Page 16 of Upside Down Magic

Iyelped and whirled in surprise at the same timeAlexlet the door close behind him.

“What’sAlexdoing here?” she asked, peeking over my shoulder.

“Hewas dropping some stuff,”Isaid, my heart still hammering.

“WasthatShane’swolf?”

“Rufus,”Ilied, then forced a scowl. “Youshouldn’t leave the front unattended.”

“Weran out of cookies.Wasgoing to check if we had more in the back.”

Ishooed her back into the shop. “I’llcheck.Yougo back.”

“Sure, boss.”Shegave the back door a last curious look, then returned to the shop.

Iwent into the storage room and peered outside the window into the backyard.Thegate was closed, and the sound of a vehicle starting told meShanehad made it safely into the van.

Timefor me to follow.

Igrabbed a box ofMei’scookies and returned into the shop.Theonly customer left wasLilianthe blood witch.

“Problems?” she asked, a hopeful tilt to her question.

GoodMotherEarthbut witches had the worst timing ever.Iplastered a smile on my face and retrieved her now empty mug and plate. “Noproblems, butIreceived an order delivery request and need to go for now.”

“Whenwill you be back?I’dlove to continue our conversation.Ihave a feeling that your shop deals with the most interesting cases.”

Iwent around the counter and took her coat off the hanger, holding it in clear invitation for her to put it on. “Veryboring, really.Nothingunexpected ever happens around here.”Ishot a glare atNatalia, who was watching us in fascination, and she busied herself washing the mug and plate.

“Ifyou say so,”Liliansaid cheerfully. “Iwill make sure to stop by tomorrow, see if we can talk in private.”

“Tomorrowis not good for me,”Ihedged. “Wednesdaysare so busy, you understand.”

Shepatted me on the cheek. “I’msure you’ll find space for me.”

Icursed silently as she put on the coat and wiggled her fingers in goodbye before stepping out of the shop.

“Whowas that?”Nataliaasked the moment the door made contact with the frame.

“Ahigh-level witch.”Ilooked at her pointedly. “Soyou better not mention love spells while she’s around.”Sincethey were highly illegal andIhadn’t told her the onesI’dmade for her were placebos.

Nataliapaled slightly and shook her head sharply. “Nota word.”

“Good.”

Ireturned upstairs to retrieveBagleyfrom the windowsill, which took some acrobatics as my new sofa was still stuck at an odd angle in the doorway, and brought her down to her usual home inside the metal locker in the backyard.

“Ilike your new sofa,” she said.

“Ihighly doubt that,”Ireplied asIretrieved the plastic container and put the locket inside.

“Theplacement, however, leaves something to be desired.”

Oh, goodMotherEarth. “Yousaw what happened toShane.”

“Hardto miss the young man going suddenly furry,” she said with a cackle. “Orhis friend’s panic.”

“Areyou going to recommend a dark magic potion to fix him up?”

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