Chapter 2

Leah longingly passed the glass cabinet towards her mom’s office which was decorated with all things Wiccan. Leah marveled at the room every time she entered it. She loved its smell and all that it contained. There was always a new item added. One that Amber had either purchased or been gifted by another witch.

Leah noticed that her mom had a new tarot deck sitting on a shelf in her office. “Where did you get this from, Mom? I’ve never seen it before.” Asked Leah intrigued to know its origin. Dying to take a look at it. To feel the card against her skin and to take in the intricate symbols and drawings.

“I purchased it from an auction house. It was a steal as they had no idea just how precious it really was.” Answered Amber, she smiled fondly as she remembered the feeling of joy she experienced when she held the item for the first time. Its power hummed through her from her head to her toes.

“What makes it so special, Mom?” Asked Leah, as she hoped to learn more about the special Tarot deck. She knew that only special and rare items got her mom so excited.

“It’s one of the original Tarot decks ever to be made. They date back to the 1430s, made in Italy. It is very rare indeed, so I was very happy to get my hands on it. No one else there really had any idea what they were, so I was the only one who bid on them.” Amber was almost too afraid to handle them. She made a mental note that she wanted to put them away in the glass cabinet in the entry hall.

Amber smiled to herself. Tarot cards were her most loved items in the store. Tarot sat very close to her heart as she loved reading for others, especially Leah. Just the thought of the cards in her hands made her feel giddy.

“You must have lost count of all of the Tarot decks that you have, Mom,” said Leah with a smile on her face. She loved that her mom was able to feed her passion. She often traveled to marketplaces and car boot sales, hoping to find a hidden treasure. Always on the lookout for a special item to add to her collection. A collection that was priceless and grew by the day.

Customers sometimes simply came into the store just to see all the items that Amber had on display. Intrigued by her store and in awe of its items.

Leah's favorite thing was when her mom closed the store for inventory stock checks. It was then that Leah’s imagination came alive. She was able to help rearrange all of the various items sold at Silver Stardust, therefore finding some new treasures that her mom had purchased for sale in the store. Items that she hadn’t seen yet. Items that would intrigue her to no end.

The shelf that Leah always chose to assist with was the Tarot section. She loved seeing the beautiful imagery on the various decks. Some were mythical creatures, some were beginner card decks and some were pieces of art. Images are far too beautiful to explain, pictures of pixie cartoon characters or creatures of magnificence. Her personal best-loved were the decks created by Nicoletta Ceccoli. Her card’s imagery was almost haunting. Waif like women in various situations. Leah would often find herself looking at the beautiful imagery for hours instead of doing an actual reading or concentrating on helping out in the store.

Caleb Sterne was Leah's best friend. He was also a senior at Birchwood High and would often frequent the store. He accepted Leah for her heritage in Wicca and all things witchy. Unlike some of the others at school.

Leah was often thought of as the strange one at school, seeing as she came from a lineage of witches. Something which scared some of the students and townfolk, concerned that she might cast a spell on them, turning them into a toad. What nonsense.

Leah just laughed at all of their silliness and didn’t let it bother her much. She was happy having Caleb as her dearest friend and confidant. He was like a twin brother to her. She thought more of him as family than a friend.

The doorbell tinkled to signal that someone had entered the store, but Leah was busy so she didn’t look up from the cash register.

“Hey strange chick,” greeted Caleb as he entered Silver Stardust, “any new witchy things that I should be aware of? Cast any unusual spells today? Turn anyone into a toad?” Caleb teased her often. It was his way of lightheartedness.

“Not yet,” commented Leah, “but I could always turn you into the frog prince if you like. I’m sure you’d love all of the attention from the girls who would be standing in line to kiss you,” giggled Leah, she loved Caleb’s sense of humor. He never made fun of her, but he loved to tease her about her craft. Just like a normal brother would.

“No thanks,” replied Caleb with a broad smile on his handsome face, “I’m all good today. No magic needed here thanks.”

There was something different about Caleb, he wasn’t like the other kids at school. Leah had a feeling that he was special in some way but just couldn’t put her finger on it. It wasn’t just because they were so close that she felt this way. It was more of a feeling deep down in the pit of her stomach that there was something about him that she hadn’t noticed yet.

“I’m just checking in to see how things are going with my favorite witch,” said Caleb as he made his way to the front of the store while Leah assisted another client with a purchase. The client clearly enjoyed their banter.

Leah finished helping the client and turned her attention back to Caleb. Caleb was a very handsome eighteen-year-old boy. He had shaggy blonde hair which hung to his shoulders and bright blue eyes which often changed color depending on his mood.

Caleb’s eyes were a deep blue hue today which signified that he was up to some sort of mischief. And Leah just knew that she would be dragged into it. She always was.

“What may I help you with today, Sir,” giggled Leah as she played along with Caleb’s teasing self. Loving this side of him.

“I was hoping for a love potion. There’s a new girl at school that I want to make my own.” Caleb’s dimples shone through as he gave Leah a mischievous smile. “She’s blown my socks off and I’d like to return the favor. I simply must make her mine. I can’t stop thinking about her and she’s even invaded my dreams.”

“I’m sorry, Sir, but we don’t dabble in that sort of magic,” answered Leah feigning innocence. “That would most certainly go against our ethical lore. You will have to find some other way to make her notice you and fall in love with you. I’m sure that a handsome boy like yourself can think of a few ways.”

“I’m just teasing,” laughed Caleb as he gave in, loving to play into Leah’s witchy side. He was such a joker and Leah absolutely adored that about him. “I just popped in to say hi and to check up on you. You seemed rather out of sorts at school today. Is everything okay?”

“I’m fine, there’s no need to worry about me. I’m just a bit tired, that’s all.” There was no way that Leah was going to tell Caleb about her nightmares. They made her sound like a child. Made her sound weak and helpless.

Leah left for home earlier than normal, she felt exhausted and her mom completely understood because she was aware of Leah’s nightmares. She’d heard her cry out in her sleep and came rushing in to check on her, concerned as they’d become more intense.