The Witch Stone Read online

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  Cassie Barbara.

  Brenna had no idea her dear Gran owned a cottage let alone a whole forest. She also had no idea what to do with the land, so when her lawyer Mr. Hector offered to buy the land to turn it into a haunted amusement park, she’d almost jumped at the chance to sell it. It was almost too good to be true. Her own lawyer? It seemed too easy. She could do with the money because her small shop Potions ‘n’ Charmz wasn’t doing so well. But she didn’t know if it was the strange dreams she was having or just curiosity, but something told her that she needed to see the land before she made any final decisions. She hadn’t yet mentioned this to her lawyer. And today she was supposed to be meeting him at lunchtime.

  Brenna finished her breakfast and placed her bowl in the sink. When she arrived outside her rustic looking shop, remembering to apply the handbrake (she learned the hard way forgetting to apply your handbrake can result in a nasty insurance bill). Then she fetched her oversized handbag from the backseat and hopped out. She held out her keys and set the alarm with a blip.

  She walked up to the tall gothic windows that’d first attracted her to the shop. She’d painted fairies and green and golden trees on the two arched large windows that flanked the door and there was a large sign planted on top of an awning that read Potionz ‘n’ Charmz. She unlocked the wooden door and entered.

  A strong scent of incense and candle wax lingered in the air. Brenna inhaled. The smell always helped to clear her head. She dumped her handbag onto the glass-topped counter and massaged her forehead with both hands.

  The phone rang. The shrill sound made Brenna jump. She made her way to the back of the counter and lifted the handset. “Potions and Charms, Brenna speaking.”

  “Well, it is about time.”

  Brenna sighed. The nasal voice that greeted her belonged to her lawyer, Mr. Hector.

  “The shop doesn’t open until nine, Mr. Hector.”

  “I don’t know why you didn’t just give me your home number.”

  “If I did, you’d be trying to call me at Goddess knows what time.”

  “You should be up early. Not lazing around.”

  “What do you want?” Brenna rolled her eyes and flicked a stray hair off her arm.

  “You know what I want!”

  “Look, I’ll be there at twelve-thirty.”

  “You better be.” Hector ended the call.

  Brenna looked at the handset and frowned. “Good riddance!” She hissed and slammed the phone into its cradle.

  Brenna flipped on all the lights revealing shelves of spells, oils, books, and herbs. Large glass cabinets displayed crystals, ritual tools, and ornate Celtic jewelry. She walked into the tiny kitchen at the rear of the shop and scoured the mess she’d made last time she was there. A faint damp smell hung in the air. A pile of dishes in dire need of a scrub filled the sink. Not the most accomplished cleaner, she’d thought of hiring a maid many times but couldn’t afford it. She searched under the sink for a pair of rubber gloves and slid them on then. Then, pulling a face, she dislodged a sodden teabag out of the kitchen plughole and began to wash the dishes.

  The tinkle of the bell above the shop door made Brenna freeze. She’d forgotten to lock the door. She ripped the sudsy gloves off and grabbed a broom and held it out as a weapon and made her way into the shop. She let out a sigh, Maggie, was standing in the middle of the shop holding a large brown paper bag.

  “Did somebody forget their medication this morning?” Maggie said. She had her red hair tied in her usual braided pigtails. She had on a long flowing purple dress adorned with multiple beaded necklaces. Her slender face was almost dominated by vivid hazel eyes. Brenna always thought of her as hippy who could rock it on a catwalk.

  Brenna knew her face was turning red and dropped the broom.

  “Just a little on edge. Sorry.” Brenna felt her face grow hotter.

  “Don’t worry about it. You think I was Hector?”

  “Well no, never mind. Just had a bad dream, that’s all.”

  Brenna smoothed her hair and took a deep breath. You have to relax. She couldn’t let herself become so strung out. Maggie dumped the paper bag on the counter and pulled out two paper cups full of steaming coffee and two filled bagels.

  “Looks like you could do with this,” Maggie said as she passed Brenna one of the coffees.

  “You read my mind.” Brenna sipped the coffee while Maggie tore into one of the croissants.

  “I guess you can have one of these.” Maggie slid a bagel Brenna’s way. Brenna smiled and gratefully accepted the food. “So, when’s your appointment?”

  “Twelve thirty.”

  “How much do you want for the land?”

  “Well, I have no idea what it’s worth. I could do with the money though. Any money. The first thing I’d do is pay off all our bills.”

  “That’s nice, Bren. But you don’t have to.”

  “I want to, but I’ve been having second thoughts about selling the land.”

  “Really?” Maggie almost sputtered her mouthful onto the floor.

  Brenna nodded, taking a sip of coffee. “I have this feeling about the place. You know, like I should at least take a look at it.”

  “Want me to come with you?”

  “Well, I was planning on spending a week there. I was going to ask if you could mind the fort.”

  “Sure, no problem.”

  “Thank you. Oh, and would you mind feeding Tiddles for me?”

  “Sure. I’d love to spend some time with him!” Maggie stuffed another large portion of her breakfast in her mouth.

  “I’m sure he’d love that too.” Brenna laughed.

  Brenna finished her coffee then dragged the open sign out onto the footpath. The sun made her squint. She looked around to check for any potential customers but couldn’t see a single soul. Still early yet, but she didn’t have high hopes for the day. She strolled back inside and looked around for something to do. Maggie had already finished cleaning the kitchen, superwoman that she was.

  Dust and bits and pieces dotted the floorboards. Brenna picked the broom up from the floor and began to sweep. The bell above the door jingled and an old woman with a severe-looking face entered the shop. Her blue hair was cut short and was topped off with a round purple hat. The woman stared right at Brenna with a pinched look.

  “Typical for a witch to be holding a broom,” hissed the old lady. Brenna stopped sweeping and studied the woman’s face. There was no evidence of a smile, past or present, as she had no smile lines around her mouth, though she certainly had some deep frown lines around her watery blue eyes. Brenna could think of a million things to say to the lady but decided to ignore her. She continued to sweep.

  “That’s right, you can ignore me now, but if I had my way, I’d see to it that you were burned at the stake!”

  Brenna dropped the broom and walked right up to the woman. Her blood boiled. She pointed a long slender finger at the woman’s chest.

  “It’s people like you that should have been burned at stakes. Not me. People like me don’t go around threatening innocent people with this old rubbish. Witches are not what you make them out to be, which is why we don’t melt when it rains, and we drive cars not brooms. We don’t sacrifice animals and we don’t eat children! However, I am willing to make an exception for ignorant, prejudiced old ladies!”

  Brenna could only imagine the look on her own face, but the woman now had wide frightened eyes. Brenna took a deep breath. She started to open her mouth again, but the woman turned and scurried out of the shop before Brenna could say anything else. A part of her was proud of what she had said, but another part knew she went a bit over the top. Brenna sighed and kept sweeping. It wasn’t the first person to accost her for being a witch, and it wouldn’t be the last.

  “Brenna!” a high-pitched voice called out. Brenna looked up to see Miranda Pendalton jog over.

  “Oh hey,
Miranda.”

  Miranda waved a hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about that old wet sock. She’s got a stick from the bitter tree rammed up you know where.”

  Brenna laughed, relieving some of her tension. “How are you, Miranda?”

  “Well, I’ve been better. I was wondering if you and Maggie were busy?”

  Brenna glanced around the otherwise empty street and the empty store. “I think we can carve out some time.”

  “Great. I need help.”

  “Come on in.”

  Miranda ran a finger along the shelves and counters as she always did. She stopped at a display of incense and picked up a packet of Nag Champa.

  “I think Simon’s having an affair.”

  “What? No,” Brenna said.

  Maggie came in from the back room. “Oh, hey, Miranda. What’s up?”

  “Simon’s cheating on me.”

  “Hold up,” Brenna said. “You just said you think he is. Now he definitely is?”

  “Well, no. But I have my suspicions. Strong ones.”

  “How can we help?” Maggie said.

  “Can you do like a reading or a spell like last time? Just so I know once and for all.”

  “I’ve been working on something that might be helpful,” Brenna said. “I haven’t tested it yet.”

  “Consider me your guinea pig!” Miranda said, jumping up and down.

  “Okay, sure.”

  “This sounds interesting,” Maggie said. “What do we need?”

  “The usual set up. Let’s open a circle, just to be safe.”

  “Gotcha.” Maggie leaned down behind the counter and came back up with a wooden box. She took an athame from the box and set the box down at her feet. She raised the small knife. “Earth, air, fire, and water. We ask that you join us and watch over us. Honor us with your presence, in light and love. So mote it be.”

  Maggie lowered her arms. Warm air filled the circle.

  The three of them sat cross-legged on the floor. Brenna rummaged around in the box and pulled out a black mirror. She handed it to Miranda.

  “I want you to close your eyes and picture Simon’s face. Picture the two of you walking hand in hand, along your favorite spot.”

  Miranda nodded.

  “Do you see him?”

  “Yes.”

  Brenna looked at the mirror. “By the elements, we wish to hear, if Miranda’s Simon, is having an affair.”

  Miranda’s throat moved up and down. She kept her eyes closed. Brenna kept her eye on the mirror. An image started to appear. Maggie leaned forward. It disappeared before Brenna could make it out.

  “Let us see, no matter how wrong, what Simon has been doing, with his uh you know what.”

  Maggie giggled. The mirror remained blank. Brenna scratched her head. She concentrated and tried to summon the answer for Miranda, but nothing happened.

  “I’m sorry, Miranda. I’m not getting anything.”

  “I knew it! He is cheating on me!”

  “Hold on, I just said I couldn’t see anything.”

  “You just don’t want to upset me. Who is it? Who’s the slut?”

  “Honestly, I didn’t see anything. I’ve been in a bit of a magic slump lately.”

  “You’re a terrible liar, Brenna. Just tell me who it is!”

  Maggie placed a comforting hand on Miranda’s arm. “She isn’t lying, Miranda. Since her gran died, she’s been hopeless at this sort of thing. No offense, Bren.”

  “None taken. She’s right. I’ve lost my spark.”

  “Bren has lost her groove,” Maggie added.

  Miranda stood up, wiping tears. She turned toward the door. She walked into an invisible wall, like a mime. She raised her hands. “Let me out of here!”

  Maggie jumped up and raised her athame. “I hereby close the circle. Thank you for your protection. Go with love. Blessed be.”

  Miranda huffed and marched toward the door.

  Brenna called out to her but Miranda kept going, slamming the door behind her. Brenna sighed. “What’s wrong with me?”

  “Where do I start?”

  Brenna poked her tongue out at Maggie. “I’ve never had trouble with a simple scrying spell before.”

  “Hun, it’s just going to take time. Have you gone through her things yet?”

  “No. I’m too chicken.”

  “You’re not chicken. Want me to come over with some wine later? We could go through ti together. It might get your magic juices flowing again.”

  “I don’t think I’m ready.”

  “Okay, hun. Just let me know.” Maggie squeezed Brenna’s hand.

  “Thank you. I’m going to try and call Miranda.”

  “Maybe you should let that simmer for a while.”

  “She’s going to go straight to poor Simon.”

  Maggie waved a hand in a dismissive gesture. “He’s used to it by now. Don’t worry.”

  “I’m gonna go do something unmagical. Like, update our website or something.”

  “Don’t be too hard on yourself, okay?”

  “I’ll be out back if you need me.”

  After an uneventful afternoon, Brenna pulled into the parking lot in the shadow of a dark, leering building. She slammed the car door shut and looked at her watch. Damn. Hector was going to throttle her. She hurried up the many steps to the front door of the building and saw Mr. Hector. His usual ruddy face was bright red. Streaky white hair (usually slicked back) flew about his head in hectic clumps. She avoided Hector’s wild eyes that protruded from their sockets.

  He marched up to Brenna, clicking a ballpoint pen in his hand over and over. It made an irritating noise that grated on Brenna’s already shaky nerves. Hector opened his mouth and unclenched his teeth.

  “Where have you been?” Brenna opened her mouth to reply but Hector spoke before she could. “Do you know who is waiting upstairs?” Hector yelled, making Brenna take a step backward. His nasal voice was more grating than usual.

  She shook her head.

  “Mr. Gambit. And do you know who Mr. Gambit is?” Hector stared at Brenna, waiting for a reply. She shook her head again. “Well, Mr. Gambit is a very rich and powerful man who had agreed to finance my idea of putting an amusement park on your land. He’s a very busy man! You don’t have any idea of what I had to do to keep him here!”

  Hector’s eyes were still bulging. Brenna put her hands up in defense.

  “I didn’t know anybody else was going to be here. I’m sorry, I really am. I tried to be here on time.”

  Brenna climbed the remaining steps to the front door, following closely behind Hector. He burst through the heavy glass doors letting them shut on her.

  “Thanks a lot,” she muttered, pushing the heavy doors open and entering the building. Once inside, she spotted Hector punching the elevator button with a knobby finger.

  She looked around the massive building, finding it hard not to be intimidated by its long glass windows and grey sterility. She couldn’t help but notice a nosy secretary staring at her over her black-rimmed glasses, so she smiled at the secretary, causing her to quickly look down at her computer screen as if she hadn’t noticed Brenna. Men in business suits chatted around a water cooler. Bouts of laughter drifted from their group. Brenna passed by them and heard a wolf whistle. Brenna blushed and stood closer to Hector. This is wrong. This is all wrong.

  Finally, the elevator arrived with a satisfying ding. Brenna and Hector entered the brightly lit box and Brenna stifled laughter as Hector repeatedly pressed the button to floor number ten as if it would get them there quicker. He turned and peered at her, his cold eyes making Brenna shiver and look away. When the elevator arrived on floor number ten, Brenna almost lunged out and into the hallway with Hector close behind her.

  Hector grunted at Brenna before guiding her to a large conference room. A board table took up most of the space, surrounded by high-backed chairs. Floor to ceiling windows made up the walls. Hector planted a fake smile on his face directed at Mr. G
ambit. Brenna had never seen Mr. Gambit before but knew if Maggie was here, she would describe him as a pig wearing glasses. He was bald with pink skin and a podgy little nose. Brenna burst out laughing. Hector looked at her with his mouth gaping and yanked out a chair for her to sit in. Brenna sat, trying to stifle her laughter. Empty glasses and a water jug sat in the middle of the shiny conference table, along with a large plate of doughnuts. An iced pink doughnut with sprinkles sang out to Brenna’s growling stomach, reminding her she had skipped lunch. Before she could take the doughnut, Mr. Gambit cleared his throat and slammed his briefcase onto the table with a loud thump. Brenna brought her hand back to her lap as if she had touched a hot element, and peered at Mr. Gambit.

  “Miss Ravenwood,” Mr. Gambit spoke while pulling a huge pile of papers out of the briefcase.

  “Mr. Gambit, I apologize for being so late.” Gambit didn’t acknowledge her apology. He placed the stack of papers in front of him on the table and gestured with his plump round hand for Brenna to stand and pick them up. She reluctantly pushed her chair back, making a grinding sound on the wooden floor and picked up the papers and studied them. She couldn’t believe her eyes. The paper on top of the huge pile displayed what they were willing to pay for Brenna’s land; five hundred thousand big ones. Brenna’s mouth hung open. Why were they willing to pay so much?

  “You’ll see that we have offered you a very generous sum, Miss Ravenwood,” Mr. Gambit said.

  “Yes, v-very generous.” Brenna tried to quell the butterflies rising in her stomach.

  “Now if you’ll just look at the next page and sign on the dotted line everything will be final,” Gambit ordered.

  “Actually, I decided this morning that I was going to visit Oakwood before I make any final decisions.” Brenna’s voice was quiet and shaky. Hector stood and slammed both fists down on the table.