Page 20 of Fresh Old Bounties

“I brought you the photos.” She tapped on the folder on the counter, then brought out a USB stick. “I printed a couple of my favorites, in case you want to hang them on the walls.”

“You did?” I hurried to open the folder and gasped with delight.

The first print showed the shop by itself in full color, the brown bricks cozy and inviting, the multi-pane windows offering a hint of the warmth to be found inside. The second was the same but in black and white, making the building appear old and antique and like it had belonged in Olmeda since the beginning of time. The last print showed me grinning in front of the shop like a woman who was living her best life and her greatest dream.

“Hannah, these are amazing,” I said, a little choked up. That last one was going on the wall for sure. “I love them. Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. You paid me for the job.” She blew on her tea and took a small sip. “The originals are on the memory stick.”

I took the folder and the stick and put them in one of the cabinets under the counter, away from any watery mishaps. “I’ll guard them with my life.”

“Don’t go that far,” she said with another laugh. “I have copies.”

The door of the shop opened again, and I faced the newcomer. “Welcome…”

The words died on my lips as I saw who it was. The blond older teenage girl who had asked me for an illegal love potion back in Summer had entered the shop along with another friend. They were both dressed similarly in Olmeda’s apparent teenage uniform of shorty shorts. At least they were wearing hoodies now.

Love Potion Girl ignored Hannah and fixed her intent stare on me. I didn’t need a psychic to know she hadn’t come for the day’s special brew.

I pointed at the archway into the back. “In there.”

The girls marched across the shop and into the back.

“Do you mind if I step out for a couple of minutes?” I asked Hannah.

She shook her head. “Don’t worry about it.”

Thanking her, I moved into the back, then shuffled the two teens into the kitchen.

“Why are you here?” I demanded.

Love Potion Girl tossed her hair back and crossed her arms. “Natalia needs a love potion.”

I ground my teeth. This. This was what happened when you dealt with dark magic. It had a way to multiply and spread its rot. Never mind that I had given this girl a placebo and not an actual love potion, the damage still spread like the black death.

And the problem was, if I told Natalia that I no longer did the potions, they’d simply look for another witch. One who’d have no trouble charging them an arm, making her a real love potion, and then some poor soul would end up married against their will.

“I told you to keep it a secret,” I said in my most severe tone.

Love Potion Girl rolled her eyes. “Don’t wooorry. Natalia’s a shifter.”

Hutton would kill me if he learned I was selling dark magic to one of his pack. No, scratch that. He’d completely massacre me, full fangs and all claws kind of deal.

“Love potions don’t work on shifters,” I said, lying through my teeth. Hutton was an example that not only did real love potions work on shifters, they worked extremely well.

Natalia looked at Love Potion Girl in total panic. “Holly…”

Holly snorted. “She’s playing hard to catch. That page said they work on every paranormal.”

“What page?” I asked sharply.

“Look,” she said. “You gonna make the love potion or not?”

“We should’ve ordered it online,” Natalia said, all sad eyes and disappointment.

“No way,” Holly said. “They’re all a scam. I told you, her potion worked great for me and my sister.”

“Fine,” I said. “I’ll make you the same potion I made for her.” I pointed at Holly. “But it comes with some conditions. First of all, no telling anyone else. I don’t care if they’re your cousin or your second best friend.” I showed them a very toothy, very evil smile. “If I learn you went to another witch or bought anything online, I will make a spell to cancel the love potions. Do you understand?”

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