Daemon Hunted

Chapter 11 — An unwelcome guest

“Hi,” Lana said, waving with one hand, the other holding tight around her torso to brace against the cold.

She somehow looked even more wonderful than earlier in the day. Her hair hung straight, framing her face. Her eyelashes looked longer and were dark. She wore comfortable jeans and a white formfitting long-sleeve t-shirt with a thick green vest overtop it.

“Hey Lana. Uh, can I help you?” One of the nearby plants in my peripheral vision began to shudder and twitch. Damn it. Fren knew.

“I was wondering if you could show me the shop? I didn’t realize you closed so early.”

“Come on in,” I said. “Get out of the cold. We closed early for a business meeting today but that’s over now and I’d love to show you around.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, by all means. I was just surprised to see you so soon after meeting.” I regretted the words as soon as they were out of my mouth. The last thing I wanted to do was make her feel unwelcome, especially with the past few years she’d had. Cursing my idiocy, I ushered her into the shop.

“Yeah. I’m not great at patience,” she said, looking about as she stepped inside. “I don’t know many people in Boise and you’re the first person I’ve met that I wanted to know more about. But­—and this is just so your aware— I’m not looking for anything more than a friend, at least right now. I know what it may seem like with me coming over late like this.”

“Ah, no! Nothing like that crossed my mind,” The plant behind her, now that she’d stepped inside twitched, irritatingly I might add. After this, I was going to get Fren a big pot to live in, somewhere out in the back alley.

“This place is incredible?” Lana said, her eyes darting over the shelves covered in stones, crystals, and plants. “Did you make all of this yourself? And these plants, you must have a green thumb?”

“I’m actually thinking of throwing them all out, starting fresh,” I said. “But yes, this is… all me. I mean honestly my employ­—Business partner,” I needed to get used to saying that. “Did a lot of the fine-tuning.” A plant’s leaves drooped in the background, so I amended, “And like I said before, I have a friend who is very good with plants who helps me out, most of the time. He’s the one with the green thumb.”

Lana nodded and eagerly walked over to a crate filled with yellow calcite a few feet inside the door.

“So, is there anything special about them, what do I need to know?” She turned to face me, lips parted, eyes genuinely interested.

“Well, some believe that each type of crystal has different properties or can help someone with certain things. Most of the shelves have a little placard with general information. Generally, its things like protection, help with courage, or simply make a home more welcoming.”

“Do you believe it?”

“Yes­—within reason. I think certain stones call to people. Having them can bring joy, and make someone feel braver or put at ease. Also, they can be useful tools for meditation.”

That was true for a magical practitioner or someone just trying to learn to focus their mind on one thing. Holding something solid brought calmness and provided a point of focus. Anything could work, but crystals were special. While true wizards like me were rare, many people had gift, powers, or affinities for various energies. Those types of partial practitioners were some of my best customers. “There are also loads of theories and even some research on things like grounding or other alternative medicine approaches including crystals that can help people. It’s probably that the changes in lifestyle, mindfulness, and outlook are the main factors, rather than the crystals truly helping, but who knows.” I hesitated, then asked, “What do you think?”

“I’ve learned about meditation,” Lana said. “Many martial arts practice some form of it, and I think it’s helped me. So, why not something like this?”

I wanted so badly to jump into some of the truth of that. As a wizard I knew how more of it worked than medicine and mundane practitioners could experience or describe. But I would come off as a total weirdo. My last semi-serious girlfriend from so long ago it boggled my mind had basically taken off the day after I’d told her the truth. I was hesitant to get into anything like that too early here.

We perused the shop together. Lana was more stunning now than she’d looked when she first arrived as her true nature came out. She excitedly bounced around the shop, admiring the simple beauty that was Earths Bounty. Her jeans were tight and form-fitting, and I had to try hard not to stare. She had a wonderful figure. She stood straight and strong, poised with every movement, her feet graceful and sure. Her presence made me want to relax, if I wasn’t also terrified that I’d screw it all up and scare her away, or Fren would manage it for me in his own excitement. I could see the plant life around the room coming to life as Fren tried to show off. I winced, hoping Lana wouldn’t pick up on the changes in areas she’d already seen closely.

“Do you want a coffee? Or hot cocoa or anything?” I asked. “I’m not as good at making them as Kate, but I can manage.”

“No. But I am going to find a rock I like,” she said, the words slightly rushed as she eagerly continued searching. I was more than happy to let her. I leaned up against one of the walls and watched. It was always amazing to me how childlike and exuberant people could be when looking for a rock to take home. Lana was no exception.

“Don’t feel like you have to find one today,” I said. “Perhaps the rock for you just hasn’t arrived yet. You can come around anytime.” I secretly hoped she would, again, and again.

“That’s not the problem. The problem is I’ve found three I like.”

“Well, take them all, I don’t mind.”

She gave me a glare, “I didn’t come here to rob you. I’m buying all of them. In fact, my grandmother loved rock-hounding. As a park ranger, I enjoy it too. I took kids on rock-hounding expeditions in Arizona, and it was the best day of each month. But I’ve never been in a shop like this.” She gestured to the gleaming shelves, the crystals catching the light and seeming to shine more than normal as darkness settled in outside.

I smiled, “Which ones have—”

A loud knock on the glass front door cut me off. Lana gave me a sly side-eye, as if I had several women who might be knocking on my door tonight and she was simply the first. I shrugged my shoulders in the universal ‘I have no idea’ gesture and went to the door.

I opened it to find a man in uniform. A blue police officer uniform I’d seen many, many times before. Officer Darron Vance.