Page 177 of Evil Hearts

“Hi, Finley. I need to schedule a Witch’s License test please.” I offer a smile despite my feelings toward the woman. She’s as fake as they come.

“Oh, that’s right. You don’t have yours yet. I heard you were coming back to town.”

I want to snap and turn her into a damn imp, but if I did that, I’d be dead. So, I stand here and take her words like salt in my wounds.

“Let’s see here. I can fit you in tomorrow at three.”

“Great. Thank you Finley.”

“Let me just print out your appointment card. You will need to be holding it at the time of your appointment. Oh, well, you already know all of this.”

She slides the card over the countertop, and I take the paper like it’s the most offending thing on earth. Great. Twenty-four hours is all I have to study and pass this damn thing. I wave at her as I turn away and leave the rude woman behind me.

Thank the goddess she isn’t the one giving the test.

Stepping back into the chilly air, I head for the coffee shop. Maybe something to warm up with and get the nasty taste out of my mouth from the overwhelming perfume that woman wears. That woman thinks she is the top witch in town. She had a feud with my aunt and, in turn, that fell on me. I never knew why, but here we are.

The bell over the door chimes as I enter. There are a few people waiting at the counter already. One person sits in the back corner typing away furiously at the keyboard. A man sips his coffee at the front window bar, scrolling on his phone. A couple of women sit at a table to my left, chattering about something to do with their children.

I’ve never wanted children, honestly. They just aren’t something I’ve ever felt I needed. They creep me out for real.

I join the line at the counter and look over the menu to find what I want. I take a minute to decide, but by the time I’m at the counter, I’m positive about my choice.

“What can I get you?”

The sweetest voice greets me, and my eyes snap in her direction. A woman about my age stands behind the counter. Her dark hair’s pulled into a bun and her ears are pierced all the way up the sides. Even in her ugly uniform, I can see the beauty in which she wields.

“Um. Well, I knew what I wanted, just before you spoke, that is,” the words slip from between my lips before I can stop them. My cheeks heat as the blush climbs up my neck and I cover my mouth.

A giggle comes from the woman in front of me.

“So, the cat got your tongue.”

I just stare. I don’t know what to say. How to answer her without sounding like some fool. So I just stand there and watch her smile widen.

“I tell you what. Go take a seat over there and I will make you a special drink and bring it out in a minute.”

“Okay,” is all I manage before turning and walking away.

I take the seat she pointed to and sit silently. Beating myself up for not saying something that didn’t make me sound like a total dork. Now, I don’t know how to speak to her at all. She literally just takes my breath and along with it my words.

I don’t have to wait long before she comes out and sits a cup in front of me. It has hints of caramel and vanilla, along with a scent I can’t quite place. The woman takes a seat across from me and smiles as I take a slow sip. Once the coffee hits my tongue, I close my eyes and suppress a moan. It’s so fucking good.

“That’s fantastic. Thank you.”

“Charlotte. My friends call me Cat.”

I almost choke on my drink, remembering her previous words at the counter. I cover my mouth quickly to hide the mess that I am. When I’m sure I won’t spit coffee all over her, I lower my hand.

“Lila. Nice to meet you, Charlotte.”

“I take it you are new to town? I’ve never seen you before.”

The simple question from her makes the sadness come forward and I frown slightly.

“Yeah. My aunt passed away and left me her house.”

Her face turns sad, and she reaches out to grip my hand that rests on the table.

---