Page 13 of Wicked Witch

“Here ya go, hon.” Liv drops off my check, and I stop her from leaving.

“Hey, do you know how to get to Spells Hollow? Google maps didn’t have a lot of information.”

“Oh, sweetie, you don’t want to go there.” She looks around to see if anyone is listening before sitting in the booth across from me and pulling out her order pad.

She draws me a map and slides it back to me with a smirk. “Have fun,” she whispers, then takes my check and card before walking off.

When she comes back with my card I grab my purse, slip out of the booth and head for the door. Ruth, Liv’s sister, grabs my hand as I pass her.

“Don’t go to Spells Hollow. Beware the woods and the wolves and the man with the mask.”

Before I can ask her what she means, she rushes off, and Liv is glaring at her back. When she catches me looking, she shoots me a big smile and waves.

Yeah, that wasn’t suspicious at all.

CIRRUS

Wynter Nefari isone slippery toad. Not only did she manage to disappear on me three times, I got lost trying to find the motel.

It’s late afternoon when I finally arrive, and I’m bummed to see her SUV isn’t around. I was hoping to catch her before she wandered off into Spells Hollow.

I know she’s a big bad witch, but hasn't she seen any horror flicks? You should never go to a cursed town alone.

There is power in numbers. Ugh, she’s a silly little lamb that hopefully won’t be chosen for slaughter.

Parking, I shut my truck off and groan. My ass has become one with the leather and when I try to remove myself from the seat there is some pain.

Just like a Bandaid. Have to rip my thighs off.

“Motherfluffernator,” I shout. Someone snickers from outside. Adjusting my shorts, I climb out and stretch.

An older woman in shorts and a tank-top continues to laugh at my discomfort.

“I’m glad my pain brings a smile to your face, Duchess,” I grumble, and she snorts, rolling her heavily eye shadowed eyes.

“Honey, you couldn’t handle me thirty years ago, so I know for a fact you couldn’t handle me now.”

Leaving me with my mouth wide open, she sashays inside.

Well that wasn’t awkward or anything.

Grabbing my duffle bag from the passenger seat, I shut the door and walk inside to the check-in desk.

There is a guy my age that smells magical. One look at me and he scowls.

“We don’t like your kind here,” he grunts, and I sigh.

“Listen, cupcake, I am exhausted, and I’m not here for trouble. My girl has gone off to get herself killed, and I’m here to make sure that doesn't happen.”

He grumbles something and then hands me a piece of paper to fill out.

“It’s double the price for Fae scum like yourself.”

Agreeing, I hand him my card and fill out the basic information.

We don’t talk, and soon he’s throwing a key to room Eight at my face.

“Righto, chief, thanks,” I mumble, then leave the front office and walk to my room.

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