Page 39 of Upside Down Magic

“Abouttime,” she snapped, flapping her arm for me to come closer.

“Whereis she?”Iasked, full of worry.

“I’mhere,”LilianValentisaid wryly, half stepping out of the room.

Awave of relief crashed over me.Shewas still standing.Good.

Dorseypoked my chest with one of her gnarled fingers. “Thisbetter not have anything to do with myB’n’B,Avery.”

Unfortunately, that was somethingIcould safely admit to. “Itdoesn’t.”

“Good.”

Shemade no move to walk away, soLilianstepped back in a welcoming gesture.ThemomentIwas inside, she closed the door inDorsey’sface.Ismiled in spite of myself and studied the witch closely.Hermakeup was perfect, her eyes weren’t bloodshot, her hair was coiffed into a back bun, and she didn’t appear out of breath or about to keel over.

Butthen, neither hadBrimstone.

Brimstone!Ineeded to check up on him as soon asIwas done here.

“You’resick?”Iwhispered, knowingDorsey’sear was probably glued to the door.

“Youtell me,”Liliansaid.Shetouched her right hand to one of the bracelets on her left wrist and tiny sparks flew out.

“What…?”

“Thisis what happens any timeItry doing a spell.”Shegrabbed a small bottle from the coffee table in the small sitting area of the room—which thankfully wasn’t the same asLydiaLee, murdered actress a month ago—and held it up.Hermouth pursed as she concentrated on her magic.

Moretiny sparks flew from where her skin touched the glass.

Afterthey stopped, she tossed the bottle my way. “Youtry.”

Iinspected the bottle, but it appeared normal enough.Apinkish liquid sloshed inside, andIassumed it was some sort of personal potion.Concentratingon my magic,Idrew a tiny protection ward on the glass.

Nosparks, and the magic held.

“Whendid this start?”Iasked, rubbing my forehead.Oh, but this was bad.Sparksinstead of spells?Awful.

Liliansat on the small sofa, patting the cushion next to her.Isat by her side and put the bottle back down on the table.

“Itstarted this morning.Itried to do one of my daily spells andboom!”Sheextended her hands in a small explosion impression. “Sparkseverywhere.”

“Andyou don’t feel ill otherwise?”

“Ashealthy as usual.”Sheshuffled to watch me more directly. “Doesthis have anything to do with the crashes in your shop yesterday and the way you kicked me out?”

Iopened my mouth, but no words came out.Inyour shop.Therewas no denying it now.ShaneandBrimstonehad me andKeyin common.

Shane,Brimstone, andLilianhad the shop in common.

Ithurt to even think about it, but the soonerIadmitted it, the soonerIwould find how to help my friends.

Istood up abruptly. “Yes.Ithink it’s the shop.Therehave been two other paranormals who got sick as well.IthoughtIfixed whatever spell got to them, but it’s back.Ineed to go now, butI’llcome back,Iswear.”

Notwaiting for a response,Iran out of the room, nearly barreling overDorseyoutside, then flew down the corridor and the stairs.

“Norunning,Avery!”Dorseyyelled after me.

“Sorry,”Iyelled back, wrenching open the front door.

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