Page 102 of Bright Dark Curses

“Anyway, I should get going. Got black jade to find and important paranormal business to conclude. I know Cavalier and Hutton won’t be happy that you took me away from an important meeting under false pretenses. I wonder if they’ll advise others not to enter into business with you, seeing how disappointing this exchange was?”

Preston tugged at the neck of his perfectly starched white shirt. “There’s no need to go that far. Look, I will ask around, see if anyone has charged black jade on hand.”

“Speaking of which, I wonder what the Council will say when they learn of how you treat the official local witch? They’ll…” I lost my train of thought as a sudden, gloriously perfect idea burst into my mind.

A slow, wickedly wide smile curved my mouth.

Preston grew even warier. “What are you going to do?”

“For once, I’m going to call the proper authorities.”

TWENTY-NINE

I hurried back to the Tea Cauldron, calling Ian on the way. Luckily, most of the group was still in his kitchen, trying to organize the details for the trap, so I told him to put me on speaker. The explanation of my super amazing, brilliant plan was met with a few moments of stunned—and I dare say, awed?—silence.

Then Alex said, “That’s kind of smart, boss.”

I took a bow in the middle of the street. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, sweetie,” called out an old lady walking a poodle.

I waved at her and continued on my way.

“Are you sure they’ll play the game?” Hutton asked. I was glad he was still there and still acting in a civil way. Although it must’ve occurred to Ian, just like it was now occurring to me, that he must’ve jumped over the fence to get to the house without ringing the doorbell. Not very brotherly of him.

“Reasonably sure.” It was the perfect plan, really. Two birds with one call. “What do you think, Key?”

There was a short conversation too low for me to hear, then Key spoke into the phone. “Let’s do it.”

“Roger that.”

A few minutes later, I arrived at the shop, checked Brimstone had everything in hand, then sequestered myself in the first-floor kitchen. Tiny Kraken greeted me with its usual pipe gurgling, and I patted the wall. “Good day to you too, Tiny Kraken.”

A tiny tentacle appeared out of the faucet, and I allowed it to play with my finger for a bit while I got my mental ducks in a row.

If my plan worked, not only would it avoid having to explain our lack of reporting to Officer Brooks, but my pesky problem with the immunity potion.

I thought of Grandma’s spellbook upstairs, remembered the feel of its cloth-bound cover against my fingertips and the lovely stitching of flowers. An instant calm fell over me, like a warm hug on a rainy day. I could do this.

“You can do anything you want, Hope.”

The pipes clunked in agreement.

I picked up my phone and dialed Emily Doyle, my supervisor at the Montel Witch Council headquarters.

“Hello, Hope,” Doyle said. “What a coincidence. I was just thinking about you.”

“You were?” I asked innocently. “Good thoughts, I hope.”

She chuckled. “Actually, yes. I was taking a look at your reports, and I’ve noticed your shop’s star rating has steadily increased the last few weeks.”

“Fall had been very good to the shop,” I agreed. “Many satisfied customers.”

“Excellent. This will go a long way toward the final decision on your ownership of the shop.”

As usual, the reminder that the shop wasn’t fully mine yet, and I still had three months of probation to go, caused a heavy stone to form in the pit of my stomach. “I’m doing my best. I’m sure the Council will see that.”

“I’m sure everyone will. Now, is there anything I can help you with?”

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