Chapter 4 The Magic Box

The Magic Box was next to the commercial street, near a cake shop Hayley loved.

"Their strawberry tartlets are delicious. They're the best in town." She gushed, salivating at the thought of getting one. She wanted to share what she liked with her sister, hoping it could ease their relationship.

"Hayley, focus! We have to go to the Magic Box."

"I know." Hayley's enthusiasm faded under her sister's rebuke.

"Remember, once we're there, don't get separated. We move together. There are more demons out there. Even though they can't kill us now, they can trick us into harm. You have to focus all the time. Whatever happens, don't be alone anywhere. They won't attack us in front of others. We are strong together. Remember, you can't wander off—not to eat cake, to meet a friend, or even to go to the bathroom. Stay with me. And for the love of God, think before you talk. We don't want what happened with Jacob to happen again."

Hayley nodded like a bobblehead. Red in the face, she agreed to whatever her sister said. Aurora rolled her eyes.

They drove to the Magic Box in Aurora's car. Despite it being a Sunday, the streets were crowded. They circled the area several times as parking spots were hard to find.

When they finally stood on the street in front of the Magic Box, Aurora took deep breaths to calm herself. Driving to the commercial street was always a hassle. She lost track of how often she insulted people and honked while driving there.

As they pushed open the door, a bell rang in their ears.

"Is this a magic shop?" Hayley asked, doubtful.

The Magic Box looked like a public library with bookshelves and tables for people to sit and read. They expected a more mysterious atmosphere. This shop was just plain. Aurora shrugged; it was also her first time here.

The shop was empty, with no clerk or customers in sight. A black cat sat on the counter, minding its own business. Unsure about their right to browse the books freely, they waited for someone to come.

"Is there anyone?" Aurora yelled, standing at the counter, impatience evident in her voice.

As if he had waited for this signal, the cat got up from the counter and went through a curtain that led to a backroom. A few seconds later, a woman of African descent, wearing a flowery dress, came out of the backroom and greeted the sisters. Hayley stared at the woman, feeling like she had seen her somewhere. She wanted to ask but refrained at the last moment.

"Hello! Can I help you?" The woman asked with a smile.

"It's our first time here. We want a book about magic spells."

"Magic spells? Why do you need that?" the clerk inquired.

Aurora's face darkened, and Hayley could feel Aurora was on the verge of deep anger.

"We just want to learn magic," Hayley said quickly, trying to prevent the outburst she felt coming.

"Magic isn't for everyone, you know. If you open that door, the consequences could be severe," the woman warned.

"That door is already wide open. We want a book about magic spells. Do you sell this here?" Aurora asked curtly, not wanting to talk further.

Hearing they had already encountered magic, the clerk tried to help them.

"Well, what types of spells do you want?"

"Types of spells?" Hayley asked, confused. She glanced at Aurora, not knowing how to answer.

"No way, you're total newbies?" The woman's disbelief was evident in her voice. She stared at the two women with bewilderment in her eyes. "If you are aware of magic, why are you surprised by the existence of different types of spells?"

Hayley was at a loss for words and looked at her sister for an answer, but Aurora shook her head with a look of disdain on her face.

"I wish I could let customers get what they wanted without questions. However, I can't. My conscience won't let me. Magic isn't something you can pick up at will and then give up when you wish. I didn't open this shop to bring harm to others," the clerk sighed. "Do you want some coffee?" the clerk offered, inviting them to sit at a table near the bookshelves, "It might be a long conversation."

"No, we just want a spell book." Aurora's impatience became more visible." I don't care about your conscience. I only want a book. Do you sell it or not?"

"Well, since you don't know much about magic, I can recommend some introductory books. Or, if you tell me why you want to learn magic, I can direct you to other resources. We have a psychic who can help with anything, from talking to spirits to seeing your future to casting love spells. We also sell lucky charms, baby charms, or career charms..."

"We want a spell book. If you don't want to sell it to us, say so. We don't need anything else."

"You don't understand..."

"I don't care. We should have just bought a book on the Internet," Aurora snapped, turning to glare reproachfully at her sister as if it was her fault they had come to this shop with a talkative clerk.

"Uhmm..." Hayley was speechless. She alternately looked at Aurora and then at the clerk. She understood both points of view. Her sister was worried about their safety, and the clerk didn't want them to get into things they couldn't manage.

"Hayley, let's go!"

Aurora exchanged a brief glance with the clerk as she headed for the door. She didn't wait for her sister's response or even check if she followed.

"Aurora!" Hayley called.

Aurora turned to her sister. Hayley hadn't moved and was still next to the clerk.

"Hayley! Let's go now!" Her voice betrayed her impatience and anger.

"Rory, I...We should stay and listen."

"We don't have time for this! Let's go, NOW." Hayley didn't like her sister's tone. Since earlier, whenever the clerk said something, Rory cast her a dirty look like she was at fault for something. Hayley didn't understand and pretended not to notice. Aurora went too far. She didn't want to indulge her sister in this.

"I have the time." Hayley's suggestion further fueled Aurora's anger.

"Do whatever you want!" Rory slammed the door, letting her anger overflow.

Hayley stared wide-eyed at the door. She couldn't grasp what had just happened. Why did her sister leave? They hadn't got the book they came for yet.

"Uhmm..." She hesitated to either go after her sister or stay here. After a minute of debate, she chose to stay. She didn't like how Rory spoke to her.

Aurora waited outside for a few minutes. Not seeing her sister, she left in a huff. She didn't like how Hayley contradicted her. Rory was the brain among them; without her, Hayley was nothing. She couldn't understand how she dared to disobey her instructions.

The more she thought about it, the more upset she became; Aurora stormed away. If Hayley didn't want to listen, she could find the way home on her own. She stomped to the car and drove away.

Frustrated, Rory was oblivious to the men chatting in front of the cake shop. One of them scrutinized her, then signaled for another man to follow her while he and the rest remained, keeping their eyes fixed on the Magic Box.

"Sorry, she is a little on edge; we've been having some troubles lately," Hayley explained.

"No problem; can you tell me why you need a spell book?"

"I have an Orbis Vitae; I want to grow it." The clerk seemed surprised by her request; curiosity was visible on her face, yet she asked no questions.

"So you know about Orbis Vitae; it's a good start," she said, "However, I advise against using spells to grow it; you should only use spells when needed; abusing them will lower your capacity to adapt to the world."

The clerk spoke for at least five minutes. Hayley only understood the first few sentences. She used words Hayley had never heard of, leaving her confused.

"No worries, you will get it soon; training methods exist, specially made to grow the Orbis vitae.

"Uh, okay."

"I can sell them to you. But first, I want you to be sure you want to take this path."