Page 32 of Upside Down Magic

“Probably,”Iadmitted, then went back to my boring book.

Whatfelt like an eternity later, but had likely been about twenty minutes,Iantouched my arm.

“IthinkIfound something.”

Gladto have an excuse to stop my research,Iinserted a bookmark and closed my book. “Where?”

Heslid the paper over, and tapped the bottom of the page.

Philleas Leeman, est. 1845, magical poison. O-223

Belowit, a note had been scribbled:Victimreports spell changed his magic.ForwardedtoMontelheadquarters.

Imentally clapped my hands. “Perfect.Let’sget the file.”

“I’llget it.”

“Spoilsport,”Imuttered after him.Ididn’t bother opening my book again—IknewIwouldn’t be able to concentrate, and watching the back ofIan’sjeans as he walked to the counter was a much-needed restorative to my eyes.

Afew minutes later, he was back with a large tome and a pair of gloves for me.Iput them on and waited eagerly for him to open the book and flip the pages to caseO-223.

Accordingto the case notes, thisPhilleasLeeman, owner of a bookshop, was accused of using a dark magic spell on another bookshop owner, turning his victim’s magic from air to spirit.Thevictim, oneGeorgeEllis, presented two witnesses who told theCouncilunder oath thatEllishad not been able to use spirit magic before his altercation withLeeman.Atest with a special ward confirmedEllis’smagic had changed element, at least temporarily.

Somedigging intoLeeman’spast uncovered the suspicious disappearance of his original bookstore cofounder, and the poisoning of an old rival.Thatwas enough to condemn him toCounciljail.

Iflipped to the next page, but it showed another case.

“There’sno mention of what happened toEllis,”Imurmured. “Didhe get his powers back?”

“TheCouncilmust’ve made a potion for him.”

“You’reright.Itdoesn’t say what kind of spellLeemanused, either.”

“Heprobably didn’t tell them.Hardto argue for one’s innocence if you explain how you did the crime.”

“Goodpoint.”Ibrought up the notes app on my phone. “MaybeLeemanorEllisstill have family members living inOlmeda.Theymight know more about it.”

“Familylegend?Maybeeven a spellbook?”

“Exactly.”

“MissAvery,”Davecalled out, walking up to us with a folder in his hands, his face full of excitement. “IthinkIfound information on the dark coven you were looking for.”

“Thankyou,Dave,”Isaid just as excited.Leemanmight’ve been a member of the coven, and even if he wasn’t,Icouldn’t ignore the fact the coven was linked to stories about personal magic going wrong.

Daveleft us to delve into the folder, whichIimmediately did.

Therewere several detailed reports of dark magic incidents inOlmeda—some of which sounded more fiction than truth, sinceIhad yet to meet a talking snake with a chicken head and human feet—culminating in theCouncilfinding undisputed proof of dark magic use in the coven leader’s house.

Thewitch,AmandaForsythe, had been brought to theCouncilfor interrogation, but had refused to name the members of the coven or confess to any of the accusations leveled at her.Whichwas apparently quite irritating to whoever had written the report.Furtherinvestigation of the paranormal community inOlmedahad produced no new leads, so, with nothing else to go on, theCouncilhad deemedForsytheunrepentant and a menace to the paranormal community and thrown her into the brig.Isuspected she hadn’t stayed there long—paranormal justice was harsh and swift, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they had offed her to make room for the next paranormal villain.

Ishuddered at the thought.

“Nolist of coven members,”Iansaid, going over the report himself.

“Veryrude,”Iagreed. “Andnothing on the list of charges mentions magic drastically changing.”

“Thewording is too broad. ‘Producingpotions with the intent to spread ill’ could be a magic-changing potion or poison.”

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