Page 59 of Upside Down Magic

“There’snothing wrong with me!”

“Thenwhy didIhave to make a special drink for you this summer?”

“Oh, that.”

“Yes, that.”

“Fine.Iwon’t go.Butlet me know the moment the witch is gone.”

“Aww, why?Doyou miss my muffins?”

“No,Imiss yelling at you in person.”

Hehung up, andIrecounted our conversation toIan, although he must’ve heard all of it since he was sitting right across from me and he had shifter hearing.

“Ihope he stays away,”Imuttered before taking a good bite of my burger.

“Notyour problem if he doesn’t,”Iansaid.

“I’msure he’ll find a way to make it my problem,”Igrumbled.

“Saythe word, andI’llcarry him to bounty hunter jail.”Iansounded straight up cheerful about it, andIlaughed.

“You’dlike that, wouldn’t you?”

“Aman needs some brightness in his life.”

“Hey, that’s my job!”

Hereached over and tugged at the green streak in my hair. “Forthe times when you’re not around.”

Inodded, mollified, and we made fast work of our lunch.Shortlyafter, we were standing outside theModernCabinetofCuriosities, the words written in vintage gold-and-silver lettering on the front window.Anold animatronic butler stood sentinel by the door with an “open” sign hanging from its neck and aSantahat on its head.

Admiringthe commitment to the holidays,Iwent inside,Ianfollowing close behind.Thelobby was small and dark, with the ticket booth walled off byPlexiglass.Ayoung man sat behind it, playing on his phone.Helooked up whenIcleared my throat and pointed at the price sheet taped to the glass.

“Twentyfor two adults.”

Usingmy deepest, darkest, most ominous tone,Isaid, “I’vecome to pray.”

NINETEEN

Theman blinked. “Youwhat?”

Idropped the dark tone and tried again. “I’vecome to pray.”

“Erm…”Thehand holding his phone crept up, andIhad a strong feelingIwas about to become a social media viral sensation as the weird lady who thought the museum was a church.

Ianelbowed me aside gently, took out his debit card, and pinned the young man with one of his trademark intense stares. “Wewant to see the secret room.”

Theconfusion on the young man’s face cleared up to be replaced by a slight pout of disappointment as he lowered his phone. “Oh, that thing, sure.”Heshoved the card reader through the small opening and gave us two tickets afterIanpaid. “It’sright after the wonders-of-nature room.Keypadby the door, you can’t miss it.Codeis 6666.”

“Lovely.Thankyou so much,”Igushed with a bright smile before draggingIaninto the narrow dark corridor that marked the start of the exhibitions. “Thatwas so unfair,”Iwhispered. “You’resupposed to use the code to gain entrance.What’sthe point of a secret code if it doesn’t work?”

“Maybeit worked.Maybethey just like to make you work extra for it, show that you really mean it.”

“MaybetheCabinetneeds to train their employees better.”NataliaandBrimstonewould never fail me like this.

“Youcould send a complaint,”Iansuggested, amusement in his voice.

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