Stone Cold Witch

by Lori Woods

  “You’ve told me a little about mom. She was a powerful witch, but she wasn’t a Spell Master like us,” I say.

  “Your mother was a darling,” she says. “The light of my life. She was kind. Funny. Smart. She wasn’t a Spell Master, but she could go toe-to-toe with me as far as spellcasting was concerned. Had to learn it all herself, though. As you know, Spell Master’s like you and me work their magic very differently. We use the runes of our minds. Regular witches and wizards have to learn, study, and memorize every single spell they use. Reaching that level of power was impressive. And she did it all through intense studying and practice.”

  I smile. “So, she was basically the witch’s version of a bookworm.”

  “Goodness, yes! I would call her a little nerd,” she says, and I again laugh.

  “In my dream, she turned me to stone,” I say. “Doc says that spell is nearly impossible, even for a Spell Master.”

  There is a long pause before my grandmother speaks again. “It really is. And your mother knew the spell well enough to feel confident to do it to you without killing you. She did it to protect you. You were so scared when I finally managed to break that spell. It broke my heart to see you like that. But if she hadn’t have done it, Night Shadow would probably have killed you that night too. I assume he couldn’t find you, or if he did, he might have just thought your parents had a statue up in their attic.”

  “So, Mom mastered a spell that most Spell Masters can’t even do?” I ask proudly.

  “She did,” Granny says. “That’s just the kind of witch she was.”

  “An awfully weird spell to want to learn, though,” I say. “Why would she even know that spell?”

  There is another long pause. I can tell that there is something about this spell that is making my grandmother uncomfortable. Like there is something she doesn’t want to tell me. “She just enjoyed studying,” my grandmother says. “Liked to master every spell she came across.”

  “Wow,” I say. “Granny, you are a terrible liar, aren’t you?”

  “Pardon?”

  “What’s going on? You’re keeping something from me,” I say firmly, sitting upright. “Why did my mother know that spell?”

  I hear a loud sigh erupt from the chalice. But she concedes. “Your mother was interested in petrifaction because of your father. He was a hybrid. Part warlock – part gargoyle on his mother’s side.”

  Whoa! My jaw hangs open a bit. “I’m… I’m part gargoyle?”

  “Yes – one fourth,” she says.

  Okay, that’s kind of awesome. I haven’t met a gargoyle yet. “That’s amazing!” I say. “What… what are gargoyles like? What do they look like, really? Do they have wings? Can they fly? Are they made of stone?”

  “My dear Suzy! So many questions. I’m sure there is a book at the library so you could read up on gargoyles. As for your father, he took after his warlock father more so than his gargoyle mother. Most gargoyles turn to stone during the day, but your father remained in his usual form night or day. Your mother became interested in petrifaction after meeting him.”

  “This is so neat!” I say. The sun was coming up outside so I put out the fire. “I think I’m going to go read up on gargoyles.”

  “Suzy, you really don’t have that much gargoyle blood in you,” my grandmother insists.

  “Yeah, but it’s still part of my heritage, right?” I say.

  “I suppose.”

  “Thanks for talking to me, Granny,” I say. “I’ll let you get back to sleep now.”

  “I’m always here for you.” She releases a loud yawn and then all is quiet.

  I hurry up and get dressed, deciding to head to the library early today. When I’m ready, I go and get Snowball, giving her a gentle nudge with the top of my foot. “Wakeup, lazy. I just found out something awesome.”

  “What?” Snowball moans.

  “We’re going to head to the library,” I say.

  “It’s early!” she moans.

  “If you don’t complain, I’ll get you some of Alfie’s stash of unicorn milk when we get there,” I say.

  “Okay, I’m up, I’m up, I’m up,” she says, scurrying out of the back bedroom.

  I snag Broom Hilda from the corner, lock up, and head out. Snowball and I fly on my trusty broomstick straight to the library. Once I get there, I don’t waste any time looking for books on gargoyles. There are a ton of books on them; so many that I don’t even know where to begin. “What’s up with the books on gargoyles?” Snowball asks while hopping up onto the study desk I have claimed so early in the morning.

  I grin. “I had this weird dream last night about my parents, so I asked Granny about it.”

  “Is that why you knocked me out of the bed last night?” Snowball asks.

  “You have your own bed, you know?” I say. “But yeah. I had a nightmare about Night Shadow and how he killed my parents, and I saw my dad’s face. I’ve never really remembered what he looked like, but I saw his face in my dream. So, I got up and asked Granny about him. And, you know what? He’s a hybrid. Half gargoyle, half warlock.”

  “Creepy,” Snowball says. “So that would make you part gargoyle too?”

  “That’s right,” I say. “It’s kind of exciting finding out about something like that. So, not only am I a Spell Master witch, but I’ve also got gargoyle blood. I mean, obviously I don’t look it. I guess I take after my mom’s side. I do look like her from what I remember from my dream, but I don’t have her freckles. Anyways, from what I can remember, Dad had a slight orange tint to his skin. So his gargoyle mother must have been orange-ish too.” I continue skimming through the gargoyle books. “I’m trying to find out what clan that would be. Looks like gargoyles are part of clans from what these books are saying.”

  “So, are gargoyles made of stone or what is that about?” Snowball asks. “Oh, and where is my unicorn milk, by the way?”

  I roll my eyes. “I’ll get it for you in a minute, Snowball. Gargoyles are not made of stone. They turn to stone during the day.”

  “Hmmm… do you think gargoyles could have had anything to do with what happened to Ted?” Snowball asks.

  “I don’t think so,” I say. “It doesn’t look like gargoyles have any sort of special powers or anything. They just turn to stone during the day. At night, they are organic. I wonder if maybe gargoyles would have some sort of insight on stone?” I continue reading and pretty much confirm this thought; gargoyles are the stone experts. “Interesting,” I say. “Looks like most gargoyles live in a small city called Safe Haven. It looks like just a short broom ride there… this book says most of the creatures in Safe Haven are night creatures. I could work the library today and head over there tonight. Interview some gargoyles and see if any of them could help me figure out what happened to Ted?”

  “I’d say you’re already going above and beyond what the local authorities would do, especially Dudley,” Snowball says. “Bunch of circus clowns.”

  “Be nice, Snowball,” I say. “They… try.” I laugh slightly and close the books, thanking them. Then I sit back and watch as they fly back to their position on the shelves. I suppose I could sit around and read those all day to learn more about my dad’s heritage, but since I’m planning a trip to the city of Safe Haven tonight, I figure I’ll get a lot more information in person when I meet some actual gargoyles. The thought excites me! I’ve never met a gargoyle before.

  I head to a back-storage room where Alfie keeps a small supply of unicorn milk, and I pour a little bit into a bowl for Snowball. I make her wait for it until we get to my spot at the library’s front desk. It’s still an hour before I’m technically supposed to be here, but I use the time to do some dusting and straightening of books. I keep one book on gargoyles at my desk that morning to read—An Introduction to Gargoyles and Etiquette.

  I simply cannot wait to go to Safe Haven!

  Chapter Eight

  After a few hours of working the library, I find myself near ready to pass out
. I suppose being woken up in the middle of the night and then deciding to come into work several hours early will take it out of you. I’m exhausted. Alfie, as he is putting some books back on a shelf, notices it. “You know, Suzy, I am told mortals and those raised on the other side like you are partial to coffee in the mornings.”

  “If only!” I say longingly. “I would love some proper coffee, but the local stores don’t sell the stuff.” I don’t care to mention the incident when I first arrived in Nightshade and Alfie and I got drunk on his Irish coffee. Looking back, I’m sure I drank just pure liquor that day.

  “Suzy, there’s a coffee shop on this side of town,” Alfie says, and I jolt in my seat behind the desk—already feeling more awake.

  “Excuse me?” I question. I haven’t had a morning coffee since accidentally driving my car into Nightshade. “There’s coffee here?”

  Alfie looks at me like I’m nuts. “You look like Snowball when I come walking in here with a glass of unicorn milk. I don’t care for the stuff. Mortals have a few inventions that are impressive, but coffee is certainly not one of them.”

  “Where is the coffee, Alfie?” I demand, and he chuckles slightly.

  “Two streets down,” he says. “A couple of local witches opened up the coffee shop—their mother was raised on the other side like you—and she brought some coffee plants or something. It’s actually pretty successful as far as small, local shops are concerned. It’s unique; not the usual thing you would find in Nightshade.”

  “Alfie, I need coffee right now,” I say. “Can you hold down the fort while I’m gone?”

  “Make sure Snowball knows who’s in charge,” he says firmly, and I roll my eyes.

  “She’s upstairs, asleep by the fireplace,” I say. “I’ll only be gone for a little bit. Can you two get along while I’m gone?”

  “So long as she stays asleep, I’m sure we will get along just fine,” Alfie insists.

  I chuckle slightly before running around the desk excitedly. Secretly, I know they’re good friends. A coffee shop in Nightshade? I never imagined there would be a coffee shop on this side. I’m more than just a little excited as I scurry outside, gripping Broom Hilda on my way out the door. I throw my leg over the broom and I zoom two streets down as instructed by Alfie, and sure enough I spot a tiny little coffee shop on a corner. I run through a thousand different orders in my head. I was a cup of coffee every morning type person before coming to Nightshade. After the crazy night I had last night, I could definitely use a cup of energy juice—especially if I’m planning a trip to Safe Haven tonight.

  I enter the small shop, and there are a small handful of creatures lounging around the different booths and tables. I head over to the short line, staring up at the menu written behind the barista station. Who knew I’d be able to find a little piece of home out this way? It really does look like a traditional coffee shop; the walls a light orange color, and the furniture mostly dark oak. Whimsical coffee cups sit on a shelf behind the counter and there’s a glass display case full of very normal-looking pastries. I think I just found my own personal heaven in Nightshade.

  “Um… I’m sorry, but I cannot read the menu. Do you have just a black coffee with some caramel-flavored creamer?” the woman in front of me asks.

  I then realize I know her. “Solan?” I ask.

  The woman whips around, and I see the familiar dark sunglasses. “Is that Suzy?” she questions.

  “Yeah, it’s me,” I say. “I was wondering when I’d see you again.”

  I think she’s smiling under that attire of hers. It’s hard to tell when every bit of her face is covered. She orders her coffee, and when she is handed the cup she lingers for a moment. “Would you care to sit and enjoy some coffee with me?” she asks.

  “I’d love to,” I say, and I order my coffee; black with a double shot of expresso.

  I’m surprised a bit at the very, very traditional looking witch standing behind the counter. Her skin is a bit green, she’s got a long nose covered in warts, and she’s wearing black with a pointed black witch’s hat. I haven’t actually met a witch who looks like your stereotypical witch—she looks like she just fell out of the pages of The Wizard of Oz. However, she’s got a welcoming smile.

  “Morning! Welcome to Other World Coffee and Café!” she says in a lovely voice.

  “I got to say, I’m really excited to have found this place,” I say with a grin.

  “You must be from the other side,” she says to me.

  “Yeah, I was raised there,” I say.

  Another witch, who looks quite identical to the one who had addressed me, pops her head around the large coffee maker. “Ooh, us too,” she says, and I raise a brow.

  “Really?” I ask. Hard to imagine that they would blend in anywhere.

  They both do a loud, cackle laugh. Very witchy. “No,” says the first witch. “Our mother was though! She brought coffee beans over from the other side and taught us the trade.”

  “Well, I love it!” I say as I take my coffee. “I’m Suzy, by the way.”

  “Wait, you’re the Spell Master?” the first one asks. “I’m Sonya, and this is my sister Sondra.”

  “Nice to meet you both,” I say. “Believe me, I’ll be back.” They both do their witchy cackle, and it makes me grin. I turn back to Solan, who has been waiting patiently for me to the side.

  The two of us sit down by the window, and she pulls down her niqab just enough to where her lips are revealed and she can drink her coffee, but she pulls it back up between sips. “So, how long have you been in Nightshade exactly?” I ask her.

  “Oh, not too long,” she says. “We’ve actually been staying in other towns around here for about two years since we crossed over from the other side, but we have sort of settled in this town. It’s… a little more normal than some of the other places we’ve been. I mean, they have a coffee shop here.”

  “True,” I say with a slight smile. “Every once in a while, it’s nice to remember where you’re from. You said you and your two sisters came here?”

  “Yes, the three of us wandered over here together and got stuck,” she says. “Those two—always getting into trouble.” She pulls the cloth around her mouth down and takes a sip of her coffee. I see a slight smile before she returns the cloth. “You know, you are honestly the first friend I’ve made in Nightshade. I know it’s awfully judgmental of me, but I haven’t been too eager to speak to any of the monsters and ghouls who live around here.”

  “It is a bit of a change,” I say admittedly. “But once you get to know the people around here, you’ll find that they are actually pretty friendly. Well, most of them. I’ve made friends with an old elf and a dwarf—although the dwarf prefers the term height-challenged. I’ve met some other witches. Everyone is really wonderful—it’s not too different from home except for the magical element of it all.”

  “Yes, I suppose that’s true. I’m just a little more timid than you, it seems,” she says. “But you’re easy to talk to, Suzy.”

  I smile just as the door to the coffee shop opens, and I see Red Sumac enter. I smile and wave her over. Red Sumac grins and comes over in hurry, plopping herself down between Solan and I. “Suzy!” she cries loudly, and I can tell this makes Solan very uncomfortable.

  She wasn’t kidding when she called herself timid, I think as Solan double-checks her headscarf to make sure it’s on correctly—probably a nervous habit of hers. “Red Sumac, this is my friend Solan. She’s from the other side like me.”

  “Really?” Red Sumac asks curiously. “Don’t get too many like that around here. Suzy was actually the first person from the other side I ever met. How did you come to be here, Solan?”

  “My sisters and I just got lost,” she says. She starts to stand. “Well, Suzy, it’s been a pleasure, but it’s never a good idea for me to leave my sisters to themselves for too long. They’re always getting into trouble.” She leaves quickly.

  Red frowns as she glances in my direction. “Did I
say something to upset her? She seemed pretty eager to get away from me.”

  “I don’t think she’s had much luck with making friends out this way,” I say. “I think I just make her more comfortable since I was raised on the other side. She says she’s mortal, so this is all a bit of a culture shock for her is all.”

  “I understand,” Red says. “Hold on a second. I’ve got to try this coffee stuff. I went by the library to see you, and Alfie said you were here.”

  “I love coffee,” I say as Red heads to the counter and orders something random off the menu. She returns and sits herself down where Solan had been sitting across from me. “So, are you going to be in Nightshade much longer?”

  “Not planning on it. I’m going to fly back to Hemlock tonight,” she says.

  “I’m taking a little trip tonight myself,” I say. “Going to go to Safe Haven to interview some gargoyles. I thought maybe they would be able to offer some insight on what happened to Ted.”

  “Ugh. Safe Haven?” Red questions, her lips curling down. “You don’t really want to go there by yourself if you’ve never been before. It’s where all the real monsters live.”

  “Real monsters?” I question.

  “It’s just not a safe area,” Red Sumac says. “Especially for people who have never been. Tell you what; Safe Haven isn’t really that out of the way for me. Why don’t I go with you and then we also get to spend some time together? Then I’ll head home afterwards.”

  I’m not sure how I feel about Red Sumac’s attitude towards the people of Safe Haven, but then again I’ve never been there. I don’t really know what it’s like. I just get the sense that there’s some serious animosity there for some reason. But if Red thinks it wouldn’t be a good idea for me to go alone, I definitely trust her. “Okay, I would really appreciate it. So, what is it about Safe Haven that is so dangerous?”

  “Just the type of creatures who live there,” she says, taking a sip of her coffee. “Interesting,” she says as she seemingly contemplates whether or not she likes the drink.