Page 13 of Real Fake Hauntings

Shifters tended to hang around with other shifters, not mages.

“Are you lonely?” I asked, suddenly worried.

She laughed. “I’m too busy to be lonely.”

But Ian keeping her busy only lasted until working hours ended. What about when she went back to her room? Perhaps it was time to schedule extra witch-earth-mage movie nights.

My worries must’ve been obvious because she rolled her eyes. “I’m good, Hope. Seriously.”

I couldn’t help pout a little before changing the topic. “Can you think of anyone who could’ve done the pentagrams? One of your uncle’s friends?”

“Not really. I mean, maybe? It’s hard to tell.”

The downside of your uncle being part of the illegal magic underground—anyone could be looking for mischief.

We gathered our paper plates and forks, and I returned them inside.

“Where next?” Key asked, full of excitement.

I checked Sonia’s list. “The Modern Cabinet of Curiosities.”

“What’s that?”

“One of Olmeda’s best-kept secrets.”

FIVE

The Modern Cabinet of Curiosities was hosted in an old brick building near Balton Square, sandwiched by a fast-food chain and a vintage music store. According to my ex-bestie Vicky, if you told the ticket seller that you were there to pray, they’d show you a secret room full of witch relics.

Unfortunately, when I’d tried it myself, the guy had treated me like I was part of a cult looking to recruit him.

Very awkward.

The Cabinet was also the only non-paranormal business on the list, which made me think it might be another red herring meant to distract us from the culprit’s true motive.

The big window flanking the main door had been painted over in a dark gray color with the Cabinet’s name written in vintage gold-and-silver letters. The shutter over the main door was drawn down, and a fast check on my phone told me they opened in the afternoon on weekdays. 10 a.m. on weekends and holidays.

I knocked on the shutter, in case anyone was already in, but nobody came to open.

Following the same pattern as with Bosko’s and Janet’s shops, we found the pentagram on the back of the building. This one was slightly bigger than the others, the symbols clear and crisp. The residue of magic almost faded but present.

“I think our suspect drew this before the one on Janet’s,” I murmured aloud as I took photos. “The symbols don’t look hurried.”

Fluffy let out a yip of agreement.

“If the place is closed,” Key said, “who reported the pentagram?”

“Excellent question,” I told her, impressed. I sent Sonia a fast text. Her response arrived a minute later. “‘Anonymous text to Officer Brooks early this morning.’”

“Sus,” Key said.

Very sus. “I wonder if there’s a way to track texts.”

“They probably used a burner phone.”

“Probably.” Plus, I wasn’t about to ask Officer Brooks unless there was a dire need for it.

I studied the surrounding buildings. No security cams in sight. Half of Old Olmeda’s blocks consisted of rows of connected buildings, giving the city a ton of back alleyways. Whoever had drawn the pentagrams had chosen these businesses because they could use the back walls rather than the front, where there was always someone walking around during Halloween, no matter the time of night.

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