Page 11 of Upside Down Magic

“It’snudging a memory,” he admitted. “IthinkIremember hearing something like this happening a long time ago from my mom.I’llgive her a call.”

Iswallowed hard, no longer cold. “Yourmom?”

Ihad metCharlotteCavalierthrough a long video call duringThanksgiving, and she was a lovely, warm woman who seemed to genuinely like me.Butthere was something about not having met her in person yet that left me feeling like she might hate me at the drop of a hat, no matter the number of reassurances byIanthat she didn’t.

“Mymom loves you.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Callyou later afterIhear what she says?”

“Yes, please.”

Hechuckled, and we said our goodbyes.Irushed inside the shop, welcoming the heat, and noticed we had an early customer.Akind-of regular who sometimes came for her breakfast.Thewoman smiled, andIsmiled back.Behindthe counter,Nataliawas fully focused on making the woman’s tea.Perfect.

“Allgood?”Iasked.

“Yes, boss,”Nataliasaid, not looking up from preparing the tea.Icould already tell she’d make a wonderful addition to the shop.Anothercustomer entered the shop behind me, andNataliapromptly moved over to see what they wanted.

Gladthat there were no problems so far on that front,Iwent past the bead curtain into the hallway and did some research on my phone.Perhapsit was time to invest in a personal laptop to keep in the kitchen for situations like this.

Although, one could only hope there wouldn’t be any more situations like this.Still, it paid to be prepared.

Acursory search through the members-onlyCouncilboards brought me no results, and there was nothing much to be found in the semi-public spaces.Butthose tended to be scrubbed of content periodically so as to not leave too much of a paranormal history for normal humans to discover, so that was probably not going to help much unlessBrimstone’sproblem was widespread enough to be noticed.

Iwas logging into the dark marketplace to see if anyone was asking for potions to help with a similar problem—or to cause a similar problem—when a couple of new customers entered the shop.Nataliagot busy with the first one, andIpocketed my phone and went behind the counter to help with the second.

Itwas an older woman, perhaps in her fifties, with beautiful platinum blond hair blended with streaks of gray.Shehad perfect makeup on and was wearing jeans and a red sweater.Sheseemed rather curious about the shop, her avid blue eyes scouring the room and taking it all in.

Herheels clicked on the floor as she came to stand in front of me.

“Youmust beHopeAvery.”

Shestuck her hand out, andIshook it automatically, a little taken aback.Whowas this woman, and why did she seem to know me? “That’sright.Welcometo theTeaCauldron.WhatcanIget you?”

Hergaze didn’t leave me as she dropped her small purse on top of the counter and plopped herself on the far-end stool. “Today’sspecial, please.”

“Comingright up.Muffins?Cookies?”MeiandIwere in the process of trying out savory items, butIhad none at hand today.

“Sure, why not.I’lltake a banana muffin.”

“Perfect.”Islid aroundNataliato grab a muffin and served it to the stranger on a small plate before turning to make her tea.Afterit was done and set in front of her,Iwaited expectantly, wondering if she’d introduce herself or not.

“Youhave a lovely shop.”Sheblew on the tea, then took a dainty sip and hummed in appreciation. “Thetea is good too.”

Thefamiliar pride at my shop being appreciated warmed me from within. “Thankyou,”Isaid with genuine sincerity.

“Thereviews online don’t really do it justice.”

Ididn’t think so either, butIwas a biased party. “That’svery nice of you to say.”

Shepeered at me over the rim of the mug as she took another sip before setting it down. “Andthe localCouncilhas nothing but good things to say about it too.Barringsome slight issues at the start.”

Herwords left me speechless for a second.Awitch visitor!Wasthis a newCounciltest?OneofBagley’scronies?Someonetrying to steal my shop?

Igripped the edge of the counter until my knuckles turned white.

Notall witch visitors mean bad news,Hope.Justbecause every witch visitor before has, it doesn’t mean there is a pattern.

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