Page 20 of Strike It Witch

“You wanted to torch him a few minutes ago.”

“That was when I thought he was going to eat me.”

I shrugged. “To be fair, he still might eat you. I can’t guarantee he won’t. But he’d probably rather have some freeze-dried worms or fertilizer.”

“Let me get that started.” She dashed back into the shop.

I lowered my forehead to the side of the crate. Gods, I felt like hot garbage. It had been way too soon after last night’s banishment to try using my magic again.

One of the wispier vines slid down and stroked the top of my hand. A burst of magic filled me, and my vision cleared. My headache didn’t disappear, but it improved.

“Thank you.” I smiled up at the beautiful pitcher plant, with its vibrant green flared leaves and long, narrowed stalk.Nepentheswere natural works of art. Scary, natural works of art. “I’m going to have an earth witch take you into her care. She’ll make sure you have room to flourish and grow. Please don’t eat her—or Bronwyn, either. I promise, it’s going to be okay.”

I dug my cell phone out of my back pocket and put in a call. As I’d expected, Sarai was pants-wetting excited about the enormousNepenthesand said she’d be by to pick him up as soon as she could rent a refrigerated truck large enough to accommodate him comfortably.

The vine wrapped around my wrist, trailed up my arm, and played with the flower in my hair.

“I need you to also keep the soil in the crate with theNepenthes,” I told her. “I made a promise.”

“I’ll honor your promise. Thanks for calling, Betty. A giantNepenthes—I’m beside myself over here. I owe you a big favor for calling me first.”

That made me smile.

Some people collected stamps. I collected favors.

We hung up, and Bronwyn came back into the room with a bag. “They’re going to deliver everything.” She gave the plant a worried look. “Can you hold out for another hour?”

“He can. I’ve made arrangements for him. He should only have to stay here another day, maybe two.” I gave her Sarai’s information and instructions on how to maintain the spell I’d cast. “Is that my order?”

She patted the bag. “Charm supplies, saguaro spikes, and a bottle of boysenberry wine. Plus these.” She held up a pair of hot-pink, crystal-framed sunglasses. “You don’t have to tell me, but I’m dying to know. What are you doing with them?”

“Night vision glasses. My friend Ida loves poker night with her pals, but she’s been making excuses not to go for the last few months because her vision isn’t what it used to be.” Something I’d witnessed firsthand last night. “I thought these might help—I still have to spell them, but that won’t take long.”

“Sounds like a perfect gift.” She slipped the glasses back into the bag. “For helping me today, I can give you everything except the saguaro spines for free. I’ll give you the spines at cost.”

That was a huge payday. Saguaro spines were pricey. They had to come from healthy cactuses that had died of natural causes—and given their longevity, that wasn’t easy to find. I wished I didn’t have to use them at all, but the Siete Saguaro’s protection spell had to be updated every three months, and I needed them to power the spell.

“Works for me,” I said. “Nice doing business with you.”

“Speaking of, could I trouble you for some rosemary and lavender? I’ll pay you the usual rate, of course.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

I bade goodbye to the pitcher plant and Bronwyn and left with my purchases. I was depleted, magically and physically, and all I wanted to do was go home and take a nap. Instead, I ate the second lavender scone, finished my lukewarm cappuccino, and pointed my car in the direction of Ronan’s Pub.

It was eleven thirty, and I had a meeting with a possible poisoner at noon.

Chapter

Six

Ronan’s Pub wasn’t far from Wicked, but I drove around for a while first. The radio DJ was playing Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and Freddie needed my backup vocals.

The dim ache in the back of my head remained persistent.

Damn. I was getting weaker, and there wasn’t much I could do about it. At least, not yet. Not until I found a buyer for the park.

“Gods, I miss you, Mom. Wish you were here. You’d know what to do.”

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