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spiritual godsister, but she is also insanely jealous of my grandmother, fueling her revenge even more.
    “You can’t hurt me, girl,”
Esmeralda says, turning up her mental powers a couple of notches. Her hot head—usually ice cold—boils at my intrusion, eventually melting like iceunder my mom’s even cooler sight. My mother warned about the danger of entering heads like Esmeralda’s: If I stay in too long, I run the risk of drowning in the puddle of emotions swimming through her mind.
    “I’m not trying to hurt you,”
I say into Esmeralda’s head as I make my way out of her liquid web.
“You’re forcing me to defend myself by any means necessary. If you get hurt in the process, then so be it.”
Just when I think I’ve escaped her clutches, Esmeralda regains her strength and goes full throttle on my eyes.
    “Ahhh,” I say, moaning at the sheer thrust of her attack. I’m not prepared for all of this—or so I think. Unable to close my eyes, my mom’s sight is pushed aside and I can feel my eyes glowing. Esmeralda continues to hold my gaze as my vision adjusts to Maman’s presence taking over my mind. What the hell is really going on?
    “What’s happening?” Esmeralda asks, also noticing the change. “My head,” she moans, sounding like I did a moment ago.
    Maman’s eyes hone in on the tiny veins in Esmeralda’s forehead, controlling the blood as it pulsates through her body. I can feel every beat of her heart as Maman slows it down, causing excruciating pressure to build in Esmeralda’s head. She attempts to retreat, but it’s too late.
    “I know how you feel,” I say, noticing the jade reflection of my bright eyes against the glass light fixture. I completely surrender to Maman’s will, allowing her to finish this battle for me. Once Esmeralda’s begging ceases, Maman’s presence fades as quickly as it appeared and my eyes return to their usual brown selves. I feel a little light-headed, but damned good about humbling Esmeralda’s ass.
    “You little wench!” Esmeralda yells, slamming the rusted porch gate shut and running inside. Good. That’ll teach her to mess with me again. I may have been afraid of her before,but since rocking my mom’s sight, I’ve got a little more gumption, and it’s time to start using it more often.
    Rather than going back through the house, I shut the door behind me, walk across the front lawn, and head through the back gate. Mama and Netta are already in the spirit room busy working. Before I can receive my directions for this evening’s tasks, my head starts pounding. I can feel every drop of blood coursing through my veins, similar to what Es-meralda just experienced. I attempt to steady myself on the wooden table in the center of the small kitchen, but my hands are slippery with sweat, causing me to lose my grip.
    “Is it hot in here to y’all?” I ask as I fan myself with my hands. I feel like I’m on fire. These must be the residual effects of using my mom’s powers. She warned me about this. And I imagine Maman taking control of the situation has some drawbacks of its own: yet another thing to check out in the spirit book when I get a chance.
    Noticing my ill demeanor from across the table, Mama drops the lemons she’s holding and rushes to my aid.
    “Jayd, you’re burning up,” Mama says, touching my forehead and receiving some of my heat. Thank God. I don’t know how much more I can take.
    “I’m thirsty,” I say, smacking my dry tongue against the roof of my mouth. It feels like I ate sand for lunch. Netta takes a clean glass from the dish rack next to the sink where she’s rinsing herbs and fills it with cold water.
    “Have you had any water today?” Mama asks, still absorbing my discomfort. What would I do without Mama’s healing touch?
    “Not much,” I say, taking the cool glass Netta offers and bringing it to my lips. I feel as parched as I did yesterday at Nigel’s house when I felt Maman’s presence. This can’t be a