Page 76 of Upside Down Magic

Shenodded with relief and went to stand behind the bead curtain to not be in the way ofTammy’sextensive spraying.Aftershe was done with a wide surface, she put her hand on itand murmured an incantation, activating the magic she’d just sprayed.

LilianjoinedKey, as didIan.

Boskograbbed his coat and gave me a meaningful glance that pretty much spelleddon’t forget theChristmasstuff.

WhichIkind of had with the whole potion-making process.Boskomight be a rude, arrogant, busybody shop owner, but he had come to help, and soIsupposed he deserved a spot in my event, even if he was only joining becauseDorseyhad.

Itook out my phone and added him to my spreadsheet.

“Youtoo,”Tammysaid in an irritated tone. “Thedemon and berzerker.”

PrestonandMarkwere engaged in a staring contest on either side ofDru.Or, well,Prestonwas.Marksimply stood there, grinning like he had no cares in the world.

Druwas clearly enjoying the showdown, her gaze flicking from one to the other, a mischievous smile on her lips.Notbecause of the fact that two men were fighting for her attention, of course—Drucouldn’t care less about that kind of macho idiocy—but because she knew it was probably givingPrestonindigestion.

Wereallyneeded to have a talk about letting old grudges go, because at this rate she was going to end up haunting people like the ghosts in a horror movie.Nota good look at all.

“I’lltalk to you later,Dru,”Isaid pointedly.

Shepouted, as ifIwas ruining all her fun, then grabbed her winter coat and strode out of the shop, turning a sharp left to get to hers.

Markwinked at me and left after her, ambling in the opposite direction.

Prestonwatched untilMarkwas out of sight, then centered his tie, put on his jacket and coat, muttered his goodbye, and also left the shop, walking straight across the street.

“Ididn’t know small-town drama would be so interesting,”Liliancommented.

Abest-hits medley of all the magical dramaIhad witnessed since moving toOlmedareplayed in my head.Ifonly she knew. “Itcan be entertaining sometimes.Isyour power fully back?Nothingfeels weird?”

“Likeit was never wrong.”

Theconfidence in her voice helped but didn’t completely erase the hole in the pit of my stomach.Ididn’t think anything would untilIsawShanein his two-legged form.

“I’mdone,”Tammyannounced, then slumped into one of the chairs.

“Areyou okay?”Iasked immediately.

“I’mspent,”Tammysaid.Shelet out a long sigh. “Icould use a hot bath.Doyou have any sea salts in here?No, never mind.Ibrought my own.Shippeddirectly from a witch inThailand.Theyare thebestat bringing your aura back into alignment.Irecommend you try them.”

ThespecialThailandwitch-powered sea salt probably cost more thanIan’sSUV. “Surething,Tammy.”

“We’llcatch a ride to the bed and breakfast,”Liliansaid, taking out her phone. “We’lldo a check-in later tonight or tomorrow morning to make sure things are still fine.”

Iagreed to that, and the two witches made their exit.Theyhad just reached the edge of the sidewalk when a car came to a screeching halt in front of them.Theygot inside without a second glance.

WhenIbooked a ride share,Ialways had to wait five to ten minutes at least.Powerfulwitches really had it all.

“Readyto go?”Ianasked.

Igave my empty, newly cleansed, faintly blood-and-herb smelling shop a last look-over.

Itno longer felt sad and empty but full of promise and eager to return to normal.

Itfelt perfect.

“Yes,”Isaid. “Let’sgetShaneback to normal.”

ExcitementfilledIan’sSUVas he drove me andKeyto the cemetery,Shane’spotion secure inKey’stight grasp.Wehad calledAlexbefore making the trip, so he opened the door as soon as he heard theSUVdrive up the path to the house.

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