When the witch left, Ebony closed the door gently and turned to face the girls. "Now, where were we?"

  ............................................

  After a while, Ebony explained to them about the protection spell she was coating the crystal.

  "It'll be like Evil Eye, keeping jealous ones away, and power hungry sorcerers at bay!"

  "So this will bring stuff like..." Evelynne began.

  "Confidence and self esteem boost, pure delight. It'll give calming effects and hope for people who are suffering. This is like a wishing well in crystal form; but Valerian's right....it is too powerful to be placed in the wrong hands."

  "Wh - what will happen if it does?" Evelynne winced. Valerian turned to her.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Ebony answered. "The stone will be like a drug if used too much! It will cause greed, hate, selfishness. The wrong hands don't just have to be about the already evil people in the world.......it can already be considered evil if not used wisely. Evie, what's wrong?"

  Evelynne was starting to hyperventilate, but stopped herself before she got worse.

  "What did you do?" Valerian asked her.

  She looked at her slowly. "There was a time in my life, over a year ago....there was someone I let borrow the crystal. He was my friend......he - he changed after that..." Her lip quivered in fear. "I took it away from him and I always kept it in here." She pointed to her pouch. "That's why I was unsure about giving it to you, Valerian....even Mica knows it's magic."

  Valerian and Ebony exchanged glances worriedly. Evelynne then said. "If my father finds out what I did, he'll kill me!"

  Valerian then looks back at Evelynne. "Where is he? The infected friend of yours?"

  Evelynne whispered. "Hiding among the darkness....he doesn't like the light. He could be anywhere. I trust that you'll take good care of the crystal, Valerian? You seem more knowledgeable about it than me!"

  Valerian nodded. "I promise you, it's in good hands."

  Once the coating solidified, Ebony gave the crystal to Valerian.