Golden Healer

Puzzle Piece 5

PUZZLE PIECE 5

THE WITCHES’ SHOP

Come inside and see,

What appeals to you, my dears?

We’ve angels, crystals,

Multitude of witches’ treats,

Beckoning as you walk through!

After Ryder’s visit, I searched once again to try to find the missing Bloodstone. I grabbed my sheets, flung them back, and overturned drawers. Nothing. There was no sign of the Bloodstone anywhere. I groaned in distress but smothered the sound with my hands. I didn’t want Mum or Dad to hear me. Exhausted, I collapsed on my messy bed. My limbs moved restlessly, entangling in the bundle of sheets. My body felt tense, rigid, and desperate.

I opened my secret stash of magic hidden in my camphor-wood chest to give me reassurance. Inside were many precious, and much-loved, items including three of my most-prized magical possessions: my art set – a gift from my aunt Karissa – my crystals and drumsticks.

Recently I had turned 16 and had some birthday money, which I hadn’t spent yet, so a shopping trip with my friends Jade, Ilaria and Joselyn seemed like a great idea and a way to find some witchy magic to take my mind off the missing Bloodstone. I brushed aside the thought that Ryder was perhaps influencing me to a degree.

We met in the centre of Cambridge and rushed off to the popular shopping centres, The Grand Arcade and the Grafton Centre. I couldn’t find anything to buy until we stumbled upon a quaint little alcove. It wasn’t far from one of my favourite places: Miller’s music shop in King Street, Cambridge, but we didn’t go there today. Instead, we found an amazing shop located down this alleyway I’d never explored before. Looking at the shop window display, I felt unease creep up on me, remembering the conversation between Ryder and me. In the window, there were many witchcraft-related items – crystals, wands, tarot cards, and rune stones.

“Oh, look, a witches’ shop. Where has this den of witchy delight been hiding?” Jade’s eyes grew wide with curious fascination. “Let’s go inside!” Jade reattached a clasp to her long, jet-black hair. “Maybe they have spell books or potions to entice guys to fall in love with you!”

“Perfect! But even better, look at the tarot cards,” said Ilaria. She peered at herself reflected in the window next to all the witch paraphernalia. Her short, brown hair was cropped short and spiky, her eyes lined dark with mysterious eyeliner. If her style could speak, it would say: “Mischief!”

“Oh, I’m not sure. Couldn’t we browse in the cute jewellery shop next door?” asked Joselyn. Her heart-shaped face and shoulder-length brown hair made her stand out from the rest of the group. Seeing our disappointed reactions, she shrugged. “OK. I give in! It’s different, I suppose.”

“Look Joselyn! There are dragons, and fairies,” said Jade, pointing. “I’m going to get a magic wand. What about you, Amelina?”

“I don’t know,” I replied, remembering my conversation with Ryder. A witches’ shop that I had never seen before. But my friends were already walking through the door.

“Come on, Amelina, it’ll be fun,” said Ilaria, turning to beckon me on, her wide grin an attempt to convince me. “Get your magic on!”

I followed them muttering: “I hope they have angels.”

And they did. I swear the tiny shop had everything you could dream of. There were cabinets full of crystals, some of which I’d never come across before. Displays of colourful dragons, druid figures, witches, fairies, jewellery boards, tarot and oracle desks, books about runes, wicca, and ritual magic.

I asked the shopkeeper, a tall willowy lady with pale white skin and hair the colour of her freckles if there were any objects for protection from evil spirits and she suggested a tiny angel made of clear glass with a frosted pattern on her wings. I could see a multitude of colours shining through her, like a rainbow of light.

We left clutching our parcels and then went to the shop next door, which sold trinkets and crystal jewellery. Joselyn bought a pretty necklace, and I wanted a ring. I tried various on and then observed them in the mirror. The sight of my unruly blonde hair distracted me for a moment; it was always getting in an almighty tangle. I ran my fingers through it and pressed my hands down over my yellow-and-orange lollipop-coloured skirt, which looked crumpled and ruffled. The moonstone sat on my finger like it belonged.

After the jewellery purchases, Jade said that she’d texted Ryder’s best friends, Kyle and Emily, who’d meet us back at the witches’ shop.

“Hey,” said Kyle, his green eyes dancing with curiosity as he stopped walking. “We couldn’t find this place. We were thinking that it didn’t exist until we spotted you waiting outside.”

“Hi,” said Jade. “It’s an unfathomable mystery.”

“It’s so odd, I’ve walked past this area loads of times and never seen it before,” I added.

“Me neither!” said Emily. “It’s curious and curiouser! She was watching Kyle, who looked more and more uncomfortable. She grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the door.

“Hey, hold on, stop tugging me, Emily! I’m coming.”

As they walked inside, Emily released Kyle’s arm so she could browse.

Kyle stopped where he was. He scratched his head in puzzlement. “How come the shop looked so tiny from the outside but is so massive inside? Is this your doing, Amelina? Are you flexing your magic muscles?”

“It seems bigger than when we came in earlier. How odd,” I replied, ignoring his remark as I walked further into the shop.

“Look,” said Emily, pointing. “At the back, there’s a coffee area with stools to sit on.”

“I didn’t notice that, either! How could I miss that?” I said, shaking my head and laughing. “And those tiny, steaming cauldrons serving coffee.”

“Cauldrons! Whoa, how could we have missed that?” said Joselyn, narrowing her eyes in puzzlement.

“Never mind that, check out the specials board: Witches’ brownies,” said Ilaria. “And the cute ornament on the table, a dragon reading a book!”

Emily popped her tiny black handbag on a nearby table. I glanced at her, noting that she didn’t have a hair out of place. Emily ticked the immaculate box, which seemed out of place in a witchcraft shop. “Bet this is Ryder’s favourite haunt. Doesn’t he always recommend the best places to go, and we end up doing what he suggests,” she said, as she selected the nearest stool to sit on.

“Ryder’s not here to answer that,” I replied. “He doesn’t need to be. Even without him, his presence is somehow felt.”

“He has a persuasive personality. No doubt, he’s off chasing demons,” replied Kyle, smiling. “You know, Ryder… He turns up when he wants, gets us to do what he wants. So, what’s his appeal? Amelina, is this your secret coven, or magical society?”

“Coven!” I laughed. “Who knows?”

“A coven! Imagine what mischief we could make! said Jade. “With Miss Magic herself as our leader.”

“Perhaps we’re modern-day witches and don’t even know it. I’m drawn to all this witchy paraphernalia. What about you, Kyle? Is it your secret wish to embrace your wizard side?” said Ilaria, laughing, as she perched on a chair.

Kyle cleared his throat. “Emily dragged me in, sorry to disappoint. I didn’t check out the wizard section.”

“Oh, poor Kyle,” said Joselyn. “A court of law would say you’ve been brought here under duress and are now under the coven’s thumb!”

“Outnumbered by witches in need of a brew,” said Emily with a giggle.

“Seems like I better join in and have a brew too!” said Kyle.

“Kyle, before you do, I better mention that you’re invited to watch us perform magical feats in the school play!” said Ilaria with a laugh. “Ryder is invited, too.”

“Ilaria! Did you have to bring that up? It’s so embarrassing. I always get the rubbish parts.” I silently fumed that Ilaria had mentioned inviting Ryder, too.

“With Amelina performing, there is bound to be some unexpected excitement. Magic has a habit of following her around,” said Jade.

“Oh, yeah, I don’t doubt it,” interrupted Kyle, winking at me. “She has the magic aura vibe. Are you all taking part?”

“Not me,” said Joselyn. “I’ll watch, but I’m not performing.”

Kyle nodded. “When is this magical play?”

“Hey, forget the play for now. There are other things… Joselyn and I can’t make the next band practice…” said Ilaria, with a sigh.

“What? So, it’s just me and Jade then?”

“’Fraid so, sorry.”

Jade pulled a face. “You guys are always too busy. If we don’t practise…”

“Sorry, Jade, Amelina,” interrupted Ilaria. We’ll come next time.” Joselyn nodded. “I’m getting hungry and thirsty. We should press that…” said Ilaria as she pointed at a quaint sign which suggested we ring the bell when we’re ready to order, so we did.

The shop owner appeared almost immediately. I could have sworn that only seconds ago she’d been standing by the till, serving customers.

Now she was right beside us with pencil and order pad at the ready.

“Does your wizard wish to try the special today? And for your witchy companions, could I suggest double-strength, extra-frothy cappuccinos with brownies?”

“Yes, to all! Kyle, try the special brew, a chai latte with a spell attached!” said Emily, nudging Kyle on the shoulder.

“No way. You’ve got to be kidding!”

“Go for it, Kyle, it’ll be fun!” I said, leaning forward giving him a nudge.

Kyle squirmed in his seat but buckled under pressure. The shopkeeper withdrew with our order.

In no time at all, she came back with the cappuccinos and brownies. Eyeing Kyle curiously, she began shuffling the cards. She picked one out of the pack and handed it to him. It said: You will find love, but only when your love is free.

“Trust me to get that!” said Kyle. “I always pick girls well out of my reach. My love match is probably in outer Mongolia, or perhaps a wicked sorcerer’s spell has imprisoned her in a mirror, so far out of my reach that I have no hope of being with her.”

“Aww,” said Joselyn, as she plucked a pen-shaped clasp from her hair. “These love predictions are kind of interesting and perceptive.”

“Who will Kyle fall for?” mused Emily. “Sorry, Kyle, but I know it won’t be me! We are friends – and friends and love don’t mix.”

“Ditto,” replied Kyle, in a much quieter voice than normal. He folded his arms as if protecting himself. “Joselyn, how’s about a second brew? Want to try a love spell?”

“Ah… I’ll give it a miss!” replied Joselyn, her cheeks colouring. “Sorry Kyle, you’re lovely and all, but you’re not my type! Perhaps Amelina?”

I didn’t know how to respond, remembering our earlier encounter. After my so-called date with Ryder, he had gone off to help Emily with college work and Kyle had tried to kiss me. This was awkward. I tried not to cringe.

Kyle didn’t look at me, perhaps sensing my awkwardness. He turned to Joselyn, his kind, green eyes trying their best to smoulder. “So, who is your type?”

Joselyn cleared her throat and shuffled in her seat. “I’d rather not say.”

“A… wizard, perhaps,” laughed Ilaria.

“He’d have to be mighty smart with a touch of rogue to keep Joselyn interested!” replied Jade.

“Doesn’t sound like Ryder,” I replied. “He’s 100 per cent rogue.”

“Hundred per cent rogue is my type,” replied Jade with a wicked grin.

“And me,” said Emily. “Always. I never learn!”

“I’d say about 75 per cent, so I can reform them,” replied Joselyn. “I’m the type of girl who would write to a prison inmate to try to convince them to turn away from a life of crime. Then we’d fall in love.”

“You girls! You’re always giving nice guys a bad name!” said Kyle. He ran his hands through his fair hair, giving away his emotions.