Ok, I can't remember the name of this book and would love to source and re-read it. I think it would be a tbook for teenagers.
From what I can remember, a young girl has her very young brother with her, they go to a shop with some overly friendly, creepy older guy shopkeeper. He gives the brother a stamp or sticker on the hand, despite the girl's misgivings.
Boy then begins to gradually sicken, I think the shopkeeper was using stamp to suck out his life force?
Girl then wants to save brother, so uses another Boy her own age to help. I think he has Gifted women in his family?
Girl goes through some sort of spiritual quest or something, has to carry coins in her hand, and gets a blood nose from being metaphorically reborn? I think she has a gift herself now, and then goes to save brother?
Sorry details are vague. I thought it was called the gift, but can't seem to find a match. I would estimate I read it in the late 90s, so assume it was published in that decade?
Thanks for any help?