A Hidden Witch - By Debora Geary Page 0,83
all over her face. “Is this what I think it is?”
“Aye, lass. It’s my great-grandmother’s crystal ball. She sent it with me to travel across the sea. It’s waited more than a century for new hands, but it began to glow when you arrived. It’s meant to be yours now.”
Lauren stared at the box in her lap like it contained eye of newt or something. “Sophie got here at the same time I did. Maybe it’s really for her.” She looked at Moira in consternation. “I’m so sorry—that came out wrong. It’s one of your family treasures. It should stay in your family.”
Marcus snorted. “Do they teach you new witches nothing?”
“Hush, nephew. What she doesn’t yet know is our lacking, not hers.” Moira leaned forward and took Lauren’s hand. “In every way that matters, child, you are family. I would be delighted for you to have one of my treasures, and this one chose you.”
Elorie watched love and utter discomfort tangle on Lauren’s face. “But don’t crystal balls show the future? That’s not one of my talents.”
“It’s a tool, my dear. Nothing more. It will only speak to a witch of uncommon empathy and good judgment.” Moira raised an eyebrow at Marcus. “None before you have passed that test.”
Aervyn grabbed Lauren’s arm. “Take it out and ask it a question. That’s how it works. Don’t worry. It’s only a little hocus-pocus.”
Lauren’s face turned crimson as laughter swept through her audience. “I guess I figured crystal balls were a myth, just like cauldrons and pointy hats.”
Fortunately she didn’t look up and see all the glances exchanged at her comment. Elorie could count at least a dozen faces in attendance who’d polished Gran’s cauldron as a result of some misdeed or another.
Lauren reached gingerly into the box and lifted out the clear glass ball. And then nearly dropped it as it started to glow.
Moira beamed with pleasure. “For a century now, it’s been waiting for the right hands. Great Gran said it was a beautiful thing to see lit, and indeed it is.”
Lauren looked completely gobsmacked. Nell snickered and leaned toward Sophie. “Modern witch, meet really old-fashioned magic.”
As she watched the crystal ball with wonder and a smidgeon of jealousy, Elorie tried to put herself in Lauren’s shoes. Oh, to hold such a piece of history in her hands and see it light up. “Is she really so uncomfortable with the old ways?”
Sophie smiled. “I suspect she feels like a very traditional witch I know, the first time she got handed an iPhone.”
It took Elorie a moment to make the connection. “Did I really look as terrified as she does?”
“Oh, yeah.” Nell nodded. “Like someone had handed you a small bomb.”
Elorie tucked that little revelation away to think about later.
Aervyn was doing his bouncing thing again. “Ask it a question, Lauren!”
Lauren looked at Moira. “What do I ask?”
“That’s why the crystal ball chooses those with empathy and good judgment, my dear. You have the wisdom to know the right questions to ask.”
Lauren closed her eyes for a moment, and then stared at the ball very seriously. Dozens of eyes watched intently, but nothing happened. Elorie heard several sighs of disappointment, but Gran just watched with a gentle smile.
Then Lauren’s eyes filled with tears, and she spoke very softly to Moira. Moments later, she closed her eyes, and Elorie felt the nudge of mind connection.
Tears ran unheeded as they all shared what Lauren had seen in the crystal ball. Gran, sitting in her garden rocker, with a babe in her arms and two more asleep in the basket at her feet.
Elorie felt the lifting of a weight she hadn’t known she carried. Gran will rock our babies. Bless you, Lauren.
Sophie let out a trembling breath. “I guess we’re coming to visit next year.”
Lauren gently laid the crystal ball back in the box. This time she touched it with reverence.
Then she grinned at Elorie. “Your turn.”
Elorie looked down at the small box in her hands.
Taking a deep breath, she opened the lid. The birthing stone. Oh, Gran. Clutching the stone, she crossed to Gran’s waiting arms and buried her head in the shoulder that had always brought comfort.
“It’s your turn now, sweetling. May it help your little ones into the world as it has generations of babes since time unremembered.”
Elorie gripped the moonstone tightly. “Sophie will need it first.”
Gran stroked her head. “I don’t think so, child. Twins come a little earlier than most.”
Two babies. Jeebers. As reality suddenly hit, Elorie melted to the