Page 87 of Sigils & Spells

“I’m sorry. What?”

“We have our reputations to think about.” Rebecca laid a hand over her heart. “Really, it’s best if only witches use magic.”

Where was this coming from? Rebecca made out like a bandit selling her potions here.

Ashley leaned forward, invading my space, a spark of challenge in her gray eyes. “Either you sell my spells to witches exclusively. Or I’m going to pull all my products.”

My temper flared. I wasn’t a fan of ultimatums.

“Besoins is open to all.” I strained to keep my voice light and professional. “If you don’t want to sell your spells here, that’s your right. Ashley, our agreement is commission-based. You are free to remove your spells at any time. I’ll print up your current sales and get a check to you by the end of the week if that’s what you want. Rebecca, I purchased your spells. If you’re adamant about not selling your products here, you can buy back the remaining stock, and I’ll pull them off the shelves tonight.”

Rebecca sucked in a breath.

Maybe I hadn’t been as calm and collected as I’d thought.

“Fine,” Ashley said through gritted teeth. “I’ll come by tomorrow for mine.”

A fine tremor vibrated through my hands. I curled my fingers into my palms. “What would you like to do, Rebecca?”

“I—well—I,” she sputtered.

“You should reconsider your sales policy, Marin.” Ashley spun on her heel and stalked to the door.

“You shouldn’t sell magic to hooligans.” Rebecca hurried after her.

I walked over to the L-shaped counter and braced a still shaky hand against the reassuring wood. “I could have handled that better.”

“Here.” Scarlett held out a caramel wrapped in wax paper.

“Zanders! Thank you.” I unwrapped the caramel and took a bite. Bliss.

“Those two are just using the game as an excuse,” she said. “Stella told me the last time Ashley dropped off scour potions she demanded we keep track of who bought each one. Stella very politely told her we wouldn’t be doing that.”

“I should have been more diplomatic.” I wished I could have a do-over. I took another bite of caramel.

Scarlett huffed out a laugh. “There are only three of Ashley’s potions left. I can pull Rebecca’s health potions off the shelves right now.” She flicked her fingers and an entire shelf of bottles silently rose into the air. Not a single bottle wavered.

I could lift a bottle or two by casting a spell. Scarlett’s command over earth, air, fire, and water boggled my mind. It had broken her mother’s heart when she decided not to pursue advanced elemental magic studies and dropped out of college. Alia Novak constantly bemoaned the fact Scarlett’s talent was wasted working at Besoins.

The Scarlett who came to work for me two years ago had been burned out, sullen, and unfocused. Alia might have a point, however, I’d take this happier, contented version any day. I’d take a happier version of myself right now too.

“No. Leave them.”

“Fine.” The bottles settled back onto the shelf. Scarlett hopped up onto the counter, spun her legs around to face me, then hopped off.

“Seriously? Will you pleasewalkaround the counter?”

“Where’s the fun in that? Besides, no one’s here to see. Here.” She held out a lime green post-it note. “Don’t shoot the messenger.”

I read the note. Livie Dalton wanted me to call. Between the spell search, the upset parents, and me snapping at two vendors, I didn’t think I could muster the energy for a long conversation with Livie. The base of my skull ached.

“Let’s pretend I didn’t see this.” I stuffed the message into my pants pocket. “Where’s Priya?”

“She had a six o’clock appointment in Whitefish Bay. With the traffic, she wanted to give herself plenty of time to get there.”

“Right. I forgot about that.”

“How was your trip with Detective Kelley? He’s a hottie.” She went up on her toes and twirled like a ballerina.

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