Page 11

“Hello!” Rowan shouts as we walk into the cutest little witchy shop I've ever seen. Crystals catch the light from every shelf, bundles of dried herbs rest on tables and shelves, and the sweet, smoky scent of incense hangs thick in the air.

“Welcome!” a woman's voice calls out from the back. She emerges wearing a gorgeous emerald green hair scarf knotted at the crown and big gold hoops swinging at her ears. Her neck and wrist are adorned with all sorts of jewelry. “What can I do for you folks?”

“We are hoping you can help us track down a witch,” I say.

Her face shuts down instantly. “I am not able to track anyone. Sorry.”

Rowan raises a brow, unbothered. “Can you do this favor for Marie?” This is obviously not his first rodeo. He knows just when to throw out his momma’s name.

And it seems to hold a lot of weight.

“How do you know Marie?” She stares at him closely then her eyes go wide. “Wait! Are you…her son? Holy crap. No one even knows what you look like.”

“I like it that way.” He winks. “Keeps me away from attention.”

Damn. His mom must be practically famous around these parts if he's gone out of his way to make sure no one knows his face.

“You could be powerful if you practiced, you know. Your magic is old.” She studies him like she's seeing something I can’t.

“I will stick to being a Medical Examiner.” He chuckles. “It’s the only thing I’m good at.”

“I will absolutely help you.” She smiles warmly. “Your mother has done so much for me. Actually, she has done so much for the witch community. It would be my pleasure.” Serene gestures to a table with a map and crystal chain. “Over here.”

“Do you have the witch’s name?” she asks.

“No,” I reply.

“Do you have anything of hers?”

Considering Rowan asked me this earlier and now she is, I can see how important this information is.

“Also, no.”

She nods slowly, pressing her lips together. “Unfortunately since you do not have anything of hers or even a name, the only way we can do this is if you hold this crystal chain and I place my hand over yours. However, it may not give us anything at all. She could be in a different state or country.”

“Well, let’s hope the heffer is still here,” I mutter and Rowan gives me a cheeky grin.

“All you need to do is think of the witch,” Serene instructs.

I wrap my fingers around the crystal chain. Serene lays her hand over mine, her touch warm, steady, and grounding. Her eyes flutter shut.

I think about that Purple Haired bitch. The way she looked and sounded. I also think about my rage.

Just wait until I get my hands on her.

The crystal begins to sway, slow and deliberate, before she guides it over the map. The crystal sways erratically before settling into a slow, deliberate circle. She traces her fingertip around the corresponding area on the map.

“Your witch is in this area.” She opens her eyes. “This is as specific as I can get.”

It’s not perfect but it’s a starting place. Something we didn’t have before.

I smile. “We appreciate it. Truly.”

“I hope you find what you are searching for.”

“Let’s get to it,” Rowan says, grabbing my hand. “Daylight is wasting.”

The area we are at is filled with so many magical dive bars. We decided to start off at the most popular and I go person to person trying to describe the witch I’m in search of. Nobody knows anything or if they do, they're not saying.