Page 1 of The Heartbreak Hex

Chapter 1

Gertrude

“Thank you, come again!” I say for what must be the hundredth time today, while handing over a brew to my customer. My shop, Eye of Newt, is busy today, which isn’t surprising, given the time of year.

“Happy Halloween!” groans back the ghoul, taking the potion bottle from my fingers.

“Happy Halloween!” I smile, excitement tingling in my veins. The big day is only a week away and we can all feel it, the biggest day of the whole year for the Halloween Neighborhood of Holiday Village. Creatures from the other neighborhoods will come visit, and we can go to the Human Realm and mingle, the one night it’s safe to do so, and share our spookiness and magic. I’d been pulling double shifts at the shop all month to make enough mischief brews, glamour potions, and will o’ the wisps for everyone.

I don’t have too much time to dwell on it though, as another customer takes their place in front of my register and starts up with their order.

“Type AB Positive, reheated . . .” starts the customer, but I finish it for him, knowing this order by heart.

“ . . . with a double shot of vitality and just a touch of energy?” I grin.

“Oh, Gertrude, you just get me,” flirts Vlad Everdark, the Halloween Neighborhood mayor, and my belly flutters a little. I’ve always had just a teensy-tiny little crush on our vampire mayor. Who wouldn’t? He looks dashing under the dim autumn sunlight that filters in through my front windows. Vampires can exist under the sun in Holiday Village, but he wears a wide-brim fedora and sunglasses to protect his delicate skin and eyes. Not that I would ever do anything about my crush, mind you. I have a boyfriend and we’ve been together for a long time. I’d never jeopardize that for anything.

Still, I can’t help but like when he flirts with me, even though I know it doesn't mean anything. He’s charming with everyone. “I would have to be missing some bats in my belfry to forget my most faithful customer’s standard order,” I tease back.

“What would the neighborhood do without you, Gertrude?” Vlad smiles, flashing some prominent vampire fang at me.

“Shrivel up and die most likely, begging for Energy Brews and Vitality Shots,” I say, playing along with his game, all while preparing his order. I’ve made this particular order so many times, I could do it blindfolded and spun around.

“You’re probably right,” Vlad says leaning against the countertop, watching me mix everything up. “Eye of Newt is an institution. We couldn’t do without it.”

“Oh, someone would replace me in a heartbeat, if I really did close down,” I say to him, adding the dash of energy to his order before corking the bottle.

“No one could replace you, Gertrude Nightshade,” he says, looking a little more serious than normal as he says it.

I smile at him before handing over his order. “You must say that to all the witches.”

Vlad frowns for a moment while taking his potion bottle from me. When he opens his mouth as if to say something, the bell at my door jingles. I look around the mayor to see my boyfriend.

“Harry! What a nice surprise!” I beam. This day couldn’t get any better.

“Hey, ‘Trudes. Just thought I’d stop in for a bit. I have something I need to talk to you about.” Harry smiles with his sharp, werewolf teeth, but it doesn't quite reach his yellow eyes. Is something wrong? I feel a shot of worry go through me. Harry almost never comes to see me at work. There must be something up.

Still, he wouldn’t want to discuss it in front of a customer, especially Vlad. They’ve never liked each other, even back in high school days. Harry would probably have an aneurysm if he knew about my innocent little crush.

Sure enough, when Harry sees who I’m currently assisting, his face immediately shutters. “Everdark,” he greets with a stoic nod.

“Moonkin,” Vlad says back, at least making an effort to sound friendly, though it sounds strained after the affable banter we were just sharing. “Well, I was just heading to City Hall. Old Nick doesn’t like it when the City Council starts late. See you later, Gertrude.”

“Sure thing, Vlad,” I say waving a little, but I stop when I see Harry frowning at me.Right, boyfriend. No waving at the boyfriend’s rival. I’m about to ask Harry what he wants to talk about when the door jingles again.

“Welcome to Eye of Newt,” I say cheerily. “Be right with you.”

I turn back to Harry and say, “I’ll get Gretchen to watch the counter and take an early lunch, then we can talk okay?”

“Fine,” Harry returns, still looking a little cagey. What’s got him in a twist?

Then I remember: The Halloween Welcoming Ball. It’s a ball that takes place every year, starting right at midnight the day of Halloween. Sort of like a New Year’s Eve countdown, but for Halloween. It’s how the neighborhood welcomes the holiday every year and it's a big festival with dancing, games, and food. Harry still hasn't asked me if I wanted to go this year. Maybe that’s what he wants to talk about. The big goof. Like I’d say no to his invitation.

With one final smile to my customer, I duck into the candy-scented back room. My twin, Gretchen, works over a boiling cauldron making a sweet of some kind. She’s a candy witch and is saving up to get her own shop like mine, but as it is now, I let her work out of my back room for her orders. In exchange she watches the till and delivers my orders occasionally.

“Hey, Gretchen,” I say, “can you watch the front? I need to step out for a bit.”

My twin looks up, a little startled, but I’m not surprised. She’s more shy than I am and always in her own little world. I often startle her out of her little trances.

---