Page 29 of Stolen Magic
Lost in my thoughts, I jumped when the bell above the door chimed, announcing a customer, but I could’ve sworn the sign was flipped to closed. However, I forgot to lock the door, it seemed. And since my day—or my last two weeks, for that matter—had not been bad enough, Jasmine pranced into my store, bringing a cloud of patchouli incense scent with her.
“Oh, youareopen. Perfect.” Her enthusiasm dampened when she noticed the mess on the floor. “I see you’ve had a little accident here.”
“That’s why the sign said closed,” I deadpanned for nothing. She moved deeper inside, not halting until she was in front of me.
“I didn’t come here for that.” Leaning closer and bringing the odor of the incense in my face until I gagged, she whispered conspiratorially, although it was just the two of us in the whole store. “Was that Dimitri Bell I saw in your store the other day?” Leave it to Jasmine to know everyone who dared to visit our business, even on her days off work. “Naked?” Her eyes widened so much I was ready to catch them if they rolled out of their sockets.
I pressed the back of my hand to her forehead. “Are you sick?”
“What? No. Why? Do I look pale?” Her questions fired one after another, and she pressed both palms to her cheeks.
“You must’ve been hallucinating if you are seeing naked billionaires inside my store. I was checking if you still had a fever.”
“You almost got me there.” She chortled, smacking my arm.
Anxiety was a living thing inside my stomach, and I tried really hard not to panic or puke. One or the other. Jasmine’s scent was not helping at all, and I wanted nothing more than for her to leave. The stars were not aligned in my favor, as usual, so I endured it with as little attitude as I could muster. Until Char popped out from the back and cleared her throat behind me.
“Jasmine.” My friend sounded anything but happy to see the harpy. “I didn’t expect you here.”
Something in her tone made me glance at her over my shoulder, and I stiffened.
“Everything okay with the inventory?” I asked nonchalantly. In other words, did we have the potion.
“Yup. Mhm.” My friend appeared nervous, and I found out why with her next comment. “I made the call for the pick-up.” Luckily, I was pressed on the counter, or I would’ve crumbled on the floor when my knees buckled.
“Great, we can leave now.” Urgency had me grabbing for the human to get her out of the store, but faster than she should’ve been able, Jasmine ducked away from my hand.
“I was just asking Alaska if that was Dimitri Bell I saw walking into your store the other day. Naked,” she repeated the whole eye widening thing for Char.
“Don’t I wish,” my friend lied smoothly, giggling along with Jasmine. “He looked like him, right? I said the same to Allie, but she didn’t believe me. The poor guy had someone steal his clothing and swimming trunks from one of the dressing rooms along the beach. We gave him a sarong so he could get to his car without being fined for indecent exposure.”
“Damn,” Jasmine gushed, folding her hands on her chest like in prayer.” I could’ve sworn it was Bell.”
“It wasn’t.” I took advantage of her dreamy state, grabbed her by the arm, and started dragging her to the door. “Sorry, but we must lock up and go.”
“Oh, okay.” Pretending like I hadn’t tried to send her on her way since she’d walked in, the human pouted.
I nearly had her out on the sidewalk when the bell chimed again, sending my stomach splattering at my feet. The doorway filled up with Dimitri Bell, and I could’ve sworn that Jasmine swoon dived, so I had to tighten my hold on her. My jaw clamped so hard I almost bit half of my tongue off. I was angry at the shifter more than anyone else. How on earth did he get to our store that fast?
“Good afternoon.” Feigning indifference, I forced a smile at him when his father appeared behind his shoulder. “Are you here for the pick-up?”
Knowing what I knew about all the messed up things the older Bell had done, not just to me but to his own son, it was really hard to hold back everything I wanted to say. The older man smiled back at me cordially, which was worse than if he spat in my face.
“Yes, I received the call about ten minutes ago.” Dimitri was all business. Not a trace of familiarity noticeable in the way he spoke. “Luckily we were nearby and I could pick it up without making another trip.”
The insane plan we came up with in his office earlier that day was that he ordered an organic tea from our store especially made for Angela. At least as far as his father was concerned, they were buying a gift for his future daughter-in-law.
“Of course.” Char rushed to greet them and ushered them inside. “I also made a couple of samples from the tea so you can try it. That way, you’ll know what you’ll be giving your loved one.”
Bile burned the roof of my mouth, but I swallowed it down.
Head ducked low so the older man couldn’t see the hatred in my eyes, I propelled the still gawking Jasmine forward. To my horror, the human dug her heels in, refusing to budge. I had half a mind to smack her with a spell that would make all the hair from her head fall out.
“I want to try the tea, as well.” Protesting loudly, she yanked her arm out of my grip. “I might order some, too.” Unless I wanted to create drama, I had no choice but to stand back.
“Why of course, dear.” Dimitri’s father turned toward the human, all smiles and pleasantness and no sign of the psycho lurking within. “You can have mine, if that is okay?” He peered at me beseechingly like I was the one denying Jasmine her damn tea. “I’m sure Angela will be happy to make me a cup when we get there.” That last part was aimed at Dimitri.
I wanted to cry, scream, or start breaking everything in the store. This could not be happening. If Char paid a price for doing blood magic only so Jasmine could hang around Dimitri Bell and mess up our plans, I was going to kill the human, consequences be damned.
