Page 19 of Hex Appeal

“Is she always like that?”

“No.”

“Good.”

“Sometimes she's really mean.”

I stare at her. Serena lasts about two seconds before bursting into laughter.

“You enjoy fucking with me, don't you?”

“Immensely.”

“I noticed.”

Her laughter settles into a grin. I shouldn't like it. I do. There’s no point denying it.

She slides onto the stool beside mine and turns toward me.

“So, Chief Hawthorne.”

“So, Candle Witch.”

“Candle Witch?” Her eyebrows shoot up. “Is that was the best you could do?”

“I'll work on it.”

“I don’t know. I kind of like it.” She's still smiling. “Just so long as you don’t call me the Candle Bitch.”

I look down at the bar. I suppose I might as well tell her. “By the way, you're cleared.”

She blinks. “I'm what?”

“Your candles. Based on what I've seen so far, I don't have any reason to think there's a manufacturing defect causing the fires.”

Her expression changes. “Really?”

“Really.”

Her shoulders visibly relax. I hadn't realized how much she'd been worrying about it. Something about that makes me feel like an asshole.

“I still want to see the workroom since I'm here,” I add. “But I've talked to the people involved in the fires. Everything points to improper use.”

“I told you.”

“You did.”

“Would you like to say that again?”

“No.”

“Maybe a little louder?”

My lips twitch. “Absolutely not.”

“I'm going to remember this moment forever.”

“I'm sure you are.”