Page 48 of Upside Down Magic

“Youcould just say there isn’t one.”

“Ican’t!Dorseymight tell others and thenI’lllook like theGrinchifIsay there isn’t one.Plus…”

“Plus?”

“It’sa good idea,”Iadmitted begrudgingly.Whyhadn’tIthought of that?Inmy previous life as anEtsyseller and part-time barista,Ihad never been involved in aSecretSanta, but now that the nugget was firmly planted in my head,Icould see how it might be fun.ExceptIdidn’t wantDorseyto ruin anyone’sChristmasby being mean. “We’llneed a ‘no coal’ rule for sure.”

“Probablyfor the best,”Ianagreed, still silently laughing.Hepulled into the traffic and grew serious. “Ihave an address.”

“For?”

“Ellis’sfamily.”

“Seriously?”Iasked in delight, then nudged his side. “Youfound him in the bounty hunters’ secret database, didn’t you?”

“Ihave my sources.”

“Makesyou wonder why a victim of magical shenanigans ended up in a bounty hunter database, huh?Whatdid he do?Orwas it one of his descendants?”

Hismouth kicked up at the corner. “Iwould tell you if there was a bounty hunter database.”

“Whenwe’re old and yelling at kids to get off our lawn, will you admit about the database then, or will you take it to the grave?”

Hesimply smiled and kept driving.

TheEllisdescendantIanhad found—SofiaEllis—worked at a hair salon in downtownOlmeda.Mostparanormals liked to stick around the old town, but a few liked the more modern atmosphere around these parts.

“Oh, look, it’sTabbies,”Iexclaimed, gluing my face to the car window.Thelarge display windows were decorated forthe season, and a few giantChristmascards provided a nice background.Afew people milled inside, andIhummed in approval.Prestonhad chosen a great location.

EvenDruhad reluctantly agreed with that one, soIdidn’t feel so guilty thinking it.

Tabbiesfaded into the distance, butIstuck to the glass.Thevibes in this part of the city were so different fromOldOlmeda.Modernbut warm and welcoming.Lesshaunted, more wholesome.

Ianfound a parking spot after a short while of circling, and we walked toSeasideHair.Itwas a cozyHawaiian-inspired place with colorful surfboards on the front and garlands of fake flowers hanging across the front windows.Someonehad drapedChristmaslights around the surfboards, and aSantain swimming trucks and sunglasses sat on top.Iapproved.

Abell chirped softly when we stepped inside.Therewas a small reception area with a couple of chairs and then the usual row of mirrors and styling chairs lining one of the walls, with shelves and two hair-washing stations in the back.Twoof the chairs were occupied and a third woman was getting her hair washed.Ahairdresser flitted between the customers on the chairs, chatting animatedly.Sheglanced at us when we entered.

“Hullothere,” she said. “I’msorry, we’re fully booked this morning, but if you want to come later,Ihave a couple of spots.”

“Hi,”Isaid. “We’reactually looking forSofia.”

“Oh, sure.Sofia,” she called toward the hair-washing stations. “Someone’shere to see you.”

“Beright there,”Sofiaanswered, still concentrating on rinsing her client’s hair.

Thehairdresser turned back to us, said, “It’llbe a moment,” then refocused on her clients, who were studying us curiously through the mirrors.Ismiled politely, then settled in to wait.

Theirgazes shifted toIanin a definitely ogling manner.

Ididn’t mind.Atthe end of the day,Iwas the oneIansmiled at.

Sofiawrapped a towel around her client’s head, then guided her to the last styling chair before walking up to us.

“Hello,” she said in the perfectpotential new customertone: a little distant—we’re not friends, simply possible business partners—but warm and welcoming at the same time.Tenout of ten, she should be very proud. “HowcanIhelp you?”

"Wehave a few questions about your family.Isthere any place we can talk privately?”

“Myfamily?”Sofiafrowned slightly and looked at her client. “Canthis wait?”

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