Page 23 of Upside Down Magic

“Theyalso haveKeyin common.”

Thefact startled me.Ihadn’t considered that possibility. “Youthink someone is trying to get toKeythrough the people closest to her?”

“Itmakes more sense than it being related to you.Ifsomeone was after you, wouldn’t they have spelledDrurather thanShane?”

Islurped my soda, mulling the question over.Ian, as always, made some excellent points.Itleft me feeling kind of self-absorbed, immediately assumingShane’sandBrimstone’smagical misfortunes had to do with my shop.Justbecause most dark magic issues that crossed my path had to do with me or my shop, it didn’t meanalldark magic issues did.

Ismiled atIan, relieved we had a second working theory that didn’t involve theTeaCauldron.

“Weneed to figure out how they got spelled,”Isaid, feeling hungry again and grabbing a bread roll from the basket. “Thatwill lead us to who can do that kind of potion or spell.”

“Agreed.”

“Iwas thinkingIcould?—”

“You!”

Ijumped in my chair, startled by the shout.Thewhole restaurant looked up from their meals to watch a man make his way around the tables straight toward me andIan.

Idropped the roll on the table. “Jim?”

Hegrabbed a chair from a nearby table and sat down catty-corner to me. “Weneed to talk.”

Jimwas the human owner of a business that specialized in setting up themed attractions.Hismost famous one was the haunted house duringHalloween, but from whatIunderstood, he found ways to keep busy all year long.

“Talkabout what?”Iasked.

“Iheard there’s some kind ofChristmasthing going on.”

Ishot a pleading glance atIan, but he was leaning back in his chair, eyebrows raised and a faint smile on his lips, clearly leaving the field to me.Hmph.Someboyfriend.

“Thereare a lot ofChristmasthings going,”Ihedged.

Hegrabbed a bread roll, tore a piece, and threw it into his mouth, munching with gusto. “I’mdoing aSantathing over byPiccarel.”

“Isee.”

Hepierced me with an intense glare. “Iwant in on yourChristmasevent.”

Ireached for my soda and took a fortifying sip. “Wheredid you hearI’mdoing aChristmasevent?”

Hewaved another chunk of bread around. “Ihave my sources.So?CanIjoin?”

Ihad meant the event for paranormals only—there was always the danger of revealing the paranormal side when human businesses got involved in these kinds of things—but the idea had some surprising merit.Wouldn’tit be less suspicious if a couple of human businesses joined in instead of it being the same ones holiday after holiday?Someonemight get curious as to why only certain people did events together, and they might think it went deeper than friendship or elitism.

Butthat wasn’t a decisionIshould make in the heat of the moment just becauseJimhad cornered me during my lunch date withIan.

“I’mnot sureIhave the space,”Isaid.

“That’seasy.Broadenthe scope of the event.Theytold me it’s some kind of sticker game?”

Iwondered who his source was.Janet?Shehad a reputation for being sweet on men, and whileJimwasn’t to my personal taste, maybe she was less picky thanIwas. “Customersgo around the shops included in the event and receive a tree ornament sticker to put on a card.Likea treasure hunt.”

“Somake more stickers.”

Ourfood arrived, andImoved back to make space for the dishes to be placed on the table.Thewaitress sentJima questioning glance.

“He’snot staying,”Irushed to say.

---