Page 74 of Upside Down Magic

Wasthis what separated a witch shop owner from the high echelons of witch society?Somethingto ponder later.

“Thebounty hunter first,”Tammycommanded.

Iwatched with some apprehension asIanwalked up toTammyand knelt on the floor by the potion circle.Hesent me a fast, reassuring smile before slamming his granite expression on and offering his arm, sleeve already rolled back.

Ianhad thebestforearms.Thesight made me go a little weak in the knees.

ThenTammysliced his arm and all lustful thoughts fled my mind asIwinced in sympathy.

Iandidn’t react, as usual, just remained still as the blood dripped into the moon water and herbs mixture, leaving behind wispy crimson trails as it traveled to the depths of the bowl.

Tammyslapped a piece of gauze on his arm. “Next.ThePBOApresident.”

Ianreturned to the wall after giving me a reassuring nod, andSoniastepped forward, her cane thudding on the hardwood floor.

Ichewed my lower lip.Itfelt wrong not to offer assistance, butSoniawas perfectly capable of asking for help if she needed it.

Andshe didn’t.Witha lot more elegance thanIwould’ve in the same situation, she balanced on her cane and knelt on one knee.Shetoo offered her arm.

BeforeTammycutSonia’sarm, there was a loud growl from the doom and gloom corner.

Weall turned toward the noise.Huttonwas gripping the front of his shirt.

Keithimmediately snapped to attention. “Alpha?”

“I’mnot feeling well,”Huttongrowled.

Keithrushed forward and helped him stand up. “Theparanormal curse?”

Itwas on the tip of my tongue to say curses weren’t a thing, but who wasIkidding, there was no other way to explain this magical nightmare. “Takehim to the back.”

“No,”Huttongrowled. “I’llreturn toClawstonePark.Idon’t want to affect the potion.”Hegave me a split-second glower thatIbarely caught.

Ahh.Sothis is how he was going to avoid having to give his blood, by faking being sick.Aweight lifted off my shoulders asImoved to helpKeithshuffleHuttonto the front door.

“Goodthinking,”Iwhispered. “Soproud of you.”

“Getlost,” he snapped.

Icooed in fake concern as they went outside and tossed a “I’llvisit later” after them when they walked to their car.

Turningto the rest of the group,Iasked, “Anyoneelse feeling sick?”

Everyoneshook their heads.

Tammysniffed loudly. “Let’sfinish this before someone does.”Withoutany more preambles, she sliced openSonia’sforearm.

Soniajerked slightly but kept her usual chiding expression on her face.OnceTammywas happy with the amount of blood, she slapped a gauze pad onSonia’sarm and indicated she could stand.

“Dowe need another shifter since we don’t haveHutton?”Iasked asSoniaused her cane to straighten to her feet.

“No,”Liliansaid from the counter. “It’snot ideal, but the bounty hunter’s blood will suffice since he’s an alpha as well.Nowthat we’ve started mixing the blood with the other ingredients, we need to finish the potion as soon as possible.”

“Next,”Tammybarked.

Keystepped forward, andItook out my phone to sendIana text:Lookat you.BHand alpha.Suchmultiuse.

Ianchecked his phone then sent me a look promising retribution.Buthe was kidding himself—he was totally fighting a smile.

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