Page 17 of Curses & Cold Brew
Ramona’s quicksilver eyes snapped to mine as if magnetized. “Would it bother you if I was?”
“No,” I said too quickly, choking on the insinuation. “It doesn’t matter to me whose bed you slither into.”
“Liar,” she purred. She reached out and touched a strand of my hair before brushing a finger across my cheek. “Malice looks good on you, little witchling. Jealousy’s the color of your eyes.”
When said eyes dropped to my lips, I only had one thought:I am so fucked.
She pulled her hand away, leaving the ghost of her touch on my skin. I took a step back, hoping the regained ground would strengthen my trembling legs.
Thankfully, the moment was saved by Citrine calling out, “Hey, Iris!” Then adding with less enthusiasm, “Ramona. What can I do for you?”
Ramona seemed perplexed that Citrine knew her name, and the feigned humility made me roll my eyes. Ramona and Naphula were the local demons. Everyone knew who they were. Whether the two hellions thought they were more inconspicuous than they actually were or if they just expected everyone to go along with their charade, I didn’t know.
“Is this a crystal dildo?” Ramona pointed to an alarmingly phallic-shaped Dalmatian Jasper.
Citrine gripped the base of the largest . . . pumpkin?
The piece had five carved pumpkins stacked on top of one another ending with a smooth nub at the very tip.
“Here at Stars and Stones, we encourage all aspects of self-discovery through certain healing crystals. The ones marked with a heart sticker are safe for internal use. This one invokes joy, loyalty, and play. It’s one of our most popular items.”
“Uh, right.” Ramona took another long look at the crystal item as Citrine set it back down.
“So, um, yeah,” I said, taking the lead in the conversation we were here to have. “I’ve been doing some research lately and?—”
“My fellow spell nerd,” Citrine said with a smile. “You’ve always been so clever.”
Ramona stepped possessively into me at the fondness in Citrine’s voice. The butterflies in my stomach danced anew at the subtle movement.
“I wish I could work spell magic as skillfully as you do,” I replied, placing an affectionate hand on her arm.
Ramona stiffened next to me.
Okay, maybe I was making her squirm as a small act of revenge, but she deserved a taste of her own medicine. Sue me!
“Actually,” I continued, “I’m looking into curses that require crystals and herbs, specifically angelica root, iron, and black tourmaline.”
Citrine pursed her lips. “Those aren’t unusual ingredients for protection.” She stared at the ceiling contemplatively. “More common in run-of-the-mill spells than actual curses. But protection spells could be used to cloak a curse, I suppose. If the magic wielder were being extra careful.”
It looked as if Citrine were trying to work out a riddle. I could tell she was flipping through the stacks of information she’d locked away in her big brain.
“Anything powerful enough to break a demon’s sigil?” I added.
Her brows pinched together as she looked from me to Ramona.
Very subtle, Iris!
“I thought only demons could break sigils.” Citrine drummed her fingers across her lips. “And some other hell beasts. Vampires, maybe?”
“You’re sure a witch wouldn’t be powerful enough to conjure such a thing?” Ramona asked. Her hip grazed mine, reminding me how close to me she stood.
“Well, I didn’t say that. With the right tools,” Citrine said with a shrug. “And the right magical conduits.”
“Like what?” Ramona growled, and I kicked her with my boot.
“I’m not sure. It depends on who they are and what access they have to the forces of nature or the supernatural,” Citrinemused. “Sorry I can’t be more helpful. Have you tried meditating and asking the goddess?”
“The goddess?” Ramona guffawed. “I’m still not talking to that?—”
