Gran also stood. “But how are we going to find them? We could try a sensing spell, but it will be awfully imprecise with this little information.”
“I have an idea.” Shanna pulled a small, light laptop out of her travel bag.
“You bought a laptop?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“And it survived until now?”
“Well, ithasbeen less than a day,” Shanna said. “Although, you had a point. I think I cursed myself more, rather than it cursing me.” She patted the laptop. “Maybe me and technological devices from this century can still be friends.”
The laptop hummed, as if suddenly overheating.
“At least for one day, hmm?” Shanna said to it.
The laptop calmed down.
“So, what do we do?” Gran asked.
“You know those websites that help you create family trees and find your distant ancestors and people who are still related to you? I’m thinking we could combine a spell with such a website.”
Gran tapped a finger on her chin. “Combining spells and technology. Never done it before.”
“There’s a first time for everything.”
Gran grinned, her eyes twinkling in delight. “And what a first time it would be. Even better than the hanky-pank—”
“Gran, please, no.”
“But I never told you the story—”
“I’m certain I don’t need to hear it right now.” Heat rushed to Shanna’s cheeks. “Can we try doing the spell instead?”
“You don’t need to ask me twice.” Gran rubbed her hands. “We’ll start with a basic sensing spell.”
“Our main crystal should be connected to the laptop. I’ll charge it by leaving it on the laptop for an hour.”
“Use the attic, under the window. The energies are great there.”
As the excitement within her built, pleasant tingles spread up her legs, urging her into action. “The vegvisir rune for divination and direction,” Shanna continued.
“I’ll use my paint with eyebright oil for it.”
“And lemon balm.”
“And I think I have some shaving of mandrake left.”
They danced around each other as they exchanged ideas until Jinx joined, too, wagging his tail and barking in excitement.
“Yes, you can help,” Shanna said, hugging him. “We’ll find the Witch’s Heart.”
“And be done in time for pie,” Gran said.
For their spell, they used a room below the attic, where Gran kept all her witchcraft stuff. Like a cup of tea gaining coloring over time and proudly wearing it as a show of use andusefulness, a permanent herbal scent lingered in the room as if it always stood ready for another ritual.
Every move, every gesture, every whispered word was exciting for Shanna, as if this was her first time casting a spell, but without the nerves of messing it up. It was joy and zeal, but it was also peace, from doing something she knew, something she loved. It’s been way too long since she and Gran had crafted a spell together.
“You’ve improved.”
