“Holy shit.”
I laugh. “It’s a lot to take in. And witches are the coolest out of any sort of supernatural anyway.”
“Oh, of course.”
I look at Danielle and see she’s almost done ringing up the customer. I should feel bad for sneaking away again, but I don’t. I don’t want to have this conversation with her right now.
“When does Kristy work next?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
“I’m going to write her a note,” I say and head back into the office, patting my leg to get Scarlet to follow me. I write Kristy an over-the-top love note and include a few crude drawings for good measure, wanting to make her laugh when she opens up her cubby in the office tomorrow.
I come back out and see Betty getting the mail. Things are usually addressed to either Kristy or me, but if it’s a box of books, the other employees can open it and make sure we’ve gotten everything we need.
“I didn’t know we were getting a shipment in,” Danielle says when Betty puts the box on the counter.
“It’s not very heavy,” Betty says and reaches for a pair of scissors to cut through the packing tape. Binx bounds forward as soon as the box is open, but it’s too late.
Betty reaches inside and pulls out a little bag. “What is—” she cuts off, words dying in her throat. Binx swats the bag out of her hands, and I know what it is as soon as it lands on the floor.
It’s a hex bag, made out of human skin.Chapter 27Betty’s eyes widen, and she pitches forward, gasping for air. Shit! Dropping my phone, I run over to her, heart racing. Pandora sniffs the hex bag, trying to get a read on what mixture of herbs and black magic were used.
Betty’s hands go to her throat, and foam starts to form around the corners of her lips.
Poison, Pandora tells me and stands over the bag, making sure no one else touches it.
“It’s going to be okay,” I tell her and put both hands on her shoulders. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to think. It’s a hex, not a curse, which can be just as fatal but not as tricky to lift.
“Converte hoc maledictio,” I chant, and Betty gasps. “Converte hoc maledictio.”
Salt. I need salt. Where the fuck is my—oh, right. My purse is still on my shoulder. I frantically pull it off and dump out the contents on the counter, grabbing the little container of salt I take with me everywhere. I unscrew the lid, pour some in my hand, and then put the salt in Betty’s mouth.
“Converte hoc maledictio!”
She exhales and grabs onto me for support.
“Are you okay?”
“What just happened?” Her fingers shake as she wipes her mouth, spitting the salt out in her hand.
“A hex bag. Obviously meant for me. Don’t touch it.”
“I wasn’t planning on it.”
I put my hand on her shoulder. “Sit. I’ll bring you some water.”
“Am I okay?”
“Yes,” I say, though I want to check her out one more time. I turn to take care of the hex bag and find Danielle staring at me, open-mouthed. There are a few customers in the store, but no one is close enough to have heard what just happened.
“She had an allergic reaction. To…to peanuts,” I say, cringing at how bad my lie is. Danielle looks at Betty.
“Is she…is she okay?”
“Yes. I got the EpiPen in time.”
“You put a handful of salt in her mouth.”
“It counteracts the, uh, nutty-ness and…and—I’m not going to bullshit you. I’ll explain later.”
“Everything?” Danielle’s eyes get a little glossy.
“Yes. But for now, can you get Betty some water?”
Danielle nods but doesn’t move. Her eyes are trained on me.
“Now?”
She blinks rapidly and then takes a few steps back, bumping into the display of books, knocking a handful off. Then she turns and hurries into the back to get the water.
Grabbing a paper bag from the register, I lay it next to the hex bag and telekinetically flip it inside. I roll down the top of the bag and stand up just as a customer comes up to the register. I put on a fake smile and quickly start ringing her up.
Danielle rushes back with water for Betty, crouching down next to her. Betty’s hands are shaking, and Danielle looks like she might throw up from fear.
“Have a great day,” I rush out, practically shoving the bag of books in the customer’s hands. The second they step away I turn around, crouching down to Betty. She’s slowly drinking the water, and all three of my familiars are around her.
“Anything?” I ask them, and Binx meows softly. “Good. I don’t feel anything, either.” I close my eyes and hold out my hand, trying to sense any traces of dark magic.
“You’re a witch, aren’t you?” Danielle asks, slowly stepping away. Her eyes are wide, and she’s looking at me like I might jump up, curse her, and then chop her up and cook her for dinner.