Page 24 of Bewitched By the Wicked Witch
"No pets," Cate demanded, pointing at the door where a no-pet sign was posted.
"Cosmo is my familiar and welcomed here." I shrugged, unconcerned with Cosmo staring Cate down like he was planning the best way to eat her slowly.
Cate scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "I don'tcare if he's your familiar, a seeing-eye cat, or the Queen of Sheba. No animals on the counter. Health code violation."
I raised an eyebrow, my lips curling into a smirk. "Funny, I didn't peg you for a stickler for rules, Cate. Considering all the trouble you used to get into at school."
Her eyes narrowed. "That was a long time ago. I've changed."
"Clearly," I drawled, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "Well, let me know when you've changed enough to stop judging people for things that happened when they were kids."
Cate's face flushed an angry red. She opened her mouth to retort, but Cindee chose that moment to emerge from the back room, wiping her hands on her apron.
"Sage, Cosmo, good to see you!" She smiled warmly, either oblivious to or deliberately ignoring the tension crackling between me and Cate. "The usual?"
"Yes, please." I returned her smile, pointedly turning away from Cate. "And maybe an extra cheese danish for His Majesty here."
Cosmo purred smugly, his tail swishing. Cate looked like she'd swallowed a lemon, but she held her tongue under Cindee's watchful eye.
As Cindee busied herself with our order, I drummed my fingers on the counter, my mind wandering back to yesterday's encounter with Callum. Seeing him again had thrown me for a loop, dredging up feelings I thought I'd long since buried. Anger, hurt, betrayal, and worst of all, a traitorous flicker of longing.
I mentally shookmyself. No, I was not going down that rabbit hole again. Callum Renshaw and I were ancient history, and that's where he'd stay. I had bigger concerns, finding the missing girls and clearing my name before the town burned me at the stake.
Cindee set a steaming mug and a paper bag on the counter, jolting me from my thoughts. "Here you go, one Black Magic brew and a bacon and cheese danish for Cosmo."
"Thanks, Cindee." I reached for my wallet, but she shook her head.
"No need for that. I added a little special boost of good luck." She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Consider it a thank you for agreeing to help with the investigation. Between you and me, I think you're the only one who can get to the bottom of this."
I blinked, surprised by her faith in me. "I appreciate that. I'll do my best." And I meant it. Cindee's kindness, the way she'd never treated me differently in all the years I'd known her, even before I had helped her shop, had always been the one area of my life that felt like hope. Hope that there was a kind world out there for me and that the people of this town could one day be that way as well.
Cindee patted my hand, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "I know you will. You're a good egg, Sage Blackstone. No matter what anyone else in this town says."
Warmth bloomed in my chest at her words. I swallowed past the sudden lump in my throat, touched by Cindee's unwavering support. In a town full ofjudgmental busybodies, she was a rare bright spot. "Thank you, Cindee. That means a lot."
Cosmo meowed impatiently, eyeing the danish bag with undisguised hunger. I rolled my eyes fondly and scooped it up, along with my coffee. "Alright, alright, keep your fur on. We're going."
As I turned to leave, Cate muttered something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like ‘good riddance.’
I paused, glancing back over my shoulder with a saccharine smile. "Careful, Cate. That bitterness will give you wrinkles." I tapped my temple knowingly. "And we both know how much you value your looks."
Her mouth fell open in outrage, but I was already sashaying out the door, Cosmo trotting smugly at my heels. Petty, perhaps, but damn if it didn't feel good to get the last word for once.
The crisp morning air greeted me like an old friend as I stepped onto the sidewalk. I inhaled deeply, savoring the rich aroma of my coffee and the buttery scent of Cosmo's pastry. For a moment, I could almost pretend it was just another ordinary day, free from missing girls and murder accusations and ex-boyfriends dredging up painful memories.
But as we walked down the street, I noticed more missing person flyers had appeared overnight, Beverly's smiling face joining the others taped to lampposts and shop windows. The sight sent a chill down my spine that had nothing to do with the autumn air. Five girls now. Five families devastated. And the town was looking for someone to blame.
I thought about Callum, probably waking up in thatboarding house right about now, preparing to investigate the very crimes they suspected me of committing. The irony wasn't lost on me. My ex-boyfriend, here to clear my name or condemn me.
"Come on, Cosmo," I murmured, my resolve hardening as I watched a group of townspeople huddled around one of the flyers, their suspicious glances following me as I passed. "We've got a mystery to solve and a reputation to uphold."
Eleven
Sage
Iwas halfway to Gran's house when the prickle of magic brushed against my senses, followed by the unmistakable awareness that someone was watching me. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, a crawling sensation spreading over my skin like invisible spiders.
Cosmo tensed at my side, his form growing slightly larger as a low growl rumbled in his chest. His star-flecked eyes scanned the tree line with predatory focus. I paused on the cobblestone path, scanning my surroundings with narrowed eyes. The street appeared deserted except for the usual morning joggers and dog walkers, but I knew better than to trust appearances in this town. Especially now, with girls disappearing and the whole town on edge.
