Page 63 of Bright Dark Curses

Dorsey shushed me. “Be silent, Avery. I need to keep up my streak.”

I glanced at Dru, who shrugged. Nothing to do but wait.

After about five more minutes of the worst French pronunciation I’d ever witnessed, Dorsey put her phone away and looked up. Her frown intensified.

“Is that Cavalier’s demon dog outside?” she asked.

I followed her gaze to the window, where Rufus’s head could be seen by the mailbox.

“You know,” I said, turning back to her, “people who don’t like dogs often turn out to be untrustworthy.”

“Why the heck would I want your trust?” Dorsey snapped.

“Us paranormals must trust each other, don’t you think? We only have each other to count on.”

She snorted.

“Which brings me to Dru,” I continued smoothly.

Dorsey looked at Dru. “What do you want, Druscilla?”

I slipped between them before Dru’s horns could sprout out. “We would love to have your support for her new shop.”

Dorsey’s mouth curved slyly, revealing some very white, very artificial teeth. “What’s in it for me?”

“The relief of knowing you voted with your heart?”

“I lost my heart years ago, girl.” She curled her hand, either to show how she’d torn it out of her chest herself, or as a payment-demand gesture. “If you want my support, you’re going to have to give me a good reason.”

“What’s a better reason than being a good friend?”

“Good friends help with the retirement fund.”

I leaned my elbows on the counter. “Good friends don’t tell the bounty hunters about buying dark magic potions on the dark marketplace.”

She made a sound of dismissal. “Cavalier promised not to tell.”

“There are more bounty hunters than him.” I sweetened my voice. “C’mon, Ms. Dorsey. A little tit for tat?”

She barked a laugh. “I don’t want your boobs.”

Okay, that one was on me. “I’ll make you some potions, even ward your place, and in return, you’ll do your neighborly duty to support a local paranormal. That doesn’t sound too bad, does it?”

“I’ve looked you up, Avery. Your wards are useless and your potions leave much to be desired.”

I straightened abruptly. “Says who?”

She shrugged. “That’s what I heard.”

I rounded on Dru. “Do people say my potions suck?”

Dru glared.

Right. Not the time. Addressing Dorsey again, I said, “My potions work, and so will my wards when I put them on the street outside to deter guests.”

She opened her mouth in outrage. “Of all the things to do…!”

“We don’t need to be enemies, Ms. Dorsey. I’m just suggesting?—”

---