan Wood into a talisman.

“It’s meant for you,” her master had said. “But you can’t have it just yet. Once you’re totally free from the Henderson family’s destiny, you can shape it into whatever you wish.”

The Henderson family had used her fate for eighteen years to shield Kathryn from harm, and untangling herself from their influence wasn’t simple..

Surviving a car crash meant that Kathryn was repaying favour.

Settling the Henderson family’s care with a lump sum was settling a debt.

Declaring her independence from the Henderson family was cutting ties.

Now, her debts paid, she held the Rowan Wood her master had promised.

Winnie sketched the shape she wanted on the wood with a pen.

גיג 12:14:

Crafting a talisman was no simple task.

The inscriptions had to follow the natural grain, with meticulous engraving, polishing, and consecration. Each step requires spiritual energy, not something achieved overnight.

Looking at her sparse workspace, she decided to move her belongings from her rented place to the Bryant Manor. There was no shortage of rooms, especially since hers was a suite.

Originally for a nanny’s convenience, it still had a spare bed, though it had mostly been used for storage.

Winnie hadn’t planned on staying long, but now that she was back, she intended to make it feel like home. But there was no rush for that.

After ordering some items online for her spiritual needs, Winnie, along with Pretty and the Ghost Baby, settled down for the night.

The next morning, she headed downstairs.

Even on vacation, the Bryant family didn’t let the kids indulge in sleeping in.

Winnie descended the stairs only to catch Hobson sitting next to Amber, whispering something in her ear. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted her and, as if struck by a sudden thought, his mouth snapped shut.

Cutler, who was nearby, felt a ripple of confusion but couldn’t quite place it. Following Hobson’s gaze to the staircase, he saw Winnie. His reaction wasn’t one of overt disdain, just a cool nod in her direction before he looked away.

Amber, on the other hand, approached Winnie with a smile, saying. “Winnie, I heard it was you who led the rescue at the school building the other day. I haven’t had the chance to thank you properly. You’re finally at home today, so how about I whip up some lunch as a token of my gratitude? What would you like to eat?”

Winnie arched an eyebrow, glancing at Amber and her ‘knights‘ at her side, her eyes cool and detached. “No need.”

Amber dimmed her expression at her response, but she persisted, “Don’t be like that, I’ve taken some cooking classes. I’m no master chef, but I assure you it’s edible. Just tell me what you’d like…”

“I said no need,” Winnie cut her off, her demeanor unchanging.

Amber faltered, and before she could speak again, both Cutler and Hobson darkened their faces with displeasure.

Cutler was particularly dissatisfied. “Winnie, Amber is trying to show her gratitude by offering to cook for you. What’s with the attitude?”

Hobson too seemed about to chime in with his reproach when Winnie’s deep and cold eyes swept over him. He felt a sudden jolt of intimidation, and the words he was about to utter got swallowed back down, his lips pressed tightly together