Page 6 of Upside Down Magic

Weboth jumped, andIglanced at the kitchen clock on the wall.Itwas almost opening time,Irealized with a start.

“Thatmust beNatalia.”Iopened one of the cupboards and brought out the first aid kit. “Here,”Isaid, shoving it inBrimstone’shands. “Dabsome blood on a piece of gauze soIcan test it later.”

Trustinghe’d do asIasked,Irushed into the shop and opened the door.Nataliastood outside, a late teen with bright-red cheeks and dark brown hair bundled in a black winter jacket and jeans, expression bright with excitement.

Brimstone’sissues disappeared from my brain for a moment, and my chest swelled with pride.Nataliawas eager to start working in my shop—what shopkeeper wouldn’t revel in the feeling?

“Goodmorning,”Isaid. “Comein.”

Shestepped into the shop and took off her jacket. “Goodmorning.SorryI’ma little late.”

“That’sokay.”Itook her jacket and hung it on a peg by the door. “Morningsare usually slow, so plenty of time to learn the ropes.Ileft an apron for you behind the counter.”

Sheput on the apron asIexplained where everything was and showed her the cheat sheet with the different tea mixes.She’dbeen here before, and my shop wasn’t exactly a fancy lattes kind of establishment, so it didn’t take long to get her started.Asshe began doing a test of the day’s tea special—peppermint and berries—Iexcused myself and returned to the kitchen.

Brimstonestood proudly by the counter, spine straight and attitude back to his usual ominous vampire.

“Agood attitude is the best antidote for a bad day,”Itold him with approval.

“Here.”Heheld out one of my small potion vials filled to half with blood.

Behindhim, one of my spell knives lay abandoned on the counter, still dripping blood, along with scrunched squares of gauze saturated in red, and discarded bandages.Itlooked like someone had gone through major surgery on my kitchen counter.

“Ionly needed a sample!”Iexclaimed, scandalized.

Heshook the vial. “Thisis better.Youcan do more tests.”

“Hope?”Nataliaasked from the shop. “Everythingokay?”

“Yes,”Isaid loudly, glowering atBrimstone.Helifted his chin, put the vial down on the counter, then swept past me into the hallway.

“I’llbe expecting a cure today,” he said before disappearing from view.

Theback door opened and closed, andIwatched from the kitchen window as he strode toward the back gate.Rightbefore stepping into the alleyway, he gave me a last menacing glare.

“Whowas that?”Nataliasaid, peeking into the kitchen.Shegasped. “Holycow, did you cut yourself?”

“Notmy blood.”Ipointed at a cabinet. “Canyou grab the bleach?”

“Sure.”

Togetherwe cleaned up the mess, but my thoughts were only half present.Whohad spelledBrimstone, and why?Theobvious answer was one of his enemies, but judging from the list of places he had frequented lately, it’d be hard to find how they’d slipped him the potion.

Becausethere was no way it could’ve beenmypotions, right?

Adeep sense of unease filled me, butIquickly shook it off.AsI’dtoldBrimstone, the level of power involved in a potion or spell strong enough to change a paranormal’s innate magical power went well beyond anythingIcould dream of producing.

Whichbrought me to the question—why would anyone go through all that trouble to poisonBrimstonespecifically?Ifit was retribution for one of his illegal jobs, wouldn’t bodily harm be the usual way of going about things?Maybesome kidnapping and torture?Sure, having ice instead of fire was a kind of torture, but it still leftBrimstonewith plenty of magic.

Hadit been random then?Someonetrying to poison a paranormal—anykind of paranormal?

Thethought was beyond scary.

“Natalia,”Isaid, “how are you feeling today?Everythinggood?Yourwolfy senses working?”

Shegave me an odd look. “Mywhat?”

“Yourwolf doing okay?Didyou shift today?”

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