Page 12 of Sugar, Spice, and Magical Midlife

Alfred let out an annoyed, “Harrumph,” before “Where’s the thank you?”

“Why would I thank you?” She smacked Alfred with her wand. “You haven’t even delivered yet.”

Alfred’s grumpy features twisted before he flipped the book open, grunting when his nose smashed the table. “According to my records,” he spoke through a nasally voice while Ethyl pushed down on the pages, “there are two Ricardo Romeros.”

I frowned at the images of two old wizards. “No, neither of them are him.”

“Then I’m sorry, my dear, but your Ricardo is a human.”

I flipped the book shut, scowling down at his scrunched nose as it slowly expanded back into shape.

“That can’t be. Do you have any record of feline shape-shifters wanted for crimes?”

Alfred frowned. “None living.”

“Thanks for nothing, Alfred.” Ethyl waved her wand at him.

His eyes widened then narrowed as he slowly began to disappear. “Impertinent little pesky pixie,” he echoed before he faded completely.

Damn. I had so been hoping I could find out something, anything, about Ricardo. Maybe I should cancel the date.

I fell into a seat, drumming my fingers on the table. “Why do you think he isn’t listed? Do you think he’s a succubus?” I sure as hell hoped not.

Ethyl shot me a sideways look. “He’s not a succubus.”

I shot up, hopeful. “How do you know?”

“His eyes.” Ethyl tapped the corner of her eye. “He’s a shifter.”

“You saw them, too? That doesn’t mean he’s not demon possessed.”

“Of course it does.” She laughed, tossing her ponytail over her shoulder. “You’d be able to see the red in his eyes when they shifted if he was a succubus. Besides, succubi hate sugar.” She waggled her brows. “And he loves eating your sweet rolls.”

Ohh, she was wicked! A mixture of apprehension and relief swept through me. “Then why isn’t he registered?”

Ethyl shrugged. “Plenty of shifters don’t register.”

Was I ready to date a bad boy? My poor parents would be doing backflips in their graves if they knew I was dating a criminal. “That’s illegal.”

Ethyl let out a little pixie squeal. “As if they give a shit.”

“I supposed you’d know.” Ethyl had once said she had a personal goal of shagging her way through the magical world, crossing every type of creature off her bucket list. She collected boyfriends and girlfriends like trading cards, the more rare the magic, the more points she awarded them.

Ethyl flashed a coy smile. “Shifters are the baddies of the magical world.”

“Baddies?” My stomach soured. “I can’t get mixed up with baddies. I have Des.”

“They’re also animals in the sack.” Ethyl let out a little growl to emphasize her point. “You have to go out with him, Luci.”

I chewed my nails, anxiously looking at Des as he played his game with his headset covering his ears, a complacent smile on his face. He still had no clue about the dark underbelly of the magical world. I had every intention of keeping him blissfully unaware as long as possible. “I don’t know.”

She flashed a sly grin. “If you don’t, I will.”

My head snapped back as if I’d been jolted. “Hey!” No way was Ethyl taking a bite of my stud sandwich, which meant only one thing—I would have to go on a date with him.

Goddess help me.

Chapter Three

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