Page 18 of The Little Shop of Curiosities Cursed Object 1, The Music Box

With everything set up and ready to go, I pull off my sweater and fold it neatly on the bench, then remove my tie and set that beside it. Unbuttoning my collar and cuffs, I roll my sleeves up to my elbows, then remove my socks and shoes, placing them neatly on the floor beside the bench.

When I finally step barefoot inside the circle, I swear the hard wooden floor ripples beneath my feet just for a second. It reminds me of when I was a child and my dads would take me to the beach. I remember standing at the edge of the water holding Pop’s hand, my trousers folded up to my calves as the cold waves rushed over my feet. But when the water retreated and the wet sand shifted, it had felt like I was moving backwards. I was so fascinated by the sensation I would stand there for ages until my toes went numb, and Pop, ever patient, would stand right there with me, a smile tugging at his lips, while Dad set up the blankets and picnic behind us.

The sweet memory fades and I find myself smiling, warmth and love spreading through me. The anxiety I’d felt all morning has been banked, although it’s not gone completely. Setting Elias’ book down on the floor in front of me, I shake off any lingering tension in my body. I close my eyes, reaching deep inside myself for my magic, and feel it flow through every vein and muscle. Opening my eyes, I raise one hand, and beginning at the northeast point, I move in a clockwise direction. Electric blue light appears along the floor beneath my outstretched palm as I draw a circle, murmuring under my breath.

“I conjure this circle as a place between worlds, a time out of time, a place of containment and protection. Blessed Be.”

Making sure the edges of the circle overlap, I move on to lighting the candles and calling the elements. Once I have the basics covered, I turn my attention to the book. Kneeling at the centre of the circle, I follow Elias’ instructions, and as I do, a strange kind of peace steals over me. The room seems warmer, and every now and then, I catch a hint of something in the air. I can’t place it exactly, but it reminds me of autumn leaves and damp soil, which is ridiculous considering it’s the tail end of spring and firmly heading into summer.

Pushing the thought away, I continue. The further I get into the spell, the more the atmosphere around me changes. The air is crackling with energy, to the point where my scalp is buzzing and it feels like my hair is standing on end, the same kind of sensation I experience during an electrical storm. Even the heady scent of ozone fills the air, which is not uncommon when I perform magic, but never to this intensity.

When I come to the final incantation, I close my eyes, drawing in a breath as the words tumble from my lips.

For a moment, a wave of dizziness passes over me. I waver slightly but remain kneeling upright, my eyes still closed. I draw in several deep, calming breaths until the sensation fades. I feel…content.

A faint breeze gusts across my cheek, tugging playfully at my hair, and I frown. Where’s that draught coming from? I know I closed all the doors to this room for the illusion of privacy, even though I’m the only one in the building.

The same trace I’d detected earlier comes back. Slamming into me is the earthy fragrance of a damp forest and wet loam. I hear the cry of some type of bird, and my eyes snap open and my jaw falls.

I’m no longer in the back room of my shop, kneeling on a hard wooden floor inside a magical circle. Instead, I’m in a circular clearing in a forest. All around me crowd tall, dense trees, their leaves of gold and red tumbling to the ground and dancing in the breeze. I lean forward to press my hands into the thick carpet of moss beneath me and feel a rush of power travel up my arms. I watch in fascination as thin tendrils of golden energy wind around my forearms, pulsing and infusing me with their magic.

“Earth has always been your strongest element,” a smooth female voice says, and I jolt, looking up.

The winding golden ribbons release me, and I sit up sharply, my eyes widening. I can’t help but gasp as I find myself staring at a beautiful woman. She’s wearing a short dark-green tunic cinched at the waist by a thick brown leather belt. From it hangs a quiver of arrows, and a large ornate bow is slung diagonally across her back. Sandals adorn her feet with straps crisscrossing up her calves to her knees. Her thick, dark hair is twined into a long, intricate braid, which coils over her shoulder and dips almost to her waist. I don’t need an introduction to know who this is.

Diana, Goddess of the Hunt.

Her lips curve into a slow smile, and my heart begins to pound. I glance around in panic. What the hell is going on? Where am I? What exactly was that spell? The questions tumble over themselves in my mind.

“Be calm, my son,” she says soothingly.

“Son?” I blurt out.

“All those of true magical ability are mine.” She steps forward and offers her hand. “Do not make yourself uneasy, my child.”

I take her hand, a crackle of intense power shooting up my arm as I rise to my feet. It feels like I’ve been electrocuted, that or my body now contains enough electricity to power the national grid.

Once I’m standing, she releases my hand, and I’m a little relieved. Touching a goddess is not something mortals are designed for. I look around at the forest and then back to Diana.

“What is this place?” I ask curiously.

“You tell me,” she replies, her dark eyes dancing with amusement.

“What do you mean?”

“This is your place between worlds. You conjured it.”

“Oh.” I blink and look around once again. It’s very beautiful, lush and teeming with life. “I don’t understand what happened,” I confess. “I’ve been a witch my whole life. I’ve been casting spells since I was a teenager, but I’ve never experienced anything like this. Never been brought to another place.”

“You are not like the others,” she says gently. “You are one of the five, and more powerful than you can possibly imagine.”

“One of five what?” I frown. “I don’t understand any of this. Everything lately is confusing. I’m probably not making much sense, but nothing around me makes any sense.” I look at her imploringly. “Can you tell me what I am? Because I don’t understand any of this.”

“My beloved child.” She reaches up and traces my cheek lightly, but it still feels like being hit with a lightning bolt. “I wish I could, but like the others, you will have to discover the answers for yourself.”

“What others?”

“It is not yet time for you to meet, but soon enough the first shall find you,” she answers. “Your element is Earth, it is the source of your power. It will ground and heal you. Hers is fire, and she will burn brighter than a thousand suns.”