Page 39 of Into the Dark, We Go
Clearly pleased with the effect she had, she took the stone from my hand and returned it to the box, alongside its counterparts. Then, she retrieved a light-pink stone, almost transparent, and held it up. "Rose quartz, for attractin’ love." With a soft clink, she placed it back and picked up another stone, a brownish-red one. "And this is carnelian, for enhancin’ sexual energy. I think this one would be perfect for you."
I almost choked when she placed the carnelian in my palm. Transfixed by her soft, flowing motions, I held the stone for a moment before returning it to the box, embarrassed by the feeling it left behind.
She turned to face my friends, and I was left with a tingling sensation running down my spine, an odd buzz in my teeth and gums. My companions were staring at her, likely as captivated by her demeanor as I was.
"Welcome to Arcana Blackwood. Let me know if I can assist you with anythin’."
Mitchell immediately approached her with his characteristic military stride, which felt out of place in the tiny store. Hebrushed the table displaying various magical trinkets, causing a chorus of dull clinks and thuds. None of them fell, but Mitchell’s face flushed as he grasped the edge of the table, almost as if apologizing for the mishap.
"We’d like to ask you a few questions, if you don’t mind," he said, his tone businesslike.
"Somethin’ like an interview?" she asked coyly, scanning the rest of the group.
Noticing Nick, she narrowed her eyes slightly, then her full lips curved into a satisfied smile.
"Not at all, ma’am," Mitchell replied, trying to regain her attention. But her focus remained on Nick.
"My name is Mathilda Blackwood," she said, looking Nick up and down before extending her hand for a handshake. "But friends can call me Tilly."
"Nice to meet you, Miss Blackwood," Mitchell said, glancing back at Nick in confusion as if trying to figure out what had captivated the shop owner’s attention.
Nick gingerly shook her hand and replied, "Miss Blackwood..."
"Please, Tilly," she insisted softly.
"Tilly, my friends are looking for some people who are missing," Nick said.
"I don’t do search magic," she replied, crossing her arms under her chest. The movement accentuated her bust.
"We just wanted to know if you’ve seen them," Mitchell finally said. "Do you mind taking a look?"
Tilly turned her attention back to Mitchell, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Of course, let me see what you got."
"Do you recognize her?"
For what felt like the hundredth time, Mitchell swooped in, holding out his phone with a photo of Amanda open, relegating Lucas and me to the sidelines. My patience was wearing thin.
Mathilda took one quick look at the photo and nodded stiffly.
"Amanda was here?" June asked, voice trembling. She hastily set down the figurine she’d been toying with. It tumbled into a tray with a dullthunk.
"She was just askin’ about the area," Mathilda replied. "We talked for a spell about the local stories and legends. You know." She made a languid gesture with her hand.
"And what did you tell her?" Mitchell asked.
The woman began moving around the store, drifting to the shelves like a deity.
"Nothin’ special, just the usual warnings we give to outsiders: don’t go whistlin’ in the woods, don’t be out after dark..." Her eyes drifted to the figurine June had dropped, and she walked over to pick it up, returning it to its shelf before continuing, "and if you hear any strange noises—crying, laughing, screaming—just pretend you didn’t hear nothin’. Leave quietly; don’t go running off. That’s just good sense."
"Is that all?" Mitch asked, sounding slightly deflated.
"She bought an amulet from me," Mathilda said, pointing to a bundle of obsidian stones on leather straps on the table to her left. "This one."
"What is it for?"
"It has many uses: protection from negativity, cleansing, transformation, and working with the shadow aspects of the self..."
"She was here a year ago. How do you remember all that?" June asked skeptically.
