The next day, the mood was no better in the cottage. Poppy's grandmother and aunt were getting ready to return to Beka.

"Mama, I think that my idea to take Poppy back to Africa with us is a mistake,’’ Zara said as she closed her suitcase. ‘’Whoever is after us will take us down in minutes. Even Maggie didn't see it coming and she was the sorceress of the coven. Hiding her will be a waste of time.''

Her mother shook her head. "you’ve seen what happened yesterday. What other choice do we have?"

Zara walked to the window. "There is a way to guarantee her safety while we investigate and try to find out who is behind this atrocity."

"I hope you are not saying what I think you are trying to say," said her mother

She turned around, faced her mother, and said in a low tone, "We have to bind her powers!"

The old woman wrinkled her forehead. "Bind her powers? We can't do that to her. She will be defenceless.'' She took a seat on a chair by the bed. "And Poppy will wonder why her powers suddenly disappeared. It will just create more confusion.’’

'' It will but she will be alive,'' said Zara

Her mother shook her head.

Zara walked up to her, kneeled and took her hand. "we don't have a choice. Faith has chosen for us. We will bind her powers and restore them when she is old enough."

She squeezed her mother's hand. "Please trust me on that."

Her mother looked down with a sad look on her face. She nodded "Go get Poppy"

Zara ran down the stairs and called. "Poppy, sweetheart, your nanna would like to see you.’’ She leaned smiling on the kitchen door, ‘’she wants to make the most of her last hours here and have her usual grandmother-to-granddaughter talk.''

''Go, I'll put away the dishes for you," said Millie, who was helping in the kitchen

Poppy smiled, then ran upstairs, passing her aunt, who gave her a wink.

Millie nudge Zara gently after Poppy had left the room. "What's going on?"

Zara smiled, "just mother needing some alone time with her only grandchild. It's hard for her to leave Poppy behind."

Millie nodded. "I understand, " she approached Zara and place her hand on her arm, "tell her not to worry, Joe and I are going to take very good care of her."

Zara covered Millie's hand and nodded. "I know. I love you"

Millie hugged her and kissed her cheek. "I love you too."

Meanwhile, upstairs, Poppy opened her paternal grandmother's bedroom door slowly. She found her sitting in the middle of the room on a carpet in front of a tribal incense bowl.

The room, filled with a fragrant aroma coming from the Bakhoor she was burning, made her smile.

That scent of woodchips soaked in oils and mixed with sandalwood, cinnamon, star anise and cloves was always a sign that her grandmother was visiting.

Her grandmother extended her hand to her, then tapped the empty spot near her. Poppy quickly sat down and waited.

Her grandmother started by whispering words Poppy had never heard before.

"Ntoume a do voloua do? Mi famai (what are you saying? I didn't understand a word)."

A smile appeared on her grandmother's face. "That's because it is not Fula, dear."

She then gently stroked her cheek with one hand and put her forefinger to her lips. She picked up a calabash which contained a light yellowish liquid, pushed the calabash toward Poppy's lips and made her drink.

When she was done, Poppy smiled and said, "Nanna, I didn't know you brought Ndinja with you. It was delicious!"

Her grandmother smiled. "I brought a few bottles; it is in your freezer. This one was mine; I added extra ginger and made it with honey instead of sugar."

"Well, I still find it very delicious, even without the sugar," said Poppy.

Her grandmother's eyes filled with tears. She leaned over and hugged her.

"I love you more than life itself, my darling. Your father is gone, but I will always be here for you, no matter what."

"Now helped me up and go get the others. It's time to leave for the airport," she said after kissing Poppy.

Twenty minutes later, they were all standing outside the house to say their goodbye to Hawa and Zara.

Millie and Joe hugged Zara, who then took each of their hands. "Watch your backs. With the coven in disarray, we need to be careful. Mama and I will be back in a few months to vote in the new governing body; until then, take care of each other,"

She then hugged Poppy and kissed her.

Hawa was already in the car. She hid her face with her headscarf, trying to hide her tears from them.

Poor nanna, she still hates goodbyes, thought Poppy.

Poppy waved to her, and she waved back, then turned away as the taxi left.

In the car, the old woman sat quietly, looking outside the window.

Zara looked at her mother's serene face and asked impatiently, "So, did it work?"

Her mother nodded while still gazing outside.

Zara asked again, "And the protection spell?"

Her mother turned toward her and swiped her hands. "Done! The protection spell is in place. It will keep away anyone with bad intentions. As of now, she is just a regular little girl living with her uncle."

Zara grasped her mother's hand. "What about Millie? She lives down in the city."

"I’ve included her in the protection spell. She is out of danger, too." Replied the old woman.