Chapter69. The Pain

“I knew you’d eventually be here with this request.” Tabitha smiled, standing over an altar that hadn’t been there last time. The living room was dark, with flickering candles, petals, a strange scent, and a silver bowl on a stand covered in a velvet curtain draping down. I walked forward to see what she was doing standing over it, sniffing the aroma steaming out of it. “You’re already preparing it?” I asked, letting go of Brax’s hand and giving a little sniff of my own. The cinnamon and thyme were strong. Then lavender. It didn’t seem so scary. “Of course. This takes two days to put together, but you are right on time.” She beamed and stirred the small pool of clear water in the bottom of the bowl. “Of course she is. Then we don’t know what went in it,” Brax sneered, and Tabitha glared at him. “Do not be disrespectful. You’ve already forsaken the gems you are meant to wear during this visit, which I have graciously forgiven due to the time restraints, but I will not tolerate the attit