“Absolutely,” I respond, excitement coursing through me. The prospect of hunting for magical trinkets and soaking in the town’s undercurrents has my fingers tingling. I glance at Revelin and Tiernan, who have been quietly discussing their plans to investigate the crew. As they rise to leave, each plants a kiss on my lips—Revelin’s cool and lingering, Tiernan’s warm and reassuring.
“Behave,” Tiernan murmurs against my mouth, his breath tickling my skin.
“Or don’t,” Revelin adds with a wink, his voice low and teasing. “I enjoy hearing about the trouble you attract like flies wherever you go.”
I stifle a giggle, feeling a rush of girlish delight mixed with the desire to facepalm. “Go,” I urge them, cheeks burning. “And good luck.”
Khol stands, offering his arm with a dramatic flourish. “Shall we?”
“Lead the way, good sir,” I reply snarkily, taking his arm while Dezi trails behind us. I don’t know what it is about these guys that brings out the playful part of me I’ve always kept hidden, but it never fails.
We step out into the bustling town square, the morning light casting long shadows across the cobblestones. I ignore the curious looks from passersby, too focused on the promise of enchantments ahead. With my camera in hand, I’m ready to capture the essence of the unseen world, each snapshot a secret shared between the lens and the ethereal.
Together, a witch, a basilisk and a vampire make their way toward the business district, where whispers of magic and mischief mingle in the air, beckoning us deeper into the heart of the town.
Dustbunnies dance in the shafts of light that pierceAl Legory’s Books and Nooks, each one like a tiny sprite leading me deeper into the maze of shelves. Khol’s arm brushes mine as we navigate through the stacks, his presence both comforting and distracting. Dezi disappears between aisles filled with ancient tomes and grimoires, only to reappear with an armful of books he insists I need.
Normally, I’d throw a tantrum about people buying me things, but the guys get such a kick out of it that they’re wearing me down.
“Witchling, this one on elemental charms is essential,” Dezi declares, thrusting a leather-bound volume into my hands.
“Guys, I can’t—” I protest, but Khol cuts me off with a gentle squeeze of my shoulder.
“Consider it a gift from your devoted mates,” he says, pretending to pout as he bats his lashes. “You wouldn’t want to hurt our feelings, would you?”
I roll my eyes but clutch the book to my chest, secretly thrilled by their generosity. AtMary Jane’s Greenleaves, the scent of herbs wraps around us, a verdant embrace. Rows upon rows of jars line the walls, each containing dried leaves, roots, and flowers that whisper of potent spells. The selection is insane, and I know my sister would adore seeing all of it. Pulling my phone out, I snap photos of the rarest plants and herbs, saving them for when we finally see the pixie again.
“Get whatever you fancy, Sassy,” Khol urges, while Dezi nods in agreement, his gaze scanning the labels with keen interest. “Especially if it’s trippy and we can all enjoy itinflagrante.”
“Fine, but I’m learning how to make potions out of all this,” I mutter, selecting jars of lavender and mugwort. “And no way am I letting you idiots see me high. Drunk on Fae liquor was bad enough.”
“Deal,” Dezi agrees, paying for the haul without batting an eyelid. As the shopkeeper loads up the bags, I catch the vampire shoving a few extra things over the counter, his expression smug.
That fucker thinks he’s so damn sneaky, but I have his number.
The Philosopher’s Storeis less inviting, its atmosphere heavy with the metallic tang of alchemy. I linger over a set of crystal vials, enchanted by the swirling colors within. The shop owner is a snooty looking elder Fae with iron gray hair and a tightly corseted waist, reminding me of a Victorian school marm. She doesn’t look thrilled to have us here in the slightest, as evidenced by her deep frown.
“Those are for advanced transmutation,” Khol says, reading the label. “Might be a bit much for now.”
“Then I’ll just have to get good enough for them,” I retort, snapping a picture for Feray. “Besides, Revelin can tell me if he thinks I shouldn’t mess with them.”
I think.
Our last stop before the seedy side of town isThe Drakery, where the air is thick with the scent of sugar and spice. A dragon with scalesshimmering like burnished copper presides over the counter, her claws deftly decorating a tray of eclairs.
“Five of everything in the case,” Dezi orders. “We’ll take three giant cookies separate so we can eat them now, but the rest package up for us to take back to our bus. I think some sweets would help all the fiery temperaments.”
“Really? Everything?” I ask, shocked by the excessive display of excess. “I’m not sure…”
“Absolutely,” Khol chimes in, winking at me. “Our girl deserves to be full and happy, plus she needs the energy.”
I pretend to gag as he smirks, and the dragon just laughs as she gets to work putting it all together. My sister would be flabbergasted to see me standing here while the guys buy out the stores like I’m a pampered princess, especially since I’m barely putting up a fight.
But I have to learn to compromise at some point, and this isn’t the worst thing I could give in to.
As we walk away from the bakery, we savor each bite, the flaky pastries melting on our tongues, as laughter and teasing soften our edges. At the moment, I feel like a pretty normal girl with not-so-normal boyfriends walking around a small town instead of a witch trying to solve her parents’ murders and stay alive.
I didn’t realize how much I needed this, to be honest.
