Page 27 of Bright Dark Curses

“Maybe we’re predisposed to find fault because it’s not your shop?”

“Nope. Those were some bad vibes. We should check the basement for dead mothers.” She stared at the front of the Tea Cauldron thoughtfully. “You know, I’m glad your shop is between mine and that.”

“Because I can defend you with my magic?”

“Because I will hear your screams when you get dragged into whatever vortex of evil all those things are going to create, and I’ll know to run.”

“Anything for a friend.”

“That’s the spirit. Now, let’s go visit April.”

“April? Desmond Cane’s assistant?”

“The source of every juicy piece of gossip in Olmeda.”

NINE

“The dogs again?” Dru asked, eyeing Rufus and Fluffy in her cute red sweater as they trotted alongside us.

Rufus sent her a sidelong glance, then huffed.

“They can understand you, you know,” I chided.

“Doubtful.” But she warmed her voice when she spoke again, “You know what they say about people who don’t like dogs, right?”

“That they like cats?” I laughed at my comeback and offered Rufus a low-five. He ignored my hand and kept going forward. Tsk. Loyalty these days.

“Did Vicky not teach you anything?”

In one of my occasional gloomy fits of sadness over my best friend turned murderer-saboteur, I’d confessed to Dru that I should’ve known Vicky had been evil the moment she hadn’t liked Fluffy.

“Brimstone is Key’s uncle. He can’t be that bad. Plus, he needs the job to impress Sonia.”

“Somehow, I don’t think working at your shop will impress Sonia,” Dru said wryly.

“Maybe Sonia thinks better of me than we assume.”

“Maybe she sent him to spy on you, hoping to catch you doing something wrong so she can kick you out of Olmeda.”

I gaped at Dru. “Take that back. Don’t ever put those kinds of evil ideas out in the universe.” But could she be right? No. No way. Sonia wouldn’t be that underhanded. And she didn't dislike me that much.

Did she?

Dru let out a malevolent chuckle, then pointed ahead. “There’s the building.”

I wiped my suddenly sweaty forehead and followed Dru inside a converted three-story building. We went up the stairs to the second floor, where we had the choice of a shipping company and a dentist’s office. Dru chose the dentist.

The reception area was on the small side, with yellowing white walls and four chairs that had seen better days. Opposite from us, a sheet of scratched plexiglass separated the counter from the reception area.

I ran my tongue across my teeth. I would not be coming here for my next cleaning.

April sat behind the counter in pink scrubs, browsing dejectedly through her phone. She glanced up at our entrance and cheered right up.

“Dru!” She studied me for a few seconds, then recognition hit. “And Hope, right? Aww, and doggies.”

“That’s right. Is it okay if they come in?”

“Of course!”

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