Page 22 of Bright Dark Curses

“Hello, Ms. Bagley,” I said as I entered the kitchen. I had brought the locket in from the backyard locker and left it hanging from the faucet to give her some “out” time overnight.

The arrangement was simple: if she was nice, she got a daily out time. If she was mean, she went back into the metal box.

“Hello, unfortunate mix of witchy genes,” she answered in her caring grandmotherly voice.

“You know what they say,” I told her in my chirpiest tone, “one person’s misfortune is another person’s treasure.”

“Did you bring that audiobook you promised?”

“No audiobook unless you can spend two whole days being nice. Oh, oops, I guess we’re back to zero, huh?”

She let out an unnerving cackle. “You make it too easy, child.”

“I’m glad my existence amuses you. We must all take what comforts we have in life, I suppose.”

“Wise words. Now what about you give me some life back, huh?”

“No can do, and thank you.” I began taking out the ingredients for the magic-detecting potion and a couple of glass vials. Spray bottles would’ve been better, but all I had at hand was too big to carry around unnoticed. “Grandma taught me well.”

“Not well enough to put common sense in that head of yours.”

“On the contrary. She was everything practical and nice.”

“If she had been practical, she’d have kept your magic a secret and saved the witch world from your presence.”

Maybe two days being nice was too impossible a task. Should I cut it back to one audiobook chapter every three hours of nice?

“What are you preparing?” she asked as I arranged the herbs in a circle on the counter.

“A potion.”

“Don’t be a smartass.”

It was my time to cackle. A much more soothing and uplifting sound than the evil hag’s, if you ask me.

“I’m making a magic-detecting potion.”

Bagley made a disgruntled noise. “Boring.”

“It is the duty of a witch to help the community, no matter how boring the task.” Besides, I didn’t find it boring at all. Every new potion, whether I did them for the first time or the hundredth, gave me the chance to use my power for good. Feeling the rush of magic tingle down my arms and conform to my will would never get boring. It was the greatest thing in the universe next to Ian’s kisses and Fluffy hugs.

“You’re awesome, Fluffy,” I told her.

Fluffy yipped and lolled her tongue expectantly.

“Cuddles after potion.”

“Why is the shedding mammal here?” Bagley asked. “You’re going to get dog hairs in the potion.”

“A little dog hair never hurt anyone.” Besides, I was careful to keep Fluffy away from the potion supplies and the countertops. “Say, Ms. Bagley, do any of your cronies work in the film industry?”

“Oh, interested in my friends, are you?”

I smiled brilliantly at the hanging locket. “I would if you had any.”

“Tsk, tsk. That is no way to teach me how to be nice, child.”

“Change must come from within, Ms. Bagley, or it won’t stick at all.” I mixed the herbs in my mortar and began pressing them into powder. “So, do you know anyone evil who works in the movies?”

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