Page 12 of Shadow Witch

“Why is it allowed here?”

“He’s just doing some shopping. Why shouldn’t he be allowed here?”

“What if he eats someone?”

“He’s a werewolf, not a raving lunatic serial killer. Honestly, darling, no wonder Devon feels he must protect you.”

“Hey, let me out of here,” Dewey complained as he smashed himself against the side of the carrier.

Paige unzipped the top, and he fluttered into the air. “Finally. And yeah, Paige is kind of a bigot.”

“I am not.”

“You are. You think only humans are good. And all supernaturals are bad.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You literally just asked Drucinda if that werewolf would kill someone. The dude is literally just trying to buy himself a new outfit and you’re attacking his character like he’s some kind of raving maniac.”

“Sorry, but every werewolf I’ve encountered has been a raving maniac trying to kill me.”

“Just because you’d met a few bad eggs doesn’t mean they all are. There are humans who kill, you know? Should every supernatural creature run about saying you’re all maniacs. Suppose you walk into a shop and one of them starts shrieking about how you’re a human and you may kill us all. How would you feel?”

Paige wrinkled her nose. In the short time she’d been a librarian, she’d been plunged into so much danger, that she hadn’t had much time to learn about the supernatural world and its players. But with every step forward, plunged into the heart of their magical shopping center, she realized she had a lot of learning to do. “Okay, point taken. But…”

“But nothing. Your only excuse for your behavior is ignorance. That will soon be changing. This weekend ought to be a real learning experience for you. Try not to insult any of Devon’s or Dominic’s friends before you end up on everyone’s bad side.”

Drucinda tugged open the door to a large department store and stepped inside. Paige followed, her eyes drawn up to the ceiling floating high above them.

“Dragon department, please,” Drucinda said to an associate.

“Sixth level, make a right off the elevator and follow the signs straight back.”

“Thanks.”

Paige scurried after her as the elevator doors whooshed open. They pressed inside along with a gnome and two fairies. A wing smacked her in the face as they climbed higher.

“Oops, sorry, these things have a mind of their own,” the blonde fairy said with a giggle.

“No problem.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Dewey answered from her shoulder, “she’s human. She’s still learning not to be an idiot.”

Paige clicked her tongue.

“Oh, hmm, funny, you don’t look human.”

Paige glanced down at her body. Had she taken on some form outside of her normal one when they’d entered the supernatural shopping district?

“You have a purple aura. Humans have white auras.”

Dewey sucked in a breath, his jaw hanging open. “You’re an aura reader?”

She chuckled at him. “Yes, I’m an Aura Enchanter.”

“What does a purple aura mean?” Paige asked as the elevator doors whooshed open and the trio plowed out.

“You’re a witch,” the woman shouted back as the doors slid closed again.

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