Spellbound: The Awakening of Aislin Collins Read Online Free PDF Page B

embroidery hoop onto my lap. I looked down to find
blood trickling down my index finger. I must have pricked myself
when I was deep in the thoughts of my mysterious guardian. I then
heard Sneachta, growling deep and low, although I could not locate
her with my eyes. I heard something rustling in the woods beyond
the borderline of the yard. I instinctually reached for my
protective herbs, dripping blood all over my dress as I did so. I
stood, not knowing if I should run or if Sneachta was the one who
was in trouble and needed me.
    Then I saw the most curious of things.
Sneachta was making her way toward me by walking backwards, hissing
and spitting in the direction of the woods as she retreated. I
slowly started making my way to the door, remembering my father
telling me that when you ran from a predator it only encouraged it
to chase. I tried my hardest not to show fear. I could not see
anything in the woods but I could hear the movement of something
large. I could hear my cat’s warnings as we both were withdrawing
to the threshold of the doorway.
    I had gotten the pouch out of my pocket by
this time and stood in the doorway, waiting for my cat to get to me
before I drew a line on the threshold of the herbs and salt as my
mother had instructed before she left. Sneachta was close
now—almost to me. I held the herbs tightly in my hand. Trust in the
magic, I told myself as I caught my mind wondering if this really
would be enough to stop whatever was causing my faithful cat to
defend her territory with such ferocity.
    Within a moment that seemed to take an
eternity, Sneachta leaped passed the threshold into the house. I
quickly drew the line at the base of the doorway and slammed it
shut. As I did so, something slammed back against it so hard the
hinges threatened to give way. I heard a scream of anguish and
smelled burnt flesh. I leaned with all my might against the door
but then Sneachta stepped between the doorway and me. I looked at
her and she looked toward the front of the house. We raced
together, knocking over chairs and books as we scrambled to place
more of the magical mixture at that precipice as well. We reached
the door just in time to hear something pulling at the doorknob.
When I placed the mixture down, I heard another cry. This time it
was not as loud. Whatever this was knew not to draw attention to
itself in the open street.
    I ran to the closest window and began to
line the sill with the herbs. The windowpanes rattled with great
force, and I looked up to see four long claw marks deeply etched
into the vibrating glass. I let out a shriek of terror but then
Sneachta yowled and snapped me out of my frozen stupor. I quickly
moved to every window and drew a protective line and finally we
heard nothing but my pounding heart.
    Sneachta sat next to the book and I knew I
was supposed to pick it up. We sat in the middle of the room,
alone. I was trembling and Sneachta was licking at the blood that
still ran down my finger trying to clean it as best she could.
    I opened the book and for the very first
time in my life, I cast a spell. My mother had encouraged me never
to use magic unless it was of extreme importance.
    “Every spell cast is another opportunity for
our secrets to come to the surface,” she warned.
    I had no choice. Sneachta gave me a look of
approval as the book opened to the spell that I was to use. I
grabbed the candle that sat on the table and ran over to the hearth
to light it; then I recited the spell aloud. The candle’s flame
flickered and sparked as the magic ran through it.

CHAPTER SIX
October 25th 1734
    Late afternoon
     
    My mother walked into the house and found
Sneachta and I in the same spot. I was now reading Robinson Crusoe
and she was fast asleep. My mother’s eyes were wide. She nearly
dropped the bundles of fabric, lace and embellishments that were
carefully stacked in her arms.
    “What happened here?” she demanded, “I can
feel the magic in this room.”
    I ran passed her and