Page 18 of Upside Down Magic

“Shift,”Iancommanded in a deep, growly voice that resonated all the way to my bones.

Alphascouldn’t force other wolves to do anything, but their commands carried a level of authority members of the pack were instinctively tuned to.Itcould be used to cut through spells put on shifters, as they had somewhat of a built-in protection against magic.

Weheld our breaths, butShaneshook his head and whined.

Mutteringa curse,Ianstood.Shanehowled and pawed the floor of the workshop.

Ianrubbed the top of his head. “We’llfigure it out,Shane.”

Shanelowered his head to rest on his front paws and let out another sad whine.Keysat by his side, throwing her arms around his neck. “It’sgoing to be okay,Shane,” she whispered.Shanenudged her with his head, andKeysniffled a little.

Isniffled too.

No,Ireminded myself.Nosniffling. “Figureout how this happened and then make a potion to fix it.”

“Goodidea, boss,”Alexsaid.

“Wereyou andShanetogether all morning?Ordid you meet to bring me the sofa?”Iasked.

Shaneshook his head whileAlexspoke. “Wewere together all morning.Wokeup at the same time, then had leftover pizza for breakfast and came here to get the van.”

“Whatabout the sofa?”

“Wepicked that up yesterday evening.”

“Together?”

“BossandIwent.”

“Wherewere you,Shane?”Iasked of the wolf.

Key’scheeks pinked up. “Wewent to hang out atBoltonSquare.”

Daww.“Anythingstrange happen?Triedany new food or drinks?Wereyou approached by anyone you didn’t know?”

Theyshook their heads.

Again, the disturbing thought that it might be related to the shop intruded into my head.Butif that were true, wouldn’t everyone’s magic be messed up?Especiallymy own?

“Youcan’t tell anyone,”Isaid, “butBrimstoneis having some magical issues too.”

Keyscrambled to her feet, as didShane. “UncleJeremy?”

“Yes.Hisfire magic is not working correctly.”Istepped forward. “Isyours working fine?”

“Mine?Yeah.Ithink so?”Shestudied her hands for a moment, then went outside the workshop and made a clump of earth flip over. “Workingas usual.”

“That’sgreat,”Isaid with relief.

“Howdo we fix this, boss?”Alexasked.

IstudiedShane, who studied me back with a forlorn expression.Withoutknowing how the original spell had been made, the intention or composition, it would be harder to neutralize.Makinga potion to target something in general rather than something in particular made it less powerful.However, there were ways around that.

“I’mgoing to need a sample of your blood,Shane.ThenI’mgoing to make a potion.”

Shanewhined and nodded.Keyran to a cupboard and brought out a first aid kit.

“Wedon’t have vials,” she said worriedly.

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