Page 27 of Tricky Magic
“Or she’s here to destroy us all.” Ros shoved his friend off and stomped to his truck.
“Doubtful! I think you forgot how your cock works and you’re getting mixed signals,” Sam said, but Ros flipped him off and ripped open his truck door. “You know you love me!”
10
Ros
Abell rang overhead as Ros took a step into the shop. Ag’s Apothecary had been a staple in this town for hundreds of years. It had shifted with the times and started stocking more mortal items and trinkets to entice any tourists stopping on their way through town. Agatha herself was an amazing procurer of anything you needed. For Ros, that was a book and Garm’s favorite jerky. It had been about a week since he was here last to place an order. A week since he’d run into the new witch in town. He still hadn’t made it over to her cabin.
“Ros! How are you today?” Agatha was tall with dark brown skin and straight jet black hair, not a gray strand in sight. Only the faintest wrinkle showed at the edges of her eyes as she smiled at Ros. No one knew Agatha’s age, and it was probably rude to ask.
“Not bad, Agatha. How are you?” Ros responded with a smile. She was one of the few Ros let see a different side of him—just a glimpse, but he liked her. She was a witch with no claim to a certain power other than seeking items and knowing what someone needed.
“Good, good. Before I grab your things from the back, I have a favor to ask,” she said as a glint sparkled in her eye. Agatha was up to something.
Ros stood straighter. He trusted her, but he didn’t trust the favor she would ask for. “Are you going to hold my things hostage if I say no?”
Laughing softly, she grabbed his hand from over the counter. He didn’t mind her touch, but worried she would see something in it.
“I would never hold Garm’s jerky hostage. Your book, though, I might just hold that if you say no,” she said with a wink. Agatha flipped his hand over and looked down at his palm for a moment. His hand was so much larger than hers. “My afternoon girl called in sick, and I won’t be able to make my deliveries. Would you mind dropping an order off at the Handley’s home?”
She released his hand and looked up at him. There was no worry in her eyes, only knowing. It was hard to hide his grimace.
“Don’t give me that look,” she said, standing taller and looking a little older. “I figured since you lived on the same street, it wouldn’t be an issue.”
Ros sighed. Agatha didn’t know why he was reluctant to travel to her house. And she didn’t need to know. “You’re lucky I really want that book.”
“Oh, please. Maybe it will be good. Talk to someone other than me, the hound, and Sam,” she proposed with a wave over her shoulder as she headed to the back.
“I don’t need another witch in my life, you’re plenty,” he answered with another rare smile.
“Save that flirting for someone your own age. I will go grab the boxes.” She walked through the curtains to the back of the store.
“There isn’t anyone my own age,” he grumbled to himself.
* * *
Ros pulled onto his street,one he now shared with someone new. He hadn’t thought that he would find himself heading towards the witch’s house so soon. His mind raced through all the possibilities of what his magic was trying to tell him. Ros would have preferred more time to learn all he could and figure out what to do with the witch.
He was used to his powers reacting or calling to something that needed to be destroyed before they caused destruction. But something was lingering in the back of his mind. This wouldn’t be so simple, and he didn’t know what to make of it. For now, he had to deal with the box sitting on his passenger seat.
He could make this quick—drop off the box at the door, knock, and leave. But why were his powers rumbling the closer he got? That beast was crawling to the surface, ready to fight.
Sighing, Ros parked his truck far enough away to take in everything before he approached the large dark structure. Nothing creeped in the woods and the greenhouse seemed empty; all that was left was the cabin. He listened carefully. Nothing. The gravel crunched under his boots as he approached the front door.
Taking a calming breath and begging his powers to relax, Ros listened again. He was greeted with soft moans coming from the back of the house. He perked up at the sound. Not seeing any other vehicles, Ros wondered who was there with her.
His hair lifted on the back of his neck, and he took in the scents. Ros was only greeted with her sweet smell, something soft, and something still unknown to him. Smirking at the door, he realized what was going on.
Any gentleman would come back later, but Ros was no gentleman. Bringing his large fist to the door, he gave a booming knock. His heart matched the heaviness of it, beating hard in his chest.
There was a faint curse and scuffle. Ros only grinned wider. He seemed to be smiling a lot lately.
11
Ellea
“This can’t be happening,” Ellea whispered. This past week had brought her nothing but frustration, and this afternoon had seemed to be the perfect time to take care of business when she’d gotten to a particularly spicy scene in her latest read. Billy was out, what were the chances that her rare alone time got interrupted? She had only met the shop owner and that rude asshole at the shop. Who the Hel would be here? She grabbed a pair of bottoms close by, threw on a t-shirt, and rushed for the stairs.
