The Blackwood Chronicles: The Crystal Harbor Witch

Part 3

"Trust me, you need to leave," he said, his voice was less angry now and more pleading.

"I told Jane that I would help her. I can't just go home and forget about it. You obviously know more about this than I do. Tell me what you were searching for. I can help"

I could see that Liam was getting impatient with me but he could tell that I wasn't going to just let this go, and we risked arousing suspicion the longer we stayed out of sight.

"Every witch has a very special book that stays with them at all times. Whenever they cast a spell or a curse, it appears in this book." We need to find Evelyn's book so I can figure out the counter spell to release Jane and David from their curse."

"So that's what you were searching for. Do you really think she would keep the book out here in the open?" I asked, surprised that thought it would be that easy.

He was about to respond but paused for a moment as the elderly couple walked by us and smiled. Liam put his arm around me as he picked up an antique music box with his other hand faking interest. "I have the ability to see things that witches have cloaked in plain sight," He whispered, but you're right it's not here, so it must be in her apartment upstairs."

As badly as I wanted to ask how he had this ability, I knew that I was lucky he had given me this much detail. "Let me help," I whispered. "I can make sure she doesn't go upstairs, so you have time to find the spell book."

Liam shook his head. "No, you shouldn't even be here. It's too dangerous. Go home Adeline."

I stood my ground. "I can't just leave you alone."

He smirked at that. "Believe me, Adeline, I can more than take care of myself. There was a cockiness in his tone that I was starting to grow accustomed to.

"So can I," I said as I snatched the music box out of his hand. "You have 15 minutes." Before he could stop me, I called to Evelyn, "Excuse me, what can you tell me about his music box, I absolutely love it!"

"Oh, you have an eye for treasures," Evelyn said as she walked over to me. I quickly scanned the rest of the shop and realized Liam was gone. Wow, he works fast, I thought to myself.

"Most people don't give it a second glance due to its modest exterior." Evelyn said as she picked up the music box. "It's only when you look a little deeper that you see it's true value. Much like people don't you think?" Evelyn lifted the top of the round, charcoal grey box to reveal a beautiful little carousel with exquisitely detailed horses. Riding on the back of one of the horses was a woman in a yellow sundress. She had an expression painted on her face of pure joy as she looked back at the man on the horse behind her. I marveled at how realistic they looked.

"The artist must have been very talented to be able to include so many details on such small figurines," I admired as Evelyn smiled and hummed along to the enchanting melody emanating from the music box.

"Oh yes, I take great care of all of my creations," Evelyn said softly.

"You made this?"

She smiled at my astonishment. "Everything you see here is the result of my personal touch." She leaned in closer as she held the music box up to my view. "Why don't you take a closer look, my dear, so you can fully appreciate it's wonder."

Something in her voice set off alarm bells in my head. Every fiber of my being was telling me to run away but feet just wouldn't budge.

"I think I really should be go-"

"Shhhhh" Evelyn cut in as she continued to hum along to the melody of the music box.

"Just take a look." She moved the music box so close to my face that the rest of the room appeared to go out of focus. All I could see was the figurine of the woman in the yellow sundress. The fabric moved and swayed around her ankles as the carousel made its loop.