Page 60 of Tempest

A woman in a pale lavender flowing skirt and bright red curls swishes out from behind the counter, her beaded curtain clacking as she strides forward.

Luckily, Clover speaks for us. “Yes, hi! We’re here to grab some crystals, mostly, but also to explore.”

“Take your time.” The woman sweeps out her hand with a kind smile. “I love getting new customers. You’re from the university, I presume?”

We both nod. My movement catches her attention, and she stares at me for longer than is polite. I offer a stiff, uncomfortable smile to let her know I’ve noticed. She blinks, her pleasant smile back in place. “I’m Mariana. Do let me know if you have questions.”

“Thank you,” Clover says. She jerks her chin over to the crystal basins hanging against the far wall. I find my feet again and follow.

Rows and columns of sparkling, frosted, and matte crystals fill my vision. I read the handwritten placards as Clover runs her hand along them, purring with happiness as she touches the pastel rainbow.

Lapis Lazuli, Black Obsidian, Carnelian, Turquoise, Fuchsite, Blue Topaz…

“How do you know which ones do what?” I ask her.

“Practice and patience.” Clover smiles at me. “Here.” She plucks out a purple and yellow crystal. “Amethyst and yellow jasper. Healing and happiness.”

I accept the crystals, and they clink gently together in my palm. “How do I use them?”

“Put them in your purse, by your bedside, under your pillow. Anywhere you want to amplify those senses.”

“So like, I can get a twenty-four seven feeling of happiness?” I joke.

“It can’t hurt.”

Clover collects a few crystals for herself, and we head to the counter together.

Marian doesn’t shift as we approach, her hands folded in front of her and her stare direct—like she was watching us the entire time.

“Found what you were looking for, I hope?” she asks.

I shake myself out of it. There’s nothing suspicious about her. It’s my mind again, turning into a trickster, making me question my senses.

“We did!” Clover says. “My friend and I have classes to get to, but I’d love to come back and take a look at your wicca and pagan collection, if you have one.”

Mariana pauses in opening a paper bag to deposit our crystals. “Indeed I do, behind me.” She gestures to the beaded curtain she initially entered from. “Not many people show interest in that section, especially around here, so I keep it hidden while the more tourist friendly products are out in the open.”

Clover nods in understanding.

“You’re welcome to explore any time you’d like.” Mariana finishes bagging our items. “That’ll be fifty-two seventy—”

“Your shop is named after Sarah Anderton,” I say.

Mariana glances over at me, unhurried. “Yes. I don’t enjoy exploiting her history, mind you, but one must pay rent, and the seasonal visitors love the macabre, I’m afraid. Are you familiar with her?”

Mariana holds my stare, her expression benign, but I tense, my teeth clenched together.

“My brother lives in her old cottage,” Clover interjects, hopefully to lighten the mood.

“Ah, yes!”

I let out a breath when Mariana’s attention returns to Clover. “That area is absolutely rich in energy. Does he feel it?”

Clover shrugs noncommittally. I doubt Tempest feels much.

“You know, I wasn’t going to say anything, but…” Mariana worries her lower lip, then glances back at me. “Now that you mention someone close to you lives in the Anderton home … you possess the same energy as that cottage. Are you aware of that?”

Clover turns to stare at me, too. I shift uncomfortably. “Um. What kind of energy is that?”

---