“Your rows are all over the place,” Spencer informs her. “Did you get the seeds mixed up or something?”

“I never really understood why people wanted everything in rows anyway,” says Jessica.

“Well, it’s easier to weed, for one thing,” says Spencer. “Plus it’s easier to be consistent with pesticides.”

“I’m just using cayenne and coffee grounds.”

“Have it your way,” he shrugs. “It’s all on your head when you try to figure out what’s ready to harvest.”

Jessica just smiles and watches the rune garden grow, the slowest spell she’s ever cast: cabbage and sunflowers spelling out Ansuz, Raidho, Thorn.