Page 17 of Upside Down Magic

“Wouldyou like me to?” she asked all sly evilness.

“Youknow,Ms.Bagley,I’mstarting to think that you weren’t a very powerful witch.”

“Thinkagain, child.”

“Afterall, wouldn’t a powerful witch who knew what she was doing not need to fall back on using unwilling blood for everything?”

Bagleymade a choking sound, which, considering she didn’t have an actual throat, was quite the feat. “Takethat back right now!”

“Whydon’t you sleep on that, huh?”Isaid, putting the container in the locker and closing the door with a satisfyingclunk.

Therewere some faint sputtering noises, then the backyard grew quiet but for the sounds of traffic drifting from the end of the alleyway.

Perhapsit was mean of me to rejoice in winning a battle of wits with an old lady stuck in aVictorianlocket for the rest of her undead life, butI’msureGrandmawould’ve approved.

Iwent back inside the shop and toldNataliaIneeded to do an urgent errand.Onmy way back to myVespa,IcalledMark—berzerker, pub bouncer,Dru’snew maybe boyfriend, and occasionalTeaCauldronshift-filler—and asked him to come helpNataliaout.

Givenhe worked until early morning most nights, he wasn’t exactly happy to be woken up this early to go work elsewhere, butIsweetened the deal by reminding himDruwould be right next door and promising two weeks’ worth of free coffee and muffins.

Thattaken care of,Itook the protective cover offBee-Beeand pushed her into the alleyway.

Brimstonecreating ice instead of fire was one thing, butShanebeing unable to shift back to normal was a problem that needed all my focus.

Andall my focus it would receive.

SIX

WhenIgotto the cemeteryIheard two sets of howling in the distance.Fora second,IthoughtAlexhad gotten stuck in wolf form too, andIalmost fell offBee-Beein my hurry to dismount theVespaand get to the main house.However, onceIarrived,Irealized it wasRufushowling in sympathy withShane.Theysat together in the workshop, howling at the cloudy sky like it was a full moon.Bytheir side,Fluffyadded tiny barks every time the howling started.

“Hope,”Keyexclaimed, coming to give me a fast hug. “You’rehere.”Herface was filled with worry, and the moment the hug was over, she began wringing her hands. “Shane’sstuck.”

“Temporarily,”Iassured her, because that was the only way this was happening. “Forever” was not currently in my dictionary unless it applied toIan'sand my relationship.

Thethought gave me pause.

WhenhadIstarted thinking that way?Afew months ago, the thought of “forever” withIanhad given me a small anxiety attack, but now it felt so natural as to be unremarkable.

Shanehowled again, andIshook myself mentally.Somethingto ponder later.

“Okay, stop that,”Iordered sternly toShaneandRufus. “Peoplecan hear you from the street.”

Shanebarked in disgruntlement.Fluffyyipped and trotted over to paw at my legs in a decidedly worried manner.Igathered her in my arms and buried my face in her warm, wonderful fur. “It’sokay,Fluffy.Youwon’t have to share your food with an extra dog for long.We’regoing to figure out how to fix it.”

Shanebarked in outrage, andAlexburst out laughing.Hehad come in behind me with a couple of sodas.Hepassed me one, andIdrank from it greedily.Theenergy drink had done wonders, butIwas still wobbly.

“IsIanhere yet?”

AsIasked, the sound of hisSUVcoming up the path reached our ears.Rufusbegan barking in greeting, andFluffysquirmed in my arms, soIput her down.Theyboth waited at the opening of the workshop asIanparked hisSUVnext to the white van.Themoment he stepped out, they rushed him.

Hetook a few moments to greet them, then came to us in fast strides.

Oh, butIwould never grow tired of looking at him.Tall, broad-shouldered, dark brown hair gathered at the nape, piercing green eyes currently almost hidden by his deep frown, and the most kissable lips ever.Allwrapped in his usual all-black package: black winter jacket, black pullover, black jeans, and black boots.

Heput a hand on my arm and gave me a reassuring squeeze before dipping down and kissing me lightly.Thenhe crouched on one knee in front ofShaneand focused all his attention on him. “Whathappened?”

Alexcrossed his arms, shifting from foot to foot in agitation. “Wewere moving the sofa into the living room at the shop when he suddenly shifted.Nowarning, no nothing.Hewas human one second, and the next…”Hewaved atShane. “Poof.”

IanheldShane’smassive wolf head between his hands and looked straight into his golden eye.Magicfilled the space asIan’salpha aura clogged the air, making my spine tingle and raising the hairs on my nape.

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