Page 77 of Upside Down Magic

Awhite ball of fur zoomed right past him.

“Fluffy,”Iexclaimed, jumping out of theSUVand bending to grab her in my arms.Iburied my face in her fur. “I’vemissed you so much.”

“Where’sShane?”Keyasked, running up toAlex.

Alexthumbed toward the inside of the house. “Kitchen.Wewere waiting for you.”

Withoutanother word,Keyrushed inside the house.

Asecond, larger ball of fluff ambled out after she disappeared inside.

“Hello,Rufus,”Isaid, depositingFluffyback on the ground.Sheleaped out of my hands and ran toIan, barking and jumping around him.Ianpatted her obligingly, andFluffypanted in bliss.

Ah, to be as happy as a dog.

Rufusbumped my hip, andIgave him a good scratch under his head. “Helloto you too, big boy.”

“Theshop is good now?”Alexasked.

“Asgood as new,”Itold him happily. “Justin time for the weekend.”Whilewe had a good number of regulars during weekdays, the weekend was when we truly shone with tourists.

“Hope.”Key’sshrill voice came from inside the house. “Hope!”

Myblood ran instantly cold.Weall exchanged a fast look, then ran inside.

Iwas the first to arrive to the kitchen. “Whatis it?”

Keywas kneeling next toShane, who was still in his wolf form.Sheturned to us in panic. “Thepotion—it’s not working!”

“But…”No,Iwouldn’t doubt her.Itwas obvious it wasn’t working.Thevial was empty and so was the drinking bowlKeyhad set in front ofShane. “Maybeit takes a bit to work?”

“Butit worked right away for that witch.”

“Maybeit’s different for shifters.Let’sgive it a few minutes.”

Shanewhined and pawed at the hardwood floor in distress.Keyran a hand down his back, and that calmed him somewhat.FluffyandRufusappeared in the doorway, watchingShanebut staying well away.Theyprobably recognized the danger he represented in his anxiety.

“Maybethe potion only works on witches?”Alexsuggested, taking a seat at the large kitchen table.

“Weused blood from different paranormals, it should be a universal remedy.”

“Maybeshifters need more potion than witches?”Iansuggested.

Whata very good question. “Itshouldn’t, but you might be right.I’llgo get more.”Iextended a hand forIan’skeys.

Hehesitated for a moment, andIknew he wanted to drive me, but another low whine fromShaneconvinced him.HewasShane’salpha.Heneeded to stay and support his stray.Hefished the keys out of his pocket and dropped them in my hand.

“I’llhurry,”Itold him with a reassuring smile.Ididn’t wait to hear his response but hurried out of the kitchen and back to theSUV.Aminute laterIwas on the way back to the shop.Shortlyafter,Iwas on my way back to the cemetery, two vials of potion secured in one of theTeaCauldron’sdelivery boxes.

Iparked in front of the house and ran inside with the potions. “Anydifference?”

Shane’showl answered before anyone else could.

Nope, no difference.

“Here.”Iknelt by his andKey’sside and emptied one of the vials into the drinking bowl. “Drinkall that.”

Alongwhat he had already ingested, it should be more than enough.

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