Page 28 of The Little Shop of Curiosities, The Music Box Part 2

“I don’t need you,” I reply automatically, even though I’m pretty sure that’s not true.

Sam grins in reply. “We both know that’s not true either.”

Annnnd Sam apparently knows it too.

“Why, you egotistical, narcissistic twat. Not every man thinks you’re god’s gift.” I snap, not wanting the others to see how embarrassingly needy I am when it comes to this man. Although at this point, I’m more annoyed with myself for my weakness than with him for his laid-back humour.

“There’s my Prickles.” Sam’s smile softens, and my eyes narrow.

“I—”

Sam places his finger over my lips, and for one irrationally long moment, I’m so irritated I want to bite him. “We’re having a nice moment, Prickles. Don’t spoil it.”

“Why you—” I slap his hand away, and my own fingers crackle with electricity.

Damn it, I really need to get off this emotional rollercoaster. I definitely shouldn’t be riding it in the middle of magically powered murder scene.

The lights suddenly flicker again, and the air in the shop grows noticeably heavier, like we’re standing in fog. We all glance up as the lights flicker one more time.

I steady my breathing and rein in my magic. I don’t think it’s Sam I’m really mad at. It’s this place. It’s this situation.

It’s me.

I probably shouldn’t be taking my temper out on him.

“Maybe you should stop winding Harrison up,” Danny says to Sam firmly. “You can flirt when we’re not in the middle of a supernaturally charged bookshop with god-knows-what kind of entities.”

“As much as I do enjoy your fiery temper”—Sam winks at me—“he’s probably right. To be continued.”

“One of these days, I may actually turn you into a toad,” I grumble under my breath, although I don’t mean it.

“You keep threatening that.” Sam chuckles. “I’m beginning to think you might like me.”

I think we’re both aware how much I like him, as evidenced by the fact that he’s not only seen me naked but has had my dick in his mouth. Not that the others need to know that.

“Come on, you two.” Chan snaps his fingers. “Need I remind you we left Aidan asleep at Danny and Tristan’s place? And I have a hot date tonight that I need to go home and prep for.”

“Sorry, Chan,” Sam replies in amusement. The three of them disappear into the back of the shop where, despite never having been here physically, I know the old servants’ staircase is located.

Their absence leaves me and Tristan alone on the shop floor. It doesn’t take me long to figure out why the spirits have all been giving this place a wide berth.

Hex bags. Six of them to be exact, hidden throughout the room.

It takes even less time for me to deal with them, burning them to a crisp inside a metal wastepaper bin and leaving the atmosphere inside the shop…not normal exactly, but certainly better than it was.

After a few moments, random spirits once again begin drifting through the walls and ambling about. Some watch what we’re doing, others are seemingly happy to ignore us.

“Try not to inhale the fumes,” I warn Tristan as he leans over the smouldering bin.

“Are you two toasting marshmallows down here and forgot to invite me?” Sam’s amused voice intrudes, and I roll my eyes.

“Finished playing hide-and-seek upstairs?” I ask dryly. “Don’t touch those, they’ll need to be buried properly,” I tell Tristan and nod towards the ashes.

“Okay.” He shrugs and turns to Sam. “Did you want something, Sam, or did you just come to pull Harrison’s pigtails?”

“Maybe later.” He grins and winks at me. “We’ve found a cupboard and Danny says you have the key Viv left you?” Tristan nods. “Come on, then, if you two have finished with your little mini bonfire. I mean, if you need more time, I could always break out my guitar and we could sing a couple of rounds of Kumbaya.”

“Sorry, not my religion,” I say primly, and cross the room.