Page 23 of The Secret Life of a Witch

Hunter nods then pulls open the door and steps inside. I match his steps, keeping close as he gradually makes his way inside. Then he suddenly grinds to a halt and, not being quick enough, I end up slamming into his back.

“Sorry,” I apologize as I put some space between us. “I didn’t mean to …” My eyes widen as my gaze travels around the room in front of us.

Papers and boxes are strewn all over the tipped over desks and filing cabinets, the ceiling tiles are cracked and falling down, the lights flickering on and off, and a giant crack splits down the center of the room.

“It looks like a magical tornado blew through here,” Hunter mumbles as he inches farther into the newsroom. Glass crunches beneath his sneakers and pieces of sheetrock fall from the walls. “What the hell do you think did this? And why?”

“I’m not sure about the why part, but I might know the what,” I say, plucking a tinted scale from off the burnt carpet.

Hunter’s fingers curl into fists at his sides as he sees what I am holding. “That damn demon did this?”

The scale is warm against my fingers. “That or something of his kind.”

He scratches his head. “But why?”

“I’m not sure.” I stuff the scale in my pocket beside the other one.Always good to have a backup. “But I don’t think it’s coincidental that he was here only moments before we showed up.”

“How do you know it was only moments ago? For all we know, this could’ve happened earlier.”

I point at traces of smoke lingering in the air. “The smoke would’ve cleared out by now. Plus, the scale’s still warm.”

“You’re probably right.” Hunter glances over at the desks as a soft buzzing fills the air. “What is that?”

“I’m not sure, but let’s go find out.” I start toward the desks, but he snags ahold of my arm.

“Let me go first,” he says, dragging me behind him.

“You’re being very chivalrous today,” I nervously tease as we weave through the mess and toward the buzzing.

“I’m chivalrous every day,” he throws back with a grin. “Just ask all of my many stalkers.”

I roll my eyes and tell my aching heart to shut the eff up. “You’re so cocky sometimes.”

“It’s all part of my charm.” He winks, but his humor vanishes as we arrive at a buzzing printer, fully on and printing the next edition of the newspaper.

“How on earth is it still working?” I snatch up the front page—the only page. “Attention Mystic Willow Bay citizens. Due to being overworked, I have decided to take a temporary vacation. At this time, I am unsure of my return date, but until then,Mystic Willow Bay Dailywill no longer print. Sorry for the upset this may cause, but perhaps you’ll appreciate me more when I return. Sincerely, Mr. Trickleten.” I glance up at Hunter. “You think this is legit?”

Hunter shrugs as his gaze skims the desks and the crack in the floor. “I have no idea, but we need to report it to the police.”

“What about my sister?” I fold the paper and tuck it into my pocket. “We’re running low on time.”

“We’ll stop at the police station on the way to the expert,” he says, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “Considering how dismissive the police can be, I’m sure it won’t take too long.”

I start to nod when the printer spews out a buttload of papers into the air. I catch one and read the fresh ink staining the front.

“P.S. For anyone who finds this mess, just leave it alone. I’ll take care of the problem when I get back. In fact, I think I’ll take care of it now?—”

The room abruptly jerks to the right, and then to the left, causing the desks, papers, and filing cabinets to flip over and realign. The printer shuts down, and the paper in my hand dissolves into a pile of ashes.

“Well, so much for reporting the mess,” I mutter as I watch the crack in the floor reseal.

Hunter massages his temples. “This is becoming a real headache.”

“I’m sorry,” I say, feeling awful. “Maybe I should handle it on my own.”

He stares at me blankly. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I’m not being ridiculous. This is taking up a lot of time, crazy things are happening, and you have blue hair.” I gesture at his head. “Things are getting out of hand.”

---