“I think you’ll find your own dagger when it’s time. I did mine, though it didn’t show up till I was twenty-four. And I just replaced it last year with a new one, because the energy I work with shifted. So until you find one, just use your mother’s.” Ari stared out the window. “I called Meagan a few minutes ago. She’s stuck at her parents’ house.”
“Do they really disapprove of her being gay?” I glanced out the window, over to Killian’s yard. His SUV was gone, which meant he was off to work. I had found a cheery text on my phone earlier, along with a warning that he’d be late again because they were doing a second evening of low-cost neuters and spays.
“Oh, disapprove is a mild word for the way they feel. Her mother was absolutely furious when Meagan left her ex, and even more upset when Meagan came out as gay. She wanted grandchildren, she wanted a nice wealthy son-in-law, and she wanted the social standing that Meagan’s marriage had promised. She hates me, I’ll tell you that much. She blames me for ‘turning’ Meagan gay, even though we were barely speaking at the time of the divorce.” Ari shifted, giving me a little shrug. “Not much I can do to fight that sort of anger. I hope at some point that she’ll give me a chance, but we aren’t holding our breaths. Life with my soon-to-be in-laws doesn’t promise to be peachy.”
I had faced difficulties with my ex in-laws, but at least I hadn’t had to fight homophobia. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I’ve watched you deal with this all through your life and it just never ceases to amaze me as to how closed-minded some people can be.”
“I’m lucky my folks were so accepting. They knew early,” Ari said. “They didn’t try to change me, and they didn’t blow it off as a phase. I miss them,” she added. “I wish they hadn’t decided to go on their world cruise. I don’t trust cruises. At least we can video-chat regularly and they’ll be back in three months.”
“How’s your sister?” I asked. Ari had a little sister who had grown up to be a marine biologist. Nena was living in California now, hanging out with the sea lions and the jellyfish.
“Good. She just met a guy, but I don’t think he’s going to be a keeper. When we talked about him, she was already sounding bored. Not much holds her interest unless it lives in the ocean,” she added, laughing. “I’ll be surprised if she ever settles down.”
“Maybe she’ll find a merman!” I said, laughing. I wasn’t sure if there really were merfolk, but given there were selkies and shifters and witches and vampires, I didn’t see why not.
Teran popped her head around the corner. “Lisette from the Broom & Besom will open up shop for us in an hour, so let’s head out. It might take that long to navigate the streets. My old truck isn’t going to cut it on the icy slopes, so Ari, how about your car?”
Ari had an SUV that had seen better days, but it would probably last forever. “I should be able to manage the hill. I have snow tires on and they’re new, and by now, they should have plowed Arnica Avenue.” She jumped up. “Let’s go.”
Feeling relieved to get out, I said, “Let me tell Rameer we’re leaving and ask him to watch over Louise while we’re gone.” I hurried upstairs to find the pair of them playing a card game. Louise was sitting up in bed, and Rameer was sitting in a chair by her side. They were using one of the bed trays as a playing table and she was teaching him cribbage.
“We’re going out to buy some supplies for tonight. Rameer, will you keep watch? We heavily warded the house last night, so everything should be fine, but just in case…”
“I’ll keep an eye on things,” he said, wincing as Klaus leapt onto his lap. “And this pair, as well.”
Feeling reassured, I headed back down to the living room, and we readied ourselves for the trip to the magic shop.
Chapter Eighteen
The Broom & Besom was a bright little shop, tucked between Mab’s Bakery—a specialty bakery dealing with solely allergen-free goodies—and Tucker’s Fitness, a gym that bordered on the eccentric. Tucker believed that workouts should be fun. So in addition to the basic gym equipment he held various dance classes, had a miniature rock wall that was two stories high, and during the spring, summer, and fall, led wilderness excursion classes, and a harder variant—his exclusive wilderness survival course. Ever since I had heard about them, I was considering whether or not to try one.
The owners of the magic shop were a couple named Lisette and Sira. Both women, in their sixties, were aquanistas—they worked with water magic and were extremely powerful witches. They were enthusiastic about the shop, and loved taking part in community ventures. I had met them around town a few times when I came to visit, but they had bought the magic shop four months ago and now, when I walked in, I was surprised to see how vibrant they had made it. Old Geo, a crusty old magician, had owned the shop before, and he wasn’t one given to helpful advice or even pleasant good-mornings.
“Teran, welcome.” Lisette’s accent was strong. She was from France and wore designer caftans and matching turbans that kept her platinum hair in check. It wasn’t straw-blond, though—her hair was long and shining and looked like white gold in the sun. “And this…this is your niece? I see the resemblance!” She slipped out from behind the counter and before I could say a word, kissed me on both cheeks.
“Thank you,” I stammered out, surprised by the sudden display of affection.
“So, you are asking for lodestone, yes?” Before I could blink, she was off again, swooping around the shop with a basket on her arm. “Lodestone, and I think…you have spirits to trap…you should take black salt to scatter around the traps. Now, how many of these do you need and how big?”
“Big—these are really entrenched in their territory,” Teran said. “We probably need a half dozen.”
“Ghosts are like cats,” Lisette mused, poring over a shelf full of bottles. “They like their routine and do not wish to be bothered.”
Meanwhile, Sira slipped from behind the counter and pressed her hand in mine. “How do you do? Teran told us all about you.”
“Did she?” I asked, staring at my aunt with an amused grin.
Teran shrugged. “Can I help it if I’m proud of you? And this is her best friend—”
“Yes, we know Ari,” Sira said. “Have the nightmares stopped?”
Ari nodded. “Just like you said they would. The lemon and lavender candle worked great. I’m sleeping without incident now.”
“You were having nightmares?” I asked, glancing at her.
“A while back, yes. Just stress related, I think. But their LL Candle fixed me right up. The scent was so relaxing that the dreams vanished.”
Lisette returned to the counter. “So, here we go. All the things you said you needed, and a couple extras I think you may wish you had.”
Teran sorted through the items, nodding. “I also need one other thing. Or rather, Rowan will need it.” She paused, then looked up at Lisette. “I need a Hand of Glory.”
Both Lisette and Sira froze.