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Ben's eyes were practically glowing. "Wow, you've been busy. But, this is uncharted territory for us. Shouldn't we seek professional assistance?"
"Way ahead of you. I'm thinking of going back to Holly tomorrow, but this time, I want to ask her to actively participate. She's dealt with some complicated rituals before," I said.
"Wow, you've thought of everything, haven't you?" Ben looked genuinely impressed.
"I try," I smirked.
* * *
On Friday's lunch hour, I stood before Holly's shop, Mystic Reverie. The storefront was a captivating blend of the mystical and the concrete.
I'd always been struck by the ornate tapestries that hung from the window, each one depicting various celestial beings and arcane symbols. And then there were the crystals—amethysts, quartz, tiger's eyes—all arrayed on wooden shelves, soaking up the sun's rays as if in a quiet conversation with the universe.
As I stepped through the door, the air was thick with the aroma of herbs—sage, lavender, and something spicy I couldn’t quite place. Shelves filled with glass jars of every shape and size lined the walls, each one labeled meticulously: "Mugwort," "Dragon's Blood," “Mistletoe.”
Holly herself was hunched over a rustic wooden table at the back, cluttered with mortar and pestle sets, smudging sticks, and what appeared to be freshly cut bundles of sage. She busied herself working on an unknown concoction, blending rare herbs into small, ornate containers.
"Hey, Hol," I called out softly.
"Logan!" she exclaimed, nearly knocking over a jar of dried lavender. "What brings you here?"
"Need your expertise," I got straight to the point. “I’m planning to do a ritual to bring Ben back.”
Her eyes twinkled with curiosity. "Oh? Do tell."
“I went to that shop you suggested, and I gathered all sorts of ingredients. Remember? You pointed me in the direction of the moonstone. Can you help with the actual ritual?”
She paused, her gaze thoughtful. "You're serious about this?"
"As a heart attack."
“Tell me more about Ben. You've been a bit secretive on that front."
I looked into her searching eyes. "He's amazing, Hol. Witty, kind-hearted, and he's got this smile that feels brighter than the moon sometimes.”
She grinned. "Ah, sounds like you're smitten."
"I am. I truly am," I admitted. "That's why I can't mess this up. That's why I need you."
“Do you mind me asking which ritual you settled on.”
I reached out to Holly’s table to steady myself, worried that I might have chosen poorly. “It’s called the Solaris Incantation.”
She tilted her head slightly to the right. “Solaris Incantation, eh? That is some powerful magic.”
“If it brings Ben back, yes, it is.”
She furrowed her brow. "Okay, hear me out. There’s another ritual. It’s closely related. Ever heard of the Lunar Covenant? It’s less known but much older."
"Tell me more."
"It offers a chance for Ben to return more permanently. The Solaris Incantation is usually only a one-time thing. There’s a catch, though. He’d have to return to the ghostly realm for a certain period each year. Think of it as a time-share arrangement with the afterlife."
I digested the information. "If it gives him more time in the living realm, then it’s worth considering."
She grinned. "Great. Just thought you should have options."
I chuckled. "Options are good. Especially when you're navigating the line between life and death."
