Page 86 of Edge of Darkness

“I had a blast,” Kit said, spreading jelly on his toast. “Oh, hey, I also liked the idea you mentioned while I was giving you a tour. Little seating areas strategically placed throughout the store is genius.”

“And thankyoufor the recommendations you made. I started that book last night,” Audrey said, sipping her coffee. “Needless to say, I stayed up way too late.”

Kit nodded. “I hear you. That author really drags you into their world.”

“Hey, Kit? I just have to know. Where did you get that leather necklace? That’s the coolest thing I’ve ever seen,” Sheila finally asked.

“Oh, this?” Kit touched the leather necklace. “There’s this little boutique near me calledBell, Book, and Cauldron. The lady who owns it is super nice. I guess it’s kind of a new age shop.”

Audrey raised an eyebrow. “Um, Kit? What else does she sell?”

“Books, herbs, crystals, candles, ah, what else? I’ve seen incense, teas, and oils. Jewelry, obviously.” Kit waved at his necklace.

Sheila glanced at Hudson.

“And that’s just what I can remember off the top of my head. I mean, I only go for the handmade jewelry. You can’t beat this quality,” Kit said, glancing at the leather wristband.

“Your Majesty?” Sheila asked.

“Yes. Please,” Hudson said.

“Okay, what?” Kit looked from Sheila to Hudson, then back to Sheila. “What was that unspoken ask and answer thing you two did right then?”

“Someone’s very observant,” Audrey commented.

Connie leaned into Kit, his nose barely inches from the necklace against Kit’s chest. “I’m not picking up any magical vibes from it. Are these the ones you wore last night?”

“You are all up in my bubble, but yes.”

“Then they are indeed just jewelry,” Hudson said. “I didn’t pick up anything from them last night, either.

Kit put his fork down. “You guys are freaking me out. What’s going on?”

“Dragons are inherently magical,” Audrey said. “In other words, we’re magical creatures. We can sense magic, and we can also use magic.”

“I… I was not expecting to get told that first thing this morning, so I’m not exactly sure how to respond outside of holy crap. That’s cool. But I’m a little confused as towhyyou’re telling me this,” Kit said.

“Because that nice lady who owns that little boutique? She’s a magic user,” Connie said. “Not too long ago they were also called witches.”

“Other names are mage, magus, spellcaster, enchanter/enchantress, sorcerer/sorceress, warlock, witch, or wizard,” Audrey added. “It’s someone who uses or practices magic derived from supernatural, occult, or arcane sources.”

“Holy shit,” Kit whispered. “I had no idea. Did I do wrong by going in there? Should I not have done that? I mean, she’s really a nice person who has a damn shop so she can sell stuff, so whywouldn’tI go in there? That’s the point, right? Right? I’m so confused.”

“I’m sure she is, but Sheila is still going to check her out,” Hudson said. “Especially if this is someplace you like to shop. As to why? I want to make sure what she sells you doesn’t come with a little ‘something’ extra.”

And give her a warning that Kit was under the protection of the Fire Court of San DeLain. Couldn’t hurt, right?

“I have no idea what that means,” Kit said. “Speak human for me.”

“It means I’m going to make sure there are no spells attached to any of the jewelry she sells. Less ethical witches sometimes do crap like that,” Sheila said. “But since we’re not sensing anything from what you’re wearing, she probably isn’t that sort.”

Kit rubbed his forehead. “Do you mean to tell me there are people out there selling bespelled jewelry?”

“It happens,” Connie said, shrugging. “Sometimes shit is stolen from old burial sites and ends up in shops. There are movies and books geared toward it even.”

“Shit,” Kit groaned. “Maybe I should start buying my stuff off Amazon.”

Audrey shook her head. “I don’t know why you think that would be safer.”

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