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"Oh." I nodded slowly. "That makes sense, I guess."

"Just don't confuse it with Shout Dust," she added, pointing to another tin beside it.

"What's Shout Dust?" I asked.

"Essentially the same thing, except about a thousand times stronger. It's generally used by large covens working very powerful spells. If you use it alone, you might summon far more magical energy than you can control."

"What would happen then?" I wanted to know.

"Oh, all sorts of things," she said airily. “Lightning…storms…earthquakes…spontaneous combustion. That sort of thing.”

I stared at her with wide eyes.

"That sounds horrible!"

"It can be a bit inconvenient," Tansy admitted. "Especially the spontaneous combustion."

"Right. I'll definitely stick with the Whisper Dust, then."

"A wise choice," she agreed, putting the little silver tin in my basket.

As we continued exploring, I saw all kinds of other magical supplies. There were candles that burned with different colored flames, little bottles of moonwater, and jars of something called Starlight Essence, which shimmered like liquid silver. There were dried herbs hanging in bunches from the ceiling, and rows of crystals arranged according to their magical properties.

One section was devoted entirely to magical household products, which I found particularly fascinating.

There was Self-Sweeping Dust, which apparently made brooms sweep the floor without anyone having to push them. There was Never-Dull Polish, which kept silverware and furniture shining for months at a time. And there was something called Argument Away, which promised to restore harmony to any household.

"Oh, I could use some of that!" I exclaimed, picking up the little blue bottle.

"Could you now?" Tansy asked, looking interested.

"Well, Garrik and I have been doing nothing but arguing since I got there," I admitted. "Maybe this would help."

"Oh, I wouldn't recommend it," Bartleby said dryly.

"Why not?" I demanded.

"Because it's much more entertaining when the two of you argue," he replied. "Besides, you're both so stubborn that I doubt one little bottle would be enough. Now maybe if they sold it by the case…"

"You're impossible!" I told him.

"Thank you," he purred, giving me a snarky look from those big golden eyes of his.

I put the Argument Away back on the shelf, though I was sorely tempted to buy it.

Instead, I picked up a little jar of something called Cozy Home Spice. According to the label, it was a blend of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and magical herbs that filled any room with the comforting scent of home.

"Oh, that sounds nice," I remarked, opening the lid and taking a sniff.

Immediately, I smelled apples baking in the oven, warm cinnamon rolls, and something that reminded me of Christmas mornings when my kids were little. It was such a comforting scent that I closed my eyes for a moment, remembering those happy times before my marriage had fallen apart.

When I opened them again, Tansy was watching me with a gentle smile.

"Lovely, isn't it?" she asked. "The magic brings out whatever scent makes you feel most at home."

"Yes," I said softly, sniffing and swiping at my eyes. "It really is."

I wondered what Garrik would smell if I used it at Blackthorn Manor. Maybe it would remind him of happier times with Lucinda, when the house was filled with people and laughter instead of silence and shadows.