The Witch Stone - Emily Oakes Page 0,10
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