12
“This is where I try to keep our most ancient traditions alive,” Sheila said, gesturing to the basement room past the open door.
I peeked inside, expecting bats and spiders, and was surprised. The room was clear and large, probably the size of the entire first floor, with artificial lighting, and a beige and coral mosaic floor. A couple of large wooden tables occupied the center, plus a few scattered chairs and armchairs. Tall shelves filled with any imaginable stuff lined the walls. Broken vials, smelly books, herbs, cards, runes.
A large tapestry hung from the wall, taller than me. It portrayed a girl with long reddish-brown hair, hazel eyes, and olive skin. She was beautiful and radiated power from her pose, with her arms slightly open, her hands covered in flames, her gaze cast d
