Page 91 of Upside Down Magic

Dorseymade a sound of delight. “Ooh, which witch?Wasit someoneIknow?”

“Don’tmindHutton,Ms.Dorsey.He’sfeeling delicate because he’s worried about his big brother.”

“Amnot!”

“Thisyour back kitchen?”Wyattasked, peeking into the kitchen. “Doesn’tseem well stocked.Youhire a cook?”

“It’sa tea shop, not a restaurant.”

Hegrunted. “Peopleget hungry when they’re drinking.Youshould have at least some peanuts.Maybewings or something.”

“Wehave muffins and cookies,”Iinformed him. “Waybetter than peanuts and wings.”Especiallyany peanuts or wingsWyattcould ever serve.

“Ain’tthat the truth,”Drumurmured.

“Weoffer pancakesandwaffles,”Dorseysaid proudly.

“Hey,Iremember you,”Wyattsaid, pointing atDru. “Youcame into the bar with her, didn’t you?”

“Unfortunately.”

“Youshould come back.Thursdaysare ladies’ night.”

Drucocked her head and gave him a dismissive glance. “Notmy scene.”

“We’rehere for a spell,”Iexclaimed, clapping my hands. “Pleaseconcentrate.”

Theygrumbled but kept silent.Aknock on the front door had me hurrying through the hallway and the shop.Aprilstood outside, bundled in a hot-pink parka, grinning like she’d won the lottery.

Iguessed people didn’t often ask her for magic help, and the thought made my heart ache for her.I’dmake sure to include low-power people in my events a lot more often from now on.Uslosers—underdogshad to stick together.

“Okay, now that we’re all together,”Ibegan once everyone was sitting or standing in a semicircle around me, “I’llexplain the plan.”

“Abouttime,”Dorseygrumbled.

“Go, go, boss,”Alexcheered helpfully.

Huttonrolled his eyes.

Icleared my throat. “AsIwas saying?—”

“Yes, yes,”Wyattsaid. “What’sthe plan?”

“I’mso excited,”Aprilwhispered. “I’venever done a potion before.”

“It’skind of cool,”Alextold her.

Drugrabbed a chocolate muffin from the display and took a bite.

“Theplan,”Isaid loudly, “is to do the same spell we did before but with our blood.”

“Youdid a spell before and it didn't work?”Wyattasked. “Whywould this one work?”

“Ibelieve it didn’t work because the blood we used was too powerful.”

“Thatmakes no sense.”

“Ithink the spell we’re dealing with feeds off power.That’swhy the most powerful paranormals are being affected while those like us are fine.”

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