In Plain Sight

Chapter Three

The aroma of bread danced around Agnes's kitchen as she pulled a fresh loaf out of the oven. She carefully set it down in the middle of her small, round table, next to a pot of stew she had made for the evening.

"Alright loves," Agnes smiled, "help yourselves."

Luna took ladle first, taking Agnes's bowl. She filled it to the brim with meat, potatoes and other delicious vegetables Agnes had placed in her stew. She moved onto Harlow's, then herself. Luna began cutting the bread, dispensing it around the table before she sat down to eat.

"Okay, so now you have to tell us," Harlow spoke, muffled behind a large spoonful of stew. Harlow grinned, taking a bite of her bread, revealing the mushed stew, sloshing in her mouth.

Agnes gave an unhappy sigh. She wished to forget the unpleasantness that had occurred moments ago. The stares she received from her adopted niece's yet, told her she would do differently.

"It's not exactly a polite dinner conversation," Agnes huffed, sitting up in her chair. "If you absolutely must know, there was another murder last night."

Luna and Harlow came to a sudden halt in their meals. Looked at Agnes with wide eyes, assuming they had heard her incorrectly. Another murder? Luna nor Harlow knew anything about the subject, being completely blindsided by the news.

"What are you talking about?" Harlow asked, attempting to laugh it off.

Agnes frowned, realizing the girls were completely oblivious to anything that didn't involve coffee beans.

"I was told there have been three," Agnes began, taking a sip of her wine. "Three separate Witches have been found in a couple of places. Each of them had first been drained of their magic, and then killed. A ritual they assumed. I heard the council members were making this their top priority, but I have little faith in those idiots."

An eerie silence fell upon the dinner table as Luna and Harlow looked at Agnes with disgust. Witches murdering Witches? No one had done such a thing since the dark days. The days of the Order, when a large cult ran through villages murdering anyone they came across. It was disgusting to think that a few black magic Witches were attempting rituals a cult might have used.

"Look, nothing has happened in your area, not yet," Agnes spoke, "So I want you to promise me you two will be a bit more careful."

"What about you?" Luna asked.

Agnes lived alone, and Luna and Harlow were at least a forty-five-minute bus ride away. Even if you had to have Agnes's enchanted chalk to enter her shop, it might do little to defend against black magic. It was still unsettling for Luna to think of her by herself when there were rouge Witches on the loose so close to her.

"You don't make it to my age without being clever," Agnes smiled. "Now Luna, do you still have the necklace your mother gave you?"

Luna's hand immediately placed itself on her chest were her trinket lay under her clothes. She pulled it out by the chain, allowing everyone to see it. On the end of the chain was a small corked vial, containing what looked to be dead pieces of plant. Luna could never exactly remember when her mother had given it to her, but she always knew she had it.

"What about it?" Luna asked, placing it back behind her sweater.

"I'm only checking. It will protect you, you know," Agnes smiled.

Although she wanted to, Luna dare not press any further. Her mind was still recovering from their earlier conversation.

The three finished eating together, turning the conversation to Harlow's new crystals. Harlow was a crystal magic-user. Meaning she seized every opportunity to pick up anything new for her collection. This wasn't something the girls were able to do very often, so it allowed the experience to be that much more special.

"How much do we owe you?" Harlow asked, reaching for her wallet.

"Oh please," Agnes laughed, shoving plastic containers of food into Harlow's arms.

"No, really," Luna insisted, unable to finish when Agnes interrupted.

"Oh! I almost forgot."

Luna looked at Harlow, as Agnes disappeared into her bedroom. She shrugged at the not so odd behavior of their aunt. Luna would have thought she would be used to not paying Agnes by now, but it never seemed to get any easier. Every now and then Luna would hide money in Agnes bathroom or somewhere in her kitchen, just as a thank you for always looking after them. Each time Agnes found the money she would lecture Luna, but she allowed her to continue. She assumed no matter what she did Luna was going to do what she thought was right.

"Here you go sweetie," Agnes smiled, walking into the room, handing Luna a small potted plant.

Luna's eyes widened as the corners of her mouth began to form a smile. Agnes had gifted Luna a small, sprouting Belladonna flower. Luna carefully placed the plant down, giving Agnes a huge hug, thanking her over and over again for her gift.

"Nonsense," Agnes smiled, "Now, you two hurry home okay?"

Luna and Harlow nodded, thanking Agnes again before bidding her goodbye.