Page 63 of Curses and Cauldrons

“Stephanie, take over. I’ll be in the back for a few minutes.”

Stephanie works part time at the apothecary. Her curly hair sticks out in multiple directions as she runs around, looking harried. She mumbles under her breath as she packages up one customer's purchase and tries to answer another’s questions.

I’d like to say we won’t take up much of Morty’s time, but I have no idea how long this conversation will take.

Josephine and I follow Morty into the back room. I angle my body to keep anyone from touching her. My curse is awful in its own way, but avoiding the merest touch just sucks. The back of the store is full of rows upon rows of stock. Everything that’s out front, plus the ingredients to make potions. There’s also a small kitchenette and a shabby round wooden table with four chairs haphazardly pushed underneath.

“Take a seat.” Morty waves at us, and Josephine lowers her hood. I pull out her chair and sit in it before Josephine can. She makes a surprised sound that turns into a gasp when I grab her waist and pull her down onto my lap instead of letting her sit in her own seat. I’m feeling slightly crazed after last night and I can’t have her close enough.

Morty stays standing, looking at the two of us with a devilish glint in his eye. Per usual, he’s wearing an extravagant outfit. It’s a pink plaid suit with a pair of pointy leather boots. He smooths back his hair as if the craziness outside has disheveled him, although he looks perfectly pulled together, in my opinion.

“What do I owe the pleasure of a visit from members of both the Tenebris and the Lumen covens?” Morty grins as he pulls out a seat across from us and sits down sideways. One arm dangles off the back of his chair and the other rests on the table, his fingers drumming a beat.

“We’re looking for information about the curses.” I don’t waste time with small talk.

Morty’s eyebrows raise up, and he turns his attention to Josephine.

“Why do you look surprised?” I ask, and Morty turns back to me.

“I thought Josephine might have some other questions for me.”

Josephine’s eyes narrow. “Like why you’ve been selling ingredients for a siphoning potion to my mother.”

Morty nods, a slight smile on his face. This is news to me. I glare at Morty, not so sure I like the man anymore.

“How long have you known what she’s been doing?” Josephine asks. I squeeze her waist, pulling her closer to me. We came here for help, but if Morty’s been lying, supplying Josephine’s mom with the ingredients for a siphoning potion, then fuck him.

Morty raps his knuckles on the table. He squints his eyes and looks up at the ceiling like he’s trying to remember. “About a month now?”

Josephine blinks, confusion clear on her face. “But you’ve been selling my mom ingredients for a while, haven’t you?”

“No. The first time I saw that list of ingredients was when you came in to get them. I was confused because I knew what that combination could be used for. Your mother comes in on occasion to get supplies, but she would never hand over a list like that to me. My guess is she’s getting her ingredients from another location, maybe online.”

“Are you saying Amazon delivers magical ingredients?” I lean forward, tapping my fingers on the table, too.

Morty turns his attention back to me. “Yes, smarty-pants. There are plenty of us who live in the new age. I do know how to work a computer and am fully capable of slapping on a shipping label.”

I hold up a placating hand. “Fair enough.”

“Why didn’t you say something to me that day?” There’s a wounded look on Josephine’s face. If Morty doesn’t answer carefully, I can’t promise I won’t smash his nose in.

Morty sighs. “You obviously didn’t crack open the book that I sent home with you.”

A blush steals up Josephine’s cheeks. “I was sort of distracted that day.” Her eyes dart over to me and then back to Morty. “I kind of forgot about the book.”

“Obviously, if you’re asking me about curses.”

“What do you mean?” I sit up a little straighter.

Morty picks at a loose piece of thread on the sleeve of his jacket. “Let’s just say, if anyone had bothered to read the book I so kindly donated, you’d find out how to get your hands on the story of the Briar Witch.”

I look at Josephine. “What did you do with the book?”

Josephine bites her thumbnail. “It’s at my apartment.”

“Easy peasy, my angels.” Morty claps his hands together but stops when he sees the look on our faces. “Or not so easy?”

“We’re sort of avoiding my family,” Josephine says.

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