Page 98 of Upside Down Magic

“Allgood,”Itold them.Theycame inside, looking around curiously asIilluminated our surroundings with my phone.Thewindows overlooking the street weren’t fully blocked but had half-walls with painting on them that still allowed a view into the front of the gallery, soImade sure to keep the phone flashlight pointed downward.

“Niceplace,”Alexwhispered.

Ihad to agree.Normanhad enlarged the entrance into the back hallway, turning it into a natural continuation of the gallery.Adoor with a bathroom sign on it and another with an “Office” plaque were separated by a pedestal displaying a bust, and what would’ve been the kitchen had been turned into an open sitting area with a plush sofa.Onone side, a third door blocked the way into the stairs leading to the second-floor living area.

“Getto work, blondie,”Drusaid, pointing at the bust.

Isaluted and sprayed the bottom of the bust.

Detect.

Ishook my head.Nomagic.

“Ilike this moon water in a spray bottle idea,”Liliansaid.

“Ihave a version that will detect magic if you’re not a witch,”Itold her proudly.Wehad put it to good use last time we had magical issues.

“Impressive.”

Rufusyipped in agreement.

“Silence,Rufus,”Ireminded him.Hebutted my hand with his head, andIgave him a good scratch.

“Wedon’t have all night,”Wyattsaid. “Ineed to get back.”

“Metoo,”Dorseysaid. “I’mnot even half-drunk yet.”

“Idon’t mind.Thisis so much fun,”Aprilwhispered.

“Thanks,April,”Isaid pointedly, then walked into the art gallery itself, glad my sneakers weren’t squeaking on the polished floors.Softspotlights illuminated the different paintings, busts, and other works of art.Asbefore, the wave ofwrongnessassaulted my senses asItook them in.Itwasn’t overwhelming or anything, but it wasthere.

“Oh, man,” someone said.

“Whatis that?”Dorseyasked, leaning towards a bust of a screaming man and pinching her nose as if the wrongness of the sight had a bad smell.

“Dude,”Alexsaid, shuddering by my side. “Thatis some bad vibes.”

Ifollowed his gaze to find the painting of the woman standing by the fireplace that doubled as a gateway toHell.

“Interesting,”Liliansaid, sounding fascinated.

“Ilike that one,”Dorseystated, pointing at a cherry wood secretary deskIwas pretty sure still had splatters of someone’s blood. “It’sneat.”

“Thatone has been here from the start,”Isaid. “Thepainting with the fireplace too.Weneed the new arrivals, or anything that feels wrong.”

“Everythinghere feels wrong,”Drumuttered, rubbing her arms.

“Demonhas a point,”Huttongrumbled.

“Trya little harder,”Ichided, then began checking for piecesIdidn’t remember being here on opening night.

Apainting caught my attention—a small, framed canvas with a portrait of a man in regency clothes (thanks,BBCclassics).Isprayed moon water on my hand, then pressed a fingertip to the edge of the canvas and focused my intention.

Detect.

Nomagic bounced back.

“Rufus,”Isaid, putting my hand on his head, “sense anything?”

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