Myths and Magic, page 1
MYTHS AND MAGIC
A SPELLBOUND BOOKSHOP PARANORMAL COZY MYSTERY
BOOK 3
J. A. WHITING
Copyright 2024 J.A. Whiting and Whitemark Publishing
Cover copyright 2024 Signifer Book Design
Formatting by Signifer Book Design
Proofreading by Donna Rich (donnarich@me.com) and Riann Kohrs (www.riannkohrs.com)
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, or incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to locales, actual events, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from J. A. Whiting.
To hear about new books and book sales, please sign up for my mailing list at:
jawhiting.com
Created with Vellum
Use your magic for good
CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Thank you for reading!
Books By J. A. Whiting
Books By J.A. Whiting & Nell McCarthy
Books By J.A. Whiting & Ariel Slick
Books By J.A. Whiting & Amanda Diamond
Books By J.A. Whiting & May Stenmark
Visit Us
1
Sitting at her small kitchen table in her cozy apartment above the Spellbound Bookshop, Shelby Price scrolled through the morning news on her phone while taking sips of her steaming coffee. Harper, her faithful feline companion, perched on the chair beside her, watching the young woman with curious eyes.
Looking up from her phone, Shelby confided to Harper, "I've had this knot in my stomach since I woke up this morning, like something isn't quite right." She set her phone down with a sigh and rubbed her temples.
Shelby's thoughts drifted to the previous Christmas when she had fallen from a ladder while decorating the bookshop. When she regained consciousness, she discovered she had an extraordinary ability - she could hear Harper's words in her mind. Since then, she had begun to experience intuitive hunches, premonitions, and paranormal sensations that, at times, unsettled her.
Harper flicked her tail. "You're probably just worried about the big sale today. Don't stress so much."
"I don't think that's it," Shelby mused, glancing at the time. "We’d better head downstairs and finish getting the shop ready. We open in twenty minutes." She quickly loaded her breakfast dishes into the dishwasher and made her way down the wooden staircase with Harper following close behind.
“Are you sure you don't sense anything unusual?" Shelby paused on the steps and nervously pushed her long brown hair over her shoulder.
Harper padded past her. "Time will tell. For now, let's just focus on the sale."
The Spellbound Bookshop was a charming haven for book lovers and curiosity seekers. Tall shelves lined the walls with a diverse collection of novels, histories, cookbooks, children's stories, and non-fiction books. Antique furniture, plush armchairs, a fireplace, and colorful displays created a warm, inviting atmosphere that encouraged visitors to linger and explore.
Spellbound Books had a perfect location on Hamlet's pretty Main Street next to other local businesses like the Bread and Roses Bakery, The Quilted Heart Fabric Shop, and Maggie's Candle Company. Shelby had always wanted to own her own bookstore. After graduating from Boston University with a degree in literature and business, she had saved every penny she made, and two years ago, she opened her cozy shop.
Shelby also hosted author events and book clubs, and Spellbound Books now had a loyal customer base in addition to a steady stream of tourists attracted by the town's old-fashioned charm.
Hamlet was founded in the late 1600s by Puritan settlers seeking religious freedom and fertile farmland. The town sat near the rocky New England coastline not far from the better-known tourist destination of Salem. Hamlet had a rich history of spooky legends about ghosts, witches, and unexplained occurrences dating back centuries. The tales added to the area's mystique and appeal to sightseers.
Shelby busied herself with the opening tasks, making last-minute changes to the eye-catching merchandise displays and restocking a few shelves. She retrieved the cash from the safe and carefully counted it before placing it in the register. As her employees arrived, they exchanged friendly greetings and casual conversation.
Rachel, a bright-eyed young woman, gushed about her blossoming romance with her boyfriend, Chad, a barista at a nearby coffee shop. "Things are going so well between us. He's such a sweetheart."
Patrice, a stylish older woman, chimed in, "That's wonderful, Rachel. I’m glad to hear things are going well for you and Chad.” She carried paper bags to the cashier’s station and placed them on the shelf under the counter. “Ron and I are planning a day trip to Boston this weekend. It'll be nice to get away for a bit."
When the clock struck opening time, a line of eager customers had already formed outside the door. Tourists and locals streamed into the shop, drawn by the promise of incredible deals and literary treasures. The store hummed with excited chatter and the rustle of turning pages.
“Shelby,” a man’s voice called out, and she turned to see her dear friend James Peacock. She greeted the man with a warm hug.
Mr. Peacock was a retired lawyer who now worked part-time at the library. He was also an author of crime fiction novels and articles and books on the history of Massachusetts.
“It’s nice to see you,” she told him. “It’s going to be a crazy day.”
“I love sale days,” Mr. Peacock told her with a smile as he juggled several books in his arms. In his seventies, the man had lost his wife not long ago. “We must get together soon for coffee or lunch.”
“I’d love to. Will you text me?”
“You know I will.” Mr. Peacock wandered off to find more books he’d been hoping to read. “See you soon.”
As Shelby wove through the crowd, a peculiar book caught her eye. Resting on a display table, a small, aged leather-bound volume seemed out of place among the newer releases. Intrigued, she approached the table for a closer look. Strange symbols and words in an unfamiliar language adorned the cover, and when she reached out to touch it, a tingling sensation danced across her fingertips like tiny electric sparks.
Harper leapt onto the table, her green eyes fixed on the mysterious book.
"Look at this," Shelby whispered. "I've never seen this book before. Where did it come from?"
The cat tilted her head, and her fur stood on end as she scrutinized the worn leather binding. "Maybe a customer brought it in yesterday, put it down while browsing, and forgot it here.” Harper looked at the young woman. “Or maybe someone left it for you."
Shelby frowned. "Why would someone do that?" She carefully opened the cover, revealing pages filled with indecipherable text. "I can't read it. Do you recognize this language?"
“I don’t.” Harper's tail swished thoughtfully. "Why don't you put it in your office for now? Keep it safe until we can figure out what it is."
"Why do I need to keep it safe?" Shelby asked, a hint of unease creeping into her voice.
"It wasn't here before," Harper pointed out. "It could be a gift, or it could be something else entirely, but we don't have time to investigate right now. Better to err on the side of caution."
A shiver ran down Shelby's spine as she gingerly picked up the book, holding it as if it might suddenly come alive and devour her. She hurried to her office and placed the puzzling volume in the drawer of her file cabinet, brushing her hands off on her jeans to try to push away the unsettling energy and sense of foreboding that clung to her like cobwebs.
With a deep breath, Shelby returned to the bustling sales floor, determined to focus on her customers and push the strange book from her mind ... for now. This was supposed to be a festive day for the bookshop, and she wouldn't let a mysterious book ruin it.
Although she tried to focus on helping the customers, her thoughts kept drifting back to the strange book now sitting in her office. What was it? Where did it come from? Why did it make her skin tingle when she touched it?
While rearranging a display of new releases, she felt Harper rub against her leg. "You're distracted," the cat's voice echoed in her mind.
"I can't stop thinking about that book," Shelby admitted. "What if it's dangerous? Should we get rid of it?"
Harper considered this. "Let's not be hasty. Until the sale is over, keep it locked away and out of your mind."
Shelby nodded, realizing Harper was right. There were too many unanswered questions. She couldn't simply discard the book without learning more about it first.
A customer waved Shelby over, interrupting her thoughts. She plastered on a smile and went to help, pushing her concerns aside for the time being. The sale was in full swing and there were patrons to assist.
But despite her best efforts, Shelby's eyes kept drifting to the office where the mysterious book waited. She had an uneasy feeling there was more to its sudden appearance than she realized. Only time would tell what secrets the old book held.
As she helped the customer find the new releases section, Shelby heard a noise and looked out the front window. For a moment, she thought she saw a shadowy figure standing outside, watching her. She blinked and looked again, but there was no one there.
You're getting paranoid, she scolded herself. But the prickly feeling on the back of her neck felt like unseen eyes following her every move.
As she rang up a stack of paperbacks for a woman, Shelby noticed a man lingering near the display of antique books. He wore a long black coat and kept glancing around before returning his attention to the books. He had a wide nose, high cheekbones, and piercing brown eyes.
Shelby's senses tingled. Something about him set her on edge. She watched closely as he selected a large, ornate book and tucked it under his arm. He started edging toward the exit.
Making an excuse to her customer, Shelby hurried over. "Excuse me, sir. I'd be happy to ring that up for you."
The man turned sharply, clutching the book. His eyes narrowed. "I don't think so," he hissed through clenched teeth. Shelby detected a slight accent. Russian, perhaps.
She stood firm. "Then I’ll hold it for you at the counter while you make up your mind."
For a moment, she thought he might flee, but after a tense pause, he reluctantly handed over the book. Shelby noted it was a rare first edition, worth quite a lot.
"My apologies," the man muttered, turning to leave. With her pulse racing, Shelby watched him exit.
Harper padded over to where she stood holding the expensive book. "I don't like the looks of that fellow," the cat remarked. "He seemed ready to fight you for this."
Shelby just nodded and after helping the customer she was waiting on, she noticed her best friend Lucy enter the shop.
Twenty-seven-year-old Lucy Blake had blue eyes, chin-length blonde hair, and a warm, friendly, optimistic attitude. She worked as a pastry chef at the fancy bed and breakfast near the town common in the center of Hamlet.
“Who was that guy?” Lucy asked, looking over her shoulder. “He bumped into me hard when he was leaving the bookshop and didn’t even apologize.”
“It seems he was trying to steal one of our antique books,” Shelby explained.
“Really? What a loser.” Lucy turned her eyes to the hustle and bustle of the shop. “Wow, it’s really hopping in here. The sale must be going very well.”
Suddenly, she noticed the concerned look on Shelby’s face. “Don’t let that guy bother you. There are lots of people with sticky fingers who try to steal whatever they can get their hands on. Forget him. You caught him, and he’s gone now.”
“It’s not just him.” Shelby sighed. “The day has gotten off to a very strange start. Come to the office, and I’ll tell you all about it.”
2
As the Spellbound Bookshop's sale continued in full swing, Shelby and Harper led Lucy to the backroom office. Shelby carefully lifted the mysterious leather-bound book from her file cabinet drawer. She approached Lucy, who was admiring a display of colorful bookmarks set on Shelby’s desk.
Shelby kept her voice low. "This is what I wanted you to see. I found it this morning on one of the display tables. I’ve never seen it before, and I don’t know where it came from."
Lucy's blue eyes widened with curiosity. "Ooh, let's take a look."
Shelby carried the book to a small, round table so they could examine it in the privacy of her office. After placing the tome on the table, she carefully opened the cover, revealing the peculiar symbols and foreign text inside.
Lucy leaned in for a closer look with her eyes narrowed in concentration. "Wow, this is really old. And those symbols ... I've never seen anything like them before. What language do you think this is?"
Shelby shook her head. "I have no idea. I've never come across something like this."
Harper jumped up onto the table, her green eyes fixed on the book. "It feels like there's some kind of energy coming from it," the cat remarked, her tail swishing back and forth. "I can't quite put my paw on it, but there's something special about this book."
Lucy looked at Shelby quizzically. "What's Harper saying?"
Shelby smiled, remembering that Lucy couldn't hear Harper's thoughts as she could. "She says the book feels like it has some kind of energy. I feel it too, like a tingling sensation when I touch it. It's almost as if the book is alive, somehow. It kind of gives me the creeps."
Shelby reached for the rose quartz crystal pendant that she always wore. It had been given to her by her mother and grandmother. The rose quartz was known to be a protective, healing crystal and a stone of unconditional love that inspired compassion and promoted friendship, deep healing, and peace.
Lucy reached out and gently ran her fingers over the aged leather cover of the book. "You know what? I can almost feel it, too. It's like there's a very subtle pulse beneath the surface. This is clearly no ordinary book. We need to find out what it is and where it came from."
Just then, the bell above the shop's door buzzed, and a tall, elegant woman in her mid-forties entered. She had long, dark hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail and wore a tailored black suit that lent an air of sophistication. The woman’s sharp, intelligent eyes scanned the shop, looking past all the customers before landing on Shelby and Lucy coming into the room from the office.
The woman approached them with a polite smile. "Excuse me, I was hoping you might be able to help me. You’re the owner of the bookstore, aren’t you?” she said, looking at Shelby. “I'm looking for a very old book. It is quite rare and unusual. It's bound in aged leather and contains symbols and text in an ancient language."
Shelby and Lucy exchanged a quick glance, realizing the woman's description sounded eerily similar to the book they had just been examining.
Shelby cleared her throat, trying to maintain a casual demeanor. "We do have a wide variety of antique and rare books. Can you tell me more about the specific book you're looking for?"
The woman's piercing gaze seemed to bore into Shelby’s brown eyes. "It's a very special book, one that I believe may have significant historical and ... shall we say, mystical value. I've been searching for it for quite some time. A colleague told me I should look here for it."
Harper's fur stood on end, and she let out a low growl. "I don't trust her," the cat warned Shelby with her mind. "She seems too interested in the book. We need to be careful. Don’t tell her much."
Shelby subtly nodded to Harper before turning back to the woman. "You know, I think we might have a book that fits that description, but we keep our most valuable and delicate books off-site for safekeeping. If you'd like, I can check our inventory and see if we have it available."
The woman's eyes narrowed slightly, but she maintained her composure. "I see. Well, as a historian, I would be most grateful if you could allow me to examine the book more closely. I assure you, I would handle it with the utmost care."
Shelby hesitated, thinking about the mysterious volume she’d left on the table in her office. She knew she couldn't let the woman see it, not until she had a chance to learn more about its secrets herself.
"I apologize, but our off-site inventory isn’t available for public viewing," Shelby explained, hoping her lie sounded convincing. "If you're interested in purchasing the book, I can certainly look into it and let you know if we still have it in stock. I’ll have to go to the physical location to be certain.”
The woman's lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, Shelby thought she might argue, but then, the woman's expression softened, and she gave a curt nod.
"Very well. If you do happen to locate the book, I would be willing to pay a substantial sum for it. Here is my card." She produced a sleek, black business card with gold letters from her purse and handed it to Shelby. "Please do keep me informed."
“I will. I’ll let you know.”
With that, the woman turned and strode out of the shop, her high heels clicking on the hardwood floor.
