Chapter 5

Mortal realm

Pearl Jane stalled on the sidewalk outside the Good Book Shop with her hand on the latch and her stomach in knots.

She knew this was a mortal realm the moment she went to the portal. But somehow, there was something missing again. Another memory lapsed, or she was in a different state of consciousness.

The wide-eyed reflection that stared back from the tinted window wasn’t anyone she recognized. Yes, the stranger had a wavy red-shot ponytail the same as hers, and she was wearing the ratty jeans and beat-up leather jacket Pearl had pulled out of her closet that morning because there was no reason for her to dress like a cop these days. And yeah, those were her deep blue eyes at the back of the dark hollows that had taken up permanent residence. But if that was her, what the hell was she doing?

Normally, she wouldn’t go anywhere near the kitschy magic, witchcraft, and whatnot shops that lined the Salem waterfront unless someone called 9-1-1…but the