Page 31 of Dark Moon Secrets

“Everything. I want to know it all. Don’t give me part of a story,” I spoke sternly. “And who are these ‘others?’”

Had Luna been contacting the dead while I had a coffee? I’d been so desperate to get the answers I wanted that I hadn’t considered I might not trust what I might be told. Could any of this get any crazier?

Luna bustled past me to the shop door, turned the sign to ‘Closed,’ and locked the door.

If I were going to be running this store, then the opening hours would be the first change I’d make. There needed to be consistent hours to have a more stable flow of customers and income.

“Let’s sit over here on the couch by the books. I’ll just put these candles away… they’re one of our best sellers.” She picked up the candles, stacking them carefully.

“I’ll leave one of the mind candles out for you. Maria says you need to have it up in your room,” Luna called out as she went to the other side of the shop to return the candles to the shelves.

I rolled my eyes and plonked down on the couch. Of course, Maria said that, as if I needed another sign that what I was hearing wasn’t part of me losing my mind.

I slipped off my shoes and put one leg under the other while waiting for Luna to return. The music in the shop consisted of singing bowls, chimes, and chanting, and added to the relaxing atmosphere. It created an ambiance I could see would be good for business. I decided to keep this soundtrack, especially since I’d noticed how much more relaxed I was feeling, even though my insides were a knotted mess in anticipation of what I was about to hear.

Where were these thoughts of what I would and wouldn’t change here coming from? Was I slowly giving in to the fact that this shop would be my life for the next year?

I had to stay strong. I had fought so hard to have my own choices in life, to go against what my parents wanted for me. I couldn’t give in now.

“Trust me, this tea blend will help you adjust to change.” Luna returned, holding two cups of steaming tea.

“You won’t give up, will you?”

“Not until you at least take a sip. Really, it’s good. All the tea here is. It’s locally made.”

“By whom?” Locally made would be good for business. The change in my attitude had taken on a direction of its own.

“Me.” Luna smiled and handed me a cup with the word ‘positivity’ painted on it along with flowers. I bet she had great pleasure selecting this cup for me.

“You did?” I took the cup. Even though it was a mild day, the warmth of the tea on my hands was soothing.

“Yes, it’s what I do Mondays and Wednesdays.” Luna sat next to me carefully so as not to spill the tea, then shimmied around to face me.

“What do you do on Fridays?” I remembered her saying earlier Tarot readings were Tuesdays and Thursdays. I savored the steam from the tea rising into my face, and I had to admit it smelled good.

“Washing.” She grinned.

Even I had to smile at her sense of humor.

“I also fill orders, and depending on how the week is going, I might see clients here in the shop.”

“Since you made the tea blend, I’ll try it.” I braced myself and took a sip. The flavor was gentle and clean with a slight hint of sweetness and a lasting hint of lemon.

“Well?” asked Luna.

“I still prefer coffee.” I peered at her over the top of my cup. “But it is better than I thought it would be.”

To prove my point, I took another sip. Maybe it was a combination of the music or the softness of the couch, but I was feeling more relaxed and ready to tackle whatever might come my way.

“I guess that’s a start,” Luna admitted.

“What flavor is it?” I found myself sipping more of the tea. It was actually making me feel better.

“White tea with a hint of lemon myrtle. I like working with Australian native plants when I can.”

“It’s different than what I’m used to.”

“The tea is ethically sourced, and there are not the usual chemicals for sweeteners in it like most store-bought tea blends.”

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