Page 54 of Haunted Eclipse
I took the dress and entered the dressing room. I slipped out of my jeans and sweater, and eyed the gown, feeling doubtful. But I’d come this far, so I might as well give it a try. I slid it over my head and then slowly turned to face the mirror.
All I could do was gasp. The dress might have been made for me. It fit perfectly, accentuating my bust and waist, flowing smoothly over my hips to fall just above my knee.
“How is it?” Ellie called out.
“It’s…” I slowly opened the dressing room door and stepped out. “What do you think?”
She smiled, and it was as genuine as they came. “Perfect. You look so good. Do you like it?”
I nodded, speechless. After a moment I found my tongue. “I love it. Absolutely love it. It’s perfect for what I need.” I thought for a moment, then said, “What else have you got? I mean, I want this one, but I could use some new clothes. I’ve been living in jeans the past couple of years, and that’s not me.”
“What kind of style do you like?” Ellie asked.
“Comfortable but pretty, a little more fitted on the bust…I like loose leg trousers and flowing skirts.” I wasn’t even sure of what my style was, but that felt accurate.
“Okay, wait here. I’ll bring you some things to try on.”
Half an hour later, I had made a new friend, and I left the store with three dresses, two skirts, four tank tops, two silk blouses, and two pair of palazzo pants. I also had bought a couple pair of gauchos, a tweed blazer, and a new robe. I handed her my credit card and waved goodbye to over six hundred dollars, but I left happy, and with her number.
As I exited the store, I caught sight of an antique store across the street. Curious—there was a brass Grecian statue in the window—I pushed through the doors. Inside, the shop was packed with jewelry, bric-a-brac, antique chairs, collectable plates, all sorts of things you’d expect to see in a vintage store.
I waved to the owner, who was talking to another customer, and began to browse at the counter. The jewelry was below glass, which made sense, and I leaned down to get a better look. Suddenly, something caught my attention. It was a pendant.
As I looked closer, I saw that it was a round pendant embossed with a basket of golden apples. The silver round was crusted with pave diamonds, and it looked to be in perfect condition. I patiently waited until the shopkeeper bagged the other customer’s goods and turned to me.
“I’d like to see that pendant, please.” I pointed to it. “What’s it made of? Is it plated or…”
“Oh, Aphrodite’s apples,” the man said.
I jerked my head up. “Aphrodite?”
“Yes, or that’s what the person who sold it to me called it. She said that apples are sacred to Aphrodite, and that her grandmother had been dedicated to the goddess. She’d been going to keep it, but something pushed her to bring it in and sellit. I asked if she was sure—I mean, what a sentimental piece of jewelry, but she said that she knew in her heart she had to sell it.
The man handed me the pendant. It felt warm in my hand.
“The metals are sterling silver, for the main pendant, and then the apples are made of fourteen carat gold. The pave diamonds are natural, not lab created.”
I didn’t want to give it back—it felt perfect in my hand. “How much?”
He looked at me, tilting his head. “That’s why she brought it in, isn’t it? You’re meant to have this.”
“I think so,” I said, rubbing it with my fingers. The metal tingled in my fingers. This had been dedicated to Aphrodite before, and it would be again.
“I’ll charge you what I paid her. Two hundred dollars.”
“Deal,” I said. I knew better than look a gift horse in the mouth. If Aphrodite had wanted me to find this for free, she would have found a way. I paid the man, and he threw in a silver chain. I tucked the pendant in my purse and, thanking the shopkeeper, headed out to find some lunch.
Promptly at eight PM,Crystal, Astra, and I gathered together in the living room. Miss P. and Dahlia were stowed away in my bedroom so they wouldn’t catch themselves on fire with the candles that were glowing. I preferred battery operated candles, but Astra insisted on beeswax for this ritual.
I was wearing my dress, and the necklace was on the table, next to the conch shell. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but whatever it was, I felt ready to face it. Even though I was anxious, the fact that I’d found the dress and the necklaceso easily made me confident that I was headed in the right direction.
“Why did you ask me to join you? I’m honored, but curious,” Crystal said.
Astra smiled. “I’m not sure, but you need to be here. I’m grateful you could join us.”
I had braided my hair in a loose side braid, weaving ribbons and roses into it. My makeup felt spot-on, and the dress was so light, it was like wearing next to nothing.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I said. “I don’t know any more than Astra does as to why you need to be here, but I’m glad my best friend is by my side.”
