"Straw dolls?"
Lastor's eyes widened in sudden realization, and he shot to his feet. "Yes! That's it! That's why you couldn't recognize the curse, Princess, it isn't a spell at all, it's voodoo."
Arabella frowned, pulling the crimson bound book closer. "A voodoo doll… I've read of those before." She flipped through the pages, her tone thoughtful. "Dolls created with a person's hair, teeth, or even blood… used to control them. Or to stab with needles to inflict pain directly onto their body?"
"Exactly," Noah confirmed with a grave nod. "Though an ordinary voodoo doll takes time before it can be used safely."
"Because it must remain near the target for at least a week," Lastor added eagerly, "sometimes longer."
