“Here is a looking glass; take it. When the moon begins to wane, on the day of Venus and Freya, secretly catch in it your beloved’s reflection. Wrap it in wool, lay it in a casket. Sprinkle on it a mixture of dried petals of rose and verbena. Add the herb Agnus Castus, also known as the chaste tree. Add a drop of your own sanguine menstruo. Hide the casket so that not a single ray of sunlight can fall on it. As you hide it away, utter three times the spell: Ego dilecto meo et ad me conversio eius, I am my beloved’s and his desire turns towards me. Before the moon comes around three times, your beloved will be yours.

By the power of sign and power of rune…

Magna Mater, Magna Mater…

“Bubble, bubble, cauldron, and in it deadly nightshade, mandrake. Lower your head, Elencza of Wirsing. Breathe in the steam.

“Here is a knife of steel; take it. When the full moon begins to wane, on the day of Venus and Freya, go to an orchard before sunrise. Pluck the apple which seems most beautiful to you. Cut it in half with this knife, first rubbing into it a drop of your sanguine menstruo. Sprinkle on each half of the apple a pinch of dried knotgrass, then pin the two halves together with myrtle twigs. On the apple peel carve with the knife the initial of your beloved’s name, utter his name thrice, each time repeating the spell: Ecce iste venit, behold, he comes. Hide the apple, so that not once does sunlight fall on it. Even if your chosen one be at the end of the world, he will return to you.

Eia!

By the power of the Sun and the power of the Moon

By the power of sign and power of rune!

“Bubble, bubble, cauldron, and in it deadly nightshade, fool’s parsley, hemlock. Lower your head, breathe in the steam, you who wish to be called Electra. You have chosen a fell name, fell and terrible for somebody so young. Know you that I usually send away empty-handed maids such as you. I do not help maids such as you, I do not support them in their designs and intentions. I customarily tell maids such as you, Electra, to rely on time and fate.”

The cat lying on the skulls hissed. The witch’s eyes flared up with a baleful fire.

“Thus, as an exception,” she uttered quietly, “I shall help destiny a little. And though your wish is full of evil, Electra, I shall make it come true. Hold out your hand. Behold, I give you…”

The red-headed witch whispered and Electra listened with her head bowed. The fire was dying down, the cauldron still bubbling and the boiling water hissing as it spat on the coals.

The cat miaowed.