Page 40 of Spelled By Truth and Tresses

Jax chuckled seductively, then scooped me back into his arms. “You’re so fucking adorable it hurts, but I also kind of want to strangle you.”

I burst out laughing, then kissed his stubbled cheek. “Do it, I’m into that.”

CHAPTER 17

“Happy Halloween.”

I rolled my eyes. “Happy Halloween, L.”

She grinned, broadly. “Halloween is the best time to go to Amethyst and stock up on magical goodies.”

Her words comforted me as we stood in front of the shop and people watched while we finished out coffees. Freshly carved pumpkins greeted each house along the block. Cobwebs hung outside stained glass windows, and fake spiders littered the paths. Kids had already started their rounds, dressed in their little outfits, and held bags to fill with candy.

“Let’s go in before we’re mobbed by sugar-filled children.” I joked.

The store was buzzing with activity. It was a small building juxtaposed to Darkly Brewed Delights. Halloween, I could imagine, would be one of their biggest days for sales, other than the solstices. I groaned, then nudged Lalita with my black hoodie covered elbow. “Why did we wait until Samhain to stock up?

We walked inside, and a wave of warmth soothed my chilled skin as Lalita hurried over to the candles. “Oh,” she said, grabbing a relaxation candle, “we should light this around, Eleanore.”

I laughed, but I wasn’t sure if she was joking or not.

We looked through each shelf. It was like a box store for the supernatural. Each item was marked with a price in an inconspicuous location.

I hovered around the divination area. Pendulums hung from a jewelry rack, and sported chains of varying metals. Crystals of the highest quality hung from the chains in an array of options. Behind them on the wall were a variety of pendulum boards. I lifted one of the crystals in my palm and my jaw dropped as its energy vibrated into me. I couldn’t allow myself to get sucked into some small section of the shop, so I gently released the crystal to swing with the others.

Spirit boards were showcased inside the glass casing and next to them was stones—runes. A large crystal ball sat front and center. I peered into it, expecting something to happen, but nothing did.

“Can I help you?” A woman with flowing purple hair and big, almond-shaped eyes asked me.

“No, thank you,” I answered. “We’re just looking around and hoping to restock some of our essentials.”

She smiled. “Ah. Yes.” She hurried away and came back with a basket. “You both attend Ghost Rose Academy, right?”

I nodded.

“You’ll need a starter kit.” She told me and looked at Lalita. “What are you running low on?”

Lalita tapped a finger against her lower lip, then rattled off a list of herbs, crystals, and much more.

Purification candles. A divination table. A clear quartz pendulum. Lalita got a rose quartz one. Black salt. Sticks of sage. A variety of spell candles. Black Tourmaline. Citrine. Amethyst. Agate. Lavender oil. Anointing oil. Frankincense. Tarot card deck. Totem charms. Incense sticks. Runes. Mojo bags. Bell & mirror. Potion and spell bottles. A collection of different herbs. Pentacle. Candle holders. Smudge stick. Cauldron. Offering bowl. Orisha beads. A charmed amulet. Figure candle. Hex pillar candle. Small wooden drawers to put the herbs in.

I tuned her out and continued to explore. I looked around, but there was so much to take in at once. My eyes darted from tarot decks, oils, herbs, candles, stones, and ritual tools that I didn’t know where to begin. I decided to check out the tarot decks. Row after row of beautiful, yet spooky tarot decks looked up at me from a low oak table. I ran my fingers over them until I felt one that spoke to me.

After two hours and hundreds of dollars later, we left with eight bags between us. We hefted the bags over our shoulders, then trudged back to her dorm.

“What a day.” Lalita gasped as we pushed into her bedroom. “I wish magical supplies weren’t so expensive.”

I shrugged. “It is, but if you want the highest quality items and herbs, you have to pay for them.

Lalita gazed out her window, the sun setting the pines aflame as it made its trek beyond the horizon. Her long blue nails tapped on the trim as she watched the sunset.

“Hey, L?”

“Yeah?” she responded, but didn’t look away from the glowing pines.

“Will you paint my nails before we play with our new goodies?”

She laughed, then turned her back on the window. “Of course. What color do you want? “Oh wait, never mind,” Lalita said as she rummaged through her desk, glass bottles clinking softly as she rooted for the perfect shade. “Sparkly black,” she declared proudly, and held up the bottle.

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