Page 103 of Sigils & Spells

A flush heated my face. “I’m a little embarrassed to tell you.”

“I see that.”

The front door opened and two men entered. The younger man stopped to hold the door open for a delivery woman carrying three boxes. I didn’t know whether to curse their timing or be grateful for the reprieve.

“Hold that thought.” Scarlett turned to the witches. “Good afternoon, gentlemen. Can I help you?”

I headed for the ginger-haired delivery woman.

The name, Fern, was embroidered on her khaki shirt. “Hi. Got a few things for you.”

“Thank you.” I accepted the stack of boxes from her.

Fern picked up the electronic signature pad perched on top. I hated using them. No matter how carefully I wrote, my name always looked more like a toddler’s scrawl than a legible signature. “I’ll need you to sign for the top two.” She followed me over to the counter, where I deposited my load.

The scratched-up center section of the screen stubbornly remained blank as I attempted to fill in the missing letters of my name. With a sigh, I gave up and handed the machine back to Fern.

She didn’t even check the screen. “Have a good one.”

The boxes requiring my signature had plastic sleeves with packing lists enclosed. I sliced open the plastic and checked the contents. Nothing that required refrigeration. Good. The third box was from an artist who created custom tarot and oracle cards. I carried all three back to the store room. I’d sort everything out later.

When I returned Scarlett and the younger man were at the register.

“Did you hear a young woman died at the Mission?” he asked Scarlett as she rang up his purchases.

“At the Mission?” she asked.

It didn’t surprise me the location had changed. I was curious how many other versions of Raven’s discovery were out there. I worried what alterations had been to the tale of me unlocking the spelled door.

“A volunteer found her in the basement and called the police.”

I joined her behind the counter.

“So sad.” She handed him his bag.

“It is,” he agreed.

Scarlett moved to the inner corner of the L-shaped counter. “Harrison informed me he has a long list and doesn’t need me hovering over his shoulder.” Crossing her arms, she leaned into the nook. “I’m all ears. Spill.”

I stuffed my hands into my pockets. “I told you I found a spell yesterday with Detective Kelley.”

“Um hmm.”

“They had shifters, witches, and naturals out there searching the area for clues earlier. What I found should have had Jonah’s scent on it.”

She crossed her silver-booted ankles. “You think someone used ascourspell on whatever it was you found?”

“There were crumbs and sawdust inside it. Any decentscourspell would have obliterated them.”

“Okay. Then why didn’t one of the shifters catch Jonah’s scent on—” She raised an eyebrow.

I didn’t think I could make it through this entire conversation without slipping up and saying backpack. “All right. Fine.” I glanced around. I still lowered my voice even though I didn’t see Harrison, and answered, “His backpack.”

She grinned broadly in satisfaction.

“Do. Not. Repeat. That.” I threatened.

“Thehide-itdoesn’t mask scent. You don’t think ascourspell was used. Do you think someone used a shield spell over your magic? They can’t make things invisible, but they do block sound, smell, and magic.”

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