Page 4 of Real Fake Hauntings

“Let’s go into the back,” I said, leading the way through the bead curtain.

Sonia followed as Dru took the couple’s order. We usually didn’t have customers until later in the morning, but Halloween was bringing everyone out early.

We stepped inside the kitchen, which Sonia inspected with a sharp gaze. Can take the woman out of the PBOA meeting room, but can’t take the PBOA out of the woman.

Luckily for both of us, I took pride in keeping my potion-making area clean and free of junk.

Happy gurgling reverberated through the pipes inside the wall, reminding me that I wasn’t the only one living here. The top of a tiny ink-black tentacle peeked out of the faucet, and I looked away before Sonia learned there was a tiny kraken living in my pipes.

Probably not PBOA-approved.

Sonia caught me, but when she glanced at the sink, all traces of the tiny kraken had disappeared, thank the Mother. I wasn’t sure if having octopus ghosts living in your pipes constituted a potion-making violation.

“I see you keep the facilities in good order,” Sonia grumbled with reluctant approval.

I beamed. “Always. Being Olmeda’s official witch is very important to me.” My and Grandma’s dreams come true, in a witch-shell. “I take my responsibilities seriously.”

“Good, because we have a situation that could use your expertise.”

“What kind of situation?” I could barely contain my excitement. Having dealt with murder, robbery, attempted kidnapping, and a number of other incidents, “situation” sounded wonderfully low-key while still packing a good dollop of interesting.

“Four pentagrams have appeared on walls across the city. Three on paranormal-owned buildings.”

Situation, indeed! As Olmeda’s official witch, it was my duty to investigate occurrences like this to see if there was any magic behind them.

I didn’t want to count my potions before my magic, though. The unfortunate downside of Halloween in Olmeda was that it made the city a perfect target for pranks.

“Maybe teens?” Wouldn’t surprise me if some of Hutton’s young shifters did dumbass stuff like that all the time.

“I hope not,” Sonia said dryly. “They were drawn in blood. Animal and human.”

I gasped, thoughts of dark witches choosing Halloween to create havoc like cartoon crones dancing around a bubbling cauldron immediately filling my mind. Not in my town!

“Are you sure?”

Sonia gave me a mean look, and I lifted my hands in a peace gesture. “Just making sure.”

“I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t.”

“You’re right, I’m sorry. I’ll help, of course.”

If these pentagrams had something to do with dark magic, it needed to be shot down immediately, the culprit or culprits apprehended, and whatever their plan put to a stop. But aside from that, a good word from Sonia would all but cement the shop as mine.

As the president of the local PBOA, the Council would take her recommendation very seriously. After all, you couldn’t have a witch be a pillar of the community if the head of the community didn’t want them there.

Excitement filled me. Could Halloween not only be the best holiday of the year, but the day my six-month probation got cut short because the Council realized I was perfect for Olmeda?

“Your perfect future is already in place,” I reminded myself, allowing my imagination to run wild with the idea of having no more probation hanging over my head like a cartoon anvil. “You’re just waiting for the rest of the world to catch up.”

“Avery, concentrate.”

“Yes, Sonia.” I gave her my most businesslike smile. “Where are the pentagrams?”

We filed out of the back, and I was surprised to see Brimstone and Destruction still standing by the counter, impervious to Dru’s glaring. I hoped he had at least ordered a drink, but nope, his hands were empty of beverages.

Sonia nodded a goodbye to Dru, and then to Brimstone, before stepping out of the shop. Hmm. Very interesting.

I grabbed my jacket, told Dru I had to help Sonia with some official business, and followed. Sonia walked around the Corner Rose to a yellow MINI Cooper parked by the curb. Not at all what I’d expected her to drive, and the color made me smile. It reminded me of Bee-Bee, my Vespa.

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