It’s Kristy, and she’s on her way from the Covenstead. I call Lucas and fill him in on what happened as I walk to the front of the store and look outside. It’s a bright and sunny day, and people are walking down the street like normal. A few were headed to the store and stop right in front, getting a confused look on their face before quickly turning and walking away.
Nothing looks out of the ordinary, yet I can’t shake the feeling someone is watching us.
“Custodies nos a facie,” I say, pressing my hand against the glass. A dark blue cloud ebbs across the glass for a quick second and then fades from view, keeping anyone from being able to look inside.
“What did you just do?” Danielle asks from behind. “Was it a protection spell?”
“Not quite.” I turn and face Danielle. “I’m sorry,” I say, letting out a breath. “I’ve owed you an explanation for a while now.”
“I thought I’d gone crazy.” Her eyes fill with tears, and I feel even worse now. “I told the police what I saw, and they didn’t believe me. And then the others started retracting what they’d originally said. But I knew…I knew what I saw was real.”
“A demon kidnapped you,” I say slowly. “With the intention to harvest your organs. I’d been tracking it for a while but was too late.”
“You weren’t, though. You saved us, Callie. And I don’t understand how.”
I hold up my right hand, conjuring a ball of blue light. “Magic. That’s how.”
“Do all witches kill demons?”
“No. Most of us don’t. But for some reason it, uh, it’s kind of been my thing. I guess I kill them because I can.”
“A-and demons…they…they just walk around?”
“Kind of. Look, statistically speaking, you should be fine. Though, living in Thorne Hill, your chances of being demonically kidnapped again are a tad higher.”
Danielle’s eyes widen even more. Shit. I need to stop talking.
“I did something that pissed off someone, and now they’re trying to get back at me. Hence the hex bag. You really don’t have to worry.”
Danielle just stares at me.
“I can handle a lot,” I go on, and Scarlet looks at me with an expression I can only say equates a human rolling their eyes. “Look…” I start, letting out a heavy sigh. “I know it’s a lot to take in.”
Danielle holds my gaze, and a few awkward seconds tick by. And then she exhales. “It’s not, though. I mean…I always knew there was more. And then when vampires came out, I knew it—I just knew it. How can it just be us on this planet? I’ve seen so many things I can’t explain and now that I know—that I really know—I’m not crazy after all.”
My heart lurches. “No, you’re not crazy. And I…I don’t understand why people in general are so quick to dismiss things they can’t understand. I think they fear it, you know? The unknown, that is.”
Danielle swallows hard. “So that thing Betty picked up…what was it?”
“A hex bag.”
“And it was meant for you?”
“Yeah. It was, and don’t worry. I know who sent it, and when I find her, I’m going to—” I quickly cut off. “I’m going to turn her over to the proper authorities.” Authorities meaning the pointy end of my enchanted dagger. Or Lucas’s fangs. Or a big, bright ball of energy.
The possibilities are endless.
I squeeze my eyes shut and shake my head. Stop thinking about murder. And definitely stop feeling satisfied while thinking about it.
“I’m nothing like him,” I say through gritted teeth.
“Who?” Danielle asks, and I bring my hand up to my forehead. I’m coming unhinged. Maybe this was part of the plan as well. Drive me to the point of insanity. Everyone knows I’m almost there on a daily basis anyway.
“No one.” I let out a breath. “No one is going to come into the store for a while now, and I have friends on the way. I want to double-check that Betty is okay, and then we can go back to business as usual.”
“Really?”
“Probably? Maybe? Or we could close early for the day, which is probably what I’ll do. Who’s closing in tonight?”
“Me and Vanessa.”
“Perfect.” Only one person to spell. “Are you hungry?” I rush out. “I’m hungry. I can order food.”
“No. I’m not hungry.”
I just nod and turn back around, thinking about sushi and how someone is definitely watching, trying to see if they bested me. Witch, please. It takes more than a simple hex bag to get to me.
“Keep watch,” I tell Pandora and go back into the office to check on Betty. Binx is sitting by her side and lets me know the energy she’s giving off is totally normal.
“The house is coming along really well,” I start, sitting on the edge of the desk. “We’ll probably be able to move in sooner than I expected. The master suite is almost done, and the kitchen is just about there, too. So my current house will be available to rent in just a few months.”