Charmed and Dangerous: An Appalachian Magic Novel (Appalachian Magic Series Book 1) Read Free

Unfortunately.”
    Mom’s smile faltered. “As long as you don’t forget to always carry the amber I gave you, that’s all that matters. Did you bring it?”
    Callie patted the back pocket of her jeans. “Right here. I have it on me all the time. Just like you told me to do before you . . . went away.”
    Grandma Jo came between them. “Callie, get a quilt and go on outside. You’ve had a long day, and it’ll do you good to relax.”
    “I could run a marathon right now. Sitting in a car all day was torture.”
    “I don’t know how you did it,” Mom said, shaking her head. “I can’t imagine taking such a long trip alone, especially not in one day.”
    Callie believed her. Mom hadn’t changed much. Callie strode past her and went out on the porch, wrapping up in one of the abandoned quilts. Mom had always been on the timid side. Callie used to shield her from any kind of stress, even did most of the housework. But it wasn’t enough, and Grandma Jo moved in permanently to help out. Which was a good thing since it got worse after the night of the Ouija board incident. Mom quit her job and sat all day and night vegging out in front of a TV shopping channel, although Callie never saw her order anything.
    The porch door opened, interrupting the unhappy memories.
    “Here you go,” said Grandma Jo, handing her a small demitasse cup.
    Cocoa and sugar for love and sweetness. Callie accepted it and tried to relax.
    All three started rocking in syncopated silence. Each sipped their hot chocolate and gazed at the moon. Here, in the moonlight, with the forested mountains in the background, she was in tune with nature’s energy. Aunt Mallory always claimed that Piedmont, where the ancient Appalachians gradually bottomed out, was a special place filled with secrets, whimsy, and mountain lore of old customs and old ways. Callie could almost picture fairy rings deep in the piney woods.
    “This is awesome, Grandma Jo. It has a hint of mint or some kind of herbal taste.”
    “One of my special concoctions,” she answered, flashing a look at Mom.
    “You’ll have to teach me to cook while I’m here.” Callie straightened in her chair. “Speaking of which . . . how long are you expecting me to stay?”
    The question startled Mom, who looked to her own mother to answer.
    “At least for a semester or two at the junior college,” Grandma Jo said with her usual calm. “I know we can’t force you at your age, but I promise we have your safety at heart. For tonight, let’s just enjoy being together.”
    They all raised their cups for a toast.
    “I’ll drink to that,” Callie said, feeling a bit light-headed.
    A few more minutes of rocking and moon gazing, and her limbs grew heavy with an unfamiliar lethargy. She shook her head to clear it, but it became harder and harder to keep her eyes open. It was a pleasant drowsiness, like a clock winding down. Her hearing and sight became paranormally acute. Each night sound was amplified, and the waxing moon was extraordinary, a beautiful coral orb.
    “What did you put in that drink?” she heard Mom whisper to Grandma Jo.
    “Just a little something extra.”
    No wonder she felt so strange. Indignant, she stood to give Grandma Jo a piece of her mind. The sudden movement left her dizzy, and she swayed like a drunken sailor.
    “Let’s help her to bed,” one of them said.
    Callie tried to protest, but her body and mind weren’t in sync.
    She leaned on two sets of arms as she wobbled to her room. Someone removed her shoes, and the warmth of a quilt settled around her body. They tucked her in bed like a helpless toddler. They had no right to treat her like she was still a kid. And she would tell them so as soon as her brain functioned again.
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    S ix o’clock a.m .
    Callie stared at the alarm clock in surprise. She’d slept a good ten hours. Quite unusual. Then she remembered. Her own grandmother had drugged her. A fine welcome home.
    She sat up and looked around her old room