“Wait,” Noah called out as Petunia stepped onto the Forgotten Relics bus.
Petunia was taken aback. The interior wasn’t what she expected at all. Tables and shelves along the sides were packed with antiques. The bus was really an antique hoard.
“Hello there,” Melba greeted as she parted a curtain separating the back of the bus from the front. Petunia recognized her as the woman hocking the brooch at the craft table yesterday.
Petunia smiled. “I expected your store to look different somehow.”
Melba frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I was told the mayor’s wife and her cousins bought Halloween costumes here.” Petunia said. “I figured that meant you had some magical items as well.”
“I tried to get you to buy a brooch yesterday, if you remember, but I don’t suppose a witch needs a necklace that isn’t magical.”
“Are you a witch, too?” Noah asked.
“Just because I’m old and witchy looking doesn’t mean I am one. Although I must admit that I rather admire the tricks of the trade a witch possesses.”
“I’m looking for a wand,” Petunia said pointedly.
“Well now, a real witch’s wand would fetch a good price. I imagine I’d make more selling that than I have the last few days here.”
“Which must mean you’d pay more to have one.”
Melba yawned and leaned against a table. “So what do you want?”
“I don’t want anything from you ... other than the witch’s wand that you recently collected. I believe a trio of young Halloween witches sold you one, or traded it for these hats,” Petunia said as she put the hats down.
Melba glanced at the hats with disinterest. “I think you heard wrong, but you’re welcome to look for it.”
Petunia frowned. “Fine. I will. I hope you know a witch’s wand is a dangerous thing to have, especially if you’re not a witch.”
“Unless of course you really are a witch,” Noah added. “Well, are you?”
“I’ve been called that and worse.” She smiled, revealing a mouthful of gaps where teeth once stood.
Petunia felt overwhelmed by the items on the shelves and tables. “Can’t you just give me the wand back?”
“Who says I have it?”
“I know you do. Unless you sold it to someone else, like the young witch I saw you with.”
Melba took a few steps toward Petunia. “I thought I made myself clear: I’m not a witch.”
“I can’t help but wonder why you’d want me to search for the wand instead of handing it over.”
“Aspen,” Melba yelled. “Come out here, please.”
Aspen came from the back of the bus, carrying a gun used to attach price tags to clothing. “You don’t have to yell.” Her smile faded when Petunia gave her a look. “Sorry, I didn’t know we had customers.”
“I suppose there’s no use in buying Halloween items when it’s about over,” Petunia said.
“That’s why I’m retagging the rental costumes.”
“So you only rent costumes, not sell them?”
“They’d be too expensive to buy. They’re one of a kind. Melba here has been designing them for years.”
“Did the mayor’s wife rent costumes from you?” Petunia asked.
Aspen backed up. “Why are you asking so many questions? We’re only passing through.”
“They’re looking for a witch’s wand,” Melba said. “Did you happen to buy one recently?”
The young girl’s eyes widened. “I-I ... why?”
“Ah, so you did buy a wand from a group of trick-or-treaters.”
“Yes, but I’m awfully disappointed. I can’t get it to work.”
“You shouldn’t toy with magic,” Melba scolded Aspen.
“I know, but a real witch’s wand would be priceless. We’d be so busy if people found out we had one.”
“It would be the wrong kind of busy. Give the witch her wand.”
“I don’t see why I have to. I bought it!”
Melba smiled slightly. “You could buy it back from Aspen. That way we’d all be happy.”
Noah shook his head. “I knew this wasn’t going to work, Petunia. The simple fact is that it’s illegal to buy stolen merchandise. The girls didn’t have the right to sell it or trade it for witch’s hats.”
“Now you’re bringing the cops down on us,” Melba hissed. “Silly girl! Hand over the wand before we end up in jail again.”
Petunia narrowed her eyes. “Where are you two from?”
Neither said a word, but darted sharp looks at each other.
“We’re not really from anywhere,” Melba finally said. “We’re always on the road, traveling from festival to festival. Townspeople are interested in our unusual merchandise.” She picked up a gothic-looking candleholder. “We picked this one up at an estate sale. They were selling the contents of a Victorian mansion up in Alpena.”
“And that’s only a start,” Aspen said. “We have antiques from all over the country.”
“I didn’t see you selling antiques at the festival,” Noah pointed out.
“Of course not. We only sell jewelry and smaller pieces, like pottery and vases. We’d prefer to draw people to visit the store.”
Petunia frowned. “So when did you get into the costume business?”
“It would be pointless to come to a Halloween festival without costumes, now, wouldn’t it?” Melba smiled shrewdly.
“Could I take a look at your costumes?”
Melba and Aspen seemed to be debating with each other silently until Aspen said, “Right this way.”
Petunia followed Aspen through a beaded curtain behind which costumes hung in rows. She unzipped a white bag to reveal a green fairy costume, running her hands along the mesh lace. “This is lovely. Is there anything you can tell me about it?”
Aspen shrugged. “It’s a fairy costume.”
“Does it turn colors when it’s worn?”
“I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.”
“Are they magical?”
“The only magical item we have is the wand.”
“So no green auras?”
Aspen shifted nervously. “I don’t understand what you mean.”
Petunia was getting frustrated by her dumb act. “Do you have a costume that releases a green aura when worn? One that causes green spots to appear on the wearer’s face?” She sighed. “Are you and Melba witches?”
“Oh, gosh no,” Aspen insisted. “We might look the part and we do sell odd items, but why would you think we were witches?”
“Because the mayor’s wife and her cousins got costumes from you and they caused a green aura and spots on their face!”
Aspen darted back into the other section, where Sheriff Pinkerton was cuffing Melba.
“What going on?” Petunia asked.
“I just received an alert. Melba and Aspen are wanted for theft of antiques. They’re wanted in three counties in Michigan.”
Petunia shot Aspen a look. “Hand over my wand,” Petunia hissed.
“Wand?” Pinkerton asked.
“Let me clarify ... it’s a real witch’s wand. It belongs to Hazel.”
“Did they steal the wand?” Pinkerton asked, white-faced this time.
“Actually, some rather mischievous trick-or-treaters from out of town sold the wand to them.”
“The children took the wand from Petunia after she misplaced it,” Noah added.
“I didn’t mean to leave the wand on the counter at the drug store.” Petunia’s hands slipped to her hips. “I’m afraid the trouble with the electricity in town is thanks to that wand.”
“Besides a few sparks here and there, I didn’t notice any problems,” Pinkerton said. “The power company is checking out the lines now.”
What would it take to get Pinkerton to realize real magic has been happening since the festival began? “The trick-or-treaters also turned Cora into a toad.”
Pinkerton laughed as he ho
oked his shiny bracelets onto Aspen’s wrists. “Now that is quite a story. I saw Cora not five minutes ago. She’s helping dismantle the refreshment table.”
Petunia held out her hand until Aspen motioned with her head to a box under a shelf. Noah retrieved the box and pulled out the wand for Petunia’s inspection. “Is this it?”
“Yes,” Petunia gushed as she picked it up. It felt warm to the touch. She couldn’t wait to return it to Hazel. It had been nothing but trouble tonight.
Chapter 13
Petunia and Noah hurried to the refreshment table, where they encountered Cora. “Are you okay, Cora?”
Cora looked up. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Well, because not long ago you were a toad. Look, I had you in this jar.” Petunia lifted the jar and blinked as the toad inside stared back at her. “Oh fudge! It looks like you were never a toad to begin with. And to think I was so worried about you.”
Cora’s face brightened. “Worried about me?” she asked.
“Three children from out of town got hold of Hazel’s wand and ... oh never mind. I forgot you hate Halloween.”
“You’re right, but I promised the sheriff I’d be on my best behavior tonight.”
Petunia couldn’t believe it. “So how did you wind up helping clean up my aunt’s table?”
“I had to take over. Your aunt and her friends had to leave unexpectedly. The alarm went off at Mystical Remedies.”
“Oh no! I’d better head over there. It’s sure nice of you to help out, Cora.”
“We all need to pitch in and do our part.”
Petunia believed Cora would rather see everything Halloween related destroyed – that was the Cora of yesterday, but perhaps she had learned a lesson by spending a night in jail.
Noah nudged Petunia’s shoulder. “What do you think your aunt did to Cora?”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t you think Cora is acting a little too sweet?”
“I suppose so. I still can’t believe I’ve been worrying all night about that toad.”
* * *
Petunia and Noah walked into Mystical Remedies to find Aunt Maxine sweeping broken glass on the floor.
“Did someone break in?” Noah asked.
“No, they just broke a few windows. Talk about Halloween pranksters.”
“So nothing is missing?” Petunia asked.
“No -- other than you to help me clean up.”
“I’ve been busy finding Hazel’s stolen wand. I feel like an idiot. Nobody ever turned Cora into a toad. But she certainly was acting odd.”
“As if someone cast a spell on her,” Noah said suspiciously.
“I gave her a potion to calm her down. Apparently she was locked in a closet at city hall for most of the night.”
“Who did that?” Petunia asked.
“I couldn’t tell you, but things went off well with her out of the way.”
“I hope whatever potion you gave Cora will wear off. I don’t think I like the amicable Cora.”
“I agree. Cora might be a pain in our sides at times, but she adds flavor to Lake Forest. It would be pretty boring if we were all the same,” Noah said.
“Don’t worry. I promise you that she’ll be back to normal tomorrow.” Aunt Maxine frowned. “Did you take Pansy home?”
“No, we left him at the mayor’s house. I was planning to ask Melba and Aspen to reverse the spell they cast on Lake Forest and the costumes. Bonnie’s face has green dots all over it -- even after she took her costume off.”
“Aspen and Melba are the owners of Forgotten Relics. They are wanted for theft,” Noah added. “The sheriff arrested them.”
“Those trick-or-treaters sold them Hazel’s wand. I really thought Melba and Aspen were responsible for the enchantment of Lake Forest, but it turns out they’re not even witches.”
“Did you get the wand back?”
“Yes,” Petunia said as she waved it from side to side.
“I’d be careful if I were you,” Hazel said as she walked from the back of the store with hands held high.
Bonnie’s cousins, Wendy, Mona and Holly, entered the store. They no longer had green dots speckling their faces.
Wendy held a writhing, screeching burlap bag.
“Red, help me!” Pansy screamed.
“Are you okay, Pansy?”
“No. Those witches put me in this sack!”
“Calm down, I’ll get you out ... when I can.”
“Make it snappy, Red. I-I’m having trouble breathing,” he cried.
Petunia put the wand behind her back. “What are you doing?”
“We’re here for the wand,” Wendy said calmly. “We’re willing to exchange it for what’s in the bag.”
Petunia trembled. “I can’t give you the wand. It doesn’t belong to me.” Her eyes then narrowed. “Give me back my cat.”
Wendy laughed. “You’ll get your familiar back when you hand over the wand.”
“I-I can’t give you the wand. It doesn’t belong to me!”
“Of course it doesn’t. It belongs to a witch more powerful than you.”
“Give it to her, Petunia,” Hazel instructed.
“No,” Petunia said. “It’s too powerful – and dangerous -- to give to them.”
“Dangerous?” Holly asked with a tilt of her head.
The cousins stepped menacingly forward. Noah just shook his head. “Really?” He grabbed the screeching bag and handed it to Petunia. “That wasn’t very hard.”
The sisters put their palms up as if trying to zap them all into the next dimension when Aunt Maxine put her glasses on. She had slipped behind the counter, and without any of them noticing, thumbed through a spell book. “Let me see. I think this one will work.”
“What will?” Wendy asked.
Aunt Maxine’s eyes twinkled. “The spell to cast you to Witchataw. You know, so you can be tried for attempting to steal Petunia’s wand.”
“It’s against the witch’s code of honor,” Hazel reaffirmed.
“They have a prison in Witchataw,” Petunia blurted out. “It’s also against the law to enchant an entire town.”
Mona laughed. “We didn’t enchant anything.”
“What about the Halloween costumes that caused a green aura and green polka dots?”
“We only wanted to liven up Lake Forest. You can’t have a Festival of Witches without magic.”
“I don’t think a visiting witch should even think about doing anything magical,” Aunt Maxine said.
“Am I ever getting out of this bag?” Pansy wailed.
“Shhh.”
“What did you do to Bonnie?” Petunia asked.
“She fell asleep on the couch,” Mona replied.
“When she wakes up spot-free tomorrow, Bonnie will think it was all a dream,” Wendy declared.
“So when did you decide it would be a good idea to steal the wand?” Aunt Maxine asked.
“We figured it must be powerful if Petunia was so worried about finding it. And now that we know it can turn a human into a toad, it’s one worth having. It would fetch a pretty price at the Magic Con next month.”
“You’d sell it instead of using it?” Noah asked with a notable frown.
“Hello there, handsome,” Mona purred. “Can we take him home with us, Wendy?”
“He’s not a pet,” Holly scolded her, “even if he is quite handsome.”
“And my boyfriend,” Petunia announced.
Noah smiled. “That’s the best thing you’ve ever said about me.” He pulled Pansy out of the bag. “It’s not very nice kidnapping Petunia’s cat.”
“That is if he’s a real cat, which I highly doubt,” Wendy said.
“He looks like a cat to me,” Noah said, holding Pansy up and examining him.
“What does he know? He’s only a mortal,” Holly said.
“But a good-looking one.” Mona winked.
Wendy sighed. “You can put that spell book away,” she told Aunt Maxin
e. “We’ll leave town quietly.”
“We’ll see you off,” Hazel said with a nod of her head.
“You mean you’re going to let them go after they kidnapped Pansy and tried to steal Hazel’s wand?” Petunia asked. “They were planning to do something awful to get that wand.”
“I doubt that; just a lot of wind. I can’t blame them for wanting some fun because their mother hardly lets them leave the house,” Aunt Maxine said.
“Lake Forest is too small for witches like them,” Petunia replied.
“Petunia took Pansy from Noah and rubbed her chin against the cat’s head affectionately.
“I’m so sorry I left you.”
“Y-you have no idea what I’ve gone through.” Pansy sniffled. “One minute I was ready to pounce on a mouse at Bonnie’s house, and the next three shadows chased me into the mayor’s den. Those witches stuffed me into a bag!”
“Why did you kidnap my cat?” Petunia asked. “There’s no way you could have known I even found the wand.”
“Unless we happened to see you cross the street with it,” Holly said.
“It could have been any wand,” Aunt Maxine said. “Don’t you have your own wands?”
“We do, but mother keeps them locked up.”
“She says we’re too irresponsible to have them right now,” Wendy said. “It might have had something to do with putting a wart on mother’s nose. Accidentally.”
Petunia tried to hide a smile. “She was in the firing range when you were practicing?”
“It was more of a ricochet,” Mona added.
“You really need to have time to practice, providing you’ll only use your wand for good,” Aunt Maxine scolded. “I’ll give your mother a call and suggest she do just that.”
“You don’t plan to tell her about us trying to steal the wand, do you?” Wendy asked.
“I’ll have to tell her something, but I have a feeling she’ll be happy to have you all home again.”
“We should ask our grandmother for help. She’s an outcast too.”
“Your grandmother is eccentric is all,” Hazel said. “Just like most of us witches.”
“I better give your mother a call now,” Aunt Maxine said. “I’m sure she’ll pick you girls up.”
05 Meows, Magic, & Wands Page 9
