Page 24 of Seven Secret Spellcasters
Finn looked shocked. “Thanks.”
Mia handed her the bag. “I put your favorite soda in the fridge too. Just in case.”
“You don’t have to do this.” Finn took the bag. “I’m already indebted to you for letting me sleep here. You don’t have to feed me as well.”
“I love feeding people.” Mia smiled. “It’s what I do. I don’t want you to not be able to save to get an apartment.”
“I was talking to a friend who works at the Lodge. Her roommate is moving out at the end of November, and she said I can rent her room. It’s on the highway into town, but it’s a converted garage, and the lady who owns the house is cool. According to my friend, that is.”
“See? Your luck is changing for the better already.” Mia smiled as they walked over to the takeout counter. “Oh, and there’s a microwave back here and some dishes. There’s a small sink, or you can use the main kitchen to clean up during the day.”
“I knew that Magic Springs was going to be the right place.” Finn put the spaghetti into the microwave. “My mom told me how my dad always talked about this town. Before he died, I mean. Since I’ve been here, I’ve tried to see if there are any Shileys in the area, but I haven’t had any luck.”
“I’ll ask Grans. She’s lived here forever and knows everyone,” Mia said as she watched Finn heat the spaghetti. Whatever she’d had for dinner hadn’t filled her up. Teenagers were bottomless pits. Mia wished she could still eat like that. “Anyway, I’ll let you get settled. Thanks for all the good work you’ve done with Abigail. She raves about you.”
“Abigail’s the best boss I’ve ever had,” Finn replied as the microwave announced that her food was ready.
“Trent’s outside with Cerby, so don’t be scared if you hear them come in.” Mia walked away, glad she’d thought about bringing Finn food. Now, if Grans talked to her about her history, at least it wouldn’t be out of left field. Sometimes things worked out for the best. Like Finn finding an apartment so she could stay in Magic Springs and work for Mia. Well, work for Abigail.
Mia was beginning to wonder if she’d ever be able to take back running Mia’s Morsels without having to sell her soul to the coven for a better-paying day job.
When Trent came upstairs with Cerby, the little dog ran to the water dish, then jumped on the couch and promptly fell asleep. She grinned at Trent, who had gotten a bottle of water and sat in a chair near the fire. “You wore him out.”
Trent shook his head. “Not me. He played with Buddy until he fell over on his last circle around the yard. I had to pick him up and tell both of them it was time for bed. He loves his little dragon friend.”
“You’re such a good dog-and-dragon dad.” Mia smiled as she held up the book she’d been reading. As predicted, it had several chapters on the Irish folk, including their history and the results of human and leprechaun mating. “I should make you a T-shirt. Anyway, it says here that a half blood should live for at least five hundred years. They’re considered to be in childhood until they’re fifty. I wonder how old Howard was.”
“Didn’t you say that Baldwin sent you the original autopsy report? It would say, right?” He leaned back and closed his eyes. “I’m sorry about Steve. If I’d known, I would have beat him until he took off the spell. He’s such a tool.”
“I’m getting kind of used to Majors men knowing what I’m thinking and saying.” Mia glanced up at him.
“I told you as soon as I realized I was actually in your head. At first, I thought I was just good at understanding your every need.” Trent held his hand out as he tried to explain.
“Whatever, you knew. You got caught sooner than you expected,” Mia threw back. She wasn’t mad about the connection, more curious about why they had it. Was it their relationship? Or did everyone click this way once they accepted their role as a witch? Of course, neither she nor Trent were supposed to be doing much as a trainee and someone who had given up his power. She needed to do more research on this, but who had the time? She realized Trent was staring at her. “What, did I miss something?”
“I asked if you wanted me to look at the coroner’s report. I could filter out the bloody parts.” He held out her laptop. “Load it up, and I’ll read it. I’ll let you know what seems important, and you can ask me questions.”
“I feel like I’m being a wimp,” she admitted as she took the laptop. “But I’m going to take your offer of assistance since no man is an island. Or something like that.”
It took a few minutes but then she found the email. Right next to one from Blake. Before she opened Mark’s, she opened the one from her boss.
Call Me.
Short, sweet, and totally not helpful, since Mia was taking a vacation day. She opened the link for the autopsy, and as it loaded, she handed the laptop back to Trent. “Here you go. Give me a second, I need to call Blake.”
“After nine?” Trent took the laptop.
“She interfered with my vacation time, so I get to choose when I respond. This is my time, not hers. Besides, I’m pretty sure the woman doesn’t sleep. If I didn’t know she was a witch, I’d think she was a vampire. Blake, Mistress of the Night. Has a good ring, right?” Mia stood and went to find her phone, which was probably in the kitchen on the charger.
“You’re a nut.” Trent glanced around. “Do you have a notebook so I can write some of this down?”
“Of course, in the drawer in the rolltop desk.” Mia had found the desk in one of the second-floor rooms. One of the teachers must have used the smaller room as an office. She located her phone and called Blake. When she answered, Mia said, “What can I help you with?”
“I didn’t expect a call until morning, but thanks. I’m wondering if anyone has said anything about seeing a demon around town.”
Mia tried to breathe. Surely she’d misheard. “I’m sorry, what?”
“A demon, Mia. Specifically, an incubus. I’m wondering if anyone in the coven has seen one in town.” Blake sounded like she was talking to a child.
