Maria shook her head. “I’ve seen them on TV, but I was a little too young to remember those.”
“I do,” Gramps said. “I know I’m not one for style, but those were the least fashionable things I think I’ve ever seen.”
“Yeah, yeah. Well, communication crystals are sort of like those,” Salem said.
“A very unique magical item,” Gramps said.
“But a very useful one, too,” Salem added. “The thing with those cell phones was they never broke. You could accidentally leave it in your pants pocket on laundry day, and the cell would come out working as good as new and smelling like Downy. Same goes for communication crystals. They are so stable and reliable, it’s rumored that many of the armies on Oriceran use them during battle. Of course, Oriceran hasn’t seen large-scale battle in a while, but that doesn’t change their reliability, mind you.”
Hasn’t seen large-scale battle yet, Maria thought to herself, and a bad feeling sluiced through her stomach like snakes.
“Maria! Come on!” Tabby yelled from the front. “Claire is telling Joe embarrassing stories from when we were in high school.”
Maria grimaced. She was not surprised to see her skin starting to glow a slight blue. High school seemed like years ago, but it was not a time in her life she looked back on fondly. Kaylee had made it a living hell, and most of the people in her class (and the classes below hers) didn’t realize how cool it was to like Star Wars, Halo, fantasy and sci-fi novels, and all that stuff most people would consider nerdy. Maria got picked on a lot. But she didn’t let that change the things she liked or the way she acted. Claire and Tabby were her best friends even then, and they’d accepted her for her nerdy self—which, looking back, wasn’t surprising if you considered the fact that they were currently sitting in an ice cream shop with a Gnome, a couple of witches, and a telepathic dog who was obsessed with taking one or both of them to a delusional Dog Prom.
“You better go on,” Gramps said. “Before they tell Joe that story about your junior year—”
“I’m gonna stop you right there. That story does not need repeating here…or ever,” Maria said. Salem snickered, but avoided Maria’s glare, instead opting for playing with the crystal. Maria turned back to Gramps. “They won’t tell that story; they know how embarrassing it is.” She pointed to the necklace Gramps held. “Anyway, what’s the deal with the bad visions or whatever?”
“I’d rather not say,” Gramps said, “but I guess it is important, should you find yourself under their spell.” He held the crystal up to the light. “Inside of the potion that powers the communication crystals are…well, that’s another scientific explanation I really don’t want to get into—”
Salem took the chance to get back at Gramps. “What he means is that it’s a scientific explanation he really doesn’t know. The old wizard is losing it, I tell ya!”
“Can it,” Gramps snapped.
Salem chuckled. “I only report the truth, old friend.”
“The communication crystals’ potions have been known to cause vivid hallucinations. Sometimes they are good, almost euphoric, but most of the time, they are worse than your darkest nightmare,” Gramps cautioned. He squinted at the crystal, still casting its light all over the back room.
“Which explains why I almost went into a trance when I saw the bigger vial,” Maria concluded.
“Yes, it is highly potent. Had you stared at it much longer, I’m afraid you wouldn’t be here with us.” Gramps tapped his temple.
“Can’t be any worse than what I saw in the Cave of Delusion,” Maria said softly to herself, but she questioned that statement. She could never actually know for sure, until it happened.
“It is highly unlikely you’ll ever have to deal with a potion leakage, but if you do, you must be prepared,” Gramps warned in his most paternal voice.
“Highly unlikely,” Salem echoed, squinting at his own vial, “but not all of us are so lucky.”
“You mean you saw something?” Maria asked. “What did you see?”
“I’d rather not say,” Salem answered. “I will tell you it wasn’t euphoric, that’s for sure.”
“So you see, Maria, it is possible. You must be careful when handling communication crystals.”
“So I’m getting one? You mean you actually trust me with another magical artifact?” She put her arm around Gramps’s bony shoulders and smiled. “Never thought I’d see the day.”
“I trust you with that sword on your hip, and that music box in your bag, don’t I?” Gramps returned Maria’s smile. “You are a witch, now, Maria. Responsibility is ingrained in you like your magic.”
“Don’t get too far ahead of yourself,” Salem said with a chuckle.
“Hey, I thought you were on my side,” Maria said.
“I don’t take sides, young lady,” Salem replied.
“Unless it’s mine,” Agnes said from the door. Her arms were folded across her chest. “What are you three up to in here?”
“Communication crystals,” Maria answered. She stuck her hand out, and Gramps let the necklace fall into the palm of her hand. Her skin buzzed with power, making her hair stand on end. Walkie talkies or not, magic was magic, and Maria knew not to take it lightly.
“Ooh, it’s been a while since I’ve seen one those,” Agnes said, her eyes wide.
“It’s been even longer since I’ve thought of them,” Gramps said. “I completely forgot I had them, but I’m not their biggest supporter. However, I do see
