Page 14 of Witch Bound and Down

"Just wanted to update you on my status, good buddy. Got the cargo loaded and I'm eastbound on I-10. Everything's secured and looking good. How's your situation?"

"Currently taking a break for supplies and strategic planning," Bullseye replied, very aware that both women were listening intently.

"Roger that. I'm hearing chatter about increased Smokey activity in your area. Might want to keep your head down."

"What kind of chatter?"

"Word is, that bear sheriff put out an APB on a black Trans Am. He's calling in favors from every supernatural law enforcement agency in the Southwest. This is personal for him now."

Bullseye grimaced. "Any word on timeline?"

"Still on schedule for our thirty-six hour window, but things are heating up. Some truckers are reporting checkpoint activity. You might want to find an alternate route."

"Copy that. Thanks for the heads up, Snowman."

"No problem, Bullseye. Keep the shiny side up."

"Snowman?" Sage asked with obvious amusement after he clipped the radio back.

"It's a CB handle," he said defensively.

"It's perfect," Hazel said, and the warmth in her voice made something twist pleasantly in his chest. "Very... you."

"So," Sage said, leaning forward, "what kind of cargo requires thirty-six hour deadlines and that level of law enforcement interest?"

Bullseye and Hazel exchanged glances. "The highly regulated kind," Hazel said finally.

"Enhancement potions," Bullseye added. "Experimental stuff. Worth enough to make it very illegal to transport."

Sage whistled low. "That's serious money. No wonder half the state is looking for you." She paused, then grinned. "This is fantastic! I haven't had this much excitement since that dragon biker gang decided to use my parking lot for a turf war."

"You're not concerned about harboring fugitives?" Hazel asked.

"Honey, half my regular customers are fugitives. Besides, Grizzley Lawman arrested my nephew last month for 'aggressive flower arranging.' I owe that bear some payback."

The sound of vehicles pulling into the parking lot drifted through the walls. A lot of vehicles, with the distinctive whine of official sirens.

"Speak of the devil," Sage said cheerfully, moving to peek through the curtains. "Looks like we've got company."

Bullseye was on his feet instantly, every instinct screaming danger. "How many?"

"Four patrol cars, two SUVs, and what appears to be a mobile command unit shaped like a giant acorn." Sage let the curtain fall back. "That would be Sheriff Lawman's pride and joy."

"They're not here for us," Hazel said, but she didn't sound convinced. "Right?"

"Magic," Sage said simply. "Your aura might be pretty, honey, but it's also distinctive. Any decent tracker could follow that trail." She brightened. "On the other hand, my establishment has some very interesting magical protections. Want to see them in action?"

A loud voice boomed across the parking lot, amplified by what sounded like a magical megaphone.

"Attention Sage's Supernatural Stop-n-Go. This is Sheriff Grizzley T. Lawman of Fairweather County. We have reports of suspicious activity. Please cooperate with our investigation."

"All right, here's what we're going to do," Sage said, moving to a wardrobe that definitely hadn't been there moments before. "Hazel, you're going to put on that blue dress and the glamour jewelry—it'll mask your magical signature. Bullseye, you get the enchanted shirt and vest. Then you're both going to walk out there, order some pie, and act like the most boring couple in supernatural history."

"Boring?" Hazel looked offended.

"Trust me, honey. Boring is invisible." Sage winked. "Besides, if you two can't pull off looking like a couple, I'll eat my witch's hat."

Bullseye felt heat rise in his face. Pretending to be Hazel's boyfriend was dangerous territory. His minotaur instincts were already way too interested in making that fantasy a reality. Every time she looked at him, every casual touch, every breath of her scent made him want to claim her properly.

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