Page 71 of Bright Dark Curses

I placed the locket on the shelf.

“Hey. We have a deal!”

“It starts when you do a good deed,” I reminded her and closed the door.

Looking up at the windows on the second floor, I imagined Grandma’s spellbook as it lay on top of my dresser. Most people might not approve of what I was trying to do, deeming Bagley unredeemable, but I knew Grandma would’ve approved.

Once back inside, I finished my lunch fast and checked on my crystal order.

Preparing for shipment.

My chest grew tight, and the reminder that software glitched and workers forgot to scan labels didn’t do much to ease it. I tried the number on their webpage again but got their voice mail. This time, I made sure my request for them to check my order was enunciated in a much sterner tone.

It wasn’t the first time I’d had to deal with late suppliers, but I wished they weren’t being late for this particular order.

As I stared at my phone, another option popped into my head. I glanced at Tiny Kraken, who was still clinkering the spoon around.

“Should I use the dark marketplace, Tiny Kraken?”

Tiny Kraken looked at me, gurgled, then went back to playing.

It was temping. So far, my batting average with anything related to the dark marketplace was zero, but perhaps this time…?

I worried my lower lip. I hated giving the illegal side of the paranormal world my money, but it wouldn’t be the first time. And you could find anything there, not just dark magic or requests for assassinations.

My gaze drifted to the window into the backyard and found Bee-Bee parked by the iron gate.

Or maybe I didn’t need the dark marketplace; I already knew someone who could produce things out of nowhere.

Eagerly, I brought up Alex’s number and sent him a text:

Know anyone who deals with charged crystals for spells?

He didn’t take long to answer: What kind of crystal?

A charged blank jake.

What?

Stupid auto-correct. Black jade. For spells.

Have you asked Mr. Preston?

I blinked at the text. The name as well as he had used “Mr.” with it. Oh, but Alex had it bad for the man. Was it because Preston was giving him the chance to direct his first renovation, or because he was tall and handsome? If the latter, I hope it stayed as an innocent crush. Preston was too old for Alex.

Preston? I texted back.

Saw a boxed collection of crystals when I was taking measurements at his place. I’ll ask around, though.

Thank you.

Alex sent me a thumbs up, and I stared at the conversation, feeling sweat pour out of me in buckets.

If I asked Preston for help, Dru might never forgive me.

But if I didn’t, would I be able to make the potion in time for the Council witch? And if I failed the Council’s test, how badly would it affect the final decision over keeping the shop?

After a few minutes of weighing the pros and cons, I closed the text conversation with a determined swipe.

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