Page 50 of Upside Down Magic

Myphone rang that moment, saving me from having to find a way to answer that.Anotherunknown callerID.

Iheld up a finger. “Onesecond.”ThenIanswered the call. “HopeAveryspeaking.”

“Thisthe witch?” a familiar, rough voice asked.Soundsof jukebox music filled the background.

“Itis.”

“Gethere right nowASAP.It’surgent.”

Igripped my phone.Urgent?Wassomeone else sick? “Whois this?”

“Whothe hell do you think it is?It’sWyattfrom the bar.Hurryup.”

Hehung up, leaving me with a rolling stomach.

Thespell was expanding.

SIXTEEN

Wyattownedan establishment in the net of alleyways that formedGuilesandRomary’sbar scene.Asfar asIwas aware, only paranormals frequented it, and, unlike theCrawler, it was open to all—as long as you liked dark, dingy interiors and were there for illegal magical matters.

Itwas alsoBrimstone’shaunt of choice.

Fora moment, hope sparked inside of me.Maybethe upside-down magic spell wasn’t about me or theTeaCauldron; maybe it was someone related toWyatt’sbar having sworn revenge after a deal gone bad.

Butthen, how to explainShaneandLilian?Shanemight’ve gotten close toWyatt’sbar, butLilianhad no reason to go anywhere near it.

Ianparked as close as possible, and we hurried through the narrow streets.Eventhis early in the day some of the bars on the main two thoroughfares were open, and tourists milled around,aahingandoohingat the old buildings.

Wyatt’sbar was a hole in the wall in one of the side streets, appearing closed for all intents and purposes, butIknew better—Ihad come here at all times of the day, and it was always open.

Theinside was as gloomy as usual, with several standing tables and a series of booths lining one wall.Onthe other, a long bar stretched the length of the room, withWyattstanding behind it and a few customers nursing drinks at the far end.

Nobodylooked sick; nobody looked angry.Maybethey were in the back room?Thejukebox was silent now, and nondescript country music played softly over the speakers.

“I’mhere,”Iexclaimed, rushing to the bar counter and gripping it like it was my lifeline.IsensedIancome to a stop behind me. “Whereare they?”

Wyattfinished drying a glass and snapped the rag over his shoulder before coming over, his usual deep scowl in place. “Abouttime.”HegaveIana fast glance and a muscle in his jaw twitched. “Cavalier.”

Atthe sound of his name, two people stood abruptly and disappeared through the back door, and the closest person at the counter took his drink to one of the far booths.Thereaction would’ve normally made me laugh, butIwas too worried about having another sick paranormal on my hands. “Well?Whereare they?”

“Whereis who?”

Ileaned in and lowered my voice, not wanting to cause a panic. “Whoeveris sick?”

“Nobody’ssick, lady.”

“Nobody?”

“Whatare you talking about?” he demanded, planting both hands on top of the counter in a moveIwas well familiar with.Itwas thestop messing with me orI’mbringing out the batmove.

“There’snobody sick?”

“Ofcourse not!Thisis a proper establishment.”

Mylegs gave out from under me andIbarely slid onto one of the stools beforeIlanded on the floor.Iwanted to put my hands on my face and cry with joy.Nobodyelse was sick yet.Westillhad time to fix it before more people were affected.Ianput a reassuring hand on my shoulder and squeezed gently.

“Areyousick?”Wyattsuddenly asked, taking a step back and staring at me likeIhad grown infectious zombie spores all over my body.

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