The Haunted_Edit Copy 4-7-17 no reviews

“That was so thoughtful!” I was genuinely touched by his
gesture. But not too touched to refrain from corny jokes. I leaned
down and put my ear to the box. “I can’t hear any of them calling.”
“You know, it’s a long walk to Rhodesville from here,” he
threatened with mock severity.
I grinned and surveyed the variety of stones in the box. My
eyes kept coming back to a jagged-looking black piece about an inch
long.
When I picked it up, Tucker glanced over and nodded.
“That’s black tourmaline. It’s supposed to create a powerful
protection against negative energy.”
After another moment or two, I selected another, smaller
stone. This one was smooth and roundish, and it was kind of a
transparent gray-brown color. I was proud to recognize it from the
charts I’d been looking at online. “This is smoky quartz, isn’t it?”
“Yup. It’s funny that your nervous self picked that one out;
it’s supposed to be calming. It’s also good for shielding from
negative energy.”
I replaced the lid on the box of stones and slipped it back
under the seat. Then I held one of mine in each hand and sat back.
“Thank you. I really appreciate this.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’d never send you in to any
investigation totally unprepared. When we get there we’re going to
ground ourselves, too.” He looked over my way and smiled again.
“I know you can do this, Chelsea. I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t
think you were capable.”
I don’t know if it was his reassuring words, smile, or maybe
even the stones in my hand, but I could feel my nerves calming. My
body was still alert and excited, but the anxiety was definitely
lessening. It felt more like anticipation than terror.
He reached forward and pressed the power button on the
dashboard. Even though I wasn’t a huge classic rock fan, any
musical ignoramus could have recognized the warble of Robert
Plant that emanated from the speakers.
“Is Led Zeppelin always the pre-hunt music?” I asked.
“Only when I feel particularly awesome,” he replied.
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