Read Online Phantom Quartz: A Stacy Justice Witch Mystery Book 6 (Stacy Justice Magical Mysteries) by Barbra Annino - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Barbra Annino
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they do that a lot.” I buffed a nail on my jeans.
The Geraghty Girls turned back to face me and Birdie said, “We suspect you’re being insincere. You’ll have to prove it.”
“Okay, first of all, calling your granddaughter a liar is not nice. And second, how do you want me to prove it?”
“Dismantle the Seeker’s Den,” my mother said.
Birdie snapped her head toward Mom and I suspected that wasn’t my grandmother’s first choice.
Fiona chimed in. “Just for a little while perhaps, dear.”
“You could be all that much more powerful,” added Lolly.
Now I was steamed. The Seeker’s Den had saved my life more than once. I spent countless hours setting up the database that connected to the council, not to mention all the time I took uploading the Blessed Book. There was more knowledge tucked away in that hidden room than existed in all the libraries in the country combined. It was where I kept my crystals, herbs, spells, weapons. It was my solitude. There was no way I was going to give it up.
I told them this right after I said, “Hell no.”
Birdie said, “You rely much too heavily on tasers.” She crossed her arms. “That poor harlot could have suffered permanent damage.”
I leaned forward and aimed a finger at Birdie. “You’re the one who told me to keep an eye on Monique, Birdie.” I sighed. “But fine. I’ll ease up on zapping people, although those tasers have saved my life.”
My mother said, “And what of your battle in Ireland—a man older than your grandfather—he bested you did he not? And he used magic to do it.”
Oh good grief, this was going downhill fast. “Aedon was a freak of nature. No one could have fought telekinesis that powerful. The man had decades of experience under his belt, not to mention his partner was a ghost who liked to throw knives.” I frowned recalling my experiences on the Emerald Isle. “And besides, I still don’t think I died.”
They told me I had, but seeing as how I was standing here today, I found that highly unlikely.
More huddling, but this time my mother was invited. I began to panic, but then I thought of all the work I had done with the Blessed Book. All the hours of practice I had been clocking for the past several months.
“Wait, I’ll prove that I’ve been expanding my power,” I said.
My mother stood and the Geraghty Girls followed. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”
Good. Maybe I could convince them that taking away my den was a terrible idea. I sucked in a deep breath, centering myself. A portal made of white light illuminated my mind and I focused on Lolly’s cocktail glass, chanting an incantation. I no longer needed to call on the gods with every spell I cast. No longer needed physical objects for the small stuff, although they do aid in magic. I had learned to steer my own power and that of the locket to manipulate energy. If need be, I could envision that which would aid my desire—crystals, herbs, the moon—I had memorized and categorized them in the filing cabinet of my third eye so that they were always there, ready to assist the enchantment. Not as strong as the real deal, but effective nonetheless.
I closed my eyes, letting the words flow over me like a spring shower, envisioning the moon above that white light. Then I snapped them open and focused on the glass, watching as the ice blended with the whiskey. It turned slushy, then froze solid. Closing my eyes again, I changed the chant to a rapid beat, imagining Ares, the god of war. The white light in my mind darkened to a blood red, flowing like lava. Heat filled the room as the whiskey ignited.
I lifted my head to meet Birdie’s stare.
She smiled. “Elemental magic. Basic, but very good, Stacy.”
The flame snuffed out.
Lolly clapped and Fiona gushed, “You have been keeping up with your studies.”
My mother didn’t look quite as impressed. “I don’t know, ladies. I say we stick with the plan.”
My face fell. “What plan?” My stomach
The Geraghty Girls turned back to face me and Birdie said, “We suspect you’re being insincere. You’ll have to prove it.”
“Okay, first of all, calling your granddaughter a liar is not nice. And second, how do you want me to prove it?”
“Dismantle the Seeker’s Den,” my mother said.
Birdie snapped her head toward Mom and I suspected that wasn’t my grandmother’s first choice.
Fiona chimed in. “Just for a little while perhaps, dear.”
“You could be all that much more powerful,” added Lolly.
Now I was steamed. The Seeker’s Den had saved my life more than once. I spent countless hours setting up the database that connected to the council, not to mention all the time I took uploading the Blessed Book. There was more knowledge tucked away in that hidden room than existed in all the libraries in the country combined. It was where I kept my crystals, herbs, spells, weapons. It was my solitude. There was no way I was going to give it up.
I told them this right after I said, “Hell no.”
Birdie said, “You rely much too heavily on tasers.” She crossed her arms. “That poor harlot could have suffered permanent damage.”
I leaned forward and aimed a finger at Birdie. “You’re the one who told me to keep an eye on Monique, Birdie.” I sighed. “But fine. I’ll ease up on zapping people, although those tasers have saved my life.”
My mother said, “And what of your battle in Ireland—a man older than your grandfather—he bested you did he not? And he used magic to do it.”
Oh good grief, this was going downhill fast. “Aedon was a freak of nature. No one could have fought telekinesis that powerful. The man had decades of experience under his belt, not to mention his partner was a ghost who liked to throw knives.” I frowned recalling my experiences on the Emerald Isle. “And besides, I still don’t think I died.”
They told me I had, but seeing as how I was standing here today, I found that highly unlikely.
More huddling, but this time my mother was invited. I began to panic, but then I thought of all the work I had done with the Blessed Book. All the hours of practice I had been clocking for the past several months.
“Wait, I’ll prove that I’ve been expanding my power,” I said.
My mother stood and the Geraghty Girls followed. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”
Good. Maybe I could convince them that taking away my den was a terrible idea. I sucked in a deep breath, centering myself. A portal made of white light illuminated my mind and I focused on Lolly’s cocktail glass, chanting an incantation. I no longer needed to call on the gods with every spell I cast. No longer needed physical objects for the small stuff, although they do aid in magic. I had learned to steer my own power and that of the locket to manipulate energy. If need be, I could envision that which would aid my desire—crystals, herbs, the moon—I had memorized and categorized them in the filing cabinet of my third eye so that they were always there, ready to assist the enchantment. Not as strong as the real deal, but effective nonetheless.
I closed my eyes, letting the words flow over me like a spring shower, envisioning the moon above that white light. Then I snapped them open and focused on the glass, watching as the ice blended with the whiskey. It turned slushy, then froze solid. Closing my eyes again, I changed the chant to a rapid beat, imagining Ares, the god of war. The white light in my mind darkened to a blood red, flowing like lava. Heat filled the room as the whiskey ignited.
I lifted my head to meet Birdie’s stare.
She smiled. “Elemental magic. Basic, but very good, Stacy.”
The flame snuffed out.
Lolly clapped and Fiona gushed, “You have been keeping up with your studies.”
My mother didn’t look quite as impressed. “I don’t know, ladies. I say we stick with the plan.”
My face fell. “What plan?” My stomach
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