Page 5 of Upside Down Magic

“Iknow!”

Mymouth fell open. “Youknow?”

Hesent me a mean look. “Iwasn’t born yesterday, witch.”

Icouldn’t wrap my head around it.Allthis time,I’dbeen so afraid he’d figure it out and rat me out to theCouncil. “But…Youknow?Andyou didn’t complain?”Orburn me alive?

Heshrugged. “Aslong as they work,Idon’t care.”Hetowered over me again and added in an ominous tone, “Butthey no longer work right.”

Atiny stalagmite of ice formed down the tip of his nose.

“Uhh…”

“What?”

Ipointed at my nose. “Youhave a little…”

Hetouched his nose, found the tiny piece of ice, then roared and threw it at the sink.Hisshoulders suddenly slumped. “I’mdoomed.”

Iset the fire extinguisher on the counter and went to him. “It’sall right.We’llfigure it out.”Iguided him to the stoolIkept in the kitchen for doing spells and had him sit. “Whoelse knows about this?Key?Sonia?”

Heshook his head, still looking like his life was over.Itried to put myself in his situation.HowwouldIfeel if my magic randomly turned upside down?IfIsuddenly produced air magic but not potions?Usingspirit magic was whoIwas.Firewas cool but not what brought me joy.

“Nobodyknows,”Brimstonesaid. “Itstarted happening this morning, soIrushed here.Areyou sure it’s not the potion?”

“I’msure.Thepower needed to change your magic like this is well beyond me,”Iadmitted. “EvenifIused dark magic,Icouldn’t manage a spell this powerful.”

“Thenwhat is it?”

Ibegan pacing. “Wherehave you gone lately?Haveyou eaten at any restaurant or anyone’s place?Whatabout your vlog?Didyou go to any new restaurant to use for content?”

Aftermuch digging,I’dfinally found his vlog.Itwas surprisingly entertaining—no wonder he had a legion of fans.

“Nowherenew lately.I’vebeen eating at home or withSonia.”

Itook out my phone, opened the notes app, then handed it over. “Writedown every place you’ve visited or ate at.”

“Itold you,Ididn’t go anywhere strange or new.”

“Gottacover all our bases.”

Herolled his eyes but put down a few names.Istudied the list—a couple of local restaurants, a fast-food chain, and a pub inGuilesandRomary.Allvery public.

“Whatabout your clients?”Iasked. “Anyonewith a grudge?”

“Sure.”

Iheld out the phone. “I’mgoing to need their names.”

“No.”Theword came strong and final.

“Oneof them might’ve spelled you.”

Hestood and stared at me down his nose. “Thenthat’s my problem.Yourjob is to cure me, witch.”

“It’llbe way easier to fix you ifIknow the kind of spell?—”

Therewas a loud knock on the front door of the shop.

---