Page 75 of A Witch in Notting Hill

I floated on my back one more time, my lungs full of air and my limbs limp, and I tried the spell again.

The water slowed, but my heart was still racing.Come on.I said it again, then again, until I felt myself sinking. I heard Oliver’s sharp intake of breath just on the edge of the pond, and I forced myself to stay focused.

This isn’t about him. Do not let him in.

Once my entire body was under, I held my breath in my lungs until it burned.I can do this.I kept sinking, letting the ritual work its magic. Letting it cleanse me so I could move on with the quest. Letting it restore me and my confidence in my power. Letting itwork.

It had to work.

Underwater, under the spell, as I continued sinking, I lost my senses. I was weightless. At the mercy of the water and the spell and the stillness.

Until I wasn’t.

Interstitial

Forage for Clinopodium menthifolium, grown locally. Prepare and consume locally in accordance with your preferences. ??

Conduct an Orientation spell with the Wharram Percy Pendulum. Use its direction as a guide. ??

Complete the Ritualistic Restoration Cleansing in a pond, lake, or slow-moving river to prepare the body for the Reversal. ??

Participate in a Full Moon Ceremony. Stay awake until the following sundown for maximum effect.

Commune with those who have passed on. They know more than any of us who remain in our mortal forms on Earth.

Convince a skeptic of the existence of magic. Use the experience to fortify your powers to effectively produce the Reversal.

Chapter 26

Oliver

“Willow, can you hear me? Willow?” I shook her in my arms, desperate for her to open her eyes. “Come on.”

“How long was she under?” Lola asked, looking on with Minho and Vera. Vera? The cat? I didn’t know. Nor did I care.