Page 60 of Death and Donuts

Shocked at what I was seeing, I glanced between my phone and the woman’s stall sign. Cross’ contact was the same woman who had whammied Anchor’s joystick. I cringed inside.

As Anchor shooed the dwarf away, I asked her, “Are you Asherah?”

Her eyes sparkled with leftover magic as she turned her gaze on me. “I am.”

“A friend gave me your name. He said you could help me recharge my charm.”

A smile replaced the scowl she had been wearing.

“You must be Everly,” she said.

She beckoned me into her stall, which was filled with the most fascinating jewelry I had ever seen as Vena and Anchor remained in the main aisle.

As she walked around the counter, I took off my necklace and handed it to her.

She looked at it and tsked. “You bought that from Maude, didn’t you?”

“I did.”

“Never buy from her again. Her designs are uninspired, and she can barely wield the magic needed for protection spells. It’s no wonder it fizzled out on you.”

Maude was also more affordable than Asherah, based on the prices of some of the pieces I saw.

“I normally wear the charm under my clothes,” I said. “So I’m fine with the design, and it really did work. I just let it run out.”

Ignoring what I’d said, Asherah removed a beautiful box from under the counter. It was the size of two decks of cards stacked together and adorned with a silver weave with ruby and diamond petals.

She opened it, revealing a new necklace with the same design of silver, rubies, and diamonds. It was gorgeous and probably ridiculously priced.

Asherah smiled and pushed the box toward me. “It's got a full-spectrum protection spell on it with an additional booster to send would-be attackers on their way. And this box will recharge your necklace for you.

“Eventually, you will need to bring it back to me for a full recharge. But it will take years for that to happen.”

“It’s beautiful, and I love the charging box, but I doubt I can afford this.”

She laughed again. “Who needs to afford anything when you have Cross as your lover?”

My cheeks heated, and Asherah breathed in deeply.

“Mmm. That’s too much unsatiated passion for him to be your lover…yet. But don’t concern yourself. Cross already sent payment for this set. It’s a gift. He wanted the best, and this is the best.”

She reached over and put the necklace on me.

I touched the charm nestled just above my cleavage and felt the buzz of energy. The spell was much stronger than on my previous necklace.

“Gorgeous,” she said, stepping back. “I knew it would be. Cross has impeccable taste.” Her gaze swept overallof me. “Impeccable.”

She grabbed my old necklace and tossed it into a bin then placed the box in a gift bag, which she handed me.

“It might be best if you take your friend home before she attempts to use the scrying charm. It’s more effective in a quiet place.”

I glanced at Vena and saw she was dangling a charm over her phone.

“Thank you. For the warning and the necklace.”

Even though Vena was preoccupied, she spotted my necklace right away when I exited the stall. “Someone spent some serious money.”

“Cross bought it.”

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