Arrest, Search and Séance : Book 1 of the Fringe Society, R.D. Hunter [good english books to read txt] 📗

As I watched, he set the bowl of water in a little stand over the candle, and sprinkled in little bits and pieces from each bag. I recognized some of the more common ones like cinnamon and ginger, but then he crushed and threw in a handful of calendula flowers and astragalus root and I stopped paying attention. He knew what he was doing.

“Gramps, how is it you have exactly the components needed to work a revitalization ritual with you?” I asked while he worked.

“No idea. I just threw some things in the bag before I left. It helps not to think too closely about these things, Dear.”

“Fair enough.”

Anyone else might have thought he planned this from the beginning, but I knew my grandpa would never deceive me intentionally. Besides, I’d seen things work out for this man way too many times to believe they were mere coincidences. It was entirely possible that he truly did have the universe on speed dial and it worked itself around his wants and needs. I wasn’t going to complain.

“Drink this,” he said, handing me the bowl of steaming, brown liquid.

“What’s it do?”

“Moon water tea, my own blend. This concoction is designed specifically to open the energy pathways. Now, down the hatch and no complaining.”

I took a deep breath and held it while I downed the tea. It actually wasn’t that bad. The cinnamon and ginger flavors came to the front, but there was a bitter aftertaste that made me cringe and make a face.

“Sorry,” Gramps said. “Honey and sugar serve to nullify the effects. I think I have some homemade candy with me, if you don’t mind hearing the thoughts of the first animal you make eye contact with.”

“No thank you,” I said quickly. “I’m good. Let’s just finish this up before somebody comes in.” He nodded and placed one of the quartz crystals in each hand. Even though they hadn’t been tapped yet, I could feel the energy waiting inside like a gentle hum against my palms.

Gramps placed my hands in his, then closed his eyes as he brought his own, far more considerable power to the surface. When he did, the hum of the crystals turned into a vibration so strong they caused my skin to itch and my teeth to shake in their sockets.

“Repeat after me,” my grandpa said, his voice distant and focused.

“Positive to negative

Hot to cold

Let the spirit within

Be restored of old.”

No sooner had the last syllable left my lips than a flush of warmth flooded up my arms and filled my whole bottle. I gasped out loud and instinctively tried to pull away, but my grandpa held me firm.

“Relax,” he said. “Let it happen. Will yourself to be as an empty vessel.” I did as he instructed and the warmth and tingles seeped into my skin to fill my whole being. It wasn’t exactly painful, but feeling every cell in your body vibrate under a wash of alien energy was disconcerting to say the least. But, as I relaxed and let the process take hold, I began to feel something else…power.

Now, I’m not saying I could go out and bench press a car. I didn’t feel stronger, just more capable. The thick sludge that had hindered my movements since I left Nichole Barret’s place was gone, replaced with an iron-clad sense of confidence and a clarity I hadn’t known in some time. I could get used to this.

Gramps sat back, a satisfied expression on his face.

“You look better,” he said.

“I feel better. Thanks, Gramps.” I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek which made him smile.

“You know, if you kept up with your spell casting, you wouldn’t be as weak as a new-born foal after only two little workings.” He had me there. But I didn’t like to use my magic on the job. It felt too much like cheating. Not that I wouldn’t do it, if it meant the difference between me or another innocent going home at night. But I liked to find alternatives when I could.

I helped my grandpa put his instruments neatly back in his bag. As I did so, a piece of pink rose quartz spilled out of a small side pocket and clattered to the table in front of me.

“That’s yours,” Gramps said immediately.

“Huh? What for?” He shrugged.

“No idea. But it’s meant for you. Take it.” I sighed and did as he asked. It would do no good to argue and no harm to agree. If Gramps thought the universe was trying to give me a charged piece of rose quartz, he wouldn’t rest until he saw that I had it. Better to just stick it in my pocket and forget about it.

“It’s a shame about poor Nikki, though,” he said sympathetically, as he continued to pack. “She was a good soul.” I stopped and stared at him.

“Wait. You knew Nichole Barret?” He looked up at me like I’d just announced the sky was blue.

“Of course. Not very well, mind you. But she visited me once or twice for advice or to purchase some rare herbs. Nice girl.” I sighed. Of course, he knew her. Gramps knew the first name of everyone with enough magic to make a pot of water boil. Why am I even surprised anymore?

“What else do you know about her? Did she mention any friends or family? Maybe a jealous boyfriend or something?” I asked hopefully. His weathered brow furrowed as he tried to remember, but remembering wasn’t his strong suit.

“No, I don’t think so,” he said slowly. “She mentioned the Lit Candle a few times, though. Perhaps you could check in with your young, gentleman caller that works there.” I glared at him suspiciously.

The Lit Candle he was talking about was the